DATE-RAPE DRUG: The toy beads can be arranged into designs and fused together when sprayed with water -- but their chemical coating could prove toxic to children
Millions of Chinese-made toys have been pulled from shelves in North America and Australia after scientists found they contain a chemical that converts into a powerful ``date rape'' drug when ingested. Two children in the US and three in Australia were hospitalized after swallowing the beads.

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HEGEMONY: The Morgan Stanley Asia chairman rebuffed the Chinese view that the greenback's day has come and gone
The US dollar will keep its status as the "world currency" for 15 to 20 years, said Stephen Roach, chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia Ltd, after Chinese officials signaled plans to diversify from the slumping US currency.

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Visa agreed to pay some US$2.25 billion to American Express to settle a lawsuit alleging collusion to block rival bank-issued credit cards in the US, the two companies said on Wednesday.

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Morgan Stanley said its fourth-quarter profit will be reduced by US$2.5 billion in write-downs related to the ongoing credit crisis, making it the latest Wall Street investment house to admit massive losses.

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