(1) Sms per ty

Strike on eve of Games called off.

2012-07-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

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.

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 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:

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

Government lawyers had been due at the High Court on Wednesday seeking an injunction to prevent the PCS strike.

BBC Olympics coverage online

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.

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.

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."

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.

Damian Green: "I'm glad they have done it"

"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."

Mr Green added: "During the last week, our staff have shown fantastic dedication and commitment during an extremely busy period.

"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."

Traffic needs

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.

The controversial Games Lanes can be turned on and off by Transport for London

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.

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.

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."

Festival fashion delivered to your (tent) door! Now that really IS glamping

2012-07-20T10:16:00.002-07:00

Looking glamorous at a festival is not easy and as any fashionista knows, the uncertain British weather can wreak havoc when it comes to packing suitable festival attire.

But help is at hand and festival fashion faux-pas will become a thing of the past, come rain or shine.

As the official fashion partner for V Festival, Very.co.uk is launching the world’s first festival delivery service, to coincide with this year’s event on 18th and 19th August.

Festival fanatic and face of Very.co.uk knows how important it is to look at festivals

Very.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading online department stores, is bringing its free national next day delivery service to savvy festival goers in the fields of V Festival’s Chelmsford site.

Revellers can buy any of the brand’s 50,000 fashion or home lines online directly from their phones the Friday of the festival, with free next day delivery to V Festival for the Saturday.

To further extend the service, Very.co.uk has also designed an SOS ‘Festival Favourites’ capsule collection, offering a range of festival staples from tents to wellies, which can be ordered via abespoke Very.co.uk mobile festival site, with items delivered to tents within the hour.

This Holly floral dress with be available to festival goers

Love Label printed bomber jacket can also be purchased at the site

This rock T-shirt is an essential festival piece

In keeping with the festival spirit, teams of glamorous Very.co.uk girls and boys will be scattered around the site, taking orders from festival attendees, who will have the option of deciding on a quick change of look for the headline act or any impromptu dates they might set up.

Face of Very.co.uk and festival fanatic Fearne Cotton said: 'The attire for festivals in this country has really changed since I first started going. It’s no longer about rolling around in the mud and not washing for days, the fashion is now almost as important as the music itself!

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'Everyone will be dressing to impress, so it’s important to look the part.

'Packing for a festival in the UK can of course be really tricky though. You obviously don’t want to be trying to cram your entire wardrobe into a tent, but you also need to make sure you have packed enough different outfits to counter the changeable British weather.

'Absolute necessities for me are a good pair of old biker boots, loads of layers I can peel off and put back on and also a trusty parker for when the heavens open.

Coleen and Pixie know important it is to look stylish and glamorous at V Festial where they are regulars

'I’m also partial to a bright coloured rain mac! Your friends will never lose you and you’ll keep your hair dry if it rains!'

Dan Rubel, Head of Marketing for Very.co.uk said: 'Very.co.uk is well known for stress-free, online shopping and free next day delivery. As the official fashion partner for V Festival we wanted to extend our offering to festival goers, so our one hour Festival Favourites delivery service is bound to prove popular with the 90,000 music lovers heading to the Chelmsford extravaganza.'

Those using the unique festival delivery service can collect their items using the ‘Collect Plus’ service at the official Very.co.uk tent at Hylands Park’s V-Festival. Whilst collecting their orders, revellers will also have the opportunity to prepare for the rest of the festival in Very’s own ‘Glam Pods’.

From hair straighteners and shavers to mirrors and tepee changing rooms, the Very.co.uk tent offers theultimate on-site destination to ‘glam-up’ for the evening entertainment.

V-Festival is packed out with glam campers so looking good is a top priority

Back with a bang! Lucy Mecklenburgh and Sam Faiers kick off new series of TOWIE with an ALMIGHTY argument

2012-07-20T10:14:00.002-07:00

She ended the last series of The Only Way Is Essex with a dream proposal from her boyfriend on board a luxury yacht in Marbella.

But back in Blighty, it would appear Lucy Mecklenburgh has come crashing back down to earth with a bang.

Series six of the ITV2 reality show kicks off on Sunday night, and it doesn't disappoint when it comes to drama.

Heated: Lucy Mecklenburgh and Sam Faiers get into an almighty argument at Lucy and Mario's engagement party

Although they have been friends since they were teenagers, the season debut sees Lucy become involved in an almighty bust-up with her pal, Sam Faiers.

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Dressed up to the nines in a black diamond-encrusted floor-length gown from Forever Unique, Lucy decides her and Mario Falcone's engagement party is the perfect place to confront the 21-year-old blonde about catty comments she made about the couple.

After the brunette bombshell announced her engagement to Mario in front of the entire TOWIE cast at a spray party during the one-off The Only Way Is Marbs special, Sam told her sister Billie she wasn't sure whether reformed lothario Mario could be trusted.

