News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 out of 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations.

The verdict was reportedly reached by an independent panel after a lengthy hearing into the club’s financial affairs.

The charges relate to allegations that City failed to provide accurate financial information across nine seasons, from 2009-10 to 2017-18. The Premier League formally brought the case against the club in 2023 after a four-year investigation.

The independent hearing concluded in 2024, but the outcome was delayed for almost two years before reports of the verdict emerged.

Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing and are expected to appeal the findings. The club has also indicated that the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed.

No punishment has yet been announced. Possible sanctions under the Premier League rules include a points deduction, financial penalties and removal from the competition.

There has also been speculation about the possible effect of any points deduction on previous seasons. However, no decision has been made to strip Manchester City of any Premier League titles.

The reported findings cover alleged breaches involving financial reporting and other financial regulations. City’s position remains that it has not breached the rules and the club is expected to challenge the verdict through the available appeal process.

The case is one of the most significant financial disputes in Premier League history, with the final sanctions and outcome of any appeal still to be determined.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

US President Donald Trump has urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to stop any form of Chinese assistance to Iran, according to the US ambassador to China, David Perdue.

Perdue disclosed the matter after Trump and Xi met at the White House, saying Washington considers any support from Beijing to Tehran unacceptable.

The ambassador said Trump “did a great job making sure China knows this is unacceptable,” and indicated that the US had observed some movement from China on the issue.

“We’ve seen movement on that already,” Perdue told Fox News. “That’s what commitment is. They assured us they aren’t doing that.”

Trump and Xi met again at the White House on Friday before visiting the National Archives, as the Chinese president concluded a three-day conference.

During remarks over tea in the White House Red Room, both leaders spoke positively about relations between the two countries.

“America is very happy about this visit,” Trump stated. “I’m sure China is very happy also.”

Xi described China-US relations as having reached a state of “strategic stability”.

The Chinese president also said he looked forward to meeting Trump at the APEC summit in China and the G20 summit in Miami.

Xi’s visit took place amid the ongoing 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. However, the Chinese president did not attend the gathering of world leaders.

The reported discussion over Chinese assistance to Iran comes amid heightened tensions involving Tehran and the United States and its allies.

By Anwar Usman

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has come under criticism after he was photographed shaking hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

According to GB News on Friday, Miliband met Araghchi on Thursday as the two discussed the conflict in the Middle East, the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and threats linked to Iran on British soil.

The meeting prompted criticism from Shadow Foreign Office Secretary Tom Tugendhat, who described the encounter as “legitimising a regime that has often tried to harm our people.”

He said: “The Iranian regime has done nothing to justify any senior British minister meeting their envoys.

“They are murdering protesters, threatening our allies and arming terror groups, including the Houthis. As well as threatening communities in the UK. Shaking hands gives them a credibility they have failed to achieve through violence.

“This is just grandstanding. Iran’s civilian government isn’t even in charge. Today, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is running the country.

“Our foreign policy should be about protecting Britain’s interests, not legitimising a regime that has often tried to harm our people, fund terror groups, and destroy the freedoms that keep us safe.

“Our government fundamentally misunderstands the challenges we face, using old tactics to fight new threats. Our enemies are organising, so we need to show strength and unity with our allies.”

Shadow Foreign Office minister Alicia Kearns also criticised the meeting in a post on X.

She said: “How dare Miliband shake Araghchi’s hand. He owes Parliament, British Jews, and the Foreman family an explanation and an apology.

“A propaganda win for Tehran, that’s what Miliband has given Iran. This is not an ally who’s misbehaving, so you make a stern face while shaking their hand.”

However, the UK Foreign Office said Miliband used the meeting to warn Araghchi that Britain would not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on British soil from groups linked to Iran.

The Foreign Office said the discussions also covered the war in the Middle East and the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The meeting came as world leaders and senior officials gathered in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly.

By Anwar Usman


Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said it is up to the United States to decide whether to end the ongoing war with Iran, stressing that Tehran does not want the conflict to continue. Pezeshkian made the remarks during an interview with a US television station on Thursday.

