1.   Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have opened exploratory discussions that include the idea of a marriage.

2.   But a source close to Baker said the board was kept well-informed about all exploratory discussions and agreed with the reasons for the termination of those talks.

3.   Citicorp, which was advised by Morgan Stanley in its exploratory discussions with American Express Co., pulled back from the deal, at least for the moment.

4.   Frontier said on Wednesday that its management and advisers would begin exploratory discussions with Qwest.

5.   On another front, Mike Clark, the executive director of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, is conducting exploratory discussions with ranchers on ways to protect valuable wildlife habitats.

6.   Outside the United States, Deutsche Telekom has also held exploratory discussions with Telefonica of Spain and Cable and Wireless of Britain.

7.   The proposal came after nearly a month of exploratory discussions between BNP Paribas and the special committee that was formed in early April, BancWest announced.

8.   Woolworths disclosed that it had held exploratory discussions with Green about a closer relationship, including a possible merger with Bhs.