AUSTRALIA - The Australian government plans to have "targeted" conversations with superannuation funds to encourage investments in local infrastructure.

BULGARIA - Bulgaria's private professional pension funds will put 20% of their assets under state control to cover early retirement until 2014, Prime Minister Boiko Borissov said.

IRELAND - The Irish government should tap into the country's pension reserves to carry out a US-style economic stimulus package, analysts said.

FRANCE - Train services were disrupted and flights canceled after French unions called for a fifth, and some said final, strike today against President Nicolas Sarkozy's pension bill, passed by parliament.

UK/AUSTRALIA - Asset managers working with the A$15.5bn ($15bn) HESTA Super Fund should prepare for yearly inquiries about their policies on environmental, social and governance (ESG) investments.

GLOBAL - Have you missed the biggest stories in pensions this week? Find out below, as we list the top 10 most popular stories on www.globalpensions.com over the past seven days.

NETHERLANDS - ABP's funding level waxed and waned over the third quarter ending at 94% as daily changes in interest rates caused wild swings in its coverage ratio.

US - CIM Group, a Los Angeles real- estate investment manager, agreed to cut fees it charges the California Public Employees' Retirement System, the biggest U.S. government pension, by $50m, the fund said.

US - The maximum pay-out offered by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporate will remain unchanged for the third year in a row at $54,000 in 2011.

US - Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has unveiled proposals that will have newly hired police and firefighters working longer for better pensions and paying for post-retirement health care for the first time.