this is bbc news the headlines at 5:00: a 33—year—old woman has died after being injured in a crush at a gig at london's 02 academy brixton — 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. and croatia have beaten morocco 2—1 to take third place at the world cup in qatar.

good afternoon 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. matt cole gave us this update from outside the venue. the events here on thursday night led, we understood, at the time to three people being taken critically injured to hospital. just this lunchtime in the last hour or two the police have confirmed that sadly they say one of those women has died, 33—year—old rebecca ikumelo, a woman who lived in newham.

the 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 thrown from where there were over 1000 people here trying to get in, who apparently did not have tickets. it was the third and final night of a nigerian afro beat�*s artist performance here. he was trying to wait for them to come inside before starting the concert, cancelled in the end, such was the crash of people trying to get inside. the police are now saying they are supporting the family and they are appealing to people to come forward. there is plenty of social media footage of the terrible crush that happened here. the police have a special website set up, it is part of what they are calling operation wickmar, which is investigating 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 to the ins and outs of what happened and how and why. matt cole reporting from brixton. 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. joining me now is the editor of rail magazine, nigel harris. good to see you. you don't enter into strike action lightly as a union, do you? what are the costs involved to those who are on strike? significant. very good question, we have already had quite a few strike days this year which have cost the workers a day's pay every time it happens. they have had so many of those, they wouldn't get that back with the pay increases. at over

christmas that really cranks up. for example, if you are an rmt engineer due to work on one of the christmas day possessions when network wales will take a few days to do a really big job that it couldn't do at evenings and weekends, on christmas day you will lose triple time, three days pay and the day in looe. that is pretty significant when, in january, there will be a lot of christmas credit card bills dropping on the doorstep in addition to the cost of living rise. it is expensive for the members to pursue a strike for the members to pursue a strike for the members to pursue a strike for the length of time this has, particularly over christmas. sometimes unions have hardship funds for this eventuality? would there be enoughin for this eventuality? would there be enough in the pot? m0. for this eventuality? would there be enough in the pot?— enough in the pot? no, you are talkin: enough in the pot? no, you are talking about _ enough in the pot? no, you are talking about large _ enough in the pot? no, you are talking about large amounts - enough in the pot? no, you are talking about large amounts of| talking about large amounts of money. no doubt there will be helpful some people, but across the piece, if you have all your engineers effectively losing three

days pay and live a day, it is a large amount of money, it is almost a complete week's pay for one day's work. ~ . a complete week's pay for one day's workr . . ,, , a complete week's pay for one day's work. ~ . ., ,, , ., ., work. what happens to that engineering _ work. what happens to that engineering programme - work. what happens to that| engineering programme that work. what happens to that - engineering programme that has probably been long in the pipeline and as you said, it cannot be done on a normal weekend or evening? you on a normalweekend or evening? you can, but on a normalweekend or evening? you can. but at _ on a normal weekend or evening? 7m. can, but at great expense because they have to do it in little bits and you have to get your workers on and you have to get your workers on and off site and do it in chunks. where are shutting it down for a few daysis where are shutting it down for a few days is more efficient to do it. i asked the same question of network rail and apparently they tell me very few of the jobs have actually been cancelled and they have enough management and other staff to carry on with thejob, management and other staff to carry on with the job, which makes management and other staff to carry on with thejob, which makes it management and other staff to carry on with the job, which makes it a singularly may be futile gesture in some ways. singularly may be futile gesture in some wave— some ways. what about the wider im act of some ways. what about the wider impact of the _ some ways. what about the wider impact of the strike? _ some ways. what about the wider impact of the strike? we - some ways. what about the wider impact of the strike? we have - some ways. what about the wider| impact of the strike? we have had small businesses are being affected by a number of forms of industrial

