A foul-smelling dispute continues as negotiations to end the Birmingham waste collection workers' strike failed again today. This means residents with increasing piles of garbage outside their homes still have no resolution to the enormous mess.

Sanitation workers began their strike on March 11, and Birmingham City Council declared a major incident on March 31, citing public health concerns. Workers are striking due to a long-running dispute over waste recycling roles and the elimination of the Waste Recycling Collection Officer (WRCO) position, which would leave approximately 150 members with substantially more work for reduced pay. The council, which denies this claim, met with union representatives.

The rat's question at today's full council meeting in Birmingham - asks when the rat population will decline and when streets will return to an acceptable state #LDReporter pic.twitter.com/6ULHr7HvWh

— Alexander Brock (@AlexanderJBrock) April 8, 2025

On Tuesday morning, the council leader told Sky News she was "very keen to get a resolution to the dispute," but another day has now passed without an agreement. Meanwhile, a Birmingham city councilor resigned from the Labour Party today over cuts and sanitation issues after 40 years of membership.

Sam Forsyth, a representative for the Quinton district, told Sky News, "I can't stomach the fact we're in the middle of a bin strike where this is rubbish rotting in our streets and there are rats running around. I've raised this [issue] for three years, and nobody has listened. Enough is enough." A Unite spokesperson told media outlets in the country that  there had been "intensive talks but no resolution tonight."

While rats "the size of cats" live among garbage bags piled up in the streets, one resident wore a rodent costume to question council members about the crisis. "By what date does the council think it will have reduced the backlog, reduced the rat population and returned our streets to an acceptable state?" he asked. "Before I answer your question, you're lucky that Brummie the Cat is no longer in residence at the council house," a council member answered, providing comic relief to the difficult discussion.

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Iran's supreme leader has directed military commanders to prepare for an attack against Israel, senior Iranian officials told The New York Times.

Three Iranian officials, speaking to The New York Times on condition of anonymity, revealed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued the directive during a Supreme National Security Council meeting on Monday. The order came after he reviewed reports detailing damage to Iran's missile production facilities, air defense systems, and critical infrastructure from recent Israeli strikes.

Gen Ali Fadavi, deputy commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps, declared on Thursday that retaliation was inevitable. "Iran's response to the Zionist aggression is definite," Fadavi told Lebanon's Al Mayadeen television station. "We have never left an aggression unanswered in 40 years. We are capable of destroying all that the Zionists possess with one operation."

Gholamhossein Mohammadi Golpayegani, head of the supreme leader's office, echoed these sentiments, promising "a fierce, tooth-breaking response" to what he termed Israel's "desperate action," according to Tasnim, a semiofficial news agency affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards.

The officials who spoke to The New York Times said military commanders are compiling a list of dozens of potential military targets within Israel. However, they indicated that any attack would likely be delayed until after the American election, citing concerns that regional instability could influence the US presidential race.

This latest development follows Iran's launch of approximately 180 ballistic missiles at Israel earlier this month, which Iran characterized as retaliation for Israeli operations against leaders of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian military commanders. Israel responded with strikes on Iranian air defenses near oil refineries, petrochemical facilities, and a major port.

While Iranian state media has minimized the impact of Israel's attacks, analysts suggest the strikes effectively compromised key air defense systems around Tehran and energy installations. "They are willing to take this risk to not appear weak and prove they have a grip on power for both domestic and international credibility," Sina Azodi, an expert on Iran's military and adjunct professor at George Washington University, told The New York Times.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Israeli military personnel on Thursday, stating that the recent attacks had enhanced Israel's capability to inflict damage in potential future strikes. "We hit its underbelly. The boastful talk by the Iranian regime's heads cannot conceal and compensate for the fact that Israel now has greater freedom to operate in Iran than ever before," Netanyahu said.

Gen Ismail Ghaani, commander in chief of the Quds Forces, affirmed Iran's support for Hezbollah, which continues to engage in conflict with Israel along the Lebanese border.

The timing and nature of Iran's response remain uncertain, as does whether diplomatic intervention might still prevent further escalation. Iranian officials' public statements could potentially serve as leverage in negotiations, though the supreme leader's direct involvement suggests a serious intent to respond.

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Thousands of workers at Disney's theme park and resort properties in California voted late Friday to authorize a potential strike, as contract negotiations drag on over wages, sick leave and other benefits.