Pezeshkian took a defiant stand at the UN Wednesday, for which he travelled to New York, telling the world that Iran would not “bend at the knee” to Washington — even as US President Donald Trump acknowledged ongoing US-Iran talks.

“When we can resolve issues through dialog, we shouldn’t resort to killing one another. But with the instigations conducted by Israel, they have imposed this war on us,” he said on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier.”

“But we do not wish to continue. It’s America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not,” he remarked.

Pezeshkian insisted Iran was ready to strike a deal with Trump to end the conflict.

“Why is it that within two weeks after the signing of an agreement, they chose to blow it up?” he said of the collapse of a shaky ceasefire.

“If the current American government, within international legal frameworks, wishes to reach an agreement, fine. If not, before the (US midterm) elections or after the elections, what difference does it make for us?”

Recall tht, the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took part in a meeting with Trump’s roving envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Their talks did not immediately yield a breakthrough.– Houthi backers?

As violence raged between Yemen’s Houthi militant movement which is widely seen to be Iran-backed and Saudi Arabia and its Yemeni allies, Pezeshkian insisted the Houthis do not take direction from Tehran’s government.

Washington and its allies, including Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, accuse Iran of backing the Houthi militant movement that is raining ballistic missiles on the kingdom, and battling Riyadh-backed forces for control of Yemen.

AFP reports that, Saudi Arabia intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles on Thursday after issuing warnings for several regions including Mecca.

The Houthis have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, hitting its tankers and territory and seizing swathes of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, which is vital for Saudi oil exports, causing energy prices to jump.

Their gains cemented the hold of Iran and its allies on the two waterways that the wider Gulf, including top crude exporter Saudi Arabia, relies on to ship out its oil and other fuel products.

By Uzair Adam

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested seven suspected members of a cattle-rustling syndicate allegedly operating across Garki, Jahun and Miga Local Government Areas of the state.

The Daily Reality reports that the suspects were arrested during routine patrols following actionable intelligence and information from members of the public about their alleged activities.

The operation also led to the interception of two vehicles allegedly used by the suspects and the recovery of eight cows suspected to have been rustled.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

According to him, the arrests and recoveries followed sustained intelligence gathering, community engagement and intensified patrols in identified flashpoints and vulnerable areas across the state.

The suspects were identified as Sulaiman Tijjani, 20, of Gunka Village, Jahun LGA; Abdullahi Musa, 40, of Chai-Chai Village, Ringim LGA; Bala Muhammad, 30, of Ayama Village, Auyo LGA; Isah Adamu, 27, of Tagwai Village, Miga LGA; Yusuf Sa’idu, 32, of Kukui Village, Taura LGA; Mansur Usaini, 29, of Majiyawa Village, Ringim LGA; and Kaku Abubakar, 27, of Jajimaje Village in Yobe State.

The command said the vehicles recovered were a dark blue Golf car with registration number WRA 158 FU and an ash-coloured Golf 3 Wagon with registration number ABJ 493 HN, Abuja.

The eight cows were also recovered and are being kept as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Command, CP Tijjani Murtala, commended the officers involved in the operation for their vigilance, courage and professionalism.

He also appreciated members of the public whose timely information contributed to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the livestock.

The police said the seven suspects remain in custody and are assisting investigators with useful information.

It added that efforts were ongoing to identify other alleged members of the syndicate and recover additional rustled livestock.

The command urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to help combat cattle rustling and other criminal activities across the state.

By Muhammad Abubakar 

The Ulama Forum in Northern Nigeria has strongly condemned the killing of 37 young Nigerians, including teenagers as young as 16, by personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

In a press release signed by Convener Aminu Inuwa Muhammad and Secretary Engr Basheer Adamu Aliyu, the Forum described the killings as “shocking, disgusting and dastardly” and called for a thorough, independent and transparent investigation.

