this is bbc news with the latest headlines. a 33—year—old woman has died after being injured in a crush at a gig at london's brixton 02 academy. two other women remain in a critical condition. train passengers face further delays today as the rmt union continue their 48—hour strike. only one in five services are expected to operate. hospitals are told to free up beds ahead of ambulance staff going on strike in england on wednesday. leo varadkar becomes ireland's new taoiseach, swapping roles with micheal martin as part of an historic coalition agreement. the government's sharing energy—saving tips in a new campaign. the advice includes using a draught excluder and unplugging appliances. and it's kick off as

morocco take on croatia in the third place play—off at the qatar world cup. hello and welcome to the bbc news channel. a 33—year—old woman has died after being injured in the crush at a concert at london's brixton 02 academy on thursday. two other people remain in critical condition in hospital. the concert, by singer asake, had to be abandoned part—way through. the met police say a large number of people tried to force their way inside. they have named a woman who has died. she was in a critical condition. they say she has died,

she was called rebecca and she was 33 and they say that specialist officers are continuing to provide support to herfamily. they officers are continuing to provide support to her family. they have also said that two other women aged 21 and 23 remain in a critical condition. a postmortem examination on the woman, rebecca, who died, will be carried out tomorrow in greenwich. as i said, the specialist officers will be with the families officers will be with the families of that woman who died. the police have issued — of that woman who died. the police have issued a _ of that woman who died. the police have issued a message _ of that woman who died. the police have issued a message on - of that woman who died. the police have issued a message on social. have issued a message on social media as well, if ijust read through that. of course the investigation has been under way for a few days now. it

has. they are investigating a large number of videos that have emerged on social media and the police will be using these. they have specified that this was an urgent investigation and they have appealed for people to send them any video, any footage, and they said they have any footage, and they said they have a lot of this footage already. they say they have set up an online page where people can submit photos and videos and there were around 4000 potential witnesses. this is a huge incident and they need to verify and see what happens in terms of that investigation, but there is one under way presently. it is investigation, but there is one under way presently. it is going to take them quite _ under way presently. it is going to take them quite a _ under way presently. it is going to take them quite a while _ under way presently. it is going to take them quite a while to - under way presently. it is going to take them quite a while to go - take them quite a while to go through all of that, but they are still keen to hear from people. through all of that, but they are still keen to hearfrom people. how can they do that? still keen to hear from people. how can they do that?— can they do that? they have said there was this _ can they do that? they have said there was this online _ can they do that? they have said there was this online page - can they do that? they have said there was this online page and l can they do that? they have said i there was this online page and they said they need your information to try and establish what happened, so if people go on to the metropolitan police site they will be able to see further information on that.

train passengers are enduring further disruption on the last weekend before christmas as rail workers continue their strike action. only 20% of services are thought to be operating, but the leader of the rmt union, mick lynch, says he's optimistic a pay deal can be reached, despite further strikes sheduled for next weekend. our business correspondent ramzan karmali reports from paddington train station in london. the scene behind me look like any ordinary saturday, but don't forget paddington station is a busy commuter station anyway, there are five tube lines that come through here anyway. what i have been told is about 20% of services here at paddington are running, so 80% not running at all, so it is having a massive impact notjust on businesses, but consumers as well, and that is having a big impact in the run—up to christmas. another day of empty platforms, a familiar sight as railway workers hit the picket lines once again. this train may be moving, but only 20% of services are running

today and it is a service that commuters are begrudgingly getting used to. i think striking the week before christmas is a little bit harsh, but at the same time, you know, if that is what they feel like they need to do, that is what they need to do. so our train will not be taking us all the way to the south—west, where we live, so we will have to basically get as far as we can and then try and find other ways of getting to where we live. the boss at the rmt union said talks are ongoing, but movement was needed from all sides to resolve this dispute over pay and conditions. obviously the strike action is on now and we are hopeful in the days to come we will have more discussions with both sets of governors and if they are willing to compromise and willing to take a few steps forward, we will see what we can develop with them. but it does need them to move off their positions that we have already rejected. today is the second day of the latest 48—hour walk—out this week.

