News: RIO UPDATE 1-UK STOCKS-Factors to watch on Nov 30

(Adds news items, updates futures)

Nov 30 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.41%.

• OFGEM: Britain's energy watchdog has proposed new price controls for electricity distribution network companies for the next five years.
• HOME REIT: Britain's Home REIT Plc HOMEH.L , said there were no overdue arrears related to amounts billed to Aug. 31 and dismissed other allegations about its finances raised by activist investor Viceroy Research.
• PENNON: Pennon Group PNN.L plans to double its apprenticeship and graduate schemes to 1,000 spots and offer another 5,000 work placement opportunities by 2030.
• ASSOCIATED BRITISH FOODS: Primark said it planned to invest 100 million euros to open new stores and refurbish existing ones in Spain.
• RIO TINTO: Rio Tinto RIO.L plans to invest a further $600 million in renewable energy assets in the Pilbara region.
• ASTRAZENECA: AstraZeneca AZN.L is selling its West Chester manufacturing site in Ohio to biomanufacturing company National Resilience.
• RYANAIR: Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, Ryanair RYA.I , is in talks with authorities in Egypt and Libya about operating flights to the countries for the first time.
• FOOD PRICE: The cost of fresh food sold in British shops increased in November at the fastest annual rate since records began in 2005, a survey showed.
• BIRD FLU: Britons may struggle to get hold of a free-range turkey or goose for Christmas this year after an industry head said about half of them have either died or been culled due to outbreak of avian flu.
• BULB: Collapsed British energy supplier Bulb's acquisition by Octopus Energy faces further delays after rival suppliers E.ON, British Gas and Scottish Power mounted a legal challenge.
• OIL: Oil prices posted gains of more than 1% in Asian trade.
• GOLD: Gold prices edged up on Wednesday.
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