Microsoft, Yahoo! In the new talk

     Microsoft Corp is once again trying team up with Yahoo! Inc to challenge internet search and advertising leader Google Inc, although at this point the renewed talks haven't escalated to another attempt to take over Yahoo!.
     The software maker disclosed the revived discussions on Sunday without providing any specifics about the nature of the deal being explored except to say it involved bolstering the companies' position in the online search and advertising markets.
     "There of course can be no assurance that any transaction will result from these discussions," the statement said.
In a statement late Sunday, Yahoo! said its board is exploring several "value maximizing" alternatives and "remain open to pursuing any transaction which is in the best interest of our stockholders."
     Microsoft emphasized that it hasn’t resurrected a US$47.5bil (RM157bil) takeover bid that its chief executive, Steve Ballmer, withdrew May 3 after Yahoo! CEO Jerry Yang – acting on behalf of Yahoo!’s board – demanded an additional US$5.5bil (18.2bil).
     But Microsoft left open the possibility that it might dangle another buyout offer of Yahoo!, depending on how the discussions progress between the two companies and their respective shareholders.