PRESS DIGEST-Financial Times - November 20

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

- UK offers 1% of Brussels' 6.7-billion-euro demand to join EU defence fund - Greater Manchester to launch 1 billion-pound public investment fund

- Lloyd's investigates promotion of female executive close to then-CEO - Russian spy ship targeted RAF pilots with lasers, says UK defence secretary

Overview - The UK has offered just 75 million euros ($86.39 million), around 1% of Brussels' 6.7-billion-euro demand to join the EU's 140-billion-euro Safe defence fund, arguing its contribution should reflect limited benefits since Britain cannot access loans under the scheme as negotiations continue ahead of a November 30 deadline.

- Greater Manchester will launch a 1 billion-pound ($1.30 billion) public investment fund to accelerate commercial and residential development, including lab and office space, a new town, and major housing projects. - Lloyd's of London has launched a fresh investigation into governance failures surrounding a 2023 executive appointment under former CEO John Neal, after an earlier review found internal processes were not fully followed. The probe comes amid speculation about Neal's close personal ties to the appointee.

- UK Defence Secretary John Healey warned that a Russian spy ship, Yantar, targeted an RAF surveillance plane with lasers near Shetland, prompting the UK to lower its naval rules of engagement and deploy HMS Somerset. Healey added that military options are ready if the vessel moves south. ($1 = 0.8682 euros) ($1 = 0.7665 pounds) (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)