Accusations: Lucy points the finger at Sam

But it would appear Lucy's planned discussion with Sam didn't go quite according to plan.

In preview shots from Sunday night's show, the 20-year-old beauty looks distressed as she argues with the former glamour model in the middle of the party.

'You were my friend. And what you are doing now is completely ruining that,' she tells her.

Mario and Sam's boyfriend, Joey Essex, then wade in to the disagreement, and end up starting a whole new argument of their own.

Emotional: Lucy appears to break down in tears as Sam refuses back down during the heated row

Distressed: Lucy accuses her former pal Sam of ruining her long-awaited engagement party

With Sam refusing to back down, Lucy says: 'Thanks for ruining our engagement party.'

Although Mario and Lucy's relationship could be cast into doubt, it seems a number of new TOWIE couples are going from strength to strength.

Lydia Bright opened up to best pal Lucy about her new relationship with Tom Kilbey, admitting he has got rid of the 'trust issues' she had from four years of dating co-star James 'Arg' Argent.

Young love: Lydia gushes about her new boyfriend, Tom Kilbey, to best friend Lucy

'He is so amazing, Luce.' Lydia gushes. 'He is just romantic and puts so much thought into everything. Luce he is literally like perfect, and I love him and he is so, like, beautiful.

'He obviously knew I had quite a lot of trust issues from my previous relationship. And before I could have any issues he banished all possibilities.'

And it would appear Tom has gone down a storm with Lydia's eccentric mum, Debbie, too.

'Posh and Becks': Gemma tells Sam she and new boyfriend Arg are Essex's new A-list couple

'I just absolutely adore him he is just lovely,' she says.

Elsewhere, Lydia's ex, Arg, has moved on with Gemma Collins, and the bubbly blonde told pals Sam and Billie Faiers that they are Essex's new A-list couple.

'We are like the new Posh and Becks,' she explains.

Tune in to the first episode of TOWIE season six on ITV2 at 10pm this Sunday.

Here come the girls: (L-R) Chloe Sims, Lauren Pope, Billi Mucklow and Cara Kilbey are dressed to the nines as they celebrate Lucy and Mario's engagement

Per me shume Lajme interesante kliko ketu .!

Borrowing jump in June leaves Osborne struggling to hit deficit targets as IMF urges UK to consider Plan B.

2012-07-20T10:12:00.002-07:00

Chancellor George Osborne's deficit-busting plans are struggling to keep up with full-year targets as official figures published today revealed another rise in Government borrowing.

Public sector net borrowing, excluding financial interventions, such as bank bailouts, was £14.4billion in June, up from a revised £13.9billion the previous year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

While tax revenues increased in the month by 3.6 per cent to £40.9billion, total Government spending only dipped by less than 1 per cent to £52.4billion. Net borrowing has now exceeded 2011 levels for two months in a row when the Government needs to consistently borrow less than last year to hit deficit reduction targets.

Warning: The IMF, led by former French finance minister Christine Lagarde, right, said George Osborne, left, should ease spending cuts and tax reforms

The figures will further trouble George Osborne, who has already faced pressure by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as it said he should water down his austerity plans if the economy fails to bounce back by early next year.

The Chancellor wants to cut borrowing in 2012/2013 to £120billion, excluding a one-off £28billion boost from the transfer of the Royal Mail pension fund into Treasury ownership. This compares with borrowing of £125.7billion in the last financial year, which was revised down to below the Office for Budget Responsibility's (OBR) forecast of £126billion.

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The economy fell back into recession in the first quarter of the year, which has significant implications for tax revenues, while high levels of unemployment are increasing the burden on the state.

This was reflected in June's public finance figures, which showed a 0.1 per cent drop in income tax to £10.8billion and a 3.2 per cent rise in social benefits, including unemployment claims, to £15.4 billion.

Rise: Cumulative public sector net borrowing has now exceeded 2011 levels for two months

A Treasury spokesman said: 'It is too early in the financial year to draw conclusions about the year as a whole. This is volatile data and is prone to revision - borrowing for last year has been revised again and is now estimated to be below the OBR's forecast.'

Net debt excluding financial interventions now stands at £1.04 trillion, compared with £944.6billion last June.

Debt as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) hit 66.1 per cent in June, up from 62.3 per cent last year.

April's borrowing figures were flattered by a £28 billion lift from the value of assets transferred from the Royal Mail pension plan. But excluding this one-off impact, total borrowing for the current financial year stands at £42.9 billion, compared with £38.4 billion at the same stage last year.

David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 'The deficit in June was higher than a year ago, and confirms the challenges facing the UK in restoring its public finances. Deficit reduction will be a difficult task, and will put further pressure on both businesses and consumers over the coming months. Judging by these figures, we expect total borrowing in 2012/13 to reach £98bn – £6bn more than the OBR predicted in March.'

