PRESS DIGEST - British business - April 21 =7

Italian prime minister elect Silvio Berlusconi has to deliver on an election promise of an alternative solution to the bid tabled and then withdrawn by Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) for beleaguered Alitalia (AZPIa.MI: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

The only confirmed indication of interest in the Italian flag-carrier, which has enough cash to stay airborne until about the end of May, has come from the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, who said that Aeroflot (AFLT.MM: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) was ready for talks. Prepared for Reuters by Durrants. ($1=.5010 Pound)