more industrial action is planned to start at 6pm on christmas eve until 6am on the 27th. two further 48—hour strikes are planned affecting days early next month. this last weekend before christmas is vital for the retail sector and the strikes are hurting many businesses. this is the most important week for me of the whole year. this is when we take our real proper money. yesterday i was in portobello road and we probably had half the footfall that we normally have from the day—trippers that come down from the rest of the country. the rail delivery group, which represents train companies, said it was hopeful a resolution could be found, but whether this can be resolved anytime soon still remains unclear. what is the implication for tomorrow? i beg your pardon? you go.

you carry on, i am sorry. it is tomorrow? i beg your pardon? you go. you carry on, i am sorry.— you carry on, i am sorry. it is that clarity that — you carry on, i am sorry. it is that clarity that is _ you carry on, i am sorry. it is that clarity that is really _ you carry on, i am sorry. it is that clarity that is really needed - you carry on, i am sorry. it is that clarity that is really needed here, | clarity that is really needed here, because it is notjust consumers who are suffering, but businesses are suffering, and they want a quick resolution to this dispute. there is no clarity and we have heard mood music between mick lynch and the rail delivery group, saying, yes, we think a resolution could be reached, but no concrete evidence of that has really emerged yet. taj ali is a journalist who covers industrial affairs for the tribune magazine. thank you very much for being with us. what is the difference, in your view, between what is going on in the straits in england on the railways as opposed to the rmt having settled the dispute in wales and scotland?— and scotland? well, it is very interesting. _ and scotland? well, it is very interesting. the _ and scotland? well, it is very interesting. the rmt - and scotland? well, it is very interesting. the rmt have i and scotland? well, it is very. interesting. the rmt have now settled real disputes with the welsh government and the scottish government. some disputes with

transport for london, some disputes with some of the devolved mayors in places like newcastle, dealing with things like the merseyrail and there has been a settlement there. the difference with westminster is actually the conditions tied to the pay agreement. this dispute began in june and one of the conditions attached to this was the work reform plan. underthose attached to this was the work reform plan. under those proposals there would be threats to the ticket office, there would be the ticket office, there would be the ticket office closures, there will be threats to the workforce in terms of redundancies and there also would be the imposition of driver only trains. the rmt have been crystal clear they will not accept those conditions. they believe it means a less safe and accessible railway not just for the staff, but for passengers as well. this is a key sticking point in the negotiations, that failure to reach a compromise on some of those conditions. i think they are willing to fight on pay, but from the conversations i have had with railway workers and people who work on the tracks, for example,

where network rail have said they are going to do a 30% reduction in scheduled maintenance task, there are concerns about public safety. network rail says there are no safety issues and it will be the focus of maintenance that changes, rather than pre—emptive. it will be risk assessed. what is your view on why the labour party have not come out in favour of the strikes being taken? ~ ~ , , ., taken? well, i think this is of course playing _ taken? well, i think this is of course playing politics. - taken? well, i think this is of course playing politics. it- taken? well, i think this is of course playing politics. it is. taken? well, i think this is of - course playing politics. it is about looking at what the conservative party might say about the labour party might say about the labour party in terms of being controlled by the unions. the irony is the rmt union are not affiliated to the labour party. neither are the royal couege labour party. neither are the royal college of nursing representing nurses. the labour party here are trying to be quite smart about this, they are trying to kind of make it look like a responsible government and they would be willing to reach a resolution and they would not be taking sides in disputes. that is

the start of the labour party as far as i can tell. to be fair, it has not gone down well with union leaders, i think there is a bit of tension in that regard as well. we appreciate you talking to us. taj ali from the tribune magazine. hospitals in england have been told to free up beds and prepare for �*extensive disruption�* ahead of planned strikes by ambulance workers next week. nhs leaders have written to managers to warn that it will be a very challenging period. they said medically fit patients should be moved out where it's safe to do so, and the turnaround of ambulances should be speeded up. members of unison, unite and the gmb will walk out in much of england, wales and northern ireland in a dispute about pay and staffing levels. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake told us more about the preparations for next week's walk—outs. this letter going to hospitals across england urges them to get systems in place where they can