The IMF, led by former French finance minister Christine Lagarde, said last night that the Government should ease its fiscal tightening if the recovery continues to stall.

The fund has recommended targeted tax cuts and increased spending on infrastructure to kick-start growth, as well as reform of the welfare state and holding back pay in the public sector.

The surprising intervention is the first time the Washington-based authority has set out a timetable for a change of tack, and came as it warned the UK faces ‘significant challenges’.

Time series: The graph shows net debt and net borrowing over the past 35 years

It is a crushing blow to Mr Osborne who has enjoyed strong support from the IMF and its managing director Christine Lagarde despite the return to recession.

Some economists have warned that the Chancellor is already on course to significantly overshoot his full-year borrowing target of £120billion, while others have said the country's prized AAA credit rating is under threat.

Earlier this week the IMF slashed its forecasts for UK growth to 0.2 per cent in 2012 and 1.4 per cent in 2013 from 0.8 per cent and 2 per cent respectively.

‘Recovery has stalled,’ the Fund said in yesterday’s bleak follow-up report.

‘Post-crisis repair and rebalancing of the UK economy is likely to be more prolonged than initially envisaged. Confidence is weak and uncertainty is high.’

It said the crisis in the eurozone was the ‘overarching risk’ to Britain and added: ‘The big picture on growth is one of stagnation since late 2010.’

The Bank of England this month unleashed a third round of quantitative easing, taking its money-printing programme up to £375bn from £325bn

The IMF stopped short of calling for an immediate rewriting of the Budget and said recent efforts to restore growth, such as the £50billion plan to attract investment in infrastructure and support exports, should be given time to bear fruit.

But it warned that a long period of stagnation and ‘alarming’ youth unemployment levels could do lasting damage.

Against such a bleak backdrop, the IMF said the pace at which the deficit was cut ‘will need to slow if the recovery fails to take off’ by early 2013.

It said pressing ahead with the current plan ‘may be difficult for the economy to handle if it remains very weak’ and could leave ‘permanent’ scars.

There is ‘little evidence’ to suggest there would be a violent backlash on the financial markets, because ‘the UK has the fiscal space to make such adjustments’.

The IMF report prompted a furious debate in Westminster and effectively set up next year’s Budget – possibly in March – as a pivotal moment for the Chancellor as he battles to retain his credibility.

Treasury sources insisted the current plan, including the recent launch of schemes to boost lending and investment in big infrastructure projects, had the backing of the IMF.

But Labour’s shadow chancellor Ed Balls said: ‘The IMF is clear that the Government’s economic plan – Plan A – has failed.’

However, the BCC said the Government should not waver. Chief economist David Kern said: 'Although there are many calls for the government to ease the pace of the fiscal squeeze, doing so now would be a mistake. The right approach is to persevere, but combine focused deficit reduction with more forceful policies to support growth.

'The Chancellor has earned considerable credibility in the financial markets, and now it’s time for him to make use of that credibility to help the private sector flourish. Cutting regulation, implementing the recent announcements on infrastructure and export support, and creating a business bank would help businesses drive growth.'

Arsenal can still win the league without spending silly money, insists Wenger.

2012-07-20T10:10:00.001-07:00

Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal can still win the Barclays Premier League despite not being able to match the outlay of some rivals.

The Gunners are without a trophy since winning the FA Cup seven years ago and have not won the title since 2004.

Big-spending Chelsea and Manchester City have enjoyed domestic success since then, while Arsenal have been criticised by some supporters for not splashing the cash.

Defiant: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

That, though, does not mean the north Londoners should not hold title ambitions, according to Wenger.

'Firstly, I must say that not being able to match the spending of the richest clubs does not mean that you can't compete with them on the pitch,' he told Time Out Hong Kong.

'When I first came to England, this question did not exist. Every club was run within its resources.

'The Chelseas and the Man Citys are new problems. But with this new financial environment, what has not changed at all is our policy that we will be as ambitious as ever and spend the money that we have available, if possible in an intelligent and wise way.

'We have always spent money because we are ambitious for top-class players and if you look at the history of our last 15 years, we have always had top-class players.

'It does not mean you can't win the title if you can't compete financially.'

Upbeat: Wenger feels Arsenal can challenge for title

The Frenchman, speaking before Robin van Persie announced his intention to leave the Gunners, added: "I have been in football for a long, long time and I don't think just spending money is a target that is defendable.

'To spend the money on a top player is defendable. But just to spend the money is like you are worried.

'Our fans can be proud of the way we run this club, of the quality of the players we have and of the financial situation that is existing at the club.

'Rather than convicting this club, they have more reason to be proud of the whole situation here.

'We have built a team and a stadium in such a short space of time, and have a strong financial situation - and we have always survived at the top level.'

