BHP's Anglo American Bid Falters, Sony Eyes Queen's Catalogue, UK Trade Relations in Focus

BHP's $49.52 billion bid to acquire Anglo American has collapsed after intense negotiations. Meanwhile, Sony Music is making a bid for Queen's music catalogue valued at $1 billion. The UK government faces pressure to improve EU trade relations, and junior doctors plan a strike ahead of the election.

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

- BHP's 39 bln stg pursuit of Anglo American collapses - Sony Music in talks to buy Queen's music catalogue for $1 bln

- Next UK government must forge better trade relations with EU, says lobby group - Junior doctors to strike ahead of UK election

Overview - BHP's 39 billion pounds ($49.52 billion) takeover bid for Anglo American has collapsed after a frenzied six-week pursuit. In a last day of brinkmanship, BHP called for an extension to talks, which Anglo rebuffed, before the Australian mining company finally abandoned its takeover attempt.

- Sony Music has created a financial vehicle titled "Rock Bidco", incorporated on May 17, as the record company bids for the music catalogue of British rock band Queen, which is expected to fetch a billion-dollar sum. - The next UK government must negotiate an improved trading relationship with the EU as businesses face ever-higher costs from Brexit, British Chambers of Commerce, one of the country's biggest corporate lobby groups has warned.

- Junior doctors in England will go on strike for five days, from June 27 to July 2, in the run-up to the UK general election, after failing to reach an agreement with the Conservative government to secure a better pay offer. ($1 = 0.7875 pounds) (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)