effectively get patients in from ambulances to a&e and then on from there to the rest of the hospital and discharged as quickly as possible. and discharged as quickly as ossible. ., ,., , , possible. the reason being is ambulances _ possible. the reason being is ambulances would _ possible. the reason being is ambulances would then - possible. the reason being is ambulances would then be i possible. the reason being is i ambulances would then be able possible. the reason being is - ambulances would then be able to get back on the road as quickly as possible because there will not be as many, they will be overstretched are not able to respond to as many call—outs as quickly as they normally would do. it all sounds perfectly well and good, but emergency doctors and other voices in the nhs have said, of course we will try and do that, but it is hard enough at the best of times, given her stretched the capacity is, given how hard it is to discharge people sometimes because the social care situation means there is not the appropriate place for them to go to. that is why we are hearing these warnings, a very challenging period in the nhs from within the health service itself, but also from government. 0liver dowden, the cabinet office minister in charge of contingency planning and the government was my response to this, has talked about big risks associated with the ambulance worker strikes and a significant period of

disruption. strikes and a significant period of disru tion. ~ ., strikes and a significant period of disru tion. ~ . , . , disruption. what is the latest government _ disruption. what is the latest government line _ disruption. what is the latest government line on - disruption. what is the latest government line on how- disruption. what is the latest government line on how to l disruption. what is the latest - government line on how to resolve the strikes?— the strikes? well, there is no movement — the strikes? well, there is no movement from _ the strikes? well, there is no movement from the - the strikes? well, there is no - movement from the government's position. they are saying we are happy to talk to the unions, we want to do that, but only about issues beyond pay itself, so work and conditions, technology, all sorts of other things, which the royal couege other things, which the royal college of nursing and others as they are peripheral to the main issue of pay. the government has said we are sticking to the recommendation of the independent pay review body, which has put forward this 4.75% offer on average to nhs staff, with a guaranteed minimum of £1400. the union said it is not enough, it needs to be at inflation or more because they have had success of pay freezes, which means workers have seen in real terms pay cut. both sides not budging from that position and no resolution in sight. find budging from that position and no resolution in sight.— resolution in sight. and it is set a . ainst resolution in sight. and it is set against the _ resolution in sight. and it is set against the backdrop _ resolution in sight. and it is set against the backdrop of - resolution in sight. and it is set against the backdrop of much i resolution in sight. and it is set - against the backdrop of much wider industrial action, as we have been

reporting for a few weeks. that industrial action, as we have been reporting for a few weeks.- reporting for a few weeks. that is ri . ht reporting for a few weeks. that is riaht and reporting for a few weeks. that is right and it _ reporting for a few weeks. that is right and it is _ reporting for a few weeks. that is right and it is a _ reporting for a few weeks. that is right and it is a big _ reporting for a few weeks. that is right and it is a big challenge - reporting for a few weeks. that is right and it is a big challenge forl right and it is a big challenge for the government. the strikes really are only in the early phase of what could be a concerted period of industrial action. we have got the royal college of nursing saying that if the government does not shift, further action will be on the prime minister's shoulders. there is general strain that the economy is coming under. we have heard about rail strikes and in the health service, there will be border staff, the highways agency, baggage handlers and the rest. it is going to get very difficult and the government is saying it is doing all it can to mitigate the impact, but even they accept they can only do so much. turning down your boiler, unplugging appliances and using a draught excluder are all energy—savings tips included in a government campaign being launched today to help cut energy bills. 0ur climate editorjustin rowlatt spent the morning at the home of the energy secretary grant shapps finding out what he's doing to save energy. the government's £18 million effort to get us all to save energy begins today and this is a bit unusual. i've been invited to the secretary of state for business and energy's