Wenger also believes the eventual implementation of Financial Fair Play can have a positive impact on both Arsenal and the league as a whole.

Difference: Chelsea splashed the cash on Eden Hazard

'We need first to see how effectively financial fair play can be enforced before we can fully understand the impact but I believe it will make for a more exciting Premier League,' Wenger said.

'When you look at the history of England, there are Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Derby County who have all won championships.

'If that is possible again it will be even more interesting.

'If the rules are well introduced, it will be a massive advantage to Arsenal Football Club, of course, and we will be well positioned for that.

'I don't want to go into excuses but you want a business to be run properly and I believe that to lose £150million a year, you don't deserve a lot of credit to win a competition.

'I think that it is right that you balance your books - to accept the one basic principle for every company - and that's that you can spend the money which you make.

'That principle just seems to be a common sense and logical one.'

Arsenal line up Spanish striker Llorente as replacement for unsettled Van Persie.

2012-07-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

Arsenal will pursue a move for Atletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente if Robin van Persie leaves this summer.

Manager Arsene Wenger wants a quick resolution to the Van Persie saga so he can either prepare for the new season with the Dutchman in his plans or have enough time to find a replacement.

Wish you were here? Arsenal target Fernando Llorente and his girlfriend on holiday in Ibiza

And Sportsmail understands Wenger and his scouting team have spoken at depth about a move for Spain forward Llorente should their talisman leave.

The 27-year-old - who scored 28 goals for Bilbao last season - has a £28million release clause written into his contract.

And Wenger would use the £20m-plus from Van Persie's sale in his attempt to lure the striker.

At 6ft 5ins, Wenger believes Llorente has the physical attributes and ability on the ball to deal with the rigours of English football.

But whether Bilbao would be willing to negotiate a deal below his hefty release clause remains unclear.

Running out of time: Van Persie wants his future sorted before Arsenal fly out for Far East out

In addition to Llorente, Fiorentina Stevan Jovetic and Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski have also been discussed as possible replacements for Van Persie.

The future of the Holland international will become significantly clearer on Saturday as the club decide whether he will travel on their tour of south-east Asia.

Arsenal have been adamant their captain will make the trip to Malaysia on Saturday, but club sources have told Sportsmail that Van Persie being left behind is an option being considered by the club.

On the radar: Poland's Robert Lewandowski

The Gunners will play hardball with Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus by demanding £20m for the striker.

But the notion of Van Persie not boarding the plane would surely signal the beginning of the end of his Gunners career.

Van Persie refuses to go on pre-season tour as City, United and Juventus lodge £15m bids.

2012-07-20T10:07:00.001-07:00

Manchester United and Manchester City have made £15million bids for wantaway Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, who has refused to join his team-mates on the pre-season tour of the Far East.

The Premier League giants have been joined in the race for the Dutchman's signature by Juventus who have also made an official approach.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed United's bid after touching down in Cape Town during their summer tour.

He told MUTV: 'Obviously Arsenal have given out the fact that we've made a bid for him. We try to keep business as close as possible to us until the moment we conclude a deal. There's no point talking about something that might not happen.

Which was it out? Robin van Persie chats to Theo Walcott on Friday

On his way: Van Persie was all smiles in training amid his exit plans

'There are other clubs interested in the player. We've shown an interest and that's where we're at at the moment.'

Van Persie trained with his Arsenal team-mates on Friday morning and looked relaxed.

Arsenal are holding out for at least £20m for Van Persie, whose contract expires next summer.

Manager Arsene Wenger wants a quick resolution to the Van Persie saga so he can either prepare for the new season with the Dutchman in his plans or have enough time to find a replacement.

Arsenal had been adamant their captain will make the trip to Malaysia on Saturday, but he will now remain behind, which surely signals the beginning of the end of his Gunners career.

Interest: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson arrives in Cape Town on Friday

Arsenal fly to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday for a three-match tour. Arsenal play City at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing next Friday.

Sportsmail understands Wenger and his scouting team have spoken at depth about a move for Spain forward Fernando Llorente should their talisman leave.

The 27-year-old - who scored 28 goals for Bilbao last season - has a £28million release clause written into his contract.

And Wenger would use the £20m-plus from Van Persie's sale in his attempt to lure the striker.

New man: Olivier Giroud trained with Arsenal on Friday as he settles in at the club

Wish you were here? Arsenal target Fernando Llorente and his girlfriend in Ibiza

At 6ft 5ins, Wenger believes Llorente has the physical attributes and ability on the ball to deal with the rigours of English football.

But whether Bilbao would be willing to negotiate a deal below his hefty release clause remains unclear.

In addition to Llorente, Fiorentina Stevan Jovetic and Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski have also been discussed as possible replacements for Van Persie.

Van Persie refuses to go on pre-season tour as City, United and Juventus lodge £15m bids.

2012-07-20T10:02:00.002-07:00