June 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

- Jaguar Land Rover could start building its bestselling Defender vehicle in the United States to avoid U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs as Britain’s largest automotive manufacturer shifts its sales focus towards America.

- Jeff Bezos is investing $400 million in a Cambridge-based start-up CuspAI that uses artificial intelligence to discover new materials through his family firm, Bezos Expeditions.

The Guardian

- UK inflation unexpectedly remained at 2.8% in May, as rising energy costs caused by the Iran conflict were offset by slower increases in food prices.

- The online electrical goods seller AO World AO.L has revealed it is outsourcing up to 200 UK call centre roles to South Africa blaming rising labour costs, as it handed £20 million ($26.62 million) to shareholders.

The Telegraph

- The new BBC director-general Matt Brittin sent an email to staff this morning announcing that “tough choices” had been made, including the loss of 550 roles.

Sky News

- A Swedish lender owned by the private equity firm Nordic Capital is merging with Liberis, a UK-headquartered provider of finance to small businesses, in a deal that will continue the consolidation of Europe’s SME lending market.

- Modella Capital is drawing up a revised offer to landlords of TG Jones stores as it seeks to persuade them to back a make-or-break overhaul of the chain.

($1 = 0.7514 pounds)