THE £2.3bn Staffordshire County Council pension fund is looking to appoint a manager for its active currency portfolio.

CANADA - The National Bank promised it would acquire C$2bn in Asset Backed Commercial Paper (ABCP) to relieve client uncertainties.

EUROPE- Pioneer Investments has appointed Mats Langensjo to the newly created role of head of institutional business for the Nordic region.

NORWAY - An upswing in global equity markets in the second quarter of 2007 contributed to solid performance figures for the Government Pension Fund - Global.

AUSTRALIA - Australian treasurer Peter Costello said the Future Fund would receive an Aus$7bn boost allowing it to cover all public sector superannuation liabilities by 2020, in his latest budget announcement.

Major firms should reconsider any plans to close final salary schemes following the dramatic progress they have made to slash deficits, Britain's largest union claims.

US - The Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement system (OPERS) has revealed it has launched a search for a large cap growth active domestic equity manager.

INCLUDING: UK - Schemes risk further volatility; GLOBAL - ETF increases; IRELAND - PRSAs on the up; US - William Blair appointment

UK - A deadlock has developed between trustees at J Sainsbury plc's pension scheme and Delta Two Limited, the Qatari-backed investment group which has approached the retail group.

GOVERNMENT consultation on regulations allowing direct self-investment of protected rights has been welcomed by the industry.