UNITED KINGDOM

Stock index futures rose on Tuesday as corporate earnings fueled investors' optimism on their return from a 3-day holiday.

European shares gained on Tuesday after UK bank Barclays beat profit forecasts, and the euro rose against the dollar as European finance ministers put more pressure on Greece to resolve its fiscal problems.

Iraq is the country most at risk from terrorist attacks for the second straight year, according to a ranking by global analysts Maplecroft, while Thailand has joined the nine countries most in danger for the first time.

Sterling edged higher against a broadly weaker dollar on Tuesday, tracking a relief rally in euro/dollar as investors trimmed short positions in the single European currency.

The use of full-body scanners at British airports may breach human rights laws, the country's equality commission said on Tuesday, potentially undermining the latest weapon against terrorism.

In what was a very lacklustre Asian session yesterday the Aussie dollar traded sideways between 0.8860 and 0.8880 for the majority of the day as local investors searched for inspiration.

Two commuter trains crashed head-on near Brussels during the Monday morning rush hour killing 18 people.

Britain's Royal Bank of Scotland is in talks with a potential buyer for its Colombian operations, as it pushes ahead with plans to refocus on core businesses.

Babcock International has made a 1.14 billion pound ($1.79 billion) approach to buy defense services firm VT Group.

The CEO of Britain's Eco City Vehicles has ambitions to capture half of the black cab market in London with the Mercedes Vito model it sells.

HSBC expects double-digit revenue growth this year in its Amanah Islamic banking division and more sukuk mandates than in 2009, Razi Fakih, deputy chief executive of Amanah told Reuters.

European stock indices edged mostly higher in this quiet trading day, led by financial and commodities firms.

Britain's top share index gained 0.8 percent by midday on Monday, as banks and commodities rallied following the previous session's falls and British Airways climbed on hopes of a global alliance.

Two commuter trains crashed head-on near Brussels during the Monday morning rush hour and at least 10 people were killed, a local official said.

Iran told a United Nations body on Monday that it fully respects human rights, denouncing concerns raised by the United States, Britain and France as political gestures amid a wider nuclear standoff.

Japanese Finance Minister Naoto Kan said he was open to debating sales tax reform, suggesting the government may consider raising the tax to help fund its spending programs focused on supporting households.

The Aussie dollar collapsed in early European exchange following the announcement from the PBOC to lift the reserve ratio required by banks by 0.5%, a move aimed at limiting asset bubbles which will also have the effect of slowing economic growth in China.

The trio of top executives at British bank Barclays , including Chief Executive John Varley and President Bob Diamond, will forgo a cash bonus for 2009, a person familiar with the matter said.

The Vancouver Olympics kicks off tonight, and already more than 60,000 people are there to witness the Olympic cauldron being lit in BC Place stadium during the opening ceremony. Below is a breakdown of the Full Olympics Schedule of 2010:

NATO and the European Union's new president joined U.S. President Barack Obama in congratulating Viktor Yanukovich on Friday on his election in Ukraine, as the West looked to extend a hand to the Moscow-leaning leader.

European stock indices are losing steam before the opening of the U.S. session as member nations reported less than stellar Gross Domestic Product (GDP) numbers and news of China tightening shook world markets.