The incident happened at around 7.30pm on Sunday evening

Emergency services have tonight been in attendance at a serious road traffic incident in West Belfast.

It’s believed at least two cars collided at high speed with one another on the Monagh Bypass which links Kennedy Way with the Whiterock Road.

Footage shared on social media showed two badly damaged cars with members of the public attempting to assist those inside. Debris was scattered right across the four lanes and smoke was visible from one of the vehicles. The road remains closed as of 9pm on Sunday September 13.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue and Police Service of Northern Ireland were also on the scene within minutes. A number of casualties were attended to at the scene.

No further details on injuries are known at this time.

Sinn Fein MLA Aisling Reilly said: “My thoughts are with everyone involved in the serious road crash on the Monagh Bypass at Áit na Móna this evening.

“The road is currently closed in both directions while emergency services deal with the incident. I would ask people to please avoid the area and allow those responding to the crash to do their work.”

Local councillor Paul Doherty posted on social media: “The Monagh Bypass remains closed in the Aitnamona/Turf Lodge direction and is expected to remain closed for some time while emergency services continue to deal with a serious road traffic collision.

“Please avoid the area if you can and allow emergency services to carry out their work. Thinking of everyone involved.”

A brief statement from the PSNI said: The Monagh bypass in west Belfast is currently closed in both directions between the Glen Road roundabout and the junction with Springfield Road following a road traffic collision. Diversions are in place.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Apple’s traditional September iPhone event was very different this year. The company’s new CEO, John Ternus, hosted it (though the former CEO Tim Cook made a guest appearance), announcing the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, Apple Watch ultra 4 and a folding phone. Here’s everything that was announced, including when they’re coming and how much they’ll cost.

Emergency services were called to a roundabout at the junction of Chorley New Road and De Havilland Way in Horwich shortly before 4pm.

As a result of the crash, one car was overturned, with specialist equipment used by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) to turn the car back onto its wheels.

Four people received care from North West Ambulance Service, with one person taken to Royal Bolton Hospital.

A spokesperson for GMFRS said: “Shortly after 3:44pm this afternoon (Sunday 13 September), two fire engines from Horwich and Atherton fire stations were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving an overturned car at a roundabout at the junction of Chorley New Road and De Havilland Way in Horwich, Bolton.

“Crews arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighters worked with colleagues from Greater Manchester Police to secure the area and used specialist equipment to turn the car back onto its wheels. Four casualties were taken into the care of North West Ambulance Service, with one later taken to Royal Bolton Hospital for precautionary checks.

“Crews were in attendance for around two hours and 50 minutes.”

Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service were approached for comment.

Channel 4 are hoping to have UK TV’s next big hit on their hands with the series

Apocalypse has arrived on Channel 4, but who’s in the full line-up, what are the rules and how do you win the survival series?

It’s been a winning period for reality TV in the UK. BBC viewers are patiently waiting for the next season of The Celebrity Traitors at the minute.

A new batch of 21 celebrities who will face one another for the chance to win a cash prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. As last year proved, with Alan Carr emerging as sole champion, anyone can win.

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Set in a Scottish castle in the Highlands, the game follows the celebrity contestants, the majority of whom are known as faithfuls, as they try to seek out the murderous traitors among them, who kill off players in the middle of the night.

With just weeks to go until the new series gets underway, perhaps Channel 4’s brand new programme will reach the same global heights. Here’s what you need to know.

What are the rules of Apocalypse?

Fourteen ordinary people from the UK and Australia face the ultimate test in Apocalypse. Two unsuspecting groups of strangers are dropped into a real abandoned town.

In a brilliant twist, each team is unaware of the other’s existence, presumably leading to a dramatic and realistic realisation.

Without electricity, running water or food, the survivors must scavenge, recycle, reuse and reinvent anything they can find just to get by. To make things even more tense, they’re surrounded by the remnants of modern life.

The teams must discover whether reverting to primitive instincts is what it takes to make it through the Apocalypse, or whether cooperation is the key to survival.

How do you win Apocalypse?

Unlike the bulk of reality competitions, there is no winner of Apocalypse. Instead, each contestant has signed on in an attempt to prove that they could survive in an end of the world scenario.

No one is voted off the programme, and there is no prize money at the end. The series is designed to test whether society crumbles or people cooperate when faced with a global disaster.

A Channel 4 spokesperson teased: “The survivors are split into two rival camps – Eastside and Westside – with no knowledge of who else is out there.

“With limited resources on offer, the Westside group soon find themselves in direct conflict with their Eastside counterparts when Eastside are first to break into the town’s only supermarket and loot its contents.”

