Also. . .

* Just Toys Inc., which sells toys under the Spalding and Louisville Slugger names, said it has fired most of its employees not needed to fill existing orders and is discussing the sale of its assets. The New York-based company, whose shares fell 87% in 2000, said it has been unable to pay its creditors and vendors since Sept. 30 because of disappointing operating results. Company officials were unavailable for comment. Shares of Just Toys last traded Wednesday, closing at 17 cents, up 4 cents, in over-the-counter trading.

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* Primedia Inc., the magazine publisher that bought About.com Inc. for $426 million two weeks ago, said it will cut about 160 jobs to reduce costs at its magazines and Web sites that target businesses. New York-based Primedia will eliminate about 140 jobs at its Intertec group of trade publications and about 20 jobs at its IndustryClick group of Internet sites.

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* Albertson’s Inc., the second-largest U.S. grocery chain, said five directors will resign effective June 14 to help the company reduce the size of its board to as few as 10 members. Boise, Idaho-based Albertson’s wants to reduce the size of its board to 10 to 14 directors and has adopted guidelines to ensure the majority of them aren’t company executives. Albertson’s had 20 directors as of April.