UPDATE 1-Market Chatter -- Corporate finance press digest

(Adds Turquoise item)

LONDON, June 11 (Reuters) - The following corporate finance-related stories involving U.S. and European companies were reported by media late on Wednesday and on Thursday:

* Turquoise, the European equity system owned by nine investment banks, was forced to close on Wednesday morning because of a technical problem, Financial News said.

* The New York Times Co (NYT.N) has hired Goldman Sachs (GS.N) to manage the possible sale of The Boston Globe, and plans to request bids in the next couple of weeks, The Boston Globe reported. [ID:nN10468338]

* Sprint Nextel Corp (S.N) and Level 3 Communications Inc (LVLT.O) are in early talks about forming a joint venture including Sprint's long-distance network, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. [ID:nN10265238]

* James Simons, the mathematics professor-turned-investor who founded the multibillion dollar hedge fund Renaissance Technologies LLC, has delayed his retirement plans, the WSJ said, citing people familiar with the discussions. [ID:nBNG58306]

* Chinese automaker Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp (BAIC) is interested in acquiring Ford Motor Co's (F.N) Volvo car unit, the WSJ said, citing three people familiar with the situation. [ID:nBNG461898]

* The company managing Britain's stakes in Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS.L) and Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) could sell an "exchangeable bond" in the two banks, according to the Daily Telegraph. [ID:nB692]

* Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO.AX) (RIO.L) offered a share in a planned iron ore alliance with BHP Billiton (BHP.AX) (BLT.L) to Chinalco as a peace offering following the collapse of Rio's $19.5 billion deal with the Chinese firm, the Australian Financial Review said. [ID:nSYD476524]