Looking for a quick rundown of what made headlines in September 2025? You’re in the right place. Below you’ll find the biggest sports thrills, political shifts, tech breakthroughs and local South African updates that mattered the most.
Barcelona hit a rough patch when Raphinha, Joan García, Gavi and Fermín López all went down with injuries. The club warned fans that the next few LaLiga and Champions League games could be tighter than usual.
Meanwhile, Manchester City turned a shaky start into a 5‑1 victory over Burnley, thanks to a late double from Erling Haaland. The win kept Pep Guardiola’s side on a strong run and gave them three crucial points.
In China, Seo Jeong‑won guided Chengdu Rongcheng to the top of the Super League and nabbed the August manager of the month award. Their surge shows how quickly a newly promoted side can become a title contender.
Over in the US, Frances Tiafoe opened up about nerves this season and shared his take on the growing rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. His candid interview gives fans a fresh perspective before the US Open heats up.
South American drama continued as Lanús fought for a Copa Sudamericana semi‑final spot amid a chaotic quarter‑final at the Maracanã. The clash with police and fan violence disrupted the match and left the outcome hanging in the balance.
Fans of Valencia CF can now grab tickets for the New Year’s Eve clash with Espanyol, with season ticket holders getting a half‑price option for extra seats. The match promises a packed stadium and a festive atmosphere.
In women’s football, Manchester United Women dominated SK Brann but fell 1‑0 to a late set‑piece goal. The loss means the second leg in Manchester will be a must‑win if they want to stay alive.
Nigeria’s INEC faces a leadership crossroads as Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s term ends in December. Experts warn that a politicised appointment could damage the credibility of the 2027 elections.
South Africa’s SASSA released the September payment schedule for all social grants. The agency urges beneficiaries to use staggered withdrawals and cards to avoid crowding at branches.
Google rolled out a new Gemini feature that turns a single photo into an 8‑second video with realistic motion and sound. The tool, powered by the Veo 3 model, is already available on the web and Pixel phones, opening fresh creative options for marketers and everyday users.
On the diplomatic front, Donald Trump hosted Turkish President Erdoğan at the White House, discussing the F‑35 dispute, a potential F‑16 package and other defense deals. The meeting comes after a tense UNGA week and ongoing disagreements over Gaza policy.
In a quieter move, Barcelona loaned Ansu Fati to AS Monaco for the 2025‑26 season. The switch aims to give him regular minutes and rebuild confidence, while Monaco gain a versatile attacker.
Finally, UFC fans learned that Thiago Santos’ headline bout in Gdańsk fell through due to legal issues. He now fights Jack Hermansson in a supporting slot in São Paulo, reshuffling his momentum for the middleweight division.
That’s the snapshot of September 2025 – a month packed with injuries, big wins, political debates and tech breakthroughs. Keep checking Local Morning Star News for deeper analysis on each story.
Barcelona faces a major injury crisis as Raphinha, Joan García, Gavi and Fermín López miss weeks, jeopardising key LaLiga and Champions League fixtures.
Julian Parsons | Sep, 30 2025 Read More
Manchester City powered past Burnley 5-1 at the Etihad on September 27, 2025, extending their 14‑match winning run over the Clarets. Burnley defender Maxime Estève contributed two own‑goals, while Erling Haaland sealed the win with a late double. Jaidon Anthony’s strike briefly rescued a point for the visitors, but City’s quality proved decisive. The result gives Pep Guardiola’s side a vital three points after a shaky start.
Julian Parsons | Sep, 28 2025 Read More
South Korean coach Seo Jeong‑won has steered Chengdu Rongcheng to the top of the Chinese Super League, earning the August manager of the month award. The club recorded four wins and a draw in five games, beating giants like Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Port. Founded only seven years ago, Chengdu now sits level on points with Shanghai Port but leads on goal difference. Their surge has turned a recent promotee into a genuine title challenger.
Julian Parsons | Sep, 26 2025 Read More
Barcelona rallied from a 0-1 deficit to win 3-1 against newly-promoted Real Oviedo on September 25, 2025. Eric Garcia equalised, while substitute Robert Lewandowski headed the winner. The triumph keeps Barça just two points shy of league leaders Real Madrid, and youngster Lamine Yamal is set to return for the next match.
Julian Parsons | Sep, 26 2025 Read More
Frances Tiafoe admits nerves held him back this season and shares a candid look at his own game. He also offers fresh take on the budding rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, comparing their styles and future impact. The insight comes as the Alcaraz‑Sinner rivalry heats up at the US Open.
Julian Parsons | Sep, 26 2025 Read More
Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s ten‑year term as INEC Chairman ends in December 2025, thrusting Nigeria into a heated debate over who will lead the commission ahead of the 2027 elections. Experts warn that politicised appointments could undermine the credibility of the vote, while civil society calls for a transparent, merit‑based process. With five national commissioners also set to leave in 2026, the next leadership team will inherit a commission in flux and a nation watching closely.
Julian Parsons | Sep, 26 2025 Read More
SASSA has released the September 2025 schedule for all social grants, outlining exact dates for Old Age, Disability, Child Support and other payments. The agency urges beneficiaries to spread out withdrawals and use their cards for purchases to ease crowding and cut theft risk. Learn how the staggered system works and what steps you can take to make the month smoother.
Julian Parsons | Sep, 25 2025 Read More
In a tense Copa Sudamericana quarter‑final at Rio's Maracanã, Lanús entered with a 1‑0 first‑leg edge but saw the tie level after Fluminense's goal. Halftime turned chaotic when Lanús supporters fought each other and then clashed with police, halting play. Players and officials scrambled to restore order while the semifinal spot hung in the balance.
Julian Parsons | Sep, 24 2025 Read More
Tickets for the LaLiga Matchday 19 showdown between Valencia CF and RCD Espanyol are now on sale. Season ticket holders can grab up to two extra seats at half price for the New Year's Eve game on December 31. All tickets are nominative and will be checked at the gate. Coach Corberán warns the demand will be high for the final home match of the year.
Julian Parsons | Sep, 24 2025 Read More
Brazilian middleweight Thiago Santos was set to headline UFC Gdańsk against Michal Materla, but legal drama and a card reshuffle pushed him to a supporting bout against Jack Hermansson in São Paulo. The switch cost him main‑event exposure and forced him to rebuild momentum.
Julian Parsons | Sep, 23 2025 Read More
Google’s Veo 3 model now powers a photo‑to‑video tool in Gemini that turns a single picture into an 8‑second clip with realistic motion and sound. Subscribers can animate pets, showcase products, or give landscapes a cinematic feel in just minutes. The feature runs at 720p/24fps and is rolling out from web to Pixel devices. It opens fresh creative routes for marketers and everyday users alike.
Julian Parsons | Sep, 21 2025 Read More
Donald Trump will host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on Sept. 25, 2025. The agenda includes the F-35 dispute, a potential F-16 package, and big-ticket Boeing purchases. Ankara also wants progress on engines for its KAAN fighter and other defense projects. The visit follows UNGA week and comes amid sharp differences over Gaza policy.
Julian Parsons | Sep, 20 2025 Read More