action, the rmt is one of them? the? action, the rmt is one of them? they are. i action, the rmt is one of them? they are- i really — action, the rmt is one of them? they are. i really feel, _ action, the rmt is one of them? they are. i really feel, my _ action, the rmt is one of them? tie: are. i really feel, my heart action, the rmt is one of them? tie are. i really feel, my heart bleeds for the hospitality industry who were thinking, third christmas they have had two bad ones and they really needed a good one this christmas to see them through to hopefully better times next year. and all the news i've heard is they are losing a0 and 50% of what they would normally have as footfall and takings. these are the people who are not at the top of the pay chain and will probably kill for the sort of money that a lot of railway staff are already on. it is divisive, it is damaging, it causes heartache for absolutely everyone. i is damaging, it causes heartache for absolutely everyone.— absolutely everyone. i must put the rmt's point — absolutely everyone. i must put the rmt's point of _ absolutely everyone. i must put the rmt's point of view _ absolutely everyone. i must put the rmt's point of view which _ absolutely everyone. i must put the rmt's point of view which is, - absolutely everyone. i must put the rmt's point of view which is, they l rmt's point of view which is, they say some of their staff are very poorly paid. it is not like they are earning high sums of money and that is who they are battling for. we will offer that they're in the

absence of the rmt.- will offer that they're in the absence of the rmt. that is right, the anniversary — absence of the rmt. that is right, the anniversary of— absence of the rmt. that is right, the anniversary of the _ absence of the rmt. that is right, the anniversary of the strike - absence of the rmt. that is right, the anniversary of the strike is - the anniversary of the strike is coming up in a few days, the dispute has been going on for about a year. there is a year's back to had. it is a% from last year, a% next year plus a of other benefits. and we have also seen the white collar union accept the offer the rmt is regularly rejecting.- accept the offer the rmt is regularly rejecting. again, having interviewed _ regularly rejecting. again, having interviewed mick _ regularly rejecting. again, having interviewed mick lynch _ regularly rejecting. again, having | interviewed mick lynch yesterday, regularly rejecting. again, having - interviewed mick lynch yesterday, he would say it is notjust about the pie, it is about a huge number of other conditions which are woven into these very complex talks. nigel harris, always good to have you on the bbc news channel. thank you. 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 walkouts. 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. 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 or 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 how 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 in government, his response to this has talked about big risks associated with the ambulance worker strikes and a significant period of disruption. what is the latest government line on how to resolve 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 college of nursing and others say 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 a.75% offer on average to nhs staff, with a guaranteed minimum of £i,a00. the union said it is not enough, it needs to be at inflation or more because they have had successive pay freezes, which means workers have seen a real terms pay cut. both sides not budging from that position and no 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 is 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. hundreds of people have turned out for a vigilforfour young boys, who died after falling through a frozen lake in solihull last sunday. 8—year—old finlay butler, and his six—year—old brother samuel, their cousin, thomas stewart — who was 11 — and 10—year—old jackjohnson were discovered in icy waters at babbs mill park in solihull. the council there has raised concerns about children being seen on frozen water in other places in recent days. in the irish republic, leo varadkar has been voted in as the new prime minister. mr varadkar, who has been the deputy prime minister, swaps 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 years 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.

good evening. a woman has died after being injured in a crush outside a concert at brixton academy in south london. rebecca ikumelo was 33. the metropolitan police say she died in hospital this morning. two other women, aged 21 and 23, remain critically ill. the concert they were at by afropop singer asha—kay was abandoned partway through after it's reported large crowds tried to force their way into the venue. matt cole reports these were the out of control scenes on thursday from what is believed to be a thousand people tried to get into the concert by asake. the concert was a sell out. despite his request that people without tickets stay away, hundreds and more still came. the pushing, shoving is,

