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Features of the week

The financials seem to be the prevailing theme in this Friday's, "Features of the week". But Lehman, BKX, and Ambac aren't the only items we have in store for you; there's lots more to see and hear.

Read on!

1. Lehman Brothers may raise $5 billion in capital in an effort to de-lever the balance sheet. The bank had been seen as a sale target earlier in the week.

For more, see: "Making sense of David Einhorn vs. Lehman Brothers", and, Jim Cramer's Blogging Stocks piece, "Einhorn gutted Lehman, and that's OK".

2. US unemployment rises at fastest rate since 1986.

3. Morgan Stanley, Merrill, Lehman ratings cut by S&P.

4. Some were taking this week's breakdown in the bank index (BKX) as an ominous sign; will there be an upcoming bounce for the banking sector?

5. MBIA and Ambac lose their S&P AAA ratings, affecting over $1 trillion in debt securities guaranteed by the companies.

6. IEA says world needs $45,000bn energy revolution.

7. It's not so easy being less rich - (New York Times).

8. Jim Rogers talks to Bloomberg about commodities, oil, and financials.

9. Ben Bernanke: Soaking them at Harvard.

10. Market wisdom from Bernard Baruch.

11. Stephen Schwarzman joins FT "View from the Top" to discuss the credit crunch, Lehman Brothers, Blackstone's IPO, and deleveraging in the banking sector.

12. "Dr. J", Julius Erving talks to Bloomberg about life after sports and says the Celtics vs. Lakers final is a "dream matchup".

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Enjoy your weekend.

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