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SEATTLE A report in the Wall Street Journal says that Microsoft may go hostile in its bid for Yahoo.

Citing unnamed people familiar with the matter, the paper is reporting that the world's largest software maker may be preparing to go straight to Internet pioneer Yahoo's shareholders.

The Journal says an announcement was "likely" to come today, though the newspaper says its sources cautioned that Microsoft may delay.

Meanwhile, Yahoo is exploring a possible advertising partnership with Internet search leader Google or a merger with the online operations of Time Warner's AOL as possible defenses if Microsoft tries a hostile takeover.