MAJOR PAPERS:

• Merger talks between UAL Corporation's (NASDAQ: UAUA) United Airlines and US Airways Group Inc (NYSE: LCC) have been put off for now, the Wall Street Journal reported. United is reportedly close to an alliance with Continental Airlines Inc (NYSE: CAL).
• Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) is for sale and the company has begun to hear from interested parties, the Wall Street Journal also reported. Harris is looking for $75 to $80 per share. Speculation about the bidders includes General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC).

• The Charleston Gazette reported that Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE: CHK) has decided not to build its Eastern Division headquarters in Charleston, West Virginia in the wake of a West Virginia Supreme Court ruling on May 22.

• AppleInsider reported that Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) is expected to announce a back-to-school deal soon that will encourage students to buy new Macs by offering some of the largest incentives in the history of the company.

Merrill Lynch analysts believe there will be a dip in iPod sales in Apple's third quarter. Last year saw a similar call by financial experts who expected a 'cooling' in iPod sales that never came. But the third quarter is usually a slow time for electronics sales. And the iPod nano hasn't been quite the hit expected, thanks to the screen-scratching mojo that dogged it right out of the gate.

But there's a silver lining. The Merrill analysts think the general Apple lineup of laptops and desktops will make up for the dip in iPod sales. And other analysts point out that iPod video sales, shuffles, and the low end nano, are all marching along just peachy.

And, judging by last year's track record for iPod sales, Apple may surprise the perpetual 'iPod sales cooling off' crowd just yet.

[Disclosure: I own Apple stock at the date of this post]