Newcastle United beat Arsenal 2‑0 at the Emirates, with Alexander Isak's 50th goal sealing a semi‑final lead. The win boosts Newcastle's cup hopes and underscores Arsenal's struggles under Mikel Arteta.
September was packed with action across the continent and beyond. From surprise cup wins in England to a huge PowerBall jackpot in South Africa, the month gave us plenty to talk about. Below you’ll find the biggest stories, grouped so you can catch up fast.
In the Premier League, Newcastle United shocked Arsenal with a 2‑0 win at the Emirates, giving the Magpies a solid leg in the Carabao Cup semi‑final. Brighton turned the tables on a ten‑man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, scoring two late goals to claim a 3‑1 victory. A week later, Brighton pulled another upset, beating Manchester City 2‑1 at the Amex, leaving Pep Guardiola frustrated.
South Africa’s own league kept the drama alive. Mamelodi Sundowns thumped Magesi FC 3‑0, with Iqraam Rayners netting a brace and earning Man of the Match. Meanwhile, a funding shuffle in Gayton redirected money from tug‑of‑war to football VAR, sparking debate among local athletes.
Across the continent, Al‑Hilal’s Club World Cup hopes ended in a 2‑1 quarter‑final loss to Brazil’s Fluminense, raising questions about their Brazilian‑heavy lineup. In Europe, Lyon edged Utrecht 1‑0 in the Europa League opener thanks to Tanner Tessmann’s late strike.
The PowerBall draw on June 24 handed out a combined R59 million jackpot, a reminder that South African players still chase big wins. On the health front, new research mixed the messages on acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism risk, leaving doctors urging careful use.
Financial news saw the Nigerian Naira gain a few points against the dollar after the Central Bank cut rates, signalling a tentative stabilisation. In South Africa, SASSA announced June grant payment dates and warned against viral rumors of double payouts.
Entertainment lovers got a heads‑up on two big releases. Netflix’s rom‑com “Nobody Wants This” returns for season 2 on October 23, while the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony is set for September 22 in Paris, featuring new women’s awards and a fresh batch of nominees.
Astronomy fans weren’t left out – March brought a total lunar eclipse visible across the Americas, followed by a solar eclipse later in the month. Both events offered spectacular sky shows for anyone with the right eye protection.
Finally, the month said goodbye to Voddie Baucham, the pastor and author who spent years teaching and ministering in Africa. His passing at 56 marked the end of an influential voice in evangelical circles.
All these stories together paint a vivid picture of September 2025 – a month of surprise wins, big money moves, health debates, and celestial wonders. Bookmark this page to revisit the highlights anytime you need a quick recap.
Newcastle United beat Arsenal 2‑0 at the Emirates, with Alexander Isak's 50th goal sealing a semi‑final lead. The win boosts Newcastle's cup hopes and underscores Arsenal's struggles under Mikel Arteta.
Brighton overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, scoring twice in stoppage time after a red card left the Blues with ten men. Enzo Fernández’s early header was nullified by Trevoh Chalobah’s dismissal, sparking a dramatic shift in momentum. Substitutes Danny Welbeck and Maxim De Cuyper sealed the win, leaving Chelsea’s young squad to contemplate discipline and defensive frailties. The result adds pressure on manager Enzo Maresca as the Premier League campaign progresses.
The Tuesday draw on 24 June 2025 produced a combined R59 million jackpot across PowerBall and PowerBall Plus. Winning numbers were 02‑22‑27‑36‑39 (PowerBall 19) and 01‑07‑14‑18‑20 (PowerBall 18). Tickets cost R5 for PowerBall and an extra R2.50 for Plus. Players must be 18+ and play responsibly.
The September 24, 2025 episode of AEW Dynamite in Pittsburgh served as the All Out fallout, featuring a hard‑hitting tag title match, Hangman Adam Page versus Lee Moriarty, and a shocking flamethrower segment that forced Jon Moxley’s Death Riders off‑screen. Kris Statlander defended the women’s title, Orange Cassidy returned, and Tony Khan dropped a mysterious announcement. Fans can catch the entire show on HBO Max.
After a two‑month pause, Chinese Super League clubs have gotten back onto the training pitch, but a firm start date for the 2020 season remains elusive. Strict health protocols and lingering COVID‑19 restrictions keep officials cautious. Clubs face cash flow problems as ticket sales and broadcast fees dry up. The league may need to trim the schedule or reshape the competition format before competitive matches can safely return.
On September 15, 2025, Mamelodi Sundowns cruised to a 3-0 win over Magesi FC at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium. Kutlwano Letlhaku opened the scoring, while Iqraam Rayners added a brace to earn Man of the Match. A red‑card incident added drama, and the result cements Sundowns' early lead in the 2025/26 Betway Premiership.
Gayton's council has reallocated money previously earmarked for the national tug‑of‑war federation to finance video‑assistant referee (VAR) technology for local football clubs. The decision sparked debate among athletes, officials and taxpayers. Proponents argue the move modernises football and attracts sponsorship, while critics say it undermines niche sports. Details of the budget shift, reactions and potential impact are examined.
Prominent pastor, author and educator Voddie Baucham passed away on September 25, 2025, at age 56 following a medical emergency. His career spanned sports, academia, and international ministry, including a nine‑year stint in Zambia. He founded Voddie Baucham Ministries and helped launch Founders Seminary in Florida. Health battles in 2021 did not slow his work. His death leaves a notable void in evangelical circles.
Olympique Lyon clinched a 1-0 win over FC Utrecht in their 2025/26 Europa League debut, with Tanner Tessmann scoring in the 75th minute. The match stayed dead‑locked at halftime before the decisive strike. Utrecht pressed for an equaliser but fell short. The victory gives Lyon a confidence boost after last season’s quarter‑final run. Both clubs now shift focus to upcoming group games.
New research offers mixed messages on whether acetaminophen taken during pregnancy raises the odds of autism or ADHD. While some reviews point to a possible link, a massive Swedish sibling study finds no increased risk. Health agencies still view the drug as safe when used correctly, urging doctors and moms to weigh benefits against any potential harm.
The Nigerian Naira moved higher against the US dollar after the Central Bank of Nigeria cut its policy rate. Official data shows the Naira rose to N1,487.37 per dollar, up from N1,488.60 the day before. The gain was seen in both official and parallel markets. Analysts say the rate cut boosted confidence in the currency. The trend points to a broader stabilization effort by the central bank.
SASSA has set the June 2025 payment dates for older persons, disability, child support and SRD grants, while debunking viral claims of double payouts. Beneficiaries can collect funds via bank accounts, SASSA cards or pay points. The agency warns against misinformation and outlines the next official grant increase for October 2025.