Nov 7 (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

- Novo Nordisk challenges Pfizer ( PFE ) to raise offer for obesity

biotech

- Comcast ( CMCSA ) holds talks about buying ITV's television business

- Messina Group seeks to sell stake in lobbying firm

co-founded by Peter Mandelson

- Reeves considers less dramatic cut to cash Isa allowance

Overview

- Novo Nordisk's chief executive challenged

Pfizer ( PFE ) to increase its bid for obesity start-up Metsera ( MTSR )

, as the Denmark-based drugmaker again bested its U.S.

rival's offer for the biotech.

- Comcast ( CMCSA ) is in talks with ITV about

buying its television business, in a deal that could result in

it being combined with the U.S. media giant's Sky subsidiary to

create a leading broadcast and streaming group in the UK.

- The Messina Group, the U.S. political consulting firm run

by a former aide of Barack Obama, is seeking to sell off its

stake in Global Counsel, the lobbying outfit co-founded by Lord

Peter Mandelson.

- British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is considering a

less dramatic cut to the annual cash Isa allowance following a

backlash from building societies, as the chancellor tries to

push through potentially unpopular reforms to funnel more money

into UK stocks.

(Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)