Apocalypse’s Full Cast

EastSide Team

• Steven McKell – Content Creator, 32, from Lincoln
• Kiera Madison – Psychologist, 29, from Australia
• Bertie Watkins – Theatre director, 34, from London
• Kyra Muzvaba – Student nurse, 20, from Northamptonshire
• Louise Baker – Mechanic, 43, from Birmingham
• Scott McMinn – Beef farmer, 42, from Barongarook (Aus)
• Laura Powell – Paramedic, 38, from Bristol

Westside Team

• Ioan Humphreys – Farmer, 32, from Wales
• Freddie Browne – Event Emcee, 30, from London
• Brooke McCreaner – Cab driver, 42, from London
• Celia Hibbert – Politician, 43, from Wolverhampton
• Matthew Wilson (Matty) – Diesel mechanic, 33, from Perth (Aus)
• Kelly Cartwright – Paralympian, 37, from Geelong (Aus)
• Dean Sganga – Chef, 30, from NSW (Aus)

Apocalypse airs on Channel 4 on Sunday, September 13, at 9pm

The game has been rescheduled for next month

A Manchester Storm game at the AO Arena has been called off following a ‘technical issue with the ice’. The popular ice hockey team was set to take on the Nottingham Panthers in the Challenge Cup on Sunday evening (September 13).

The game was set to be the team’s first competitive match in the heart of of Manchester in more than 20 years. Last week, Storm made a triumphant return to the arena in a sold out pre-season friendly against the Sheffield Steelers on Sunday (September 6).

Fans been advised to keep their tickets which will be valid for the rescheduled fixture. The rescheduled game is set to take place on Wednesday October 14.

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A statement from the club reads: “Unfortunately today’s Manchester Storm game vs PanthersIHC has been suspended due to a technical issue with the ice.

“We sincerely apologise to supporters and ticket holders for the disruption and would like to thank everyone in attendance for their patience.

“We advise attendees to retain their tickets which will remain valid for the rescheduled fixture. Those with single-game tickets for this game and seeking a refund are advised to contact their point of purchase.

“The rescheduled game will take place on Wednesday 14th October 2026. Manchester Storm and AO Arena would like to thank attendees for their understanding.”

Ukraine’s rail operator has said that a Russian drone attack may have been aiming at the train carrying Boris Johnson and other dignitaries on the Ukrainian border with Poland

A Russian drone attack that hit a Ukraine railway station “quite possibly” had targeted a train carrying Boris Johnson which left early.

A train at Yahodyn station, on the Polish border, was hit by one of the missiles shortly after the locomotive carrying the former UK prime minister had gone ahead of schedule.

Johnson had been returning from a major conference in Kyiv along with former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt and a number of European security advisers.

Ukraine rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia said in a post on Telegram it was “quite possible” that the drone had been aimed at Johnson’s train.

The company said the train “had departed the station earlier than scheduled due to real-time adjustments to train timetables necessitated by the constant threat of Russian strikes”.

It added that former CIA director David Petraeus had been on a different train that was still at the station when the drone struck. No casualties have been reported.

In the wake of the attack, Johnson praised Ukrzaliznytsia staff and passengers as “absolutely heroic” and called for more support for Ukraine.

He said: “I don’t know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning. What we can say for sure is that this is the kind of random and senseless attack Ukrainians are enduring every day – even on civilian railways.”

He added: “When are we going to give them the air defences they need? Why won’t we unfreeze Putin’s cash and give it to Ukraine? There is more than 140 billion euro in a Belgian bank account – and about £10 billion in London. Britain could show a lead.”

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha described the attack as “barbaric” and said they represented “Putin’s terror ‘knocking’ directly on the doors of the EU and NATO”.

Former Swedish premier and foreign minister Carl Bildt, who was on the same train as Johnson, also said the train immediately after theirs was hit by the drone.

He told how they were told to evacuate before managing to escape across the border to NATO territory in Poland.

“This wasn’t our train [that was hit], but the one just minutes after us by the [Polish] border crossing,” said Bildt. “It was evacuated as the [Russian] drone approached and no one was hurt. Very good safety system. Our train just had an evacuation warning but could proceed to Dorohusk. The [Russian] attacks against [Ukraine] are intensifying.”

The Conservatives described the incident as a “stark escalation” by Moscow and urged the UK Government to increase defence spending.

Stuart Anderson, who was appointed shadow minister for war preparedness on Sunday, said: “It is yet another reminder that Russian aggression is a real and growing threat to European security and, ultimately, our own national security.”

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “The strikes on Ukraine today, including on the gas works near Nato’s border, serve as a stark reminder of the bombardment that Ukrainians face every day.

“Reckless, dangerous attacks on civilian infrastructure so close to Poland also underline the wider security threat Russia poses. The UK continues to stand firm with Ukraine and will continue working with allies and partners to bolster European security.”