home to discuss the campaign. hi. how are you? good to see you. thanks for having us round. it's cold out there. right, energy saving tips? the government says draught proofing your doors and windows could save £60 a year, and then, there is your boiler. lots of boilers are just set to max as this one is. they don't need to be. this is just a question of turning it down, they say about 60. that could save £100. the government also recommends turning off appliances at the plug, potentially saving another £70. and maybe also turn off radiators in empty rooms. it is hoped the campaign and website will help us save money and cut our carbon footprint but also cut billions from the cost of the energy support for consumers. although prices are going up, we know, we have actually capped that, so that is worth £900 as well,

in addition to the 400 people are getting direct from their bills. this is a common sense additional thing. people can't do it if they don't know about it and we have a role in helping people to know about it. this campaign represents a policy reversal. the former prime minister liz truss blocked plans for a similar effort when she was prime minister. justin rowlatt, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... a 33—year—old woman has died after being injured in a crush at a gig at london's brixton 02 academy. two other women remain in a critical condition. train passengers face further delays today as the rmt union continue their 48—hour strike. only one in five services are expected to operate. leo varadkar becomes ireland's new taoiseach, swapping roles with micheal martin, as part of a historic coalition agreement.

more now on the incident at brixton academy. 0ur reporter mark lobel is outside the venue in brixton. we have had this awful news of a woman dying as a result of what happened on thursday. the woman dying as a result of what happened on thursday. the events at the time led — happened on thursday. the events at the time led to _ happened on thursday. the events at the time led to three _ happened on thursday. the events at the time led to three people - happened on thursday. the events at the time led to three people being i the time led to three people being taken critically injured to hospital. just this lunchtime and in the last hour the police have confirmed that sadly they say one of those women has died, a woman who lived in newham. police say they are looking after her family with specialist officers, but the event of that night, you can still see behind me the debris, the detritus, the rubbish strewn from where over a thousand people here try to get in,

who apparently did not have tickets. it was the third and final night of an african artist's performance here. he was trying to wait for those to come inside before starting the consul, cancelled in the end such was the crush of people trying to get inside. the police are now appealing to people to come forward. there is plenty of social media footage of the terrible crash that happened here. the police have a special website setup, it is part of what they are calling an operation thatis what they are calling an operation that is investigating the events of that is investigating the events of that night. 0ne that is investigating the events of that night. one person was arrested for assaulting allegedly a police officer, but the main thrust of the investigation is simply trying to get into the ins and outs of what happened and how and why. matt. get into the ins and outs of what happened and how and why. matt, for the moment — happened and how and why. matt, for the moment thank _ happened and how and why. matt, for the moment thank you _ happened and how and why. matt, for the moment thank you very _ happened and how and why. matt, for the moment thank you very much. i sport now, let's get a full roundup from the bbc sport centre.

good morning afternoon. a proud day for 18—year—old rehan ahmed as england bowled pakistan out for 304 on the first day of the final test in karachi. leg—spinner ahmed took two wickets for 89 as he impressed on his debut and became england's youngest ever men's test player. the tourists lost zak crawley to the fifth ball of their reply and closed on 7—1, trailing by 297. now, the team who've brought so many stories to the tournament, morocco, are involved in the world cup's third place play—off against croatia. it only got under way 20 minutes ago and there've already been two goals. croatia took the lead through one of the players of the tournament, josko gvardiol. a well worked free—kick routine by the croatians, who lost to argentina in the semis. but morocco responded

straight away — again, from a free—kick, the ball found its way to achraf dari who headed home the equaliser. these are live pictures of the match. as you can see, just about 19 minutes in now. morocco looking to become the first african nation to finish third at the fifa world cup against croatia. they were finalists in russia four years ago. these two teams met in the group stage as well and it finished 0—0. it is perfectly poised at 1—1 and coverage continues over on bbc one. the france and tottenham goalkeeper hugo lloris says the world cup final between france and argentina tomorrow is not only about lionel messi. the 35—year—old has scored five goals so far. he's in competition with psg teammate kylian mbappe for the golden boot. lloris says the interest in messi is overshadowing the event.