The strike authorization was approved by an overwhelming margin, nearly 99% of the members who cast votes, according to a union statement. The election was held by a coalition of four unions, which represents 14,000 Disney ride operators, store clerks, custodians, candy makers, ticket takers, parking attendants and other employees.

The vote does not mean a strike will happen, only that union leaders now have the option to call a strike in the event that they are unable to negotiate a new contract deal with Disney. Leaders from both sides return to the bargaining table starting Monday.

"We greatly appreciate the important roles our cast members play in creating memorable experiences for our guests, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement that focuses on what matters most to them while positioning Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation," the company said in a statement.

Elizabeth Gonzalez, a day custodial cast member at Disney California Adventure, said in the union statement that she knows colleagues who work two and even three jobs or live in a car to make ends meet.

"I am worried as a future mom for the family I'm creating right now," she said. "Disney can't call themselves a family friendly company while so many cast members and their families are struggling."

Union members have been in talks with Disney over wage increases, safety measures, attendance policies and other benefits since April.

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Syria blamed Israel for a strike that killed four Syrian soldiers and wounded four others early Monday, state-run media reported.

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Air defenses responded to the alleged Israeli attack on the Damascus area originating from the Golan Heights, according to SANA news.

Video: Alleged Israeli strike in Damascus, Aug. 7. Credit: Arab media

A military source told the channel that the attack occurred at around 2:20 a.m. local time and caused some material damage, with several missiles shot down.

Israel's defense establishment made no comment on the report, which it seldom does. The state has, however, said that it will not tolerate a buildup of Iranian or Iranian-backed militias in Syria.

Two weeks ago, two Hezbollah fighters and a Syrian soldier were killed in another alleged Israeli attack. Earlier last month, a Syrian anti-aircraft missile shot into Israeli territory, sparking a swift response by Israeli fighter jets.

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

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Palestinian Authority spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh vowed perseverance Monday following an IDF raid in the West Bank city of Jenin to confiscate arms.

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"Our Palestinian people will not kneel, will not surrender, will not raise the white flag, and will remain steadfast on their land in the face of this brutal aggression," Abu Rudeineh said.

Israeli drones struck terror targets in Jenin – a known Islamic stronghold – and hundreds of troops were deployed in the area in a campaign that resembled the wide-scale operations during the Second Intifada (2000-2005). It followed growing domestic calls for a tougher response to a series of attacks on Israelis.

Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an army spokesman, said the operation began just after 1 a.m. with an airstrike on a building used by terrorists for planning attacks. He said the goal of the operation was to destroy and confiscate weapons.

"We're not planning to hold ground," he said. "We're acting against specific targets."

He said that a brigade-size force – roughly 2,000 soldiers – was taking part in the operation and that military drones had carried out a series of strikes to clear the way for the ground forces. Although Israel has carried out isolated airstrikes in the West Bank in recent weeks, Hecht said Monday's series of strikes marked an escalation unseen since the Second Intifada.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir lauded the operation, saying, "Proud of our heroes on all fronts and this morning especially of our soldiers operating in Jenin. Praying for their success."

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Syria accused Israel Wednesday of carrying out an attack in which at least one Syrian soldier was seriously injured, according to SANA News.

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Air defenses intercepted projectiles over the skies of Damascus, the report said, although the missiles that managed to get through caused material damage.

What would an attack from Hezbollah into northern Israel look like? @jneriah1, @ZehaviAlma, and Brigadier General (ret.) Ilan Lavi discuss the growing rhetoric and threats from the Iran-backed terror group#MiddleEastNow | @laura_i24 pic.twitter.com/zAoQbDASeu

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) June 12, 2023

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said areas southwest of the capital were targeted, and a warehouse used by Iran-backed militias was hit. Other reports suggested that the strike also targeted the 1st Syrian division, which includes anti-aircraft systems.

Israeli security officials rarely comment on alleged strikes in Syria, although Jerusalem maintains it will not allow Iranian proxies to deploy north of its border.

Aerial attacks attributed to Israel often target these groups, including the Lebanese Hezbollah, while also occasionally leading to casualties among soldiers loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

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Five terrorists died overnight Tuesday in an explosion at a base in Lebanon belonging to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, according to Arabic-language media.

