Briefs: Wal-Mart recalls animal toy sets

BENTONVILLE, ARK. -- Wal-Mart Stores is recalling toy animals made in China because of excessive lead levels discovered since it stepped up safety testing in August, retailer said Friday. In a news release, Wal-Mart described the recalled items as sets of realistic-looking farm animals, jungle animals and dinosaurs. The toys are sold in loose sets in cellophane-type bags without a brand name. Photos and details of the affected toys can be found at www.walmartfacts.com. Customers may return the product to any Wal-Mart store, with or without a receipt, for a full refund.

Northern Rock replaces chairman

LONDON -- Northern Rock PLC said Friday it was replacing its chairman, after two months of troubles during which the mortgage lender took emergency funding from the Bank of England and saw the first run on a British bank in nearly a century. Chairman Matt Ridley is resigning and will be succeeded by former Standard Chartered PLC Chairman Bryan Sanderson, the bank said in a statement.

Countries want more U.S. scrutiny

WASHINGTON -- The International Monetary Fund should step up its surveillance of the U.S. and other advanced economies in light of the global credit crisis shaking world markets, a group of developing countries said Friday. They also repeated their demand for greater representation of developing countries in the governing bodies of the IMF and its sister organization, the World Bank. In a communiqué, the finance ministers and central bankers in the Group of 24 "noted the vulnerability of the U.S. subprime mortgage market and its financial and spillover effects" on the global economy.

Chrysler workers continue voting

DETROIT -- United Auto Workers officials pressed for ratification of a tentative contract with Chrysler as local union members continued to vote on the agreement Friday. Meanwhile, low-level talks were proceeding at Ford Motor Co., the last of the three automakers in this year's contract talks.