BBC NEWS | Business | Google 'in exclusive AOL talks'

BBC NEWS | Business | Google 'in exclusive AOL talks': "Google shares have hit record highs on reports it could take a stake in Time Warner's internet unit, AOL.
Under the deal, Google would pay $1bn (£565m) for a 5% stake in AOL, the Wall Street Journal website has reported. The two firms have declined to comment.
Time Warner has been seeking a partner to boost AOL's value, which would in turn lift the US media giant's shares.
Any deal between the two sides would freeze out Microsoft, once considered the front-runner for a deal with AOL.
Yahoo had also been in talks with Time Warner but dropped out in November, reportedly because the media giant wanted to retain a majority stake in AOL.
Shares in Google surged more than 7% to highs of $435.20 as reports of the talks emerged. "