The Justice Department has asked for more information about the long-in-coming deal struck between Microsoft and Yahoo that would effectively take Yahoo out of the search business, replaced by Microsoft and its Bing widgetry, and theoretically create more of a speed bump as far as Google is concerned. Remember that the DOJ came within an inch of suing Google for antitrust over its proposed Microsoft-inhibiting deal with Yahoo. There's talk Yahoo may have to sell its search assets to accommodate the regulators. Meanwhile, Reuters says informal talks are going on between Microsoft and Yahoo and the European Commission. Nobody expects any decisions before next year.