UPDATE 3-Deals of the day -- mergers and acquisitions

(Adds Tata Communications, Severstal, Elcoteq and others)

June 24 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals involving European, U.S. and Asian companies were reported by 2000 GMT on Tuesday.

(For Reuters columns on deals, click on [DEALTALK\]

** British gas producer BG Group (BG.L) went hostile, putting a $13.1 billion bid for Australia's Origin Energy (ORG.AX) direct to Origin shareholders, as it seeks to boost its position in Asia-Pacific's fast-growing gas market.

To read more please double click on [ID:nSYD35560]

** Russian oil major Lukoil (LKOH.MM) finally got a break into the west European refining business on Tuesday, buying 49 percent of Italian refiner ERG SpA's Mediterranean plant for 1.35 billion euros ($2.1 billion). [ID:nL2451929]

** Heavy machinery maker Caterpillar Inc (CAT.N) said it will buy Brazil's privately-held MGE Equipamentos & Servicos Ferroviarios Ltda, a maker of motors and other components for locomotives and train cars. [ID:nN24333858]

** Nokia (NOK1V.HE) will pay $410 million for the remaining shares in UK-based smartphone software maker Symbian and make its software royalty-free to boost phone sales and respond to new rivals such as Google (GOOG.O). [ID:nL2463229]

** South Korean food group Dongwon said it will buy canned tuna company StarKist from Del Monte Foods Co (DLM.N) for about $300 million, in the latest push by South Korean food makers for global expansion. [ID:nSEO179336]

** SAES Getters agreed to acquire Memry Corp MRY.A in a deal valued at about $77.7 million. [ID:nWNAS9040]

** AgFeed Industries Inc (FEED.O) has acquired Hainan Hopejia Feed Co, the largest premix feed company in China's southern Hainan province. [ID:nWNAS9029]

** French aero engine and telecoms maker Safran (SAF.PA) said it had bought Dutch-based passport and secure ID document maker Sdu-Identifaction BV. [ID:nL2439553]

** Swiss bank UBS (UBSN.VX) said it is buying privately owned Dutch wealth manager VermogensGroep for an undisclosed sum. [ID:nL2421497]

** Shares in China Oilfield Services Ltd (2883.HK), an arm of the CNOOC group, jumped more than 3 percent as speculation grew about a potential takeover of Norwegian offshore driller Awilco Offshore AWO.OL. [ID:nHKG56874]

** Australian zinc and lead miner Perilya Ltd (PEM.AX) rejected as inadequate a takeover proposal from CBH Resources Ltd (CBH.AX), both companies said, but Perilya left the door open to further talks. [ID:nSYD86812]

** India's Tata Communications (TATA.BO) said it has agreed to buy a further 30 percent stake in South Africa's No. 2 fixed-line operator Neotel [NEO.UL] from two South African state-run firms. [ID:nDEL186977]