UK - The number of defined benefit (DB) pension schemes in deficit and covered by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) fell 1% to 70% by the end of October 2007.

UK - The UK is entering uncharted territory with the introduction of the National Pension Savings Scheme (NPSS), David Harris, managing director of Tor Financial Consulting, has warned.

IRELAND - The National Pension Reserve Fund (NPRF) is looking for new managers to run €600m in active equity mandates, to facilitate an increase in its emerging markets allocation.

UK - Pension Corporation's takeover of Marconi remnant telent has hit another hurdle, after the union representing the company's workforce vowed to do all it could to block the deal.

GLOBAL - Defined contribution (DC) and hybrid plans have prevailed among the world's leading employers, according to Mercer.

Barclays Capital has enhanced its liability driven investment offering with the launch of a swap indices family.

INCLUDING: CANADA - CPP inflows help results; SWEDEN - Aon shuts Swedish Investment division; UK - Fidelity adds to fixed income team; US - Barings announces senior appointments; Europe - HSBC Investments moves into Poland

Plans to revise clearance procedures for defined benefit schemes will not achieve The Pensions Regulator's aims, the Society of Turnaround Professionals warns.

NORWAY - The Government Pension Fund - Global is to commission a report on investing in real estate.

ASIA-PACIFIC - The adoption of defined contribution (DC) pension schemes has grown rapidly to cope with the effects massive demographic shifts towards elderly populations, a report by Allianz Global Investors (AGI) has shown.