United Kingdom

UK - Pension funds invested in London based hedge fund CQS's Feeder Fund have voted to have part of their redemption notice period extended from 90 days to 12 months.

UK - Fidelity International has stressed its "generally non-partisan" approach to politics - despite donating £360,500 to the Conservative Party from April 2004 to February 2007.

UK - Despite a dramatic improvement in the fortunes of FTSE 100 pension schemes, a new report has highlighted the fragility of the current investment environment.

UK - The pension protection levy could be set for three years, according to a consultation launched by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF).

UK - AllenbridgeEPIC Investment advisers Limited (AEIA) has announced that Philip Williams, senior adviser at AEIA, has been re-appointed as independent investment adviser to the £1.2bn North Yorkshire Pension Fund.

UK - Industry figures have predicted that Britian is on the verge of a pensions crisis - but advised prime minister Gordon Brown there is still time to avert disaster.

UK - British multi-manager IMS is working on a range of tax transparent pooled products that would allow UK pension schemes access to US equities without paying the 30% withholding tax applicable to direct investments.

UK - The £703m London Borough of Tower Hamlets pension fund has launched a search for active and passive currency managers after it increased its exposure to overseas equities.

UK - A framework for a new type of self-regulated hedge fund has been created aimed at achieving hedge fund returns in a more controlled investment environment.

UK/INDIA - Pharmaceutical firm, Novartis folded under pressure from pension funds and chose not to appeal against a lost legal battle against the Indian government.