Also. . .

* Unilever, the consumer products giant behind such brands as Lipton, Vaseline and Dove soap, said it plans to slash 25,000 jobs, or 10% of its work force, over five years, as it reported a 5% decline in annual profit.

* US Airways Group Inc. flight attendants rejected federal arbitration in contract talks, clearing the way for a 30-day countdown to a possible strike at the carrier. A spokesman for the Arlington, Va.-based carrier declined to comment. If no agreement comes in the 30 days, the 9,800-member union would begin walkouts on individual flights with no warning to passengers or US Airways.

* Monsanto Co. plans to sell its Kelco biogums business to a joint venture of Hercules Inc. and Lehman Bros. Merchant Banking Partners II for $685 million. Biogums are used mainly to improve the texture and processing of foods. Monsanto’s main biogums operations are in San Diego; Chicago; Okmulgee, Okla.; and Knowsley, England.

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