San Franscisco (AP): Microsoft Corp. is once again trying to 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 Redmond, Washington-based software maker yesterday disclosed the revived discussions 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.

Yahoo had no immediate comment on Sunday.

Microsoft emphasized that it hasn't resurrected a USD 47.5 billion 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 USD 5.5 billion.

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.

Yahoo is facing intense pressure from its shareholders to reopen sales negotiations, with activist investor Carl Icahn threatening to replace the Sunnyvale, California-based company's entire board unless a deal can be worked out before Yahoo's July 3 annual meeting.