trampling, led to three people being critically hurt. you trampling, led to three people being critically hurt-— critically hurt. you could see two --eole critically hurt. you could see two peeple out _ critically hurt. you could see two peeple out here _ critically hurt. you could see two people out here getting - critically hurt. you could see two i people out here getting treatment from the police, giving cpr. it was awful to see someone who went out for a night of fun and they end up not spending christmas with their family. not spending christmas with their famil . , ., not spending christmas with their famil. , ., , family. this morning, rebecca ikumelo died _ family. this morning, rebecca ikumelo died from _ family. this morning, rebecca ikumelo died from her- family. this morning, rebecca ikumelo died from her injury. l family. this morning, rebecca i ikumelo died from her injury. she was 33. two others remain critically ill. the debris still lines the street and police cordons remain in place. all day police officers from the met�*s specialist crime command have been working here at the site, trying to figure out what happened, what went so badly wrong to cause this tragedy. asake has released a statement, speaking of his devastation at rebecca ikumelo's death. with so many people at the

venue, police think they have a,000 potential witnesses and they're keen to hear from them. potential witnesses and they're keen to hearfrom them. they potential witnesses and they're keen to hear from them. they especially want images people took, in the hope they will offer clues. a special web—site has been set up so people can submit footage and photographs. tonight, a single bouquet of roses has been left by a member of staff. crush events like this are very rare. 0fficers crush events like this are very rare. officers are trying fathom how events unfolded. specialist officers are offering support to rebecca ikumelo's family. thank you. there's been more disruption for train passengers on the last weekend before christmas. only 20% of services are operating as rail workers continue strike action in an ongoing dispute about pay and working conditions. 0ur correspondent

ramzan karmali reports. we will be calling at... this train ma be we will be calling at... this train may be moving. _ we will be calling at... this train may be moving, but _ we will be calling at... this train may be moving, but only - we will be calling at... this train may be moving, but only 20% i we will be calling at... this train may be moving, but only 20% of services are running today and it is a service that consumers are getting used to. ,, ,, ,, a service that consumers are getting used to. ,, ~' ,, , ., used to. striking the week before christmas is _ used to. striking the week before christmas is harsh, _ used to. striking the week before christmas is harsh, but _ used to. striking the week before christmas is harsh, but at - used to. striking the week before christmas is harsh, but at the - used to. striking the week before i christmas is harsh, but at the same time f that is what they feel like they need to do. i time fthat is what they feel like they need to do.— time fthat is what they feel like they need to do. i appreciate they have not they need to do. i appreciate they have got a — they need to do. i appreciate they have got a case. _ they need to do. i appreciate they have got a case, but _ they need to do. i appreciate they have got a case, but it _ they need to do. i appreciate they have got a case, but it is - they need to do. i appreciate theyj have got a case, but it is affecting a lot— have got a case, but it is affecting a lot of— have got a case, but it is affecting a lot of people. i can take shivering _ a lot of people. i can take shivering in the cold, but some people — shivering in the cold, but some people can't. shivering in the cold, but some peeple can't-— shivering in the cold, but some --eole can't. , ,, ,. people can't. this dispute is about -a and people can't. this dispute is about pay and conditions _ people can't. this dispute is about pay and conditions and _ people can't. this dispute is about pay and conditions and though - people can't. this dispute is about | pay and conditions and though talks are ongoing, the boss of the rmt union said union was needed from all sides. , ., , , , union said union was needed from all sides. ,., _ ,, ~ union said union was needed from all sides. , ., _ ,, ,, ., sides. obviously this strike action is on now and _ sides. obviously this strike action is on now and we _ sides. obviously this strike action is on now and we are _ sides. obviously this strike action is on now and we are hopeful - sides. obviously this strike action is on now and we are hopeful in l sides. obviously this strike action l is on now and we are hopeful in the days to come we will have more discussions. if they're willing to compromise and take a few steps forward, we will see what we can develop. it needs them to move off

