Household goods giant Unilever today warned that its profits were being squeezed as it struggles to pass soaring commodity costs to cash-strapped consumers.

The London market suffered a third straight day of punishment today as economic fears remained the main influence over trading.

IRISH parents think homework is more important than play in their child’s development, a survey reveals.

MORE than 200 young fashion designers are hoping to cut a dash in this year’s hotly contested Persil Irish Fashion Awards.

Dulux paint maker ICI is expected to confirm an £8.1bn (€12bn) takeover deal today, which could see one of the oldest names in British industry pass into foreign hands.

Dulux paint maker ICI has agreed to an €11.9bn takeover by Dutch chemicals group Akzo Nobel, it emerged today.

ICI bidder Akzo Nobel was today given more time by the UK takeover watchdog to table its formal £8bn (€12bn) offer for the Dulux paint maker.

THE giant multinational Unilever — which owns HB, Flora, Knorr, Sunsilk and Persil among other well-known products — has placed an advertising ban on skinny models.

Consumer products giant Unilever today banked a 7% rise in pre-tax profits as demand for its products grew in the UK and Germany.

TOP of the pops and Ireland’s biggest-selling brand, Coca-Cola, has no fear of losing its fizz.

UNILEVER Bestfoods, which owns the Lyons Tea and HB ice-cream brands, saw its Irish profits fall by 8 million to 31m in 2002.

Food and household products group Unilever is expected to spark a three-way bidding war for Wella, the €4.4bn German cosmetics and hair care company.

Persil-to-Magnum group Unilever today reported a 10% rise in profits over the past year as sales of its core brands grew.

Unilever has signed what it believes is the largest advertising deal of its kind with ITV.