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The Business Secretary Peter Mandelson is to confirm that the Lloyds TSB/HBOS deal can go ahead as the Tories prepare to attack the PM over borrowing.

HBOS Deal Looks Set To Go Ahead
Business Secretary Peter Mandelson is to confirm the Lloyds TSB/HBOS deal can go ahead as the Conservatives prepare to attack the PM over borrowing.

Japan cuts rates (Reuters via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News)
Japan cut interest rates for the first time in seven years on Friday, expecting severe stress in the global economy to persist, while banking giant Barclays said it was raising 7.3 billion pounds in capital.