their positions that we have already rejected. their positions that we have already re'ected. ., ., their positions that we have already re'ected. ., , , .., their positions that we have already re'ected. ., , , _, their positions that we have already re'ected. ., , , ., rejected. today is the second day of the latest walk _ rejected. today is the second day of the latest walk out _ rejected. today is the second day of the latest walk out this _ rejected. today is the second day of the latest walk out this week. - rejected. today is the second day of the latest walk out this week. more | the latest walk out this week. more industrial action is planned to start at 6pm on christmas eve until 6am on 27th and two further strikes are scheduled to affect services next month. the last thing the retail sector needed was another train strike. yet they're not the only sector that is suffering. restaurants, bars, hotels, all have seen cancellation rates go up and their profits hit. the one thing they need this christmas is a quick resolution to this dispute. this they need this christmas is a quick resolution to this dispute.- resolution to this dispute. this is the most important _ resolution to this dispute. this is the most important week - resolution to this dispute. this is the most important week for - resolution to this dispute. this is the most important week for me | resolution to this dispute. this is i the most important week for me of the most important week for me of the whole year, yesterday i was in london and we had half the foot fall we normally have from the day trippers. we normally have from the day tri ers. ., , we normally have from the day triers. . , ., , trippers. the rail delivery group which represents _ trippers. the rail delivery group which represents train - trippers. the rail delivery group i which represents train companies said it was hopeful a resolution could be found. but whether this

dispute will be resolved soon remains unclear. hospitals have been told to free up beds to ease the disruption caused by ambulance staff strikes. the warning letterfrom nhs bosses comes ahead of strike action by ambulance workers over a pay dispute, due to take place next wednesday the 21st and the 28th of december. a vigil has taken place for four young boys who died when they fell into a frozen lake in the west midlands last weekend. samuel butler, who was six, his eight—year—old brother, finlay, their cousin, thomas stewart — who was 11 — and 10—year—old jackjohnson were discovered in icy waters at babbs mill park in solihull. natasha turney is there. hello, yes, it was a very emotional gathering today. this whole area here filled with nearing a thousand people who gathered to share in

their outpouring of support and sadness over the death of the four boys here at babbs mill park. they gathered for a two—minute silence, before that was broken by the singing of a local choir. many people visibly upset, in tears, due too that and gathering here to lay more tributes at the memorial and balloons lain as well for the four boys. many i spoke to wanted to show their love and support for the family. didn't necessarily know them, but wanted them to know that they were thinking of them at this special and very difficult time. many people still gathered here tonight wanting to show that they are being thought of here. thank ou. turning down your boiler, unplugging appliances and using a draught excluder are all tips included in a government campaign to help

bring down energy bills. 0ur climate editorjustin rowlatt spent the morning with the energy secretary grant shapps to find out what he does in his own home. the government's £18 million effort to get us all to save energy begins today and this is a bit unusual, i have been invited around to the secretary of state for business and energy�*s home to discuss the campaign. hi. how are you? very good. thanks for having us round. it's cold out there. right energy—saving tips? yeah. the government says draught proofing your doors and windows could save £60 a year and then there's your boiler. lots of boiler are just set to max as this one is at the moment. they don't need to be. this isjust 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 also turn off radiators in empty rooms.

it is hoped the campaign and web—site will help us save money and cut our carbon footprint and also cut millions from the government's energy support for consumers. well we have been putting money into people's bank account, people will be getting £a00 back. but these are things that people can do yourself. 200 or 300 pounds off your billjust by doing these simple steps. this campaign represents a policy reversal. former prime minister liz truss blocked plans for a similar effort when she was prime minister. croatia have won third place in the world cup in qatar. the playoff match in doha today finished 2—1, with morocco going home in fourth place. let's get the latest from nesta mcgregor who is there. hi. well, yes, croatia continue to

be a team — hi. well, yes, croatia continue to be a team that _ hi. well, yes, croatia continue to be a team that punches - hi. well, yes, croatia continue to be a team that punches well - hi. well, yes, croatia continue to l be a team that punches well above their weight in international football. remembera their weight in international football. remember a country ofjust under four football. remember a country ofjust underfour million football. remember a country ofjust under four million people. football. remember a country ofjust underfour million people. second in russia in 2018 and third this time in qatar. the winning goal scored by 0rsic was worthy of any world cup, even maybe a final, a curling effort in off the post. 2—1 is how it finished. but we have to give a mention to morocco. they are the first african team to get this far. they are the pride of the continent and the arab world as well. speaking to supporters, they were a surprise package, just being in the game was enough for them. the fans are leaving behind me and despite the loss, there maybe some partying in qatar tonight. loss, there maybe some partying in qatartonight-_ to cricket and there was an impressive debut for bowler rehan ahmed,