the event is too massive just being focused on one player. it is a final between two big nations of football, between two big nations of football, between argentina and france. 0bviously when you face that type of player you need a special focus on him, but it is not only about him. it is a strong team with a lot of talented players, with a young generation of players, and you can feel that they are all dedicated to lionel messi. but again we will try to find the key to get the success in this game. celtic have restored their nine point lead at the top of the scottish premiership. they secured a 1—0 win over aberdeen. callum mcgregor�*s goal in the 87th minute was enough to see them secure all three points in theirfirst

match since mid november. elsewhere, matches at livingstone and motherwell have both been postponed because of the weather but two other matches have survived the low temperatures. hearts restart their campaign at home to kilmarnock, where a win could take them fourth. they are currently 1—0 up, josh ginnelly with the goal. ross county can pull away from the drop zone with a win at home to saintjohnson. that one is at 0—0 and that is 20 minutes in. the a—league derby match between melbourne city and melbourne victory in australia has been abandoned, after a player was injured by a spectator during a pitch invasion. city goalkeeper tom glover was hit by a metal bucket after a large number of spectators ran on to the pitch in the 22nd minute. flares were also thrown. the 24—year—old suffered a cut to his face and "likely has a concussion", according to his club.

the game was initially suspended then abandoned on player safety grounds. )jockey frankie dettori has announced that 2023 will be his final season. the 52—year—old is one of the sport's best—known figures and has ridden more than 3,300 british winners since his first, back in 1987. his wins also include 21 british classic successes and three champion jockey titles. exeter chiefs have made it two wins from two matches in pool a of the european champions cup. they ran out 44—14 winners over the bulls. luke cowan—dickie scoring two tries in the first half, some quick thinking then saw him complete his hat—trick in the second period. the chiefs move second in the table behind leinster on points difference.

the 2019 winners of the champions cup, saracens, are just getting under way in their second match of the campaign — they beat edinburgh in their opener last week and now face lyon. also just getting under way are leicester at home to clermont auvergne. plenty of rugby to keep across this afternoon. you can do so on the bbc sport website. that is all the sport for now. paul, thank you very much. let's get more on the world cup and the view from morocco. mayenijones is in casablanca. that is not a bad posting. how is the match going down there? yes. that is not a bad posting. how is the match going down there? yes, we are in a cafe — the match going down there? yes, we are in a cafe in — the match going down there? yes, we are in a cafe in downtown _ the match going down there? yes, we are in a cafe in downtown casablanca. are in a cafe in downtown casablanca and it is very lively here. a lot of families and football watchers have come in in the last hour, filing in to watch the match. it is a lot quieter than it was in the semifinals. cafe owners are saying

the crowds are much smaller than they expected, but still lots of energy and positivity and people are rooted to the tv because if they win this match they will be making history. they will become the first african team to become third in a world cup. african team to become third in a world cup-— african team to become third in a world cup. they are very excited, something _ world cup. they are very excited, something is _ world cup. they are very excited, something is going _ world cup. they are very excited, something is going well _ world cup. they are very excited, something is going well for - world cup. they are very excited, i something is going well for morocco. tell us a little bit about how the whole country has got behind the team during this tournament. yes. team during this tournament. yes, absolutely. — team during this tournament. yes, absolutely, their— team during this tournament. ye: absolutely, their performance has been absolutely phenomenal. they beat portugal and spain, two of the well�*s best teams and every time they won a match the crowds outside on the streets of cities like casablanca and marrakesh when wild. people have been waiting for years for this and they are incredibly proud today and they are hoping they can win the match so that morocco is a team to contend with. they have

