Aug 25 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories in

the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories and

does not vouch for their accuracy.

Headlines

- Keurig Dr Pepper ( KDP ) nears $18bn deal to buy European coffee

group JDE Peet's

- Tougher community penalties to replace short jail terms in

England

- HSBC Swiss unit culls wealthy Middle Eastern clients amid

regulator scrutiny

- UK sets out overhaul of asylum appeals process as protests

continue

Overview

- Keurig Dr Pepper ( KDP ) is nearing a roughly $18 billion

acquisition of European coffee company JDE Peet's in a

deal that could set the stage for the break-up of the U.S.

drinks giant.

- Short prison sentences are to be replaced by tougher

punishments in the community - including banning offenders from

pubs or sports matches - as ministers attempt to manage the

prisons crisis in England and Wales.

- HSBC's ( HSBC ) Swiss private bank has launched a cull of

more than 1,000 wealthy Middle Eastern clients as it faces

ongoing scrutiny from regulators over high-risk clients.

- Home secretary Yvette Cooper has announced an overhaul of

the UK asylum appeals process to tackle "completely unacceptable

delays" against a backdrop of protests about the use of hotels

to house asylum seekers.

(Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)