who became england's youngest male player in the third and final test against pakistan in karachi. he took two wickets, as the home side were bowled out for 30a on the opening day. joe wilson reports. 18 years, 126 days, rehan ahmad playing for england and his dad practically young enough to be a player. rafiq with four wickets. here is the first success of ahmad's career. a flying catch from pope. just the youngest man ever to take a test wicket for england. i just the youngest man ever to take a test wicket for england.— test wicket for england. i always feel ready- _ test wicket for england. i always feel ready- i _ test wicket for england. i always feel ready. i think _ test wicket for england. i always feel ready. i think if _ test wicket for england. i always feel ready. i think if you - test wicket for england. i always feel ready. i think if you have - test wicket for england. i always | feel ready. i think if you have the opportunity and other people think you're ready, you should know you're ready. you're ready, you should know you're read . ., ., , ., you're ready, you should know you're read . . ~ , . ., you're ready, you should know you're read . w , . ., ready. pakistan gifted england some wickets. a ready. pakistan gifted england some wickets- a risky _ ready. pakistan gifted england some wickets. a risky run, _ ready. pakistan gifted england some wickets. a risky run, some _ ready. pakistan gifted england some wickets. a risky run, some rapid - ready. pakistan gifted england some wickets. a risky run, some rapid win | wickets. a risky run, some rapid win from foakes and the captain was run out for 78. pakistan were all out

for 30a. out for 78. pakistan were all out for30a. but out for 78. pakistan were all out for 30a. but the match is still young. ahmad bowling for pakistan. abrar ahmad. young. ahmad bowling for pakistan. abrarahmad. england young. ahmad bowling for pakistan. abrar ahmad. england will resume 7—1 and what more will this young man do? we're back with the late news at 10.35. now on bbc one, it's time for the news where you are.

hello, there, we are finally expecting to see and enter the cold spell which has been with us for a long time but as we change from cold to mild with wet and windy weather moving northwards, we are likely to see a spell of transient ice and snow which could cause disruption in places throughout the day on sunday. it has been another very cold day today with a few wintry showers across northern and western areas, temperatures falling away quickly this evening.

cold overnight for most of the country, vertically central, northern and eastern areas. cloudy and windy weather will push into the far south so temperatures will lift but elsewhere another sharp frost. into sunday, this area of low pressure brings south—westerly winds and a lot of heavy rain, strong winds as well. you can see the orange and yellow colours slowly pushing northwards as the wind and the rain moves northwards but it will be bumping into that very cold air. the met office have issued an amber ice warning, particularly for the northern part of the country, especially northern england, likely to see disruption from slippery surfaces. as the rain pushes northwards, sleet and snow falls on cold surfaces and we will see widespread ice developing soap roads ice developing so roads and pavements will be treacherous throughout the day. sunday starts off cold,

the wind will make it feel colder, this rain will push northwards gradually and there will be some transient sleet and snow on this edge but as the rain falls on these frozen services that is where we are likely to see a significant ice risk. very mild across the south—west later in the day, still cold in the north and east but by the end of sunday night to monday morning, look at these temperatures in double figures for much of england and wales and northern ireland so it will feel almost tropical on monday morning, but a different feel to the day, much cloudier, very windy, outbreaks of rain, particularly across southern and western areas. we change our hazards now into this mild spell for windy, wet weather with also the risk of localised flooding. that is how it will stay for the upcoming week and the run—up to christmas, very unsettled but generally on that mild side. certainly much milder than we have been used to.