With governments in most advanced economies short of tax revenue after the financial crisis, pressure has been growing on small territories with big banking sectors to lift bank secrecy and do more to combat tax dodging and money laundering.

The United States has been in a lengthy dispute with Switzerland over the latter's bank secrecy rules, while the European Union also has turned up pressure on Austria and Luxembourg.

Austria in turn has accused Britain and the United States of shielding their own tax havens.

Britain's highest appellate court, the Supreme Court, said the government was in breach of an EU directive which put limits on nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a colourless, odourless gas produced by burning fuels which can damage people's breathing.

London has the highest levels of NO₂ of any European capital. Around 29,000 early deaths a year in Britain are attributed to air pollution, according to a body which advises the British government.

The death toll from the collapse last week of the illegally built Rana Plaza near Dhaka rose to 411 on Wednesday, and about 40 unidentified victims were buried.

There were about 3,000 people inside the complex, which was built on a swamp, when it collapsed. About 2,500 people were rescued, many injured.

Duty-free access offered by Western countries and low wages have helped turn Bangladesh's garment exports into a €14.4 billion a year industry, with 60% of clothing going to Europe.