"Sourcesclose to both companies have confirmed that Google is in negotiationsto buy Twitter.  The discussion is still in the early stages and notbeing officially announced, nor has there been a dollar amountsuggested.  Twitter turned down Facebook's offer of half a billiondollars just a few months ago, so it's safe to assume that whatever theprice ends up being, it will be a lot."

"We'll have to call this a rumor until something more official isannounced, but the only reason to leak this information (if it doesturn out to be false) would be to incite Google's competitors (namelyMicrosoft) to start spending some money of their own.  Sneaky, butthat's how big business works (sometimes), so you never can tell withnews this juicy."