RPT-BREAKINGVIEWS-Drahi-for-Bharti swap gives BT partial relief The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own. By Pierre Briancon LONDON, Aug 12 (Reuters Breakingviews) - BT BT.L Chief Executive Allison Kirkby can breathe a sigh of relief. India’s Bharti on Monday announced it was buying French telco mogul Patrick Drahi’s near-25% stake in the $18 billion British telecom operator.

UK Stocks-Factors to watch on August 13 Aug 13 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is expected to open higher on Tuesday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.25%. * OIL: Oil prices edged lower breaking a five-day streak of gains after OPEC on Monday cut its 2024 demand growth forcast over softer expectations in China. * GOLD: Gold prices eased as profit-taking kicked in after bullion hit an over one-week high, while market players awaited U.S.

PRESS DIGEST-British Business - Aug 13 Aug 13 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. The Times - Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer has "warned" the Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian not to attack Israel in his first call with the Islamic Republic's new leader.

PRESS DIGEST- Financial Times - August 13 Aug 13 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories in the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. Headlines - Indian billionaire to buy 24.5% BT stake from Altice - UK Treasury questions timetable on contentious fraud compensation plan - Rachel Reeves weighs PFI-style deal for 9 billion STG new Thames crossing - Carlyle explores 3 billion euro sale of Dutch salt and chemicals producer Nobian Overvi

UPDATE 1-UK's FTSE 100 ends higher supported by commodity-linked stocks For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window FTSE 100 up 0.5%, FTSE 250 adds 0.3% BT Group jumps after India's Bharti to buyout top shareholder UK July CPI due Wednesday, June wages data due Tuesday Updated at 1603 GMT By Purvi Agarwal and Roshan Abraham Aug 12 (Reuters) - London stocks kicked off the week on a positive note on Monday, supported by resources-linke