Orangina may change hands as Suntory Holdings is talking to the soft drinks maker’s current owners, Blackstone and Lion Capital. Suntory meanwhile is in talks itself to be sold to Kirin Holdings, its bigger rival.  

And Britain’s transport group National Express is ready to accept the 765 million pound bid offer from private equity house CVC and the Cosmen family, the Daily Telegraph says.

For these and other Reuters stories on deals, click here. Plus top stories in other media (some links may require subscription):

* U.S. private equity firm Blackstone is in talks to buy a 63 percent stake in Indian agro-chemicals and veterinary drugs maker Gharda Chemicals for about 6.3 billion rupees ($130 million), the Economic Times says.

* Japan’s Daiwa Securities Group (8601.T) and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T) are set to announce the end of their investment banking joint venture on Thursday, according to the Kyodo news agency.

* British airline bmi, owned by German flag carrier Deutsche Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), has so far attracted interest from 12 potential buyers, a German newspaper says.

* Mercedes has agreed to take a 75 percent stake in Formula One leaders Brawn GP within the next three years, German magazine Auto, Motor and Sport reports.