This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18982453#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Strike on eve of Games called off Strike on eve of Games called off
(40 minutes later)
A public sector strike involving immigration and passport workers planned for the eve of the Olympics has been called off by union officials. A public sector strike involving border staff due on the eve of the Olympics has been called off by union officials.
The Public and Commercial Services union said the government had agreed to the creation of hundreds of new jobs. The Public and Commercial Services union said the government had agreed to create hundreds of new jobs, although this is denied by the Home Office.
Thursday is expected to be Heathrow airport's busiest day ever as thousands of spectators arrive for the Games.Thursday is expected to be Heathrow airport's busiest day ever as thousands of spectators arrive for the Games.
In the first event later, Britain's women footballers play in Cardiff, two days before the opening ceremony.In the first event later, Britain's women footballers play in Cardiff, two days before the opening ceremony.
The Team GB women's football side will get 18 days of sport under way at 16:00 BST (15:00 GMT) against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium.The Team GB women's football side will get 18 days of sport under way at 16:00 BST (15:00 GMT) against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium.
Cameroon and heavily-fancied Brazil clash at the stadium after the GB game, and four other matches in the same competition are also taking place at Hampden Park in Glasgow and the City of Coventry Stadium.
In other Olympics news:In other Olympics news:
  • The launch of Games Lanes in London has caused confusion, with some of the lanes still open to everyone, and signs on some stretches apparently offering conflicting advice to motorists
  • The href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchrelay/day68" >Olympic flame visits Wembley Stadium as it travels 30 miles through the London boroughs of Harrow, Brent, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. Follow day 68 of the torch relay here, during which England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks, Rupert Grint of the Harry Potter films, and decathlete gold medallist Daley Thompson will be among the torchbearers
  • The final dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony is due to take place later at the Olympic Stadium, in Stratford, east London
  • The launch of Games Lanes in London has caused confusion, with some of the lanes still open to everyone, and signs on some stretches apparently offering conflicting advice to motorists
  • The Emirates Air Line cable car service, over the Thames and linking two Games venues in Royal Docks, east London, and Greenwich, south-east London, was briefly suspended owing to "technical issues"
  • The href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18974903" >Olympic flame visits Wembley Stadium as it travels 30 miles through the London boroughs of Harrow, Brent, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. Follow day 68 of the torch relay here, during which England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks, Rupert Grint of the Harry Potter films, and decathlete gold medallist Daley Thompson will be among the torchbearers
  • The final dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony is due to take place later at the Olympic Stadium, in Stratford, east London
Government lawyers had been due at the High Court on Wednesday seeking an injunction to prevent the PCS strike, based on the argument there had been a "procedural error" in the union's ballot of its members. Government lawyers had been due at the High Court on Wednesday seeking an injunction to prevent the PCS strike.
They were to argue there had been a "procedural error" in the union's ballot of its members, including immigration and passport workers.
But on Wednesday morning, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka announced the suspension of the strike after "major progress" in the dispute.But on Wednesday morning, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka announced the suspension of the strike after "major progress" in the dispute.
He said 800 new jobs were to be created in the Border Agency and 300 in passport offices.He said 800 new jobs were to be created in the Border Agency and 300 in passport offices.
Recruitment adverts had already been placed for the jobs at sites including Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports, the union added.Recruitment adverts had already been placed for the jobs at sites including Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports, the union added.
However, immigration minister Damian Green said he did not recognise the job figures announced by the union.
There were, for example, more than 300 current vacancies in the passport service, which the union had been told were being filled, he said.
"So it's pretty clear that the union leadership needed some kind of fig leaf for their climbdown, and that's what they've done - and I'm glad they've done it."
The Olympic Route Network (ORN), made up of 175 miles of roads connecting up the main Olympic venues across the country, has come into force on Wednesday.The Olympic Route Network (ORN), made up of 175 miles of roads connecting up the main Olympic venues across the country, has come into force on Wednesday.
It is designed to make it easier for athletes and officials to get around the Games and has seen junctions blocked off, bus stops moved and parking bays suspended.
Traffic needsTraffic needs
It is designed to make it easier for athletes and officials to get around the Games and has seen junctions blocked off, bus stops moved and parking bays suspended.
As part of the ORN, designated Games Lanes in London are in operation between 06:00 BST (05:00 GMT) and midnight and only open to VIPs, athletes and accredited media.As part of the ORN, designated Games Lanes in London are in operation between 06:00 BST (05:00 GMT) and midnight and only open to VIPs, athletes and accredited media.
Ordinary motorists going into the lanes face fines of £130.Ordinary motorists going into the lanes face fines of £130.
But the Games Lanes are intended to be flexible to traffic needs, resulting in confusion among motorists on the A40 in west London on Wednesday morning at electronic signs suggesting they could use the lane alongside fixed signs warning that the Games Lane was being enforced.But the Games Lanes are intended to be flexible to traffic needs, resulting in confusion among motorists on the A40 in west London on Wednesday morning at electronic signs suggesting they could use the lane alongside fixed signs warning that the Games Lane was being enforced.
Leon Daniels, Transport for London's managing director of surface transport, said people accidentally straying into the lanes would not automatically incur a fine.Leon Daniels, Transport for London's managing director of surface transport, said people accidentally straying into the lanes would not automatically incur a fine.
He said: "We don't want enforcement, we want compliance. Nobody will be harshly dealt with if the Games Lane becomes activated after they pass it."He said: "We don't want enforcement, we want compliance. Nobody will be harshly dealt with if the Games Lane becomes activated after they pass it."