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca believes Bruno Fernandes should have been sent off alongside Phil Foden in the first half of his side’s 1-0 win in the Manchester derby.

Foden was given a straight red card for lashing out at Fernandes with a wild kick in the 23rd minute after the Manchester United captain had fouled him.

Fernandes also appeared to aim another kick at Foden’s back after the initial foul, sparking the reaction from the City man that eventually got him sent off.

However, Fernandes received no punishment for the foul or the second kick, and VAR backed up the original decision made by referee Michael Oliver, with official Matt Donohue confirming: “That looks like a clear red card to me. Looks to be a secondary movement.”

Speaking on Sky Sports, commentator Gary Neville said that he was “surprised that Fernandes has got away without a booking”, while former United midfielder Roy Keane said that the Portuguese “is the one who is violent here”.

And City boss Maresca was also clearly confused by the decision, suggesting that Fernandes should also have seen red if Foden did.

“It can be a red card [for Phil Foden], but I think in the same action it can be a red card for Bruno [Fernandes], in the same action,” explained the City manager. “So, anyway… It is what it is. Red card for us. We won,” he added.

The sending off did not impact the result negatively for City in the end as the 10 men earned a memorable victory on the road, though Erling Haaland’s winning goal was another contentious decision on a dramatic afternoon at Old Trafford.

The result leaves City second in the Premier League after four games, with themselves and Arsenal the only two teams to hold a 100 percent winning record so far.

Maresca’s side host Norwich City in the League Cup in their next game on Thursday, before facing Sunderland at the Etihad on Sunday, 20 September in the final game before the international break.

The iPhone 18 Pro is available for £1,199, while the iPhone 17 Pro has been reduced to £999 at most retailers. My review of the iPhone 18 Pro is coming, and if camera and battery life are important, you might want to wait for my full verdict. But, with both Pro models looking near-identical with only slight technical differences, the iPhone 17 Pro deals are well worth paying attention to.

Home rider Enric Mas ended years of frustration by winning the Vuelta a Espana on Sunday — having inherited the red jersey from Tadej Pogacar after the five-time Tour de France champion crashed out.

Mas, the Spaniard who leads the Movistar team and has finished second overall three times, finished 2 minutes, 15 seconds ahead of four-time Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic. Felix Gall finished third overall in the 21st and final stage, 2:44 behind Mas.

Pogacar led Mas by 3 minutes, 50 seconds when he crashed in the eighth stage.

Mas was the Vuelta runner-up in 2018, 2021 and 2022; and he placed third in 2024. He also finished fifth and sixth at the Tour de France in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Mas’ victory marks the greatest Grand Tour achievement for a Spanish cyclist since Alberto Contador won the Giro d’Italia in 2015. Contador was also the last Spaniard to win the Vuelta in 2014.

Norwegian rider Tobias Johannessen won the final stage, a 102-kilometer (63-mile) leg featuring climbing and descending in the medieval city of Granada. There were four circuits of Granada to conclude the stage; with the overall times neutralized for the final lap.

Johannessen edged Alessandro Romele in a two-man sprint, while British rider Matthew Brennan finished fourth in the stage. Mas crossed the line arm-in-arm with his six Movistar teammates several minutes later.

British cyclist Oscar Onley was also crowned winner of the Young Rider’s standings.

Agencies

The team also has the ability to intervene directly in the operation of the road network, including adjusting traffic signal timings when incidents occur.

From major events and crashes to increasingly intense storms, the team behind TrafficWatchNI’s more than 200 cameras has a front-row seat to everything happening on Northern Ireland’s road network.

Most drivers will know the feeling. You are sitting in traffic, watching the minutes tick by and wondering what has brought the road network to a standstill. Somewhere in Belfast, however, a team of people may already know the answer.

Above the Department for Infrastructure’s operations at Airport Road, a bank of screens provides an extraordinary window onto Northern Ireland’s roads. From this room, Traffic Control Operators watch the network around the clock, looking for everything from a broken-down vehicle to a major collision, while keeping information flowing to motorists and the emergency services.

It is a job that rarely stops. The Traffic Information Control Centre has been operating since 1994 and today sits at the heart of the Department for Infrastructure’s efforts to monitor the road network, manage congestion and respond when things go wrong.

“The traffic Information Control centre is part of the Department for Infrastructure, and it has been here since 1994, previously located in the city centre on Ann Street,” Philip Robinson, Head of Intelligent Transport Systems at the Department for Infrastructure, told Belfast Live.

“We cover the whole monitoring of the traffic network and the road network in Northern Ireland.”

“We have four divisions within the department where we are always looking for congestion and trying to reduce congestion.”

The scale of the operation is perhaps easiest to appreciate through the cameras. More than 200 digital cameras are now used by the team, giving operators a constantly changing picture of what is happening across the network.

