* STRIKES: The British government and healthcare unions agreed on pay proposal with 5% wage increase in coming year and urged workers to accept it, potentially ending strikes that have disrupted National Health Service (NHS) for months.
* BP: BP violated U.S. process safety rules and did not train workers properly at its Toledo, Ohio refinery, contributing to death of two workers at plant last year, U.S. federal investigators said.
* OIL: Oil prices rebounded by about 1% after meeting between Saudi Arabia and Russia calmed markets amid strong China demand expectations, after banking crisis sparked a sell-off in global financial and oil markets this week.
* GOLD: Gold prices rose, buoyed by weaker dollar, and were poised for biggest weekly gain since mid-November as global banking crisis sent investors flocking to the safe-haven metal.
* METALS: Base metals prices rose, as a host of bailout measures to avert banking crisis soothed investors' nerves, while weaker dollar and hopes for Chinese demand recovery also boosted sentiment.
* FTSE: London stocks rose on Thursday as banking sector recovered after Credit Suisse received lifeline from Swiss central bank to boost investor confidence, while Rentokil jumped after posting higher profit.
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: TODAY'S UK PAPERS > Financial Times > Other business headlines (Reporting by Hani Kollathodi in Bengaluru)
