Week in pictures: October 5

Postal workers across the UK began a two-day strike at noon Thursday, heralding days and possibly weeks of disruption for businesses and consumers. (Read the article) Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell /Getty

BAA faces a crackdown on "unacceptable" queueing times at Heathrow after a Competition Commission ruling that also endangered a crucial £9.3bn debt refinancing at Britain's largest airport owner. (Read the article) Photograph: Tim Ockenden/PA

If the speculation is for real, it will fall to Alistair Darling to launch Labour's election campaign next week when he unveils the government's spending plans for the next three years. (Read the article) Photograph: John Stillwell /AP

The Bank of England left interest rates steady at 5.75% amid growing speculation that a weaker housing market and continuing turmoil in credit markets will soon force it to ease policy. (Read the article) Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Cadbury Schweppes is to close one of its chocolate factories and cut 700 jobs as it transfers work to Poland in an attempt to save costs. (Read the article) Photograph: Bruno Vincent/Getty

EADS, the owner of the European Airbus, was plunged into crisis amid accusations of insider trading by shareholders and senior executives on a "massive" scale. (Read the article) Photograph: Roland Magunia/AFP

Independent music companies reacted angrily yesterday to the European commission's decision to approve the merger of Sony Music and BMG despite rivals' complaints that it has stifled competition. (George Michael). (Read the article) Photograph: Brianarisonline.com/PA

Department store group John Lewis is to open its first store outside the UK with a £40m investment in a new outlet in Dublin Photograph: PR

The billionaire retailer Sir Philip Green declared on Wednesday that his BHS chain was "back on track" but refused to predict how the high street would fare at Christmas and said anyone who did was "mad". (Read the article) Photograph: Chris Young/PA

Ryanair has warned that the high cost of oil will force it to raise fares by around 5% this year. (Read the article) Photograph: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP

Supermarket is to quit its lavish head office in London's Holborn to move to a cheaper and greener HQ on the vast King's Cross development site. (Read the article) Photograph: PR

Sooty, the puppet bear who with a penchant for magic tricks and water pistols, is being put up for sale by its owners Hit Entertainment along with his friends, Sweep the dog and Soo the panda. (Read the article) Photograph: PR