Week in pictures: October 26

Investment bank Merrill Lynch announced that it recorded a net loss of $8.6bn on its continuing operations in the last financial year. (Read the article) Photograph: Mark Lennihan/AP

An international gang tried to defraud the Bank of England out of £28bn using fake £500,000 and £1,000 notes. There was one problem: £500,000 notes have never been produced by the bank. (Read the article) Photograph: City of London Police/PA

Tuesday: BP was at the centre of a huge row after unveiling record quarterly profits of $10bn (£6.4bn) - a rise of 148% Photograph: BRITISH PETROLEUM/HO/EPA

Dubai announced plans to sell a 20% stake in its ports business, DP World, through what is expected to be the Middle East's largest initial public offering. From left to right, John Parker, vice chairman of DP World, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World and Jamal Majid bin Thania, chief executive officer of Dubai Ports and Free Zone World. (Read the article) Photograph: HAIDER SHAH/AFP

Porsche could launch a full takeover bid for Volkswagen, Europe's biggest car manufacturer now that the EU's highest court has overturned a 1960s federal law giving the German state effective control over VW. (Read the article) Photograph: Kai-Uwe Knoth/AP

UK sportswear firm Umbro, official kit supplier to England football team, has agreed to be acquired by US rival Nike in a £285m deal that has the backing of the Football Association. (Read the article) Photograph: RICK BOWMER/AP

October 25: Microsoft takes a stake Facebook that values the social networking internet business started by 23-year-old Mark Zuckerberg at $15bn. Read the article Photograph: Paul Sakuma/AP

Microsoft caved in to the European commission and agreed to comply with a landmark anti-trust ruling more than three years after it began a rearguard action against the decision and a record €497m (£347m) fine. (Read the article) Photograph: ROBERT GHEMENT/EPA

Shares in Capita tumbled more than 7% to 687p on Thursday after the surprise news that it has lost the lucrative contract for the London congestion charge zone. (Read the article) Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Sir Philip Green's Arcadia retail group managed a modest increase in profits this year despite the wet summer, helped by the success of model Kate Moss's clothing range. (Read the article) Photograph: Andrew H. Walker/Getty