Yahoo!, the management of which have faced more criticism regarding their handling of Microsoft's most recent takeover offer (which some of their key shareholders were quite keen on), have announced they are back in talks with the IT giant, though regarding a less wide ranging deal this time - the merger of the two companies' advertising sales businesses.
Yahoo! have also been discussing a similar sales division merger with Google throughout all the Microsoft takeover-bid shenanigans. Microsoft seemingly came forward with the new smaller merger proposal, and Yahoo! said last night: "We will evaluate each of our alternatives, including any Microsoft proposal, consistent with our fiduciary duties, with a focus on maximising stockholder value. Yahoo and its board of directors continue to consider a number of value maximising strategic alternatives".