September was a busy month on Desert Rose Daily. We saw money matters shift, students got new loan rules, doctors debated a common painkiller, and tech giants launched flashy gadgets. At the same time, football stadiums were buzzing with comeback victories, retirements, and sponsorship splurges. Below is a quick walk‑through of the biggest stories you probably missed.
First up, the Central Bank of Nigeria finally lowered its benchmark rate to 27%. After three years of tightening, the move aims to make business loans cheaper and give a lift to firms that need cash to grow. The cut also came with tweaks to reserve requirements and the standing facilities corridor, which should help keep the banking system stable. Analysts say it’s a positive sign, but they also warn that smaller companies still need more relief.
On the education front, NELFUND (the National Endowment for the Development of the Nigerian Student’s Union) clarified how it will disburse loans. The new rules limit upkeep payouts to specific academic sessions, cutting down on duplicate payments. Director Oseyemi Oluwatuyi walked students through the rejection stages and explained what documents they need to avoid delays. In short, the process is getting tighter, but it should protect funds for more learners.
Health news sparked a lot of debate when the FDA issued a notice linking acetaminophen (Tylenol) to developmental disorders in babies. Leading medical groups quickly pushed back, saying there’s no proven causal link and that untreated fever can be riskier. Their advice? Keep using the drug if needed, but follow proper dosing and always check with a doctor, especially during pregnancy.
Football fans had plenty to cheer about. Lazio pulled off a 3‑2 win over Torino on September 29, earning their first Serie A away victory of the season thanks to a late surge from defender Saúl Coco. Meanwhile, Chelsea crushed West Ham 5‑1 at the London Stadium, setting a bold tone for their Premier League campaign and exposing some defensive frailties in the Hammers.
In a more emotional moment, Spanish midfield legend Sergio Busquets announced he’ll retire after the 2025 MLS season with Inter Miami. The 37‑year‑old reflected on his two‑decade career, which includes nine La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues and a World Cup. Players like Messi and Ramos sent heartfelt tributes, underlining Busquets’ reputation as one of the smartest defensive midfielders the game has seen.
Real Madrid’s title chase stayed tight when Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior combined for a 2‑1 win over Rayo Vallecano. The victory kept Madrid level with Barcelona on points, proving that even with several starters rested for a Champions League clash, the squad still has the firepower to dominate.
Off the pitch, Al‑Nassr’s new partnership with BMW Saudi Arabia delivered custom BMW XM Red Label SUVs to Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and the coaching staff. Valued at €155,000 each, these hybrid machines boast 550 kW of power and will be supported by charging stations at the club’s facilities, mirroring similar deals with Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Tech lovers got a taste of the future with Xiaomi’s 17 Pro Max launch. The dual‑screen flagship pairs a 6.9‑inch 120 Hz main panel with a 3‑inch rear display, runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and packs a 5× periscope camera with a massive 1/2‑inch sensor. The rear screen can show quick info like clocks or game stats, and the phone is built with Dragon Crystal glass for added durability.
Other notable moments include Flamengo surviving a nerve‑wrecking penalty shootout against Estudiantes in the Copa Libertadores quarter‑finals, and Bangladesh Women clinching a series sweep over Ireland in Sylhet. Each of these stories added a layer of excitement to a month that never slowed down.
Overall, September 2025 proved that African news isn’t just about politics; it’s a blend of finance, health, sport, and tech that shapes daily life across the continent. Stay tuned to Desert Rose Daily for more updates, deep dives, and the stories that matter most to you.
NELFUND clarifies its loan disbursement rules, limiting upkeep to specific academic sessions to stop duplicate payouts. Director Oseyemi Oluwatuyi explains the new process, rejection stages, and what students need to do.
Lazio beat Torino 3‑2 on Sep 29, 2024, clinching their first Serie A away win. Late heroics from defender Saúl Coco couldn't stop the victory.
Chelsea thrashed West Ham 5-1 at London Stadium on Aug 22, 2025, exposing defensive flaws and setting a bold tone for the Premier League season.
Leading medical groups say acetaminophen is still the safest way for pregnant women to treat fever and pain, despite a recent FDA notice linking the drug to developmental disorders. They argue untreated fever and pain pose bigger risks to mother and baby. The FDA admits no proven causal link. Doctors urge proper dosing and caution. The message: use Tylenol when needed, under a doctor's guidance.
Sergio Busquets, the 37‑year‑old Spanish midfielder, announced he will retire at the end of the 2025 MLS season. The veteran thanked Barcelona, the Spanish national team and Inter Miami in an Instagram video. His 20‑year career includes nine La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues and a World Cup. Tributes poured in from Messi, Ramos and the Catalan club. Busquets leaves a legacy as one of soccer’s most intelligent defensive midfielders.
Xiaomi rolls out the 17 Pro Max, a dual‑screen flagship that pairs a 6.9‑inch 120Hz main panel with a 3‑inch rear display. Powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and 16 GB RAM, it promises flagship‑level speed while staying lighter than rivals. The rear screen can show clocks, reminders or game stats, and a purpose‑built case enhances the experience. A 5× periscope camera with a 1/2‑inch sensor tops the specs, and the device uses Dragon Crystal glass for durability.
Al‑Nassr FC’s new partnership with BMW Saudi Arabia delivers custom BMW XM Red Label SUVs to stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and the coaching staff. Valued at €155,000 each, the hybrid SUVs boast 550 kW power and a 0‑100 km/h run in 3.8 seconds. The agreement, running to 2027, also sees charging stations installed at the club’s facilities, echoing BMW’s deals with Real Madrid and AC Milan.
A dramatic quarter‑final at La Plata saw Estudiantes level the tie with a last‑minute volley from Gastón Benedetti, only for Flamengo to survive a 4‑2 penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Agustín Rossi turned hero, while the Argentine side earned praise for its resolve. Flamengo now prepares for a semifinal clash with Racing Club.
Osasuna hosts Elche on September 25, 2025, in a La Liga clash that pits a six‑game home winning streak against a newly‑confident Elche side. The Pamplona club seeks redemption after a 2‑1 loss, while Andre Silva's goal surge fuels the visitors. Historical head‑to‑heads heavily favor the hosts, but Elche’s recent momentum could keep things interesting.
Bangladesh Women edged Ireland by 14 runs in the final T20I at Sylhet on Dec 9, 2024, sealing a 3‑0 series whitewash. Chasing 124, Ireland faltered at 109/5 with six balls left. Spin duo Nahida Akter (4‑0‑26‑1) and Shorna Akter (2‑0‑9‑0) kept the run rate in check. The win caps a tour that featured three ODIs and three T20Is. Bangladesh’s composure under pressure signals growing depth in their women's side.
The Central Bank of Nigeria lowered its benchmark rate to 27% in September, ending a three‑year tightening spell. The move follows five months of steady disinflation and aims to make credit cheaper for expanding firms. Alongside the cut, the CBN tweaked reserve requirements and the standing facilities corridor. Experts welcome the first positive real rate in years but warn more cuts are needed for SMEs. External reserves now sit at $43 billion, bolstering confidence in the policy shift.
On March 9, 2025, Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior delivered a rapid brace for Real Madrid as they beat Rayo Vallecano 2‑1 at the Bernabéu. The victory tied the club with Barcelona on points and kept the LaLiga title race within a single point. Coach Carlo Ancelotti rested key players ahead of a Champions League clash, yet the squad still dominated. Rayo’s lone goal came via VAR‑confirmed stoppage‑time effort.