Philip says the seven Traffic Control Operators based in the control room work a 24-hour shift pattern. Their role is not simply to watch screens but to interpret what they see, decide what needs to happen, and communicate that information to those who need it.

“I have a team of seven traffic control operators based here upstairs in our new control room, and they work a 24/7 shift pattern, which involves managing and observing with over 200 digital cameras that we have now, and it provides an essential service for the public.”

For the travelling public, one of the most visible parts of that work is TrafficWatchNI. Its website and social media channels turn what is happening behind the screens into information that drivers can actually use, whether that means avoiding a collision, allowing extra time for a journey or knowing that a road is blocked.

The service now has more than 90,000 followers, and Philip says its importance has grown as the department has sought to provide motorists with information as quickly as possible.

“It’s really all about maintaining communications with the general public, the travelling public, and also other statutory bodies as well,” he said.

“Our constant monitoring ensures that we have that control over providing information to the public, for example, through our TrafficWatch NI website.

“We have over 90,000 followers now, which is growing incrementally year on year. It obviously helps keep the public informed of any incidents on the network to help with their journey planning, and, with 24/7 coverage here, it ensures that the information is always up to date.”

But the control room’s role goes beyond telling people that there is a problem. The team also has the ability to intervene directly in the operation of the road network, including adjusting traffic signal timings when incidents occur.

That becomes particularly important when thousands of people are converging on one location. Events such as the Balmoral Show and Belfast’s major music festivals can put enormous pressure on already busy roads, requiring the control room to work with the police and other partners to keep people moving.

“An important element is the monitoring of the traffic signals and the set plans that we have throughout all of the junctions we have here in Northern Ireland.

“We have that control and responsibility and option of changing the timings, adjusting them accordingly, to incidents on the network.

“For example, in May, we have the Balmoral Show, and we play a big part in managing the access and egress to the Balmoral Show with over 30,000 visitors a day over a 4-day period.”

The same principle was put to the test during the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast in August. For the first time, the event brought huge crowds into the city, creating a different set of challenges for the road network.

The control centre worked alongside the PSNI and Silver Command, monitoring the roads and responding as incidents developed. Park-and-ride facilities were another part of the wider effort to manage the additional pressure.

There is also a less glamorous side to the work. A vehicle breaking down on a busy road may seem like a relatively minor incident, but on a route such as the Westlink, it can quickly become a major disruption.

When an operator spots an incident, the response involves communicating with police officers on the ground, ensuring the appropriate incident management procedures are activated and keeping the public informed. The control room effectively becomes the link between what is happening on the road and those trying to navigate around it.

“We communicate with the police, and we ensure that the incident management protocol comes into place, and it kicks in with the police team on the ground, helping to remove a vehicle.

“For example, if it’s a vehicle that is broken down on the Westlink, which is a regular occurrence, then, observing that, communicating with them, updating our TrafficWatch NI website and keeping that two-way channel of communication open.”

For the operators themselves, that means spending hours intensely focused on screens, often with little warning of what might happen next. A normal shift can be eight or 12 hours, but major incidents can stretch well beyond that.

The demands of the job have also shifted as the nature of incidents affecting the road network has changed. Philip Robinson says storms have become more frequent and more intense in recent years, adding another layer of complexity to a role in which experience can be crucial.

“Our shifts can be 8 hours, it can be 12 hours, and the recent example with the Fleadh, it can be longer than that.

“It’s quite demanding and intense, observation of all of our cameras across the network, responding to incidents such as storm events as we come into the storm season now, and we have found over the last 4 or 5 years.

“The frequency of storms and their intensity are very much on the rise.”

It is a job where experience cannot simply be acquired overnight. Philip says it can take as long as 12 years to fully get to grips with the role, while some of those working in the centre have spent decades behind the screens.

Even after years in the control room, the operators do not consider themselves finished learning. The road network is constantly changing, and every major incident brings its own particular set of circumstances.

“So the pressure and the commitment from the staff and the traffic control operators is very demanding, and it takes a lot of experience, and on-the-job experience to get to grips with it; it can take up to 12 years.

“Some of the operators here have been working here for decades. and are still saying we’re still learning aspects of the job.”

The centre itself has also undergone a major transformation. Over the past year, more than half a million pounds has been invested in the Airport Road building, with much of the work focused on the upper deck and the control room.

Walls have been removed, windows installed, and new ergonomic furniture brought in, creating a more modern environment for staff whose working day can involve hours of intense concentration.

“In the last year, we have embarked on a huge investment in the building here in Airport Road in Belfast, over half a million pounds worth, primarily on the upper deck and in the control room, and that is increasing the capacity, bringing in better ergonomic design furniture.

“We have knocked walls down. We have put windows in to create more natural light, and in general, it’s a more pleasant environment to be working in.”

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