June 12 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Friday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.9%.

* SHELL: Venezuela signed five agreements with Shell SHEL.L to advance oil and gas projects, including the company's participation in the coveted 7-trillion-cubic-feet Loran offshore gas field, the government said.

* HEALTH: Britain's medicine regulator approved Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO weight-loss pill, making the UK the first market in Europe where patients can access the oral treatment and boosting the Danish drugmaker as it battles U.S. rival Eli Lilly LLY.N.

* OIL: Oil prices fell over $1, extending losses from the previous session after U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled plans to strike Iran, reducing fears of an escalation of hostilities following tit-for-tat attacks earlier in the week.

* METALS: Copper firmed amid easing oil prices and a wave of optimism that a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran to end the war may be within reach.

* GOLD: Gold prices fell and were on track for a weekly loss, pressured by concerns around inflation and potential U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

* FTSE: London's FTSE 100 index climbed on Thursday, supported by a recovery in financials stocks, though concerns lingered over the Iran war and surging corporate spending on artificial intelligence.

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

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