NORWAY - The Norway Government Pension Fund - Global has reported four consecutive months of losses, as the fund's value fell to US$387bn in March.

GLOBAL - MSCI Barra has launched a set of Global Minimum Volatility Indices as a benchmark for managed volatility investment strategies.

NETHERLANDS - The Dutch pension fund for the healthcare and social work sector, Pensioenfonds Zorg en Welzijn (PFZW), achieved a 7.1%. return on investments in 2007.

US - The $110bn Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) has launched a new investment program which will see it award $1bn to four US asset managers.

US - Large pension funds lead the way in reacting to market and accounting changes, according to research from Greenwich Associates.

STANDARD LIFE has appointed Xafinity Claybrook as pension administration system provider for its career average pension scheme.

UK - Industry players are divided over the Pensions Regulator (TPR) being given powers to control company activity and protect pension scheme members.

ITALY - Threadneedle has opened an office in Milan, headed by ex-UBS staffer, Alessandro Aspesi.

US - The Employees Retirement System of the State of Hawaii has appointed Northern Trust as global custodian.

PREMIER Pensions Services is to merge the administration functions of its small self administered schemes and self invested personal pension plans.