Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.01%

* UK'S HEALTHCARE: Britain on Tuesday slashed by 15% its contribution to a global initiative to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, with an 850-million-pound ($1.14 billion) pledge, the latest reduction in aid by nations struggling with tighter budgets.

* LNG EXPORT: Britain plans to ban companies from providing services such as shipping and insurance for Russian liquefied natural gas exports, in its latest attempt to help Ukraine in its war against Russia by trying to choke off Kremlin revenue.

* OIL: Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday after rising in the previous session amid expectations that an end to the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown could boost demand in the world's biggest crude consuming nation.

* COPPER : Copper was little changed on Wednesday after U.S. private-sector labor data added to expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut, while markets looked to progress on ending the prolonged U.S. government shutdown.

* GOLD: Gold rose for a fourth straight session on Wednesday, supported by a weaker dollar and expectations that the reopening of the U.S. government and flow of economic data will strengthen bets for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut next month.

* FTSE 100: Britain's FTSE 100 closed at a record high for the second straight session on Tuesday, as weak UK labour market data boosted hopes for Bank of England rate cuts and drugmaker AstraZeneca hit an all-time high.

* UK CORPORATE DIARY:

* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/

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(Compiled by Tuhina in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)

(((( tuhina@thomsonreuters.com ))))