PRESS DIGEST-Financial Times - Feb 15

The following are the top stories in the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

The following are the top stories in the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. Headlines

- NatWest poised to confirm Paul Thwaite as chief executive - Brussels open to telecoms mergers to support investment

- US Porsche, Bentley and Audi imports held up over banned Chinese part - UK's Hunt explores fresh squeeze on public spending to fund tax cuts

Overview - NatWest is set to confirm interim boss Paul Thwaite as its permanent group chief executive, with the state-backed lender preparing for the government to launch a public share sale before the end of the summer.

- Brussels has signalled it is open to European telecoms mergers to help fund the rollout of 5G and update ageing networks. - Thousands of Porsche, Bentley and Audi cars have been impounded in US ports after a supplier to parent group Volkswagen found a Chinese subcomponent in the vehicles that breached anti-forced labour laws.

- British finance minister Jeremy Hunt is considering slashing billions of pounds from public spending plans to fund pre-election tax cuts if he is penned in by tight finances in his March 6 Budget. (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)