The New York Times reports that Microsoft’s chief executive, Steve Ballmer, met in New York earlier this week with Roy J. Bostock, Yahoo’s chairman, prompting speculation that negotiations over a Web search deal between the two companies could be restarting. Meanwhile, it has been revealed in a regulatory filing that Yahoo’s new chief executive Carol Bartz will receive a compensation package of about US$19 million in 2009, in addition to a bonus and stock options.