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The reports attributed the blast to Israeli airstrikes in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, close to the border with Syria. Jerusalem denied any involvement.

The PFLP-GC broke away from the better-known Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in 1968.

The blast comes after Israeli jets on Sunday night reportedly struck targets in Damascus, causing damage but no injuries. The airstrikes were the first in Syria attributed to Jerusalem since the targeting on May 2 of Aleppo International Airport.

While the IDF rarely comments on specific operations, it has conducted hundreds of sorties over the past decade with a view to preventing Iran and its proxies from establishing a permanent military footprint in Syria.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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A strike by municipalities in protest of the government plan by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to transfer funds from wealthier cities to less affluent ones entered its second day on Tuesday.

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The Federation of Local Authorities, which represents around 200 municipalities, launched the open-ended strike on Monday, and included cities like Tel Aviv, Holon, Ramat Gan, Givatayim, Kfar Saba, Ra'anana, Rishon Lezion, Herzliya, Hod Hasharon, Modi'in, Ramle, Ness Ziona, Ashdod, Hadera, Haifa, Nesher, Beit She'an, Kiryat Ono, Shoham, Ganei Tikva, Yokne'am, Maale Gilboa and Eilat.

Several regional councils were also reportedly participating in the strike, which is affecting basic services for residents and shuttering the education system. Jerusalem, Lod, Ashkelon and Harish are not participating.

At issue is a proposed business property tax fund that would see wealthier municipalities subsidize lower-income communities to incentivize the construction of affordable housing. The Knesset's Finance Committee on Sunday approved the inclusion of the "Arnona Fund" as part of the Arrangements Bill presented alongside the 2023-2024 state budget. The Arrangements Bill includes the government's economic priorities.

"This law is not acceptable to the Federation of Local Authorities," Modi'in-Maccabim-Reut Mayor Haim Bibas said on Sunday, according to Arutz Sheva. "We oppose it and have opposed it from the beginning. It is contrary to any concept of municipal rule and central government-municipal government relations."

Smotrich, the head of the Religious Zionist Party, stood firm following the start of the shutdown, saying at a press conference that "we will not give in to threats and blackmail and will act professionally for the benefit of the State of Israel and the citizens of Israel," Channel 12 reported.

"We must not give in to threats and violence. We are on the way to major struggles against tremendous market forces that concentrate in their hands a tremendous power that we are going to take from them – to break up centralization and monopolies," the minister continued.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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The Israel Defense Forces canceled an airstrike in the Gaza Strip overnight Thursday after several children were detected in the vicinity of the terror target.

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In a video posted on the IDF's official Twitter page, a fighter can be heard saying in Hebrew, "There is a child here outside. 40 meters. Two. Hold fire. Hold fire."

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit routinely publishes footage of airstrikes, only this time, instead of an explosion, the military said it canceled the bombing due to the presence of civilians.

Video: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

Considered the most moral army in the world, the IDF takes extensive measures to minimize collateral damage and is known for its so-called "roof knocking" technique that alerts inhabitants of an incoming attack ahead of time, giving them the chance to flee.

Meanwhile, four Palestinian civilians, including a 10-year-old girl and two 16-year-old boys, were killed in Gaza due to a missile launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad that landed within the strip.

The IDF said that for every four missile launched, one fails to cross into Israeli territory.

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The Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror organizations threatened retaliation Tuesday for the killing of three senior PIJ commanders.

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Palestinian sources told Al-Quds daily that Khalil Bahtini, Tareq Izzeldeen, and Jehad Ghanam were preparing for a trip abroad and were hit by the Israeli strike when leaving for Cairo, Egypt, to hold meetings. From Cairo, they were planning to travel abroad.

The three had apparently been careful to stay in hiding but were targeted when before leaving for Egypt traveled to see their families and say goodbye.

Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, said the operation will not bring Israel more security, but rather more violence.

"The enemy made a mistake in its estimations and will pay the price for its crime," he said.

Haniyeh also added that the "resistance is unified," suggesting that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad might join forces.

In related news, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Tuesday he will cut short his visit to India after receiving a "security update" upon his arrival in New Delhi.

"In light of the events in Israel, I decided to cut short the diplomatic visit to India and return to Israel after my meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that will take place today," Cohen wrote on Twitter.

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