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NATIONAL BRIEFING
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Fleaflicker, a free service that lets players create fictional football teams, will operate independently and will be integrated into AOL's sports site.
AOL is trying to get more revenue from advertising. The purchase comes on top of the almost $2 billion AOL has committed since 2006 to buying online ad companies and Bebo, the third-largest social networking Web site.
4 States Oppose XM-Sirius Deal
The proposed merger of Sirius and XM satellite radio was opposed by four states that say the combination of the only pay radio companies would pose a threat to competition.
Connecticut, Maryland, Ohio and Washington urged the Federal Communications Commission to reject the merger, in a letter signed by the four states' attorneys general.
If the agency approves the merger, "the only way it can preserve valuable competition is to introduce a new competitor" by leasing spectrum to a service that would be free to owners of satellite radio receivers, the four state officials said.
MANUFACTURING
Black & Decker to Lay Off 700
Black & Decker will lay off 700 employees and close a plant in Arkansas in response to a disappointing quarterly report.
The Towson, Md., toolmaker made the announcement after reporting Thursday that first-quarter earnings were down 38 percent from the first quarter last year.
The company, which employs about 25,000 people worldwide, blamed the slumping housing market for many of its woes. The impact of the layoffs on the company's Towson headquarters was unclear, but company spokesman Roger Young said "a good number will be in Maryland."
LOCAL
Orbital Announces Share Buyback
Orbital Sciences, a Dulles-based satellite and rocket manufacturer, announced that its board authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of its common stock. The 12-month buyback replaces a previous $50 million program -- under which Orbital acquired $45.2 million of common stock -- that was set to expire next week.
MORTGAGE FINANCE
