downgrade

In addition to asking for clemency from the governor, the brothers are also pursuing a resentencing hearing that could potentially downgrade their sentences and make them eligible for early release.

"Despite the downgrade, we still expect the US economy to outperform the other major advanced economies over the next couple of years," its report added.

The action officially started at 06:00 GMT on Tuesday, however, collectors have been striking on and off since January following plans to downgrade some staff and reduce their pay.

In recent years it has become symbolic of widespread concerns over the state of the UK's rivers, having been downgraded to "unfavourable - declining" status by Natural England.

Rat infestations have been reported in parts of the city as the rodents have enjoyed feasting on the fallout of the row, which is over plans to downgrade some staff and reduce their pay.