given them their support for the last 30 years and there is a state of the art academy just a last 30 years and there is a state of the art academyjust a few hours from here outside rabat and now they are hoping that this investment will pay off. are hoping that this investment will -a off. �* are hoping that this investment will .a off, �* , , are hoping that this investment will -a off. �* , , , , pay off. and the players themselves must have hero _ pay off. and the players themselves must have hero status _ pay off. and the players themselves must have hero status now. - must have hero status now. absolutely. the players, the coach, are massively respected and celebrated here. they are seen as having brought huge attention to the sport. we were earlier today outside another football pitch where children played and a lot of them were saying they had been inspired by the team. it has transformed football here and it is the first time they are seeing so many different elements in different areas of society are coming together to support the national team. thank ou ve to support the national team. thank you very much. _ to support the national team. thank you very much. enjoy _ to support the national team. thank you very much, enjoy the _ to support the national team. thank you very much, enjoy the rest - to support the national team. thank you very much, enjoy the rest of- to support the national team. thank you very much, enjoy the rest of the match.

in the irish republic, leo varadkar has been voted in as the new prime minister today. mr varadkam who has been the deputy prime minister, will swap roles with the taoiseach micheal martin as part of an historic coalition agreement made injune 2020. earlier, our ireland correspondent chris page gave us his analysis. it's a swap at the top that has never been done before. the two parties that dominated irish politics through most of the last century, fianna fail led by micheal martin, fine gael now led by leo varadkar went into government together for the first time. and when you consider that those parties grew out of different factions in the irish civil war 100 is ago, well, it does make it yesrs ago, well, it does make it all the more remarkable. so, voluntarily today, micheal martin has handed over the most importantjob in ireland to leo varadkar. the proceedings took about two and a half hours in the irish parliament here in dublin. mr martin formally resigned. he, as you would expect, went through what he saw as his list of achievements, not least leading ireland through the covid pandemic.

and then members of the parliament voted in mr varadkar to take over as taoiseach for the second half of this coalition government's term. mr varadkar has now left here, gone to see the irish president michael d higgins in his official residence in phoenix park in the north of the city. but he will be coming back here later on this afternoon where there will be some sort of cabinet reshuffle. and it is thought that micheal martin will retain a very prominent role in the government as deputy prime minister. he will be given charge of the department of foreign affairs. basically, he will become ireland's chief diplomat. that of course will be particularly important in the context of negotiations between the uk and the eu, still ongoing, over the brexit arrangements for northern ireland. mr varadkar was taoiseach previously, from 2017 until the last general election in 2020. and i think it is fair to say that some unionists in northern ireland thought he was a bit too aggressive

when it came to brexit matters. in their view, he would have been pretty nationalistic, so he may have a bit of a job there in rebuilding trust. mr varadkar in his speech to the irish parliament, the dail, said one of his priorities would be trying to restore the power—sharing devolved governments in northern ireland which collapsed in effect coming up to a year ago when the biggest unionist party, the democratic unionists, walked out of the stormont executive in protest against those brexit trading arrangements, in particular the border in the irish sea known as the northern ireland protocol, which unionists see as an unacceptable economic frontier within their own country. you can expect, i think, mr varadkar and rishi sunak to be speaking on the phone pretty soon. relations between the prime ministers in london and dublin have always been of course vital to both countries. and another interesting footnote in history, if you like, martine, taking place today —

for the first time, britain and ireland are both led by men of indian heritage. chris paid in dublin. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. we are likely to see a transition from cold to wet and windier and milder weather at the weekend, but as that mild air runs into the cold air, we are likely to see significant ice, sleet and snow as it moves northwards. a few wintry showers are likely across northern and western areas this evening, but for most it will be very dry and cold with a sharp frost in central, northern and eastern areas. southern areas see those temperatures lift as this mild air makes inroads. it will bring wetter and windier weather weather and as it bumps into the

cold air we will see transience no as it falls back, a significant ice risk. the met office have issued an amber ice warning. some treacherous conditions on roads and pavements through the day on sunday as the wet and windy moves northwards. hello this is bbc news. with xxxx. the headlines. train passengers face further delays today, as the rmt union continue their 48—hour strike. only one in five services are expected to operate hospitals are told to free up beds ahead of ambulance staff going on strike in england on wednesday. a 33 year old woman has died after being injured in a crush at a gig at london's brixton 02 academy — two other women remain in a critical condition