Sept 18 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on

the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not

verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

The Times

- Guardian Media Group is in talks to sell The Observer to

the online news outlet Tortoise Media after operating losses at

the company's parent widened to 43.5 million pounds ($57.27

million).

- Philip Morris International ( PM ) has offloaded Vectura

for just 150 million pounds, three years after its contentious 1

billion pounds acquisition of the respiratory drugs company

triggered a backlash from the public health sector.

The Guardian

- The full implementation of an EU entry-exit system

introducing fingerprinting and facial recognition checks at

ports and airports is expected to be delayed again amid fears

over congestion and long queues.

- Plant-based food brand Deliciously Ella has been sold in a

move that will expand the sale of its oat bars and energy balls

all over the world.

The Telegraph

- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to allow

water bills across the country to be raised to pay for a

government bailout of Thames Water through new legislation that

will let the government charge all water companies the full 10

billion pounds cost if ministers decide to take over.

Sky News

- Private equity group Inflexion is studying a takeover of

Advanced Medical Solutions Group which has a market

capitalisation of over 500 million pounds.

- Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will hold

talks with union bosses and business leaders on Wednesday as the

government pursues its ambition of ending "exploitative"

zero-hours contracts.

The Independent

- Co-op said it is launching a 24-hour grocery

delivery service to cater for increased demand from shift

workers, parents and late-night revellers.

- Vulnerable people who have physical immigration documents

are being encouraged to switch as soon as possible to an

electronic system under a new government campaign.

($1 = 0.7595 pounds)

(Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)