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Strike on eve of Games called off Strike on eve of Games called off
(40 minutes later)
A public sector strike involving border staff due on 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 create hundreds of new jobs, although this is denied by the Home Office.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. The first Olympic event - women's football - has kicked off 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. Team GB got 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. The BBC's Rhodri Llywelyn, at the stadium, says there are still long queues outside the gates because of tight security.
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, 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 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 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
  • Moroccan 1,500m runner Mariem Alaoui Selsouli has been provisionally suspended from the Olympics after testing positive for doping, the International Association of Athletics Federations said
  • Greece has expelled triple jumper Voula Papachristou from its Olympics team over comments on Twitter mocking African immigrants, the Hellenic Olympic Committee said. She later apologised on Twitter
  • 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, which links two Games venues in Royal Docks, east London, and Greenwich, south-east London, was briefly suspended owing to "technical issues"
  • The Olympic flame visited 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. England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks and Rupert Grint of the Harry Potter films carried the torch, while decathlete gold medallist Daley Thompson will carry it later
  • The final dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony is due to take place later at the Olympic Stadium, in Stratford, east London
  • Moroccan 1,500m runner Mariem Alaoui Selsouli href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18985217" >has been provisionally suspended from the Olympics after testing positive for doping, the International Association of Athletics Federations said
  • Greece has expelled triple jumper Voula Papachristou from its Olympics team over comments on Twitter mocking African immigrants, the Hellenic Olympic Committee said. She later apologised on Twitter
Government lawyers had been due at the High Court on Wednesday seeking an injunction to prevent the PCS strike. Government lawyers had been due at the High Court on Wednesday to seek an injunction to prevent the PCS strike.
A pathway of Olympic pictograms lead you through the landmarks of the Thames's South Bank, as tourists mingle with locals, and Olympic fever grips London. A pathway of Olympic pictograms leads you through the landmarks of the River Thames South Bank, as tourists mingle with locals, and Olympic fever grips London.
Families pose for pictures next to statues of the Olympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville.Families pose for pictures next to statues of the Olympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville.
Each figure reflects the landmark next to which it is positioned, the most striking is Pirate Wenlock next to the Cutty Sark, or the stained-glasses themed Southwark Wenlock, next to the cathedral. Each figure reflects the landmark next to which it is positioned. The most striking is Pirate Wenlock next to the Cutty Sark, or the stained-glasses themed Southwark Wenlock, next to the cathedral.
Street performers ply their trade next to sporting graphics, hoping their tried and tested acts are greeted with new enthusiasm by this fresh audience.Street performers ply their trade next to sporting graphics, hoping their tried and tested acts are greeted with new enthusiasm by this fresh audience.
Hospitality centres for competing countries have sprung up around the city.Hospitality centres for competing countries have sprung up around the city.
Switzerland has taken over Glaziers Hall to showcase Swiss culture, offering free chocolate to passers-by.Switzerland has taken over Glaziers Hall to showcase Swiss culture, offering free chocolate to passers-by.
They were to argue there had been a "procedural error" in the union's ballot of its members, including immigration and passport workers. They were to argue there had been a "procedural error" in the union's ballot of its members, who include 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, insisting: "No concessions have been made by the government." BBC News has also seen two internal Civil Service documents, each advertising 400 jobs in the Border Force.
He said that there were, for example, more than 300 current vacancies in the passport service, which the union had been told were being filled, he said. The first document says there are 400 permanent vacancies for Border Force officers at executive officer grades, operating checkpoints at ports and airports across England and Scotland. This is in line with what union officials said at their press conference.
"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 second says there are 400 job vacancies at administrative officer level, also with Border Force, to be members of front-line staff.
Mr Green added: "During the last week, our staff have shown fantastic dedication and commitment during an extremely busy period. However, earlier immigration minister Damian Green said he did not recognise the job figures announced by the union, insisting: "No concessions have been made by the government."
"Queues at Heathrow have been almost non-existent and athletes and visitors from around the world have received a welcome of which the country can be proud." He said that there were, for example, more than 300 current vacancies in the Passport Service, which the union had been told were being filled, he said.
Traffic needs "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," he said.
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.
You might have expected some frantic activity to be under way here at the Transport for London control centre, in Southwark, south London - but no. At least, not yet. You might have expected some frantic activity to be under way at the Transport for London control centre, in Southwark, south London - but no. At least, not yet.
The warnings of congestion and disruption seem to have done their job. Traffic levels have been dropping for the past 10 days, and today the dozens of camera feeds funnelling into this room show most major arteries are clear. Some look uncannily quiet.The warnings of congestion and disruption seem to have done their job. Traffic levels have been dropping for the past 10 days, and today the dozens of camera feeds funnelling into this room show most major arteries are clear. Some look uncannily quiet.
But there is still room for confusion. Of the 30 miles of designated "Games lanes", we are told only a quarter have been switched on this morning so drivers need to be aware of road signs.But there is still room for confusion. Of the 30 miles of designated "Games lanes", we are told only a quarter have been switched on this morning so drivers need to be aware of road signs.
Watching the monitors, I saw a number of drivers - including black taxis - in Games lanes. But most are avoiding them, probably aware of the threat of a hefty fine.Watching the monitors, I saw a number of drivers - including black taxis - in Games lanes. But most are avoiding them, probably aware of the threat of a hefty fine.
Are Games lanes working?Are Games lanes working?
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.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 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 as electronic signs suggested they could use the lane, alongside fixed signs warning that the lane restriction 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."
What do you think of the strike being called off? If you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC please fill in the form below.What do you think of the strike being called off? If you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC please fill in the form below.