The Forum also raised alarm over reports of armed tribal militants attacking Fulani settlements in Mbamnga, Mambilla, Taraba State, particularly Wuro Geroji, where several people and livestock were reportedly killed, homes burnt, and hundreds of women and children forced to flee to Cameroon.

The Ulama Forum urged the Federal Government to ensure appropriate compensation and relief (diyyah) for victims’ families, strengthen security in vulnerable communities, prosecute those found culpable, provide humanitarian assistance to displaced persons, and facilitate the safe return of those who fled to Cameroon.

It emphasised that the protection of human life remains a fundamental responsibility of government and security institutions, stressing that every Nigerian deserves protection regardless of ethnicity, religion or location.

The Forum extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for eternal rest for the departed, healing for the injured and displaced, and lasting peace, security and justice for Nigeria.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Barcelona midfielder Rodri has identified six Spain teammates he believes have strong claims to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

The prestigious individual award is scheduled to be presented next month in London, with Rodri himself among the 30 nominees.

The midfielder was part of the Spain squad that won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he was also named the tournament’s best player.

Rodri said he would prefer to see a Spanish player receive the award this year.

“What I would really like is for a Spaniard to win it,” Rodri said as per Goal.

He went on to mention five other Spain players alongside himself who are nominated for the prize.

“There are six of us [nominated]: Cucurella, Cubarsi, Rodri, Ruiz, Lamine, and Ferran.

“I can tell you that, individually, every one of them absolutely deserves the Ballon d’Or. I think all my teammates have solid arguments.”

The players named by Rodri are Marc Cucurella, Pau Cubarsí, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres.

The final winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or will be announced at the ceremony in London next month.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the commencement of the Faculty of Law at Federal University Dutse (FUD), alongside 30 new full-time academic programmes beginning from the 2026/2027 academic session. The approval was contained in a letter dated September 11, 2026, signed by the Director of Academic Planning, NUC, Abubakar M. Girei, and addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ahmad Mohammed Gumel.

The newly approved programmes cover diverse fields, including Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Systems, Common and Islamic Law, Community Health, Medical Laboratory Science, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Optometry, Parasitology and Entomology, Environmental Standards, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Applied Geology and Remote Sensing, as well as several education programmes.

At the postgraduate level, NUC also approved PGD, M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes in Forestry and Wildlife, Accounting, Treasury and Finance, Banking and Finance, and Information Technology, alongside Master’s programmes in Banking and Finance and Accounting and Finance. The development expands FUD’s academic offerings across technology, health, science, education and management disciplines.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ahmad Mohammed Gumel, described the approval as a significant milestone in his administration’s effort to introduce new academic programmes. He said the programmes were designed to respond to emerging educational needs and equip students with relevant skills for industry and societal challenges. However, admission into the MBBS programme will not take place in the 2026/2027 academic session due to ongoing restructuring and adjustments in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

By Uzair Adam

Four female passengers have died after a boat carrying eight people capsized at Dudduru Pond in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The incident occurred around 4:00pm on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the pond, located about three kilometres from Kwadige Village.

The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud.

According to the NSCDC, the boat was transporting eight passengers from Kwadige Village to Chai Chai Sabuwa Market when it capsized while crossing the pond.

It was gathered that strong winds prevailing at the time may have contributed to the accident.

Four passengers died in the incident, while the other four were rescued.

The deceased were identified as Hasiya Mu’azu, 13; Hauwa Lawan, 13; Fatima Lawan, 12; and Dawsiyya Lawan, 13.

The NSCDC said the remains of the four victims had been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

The four survivors were rescued by farmers working around the pond shortly after the boat capsized.

Residents of Kwadige and Kuna communities also joined the rescue and recovery operations, assisting those affected by the incident.

The NSCDC State Commandant, CC Muhammad Kabiru Ingawa, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and the people of Kwadige community over the tragedy.

Ingawa urged residents who use waterways for transportation to exercise caution, especially during periods of strong winds and unfavourable weather conditions.

He also advised boat operators and passengers to observe basic water-safety measures and avoid travelling when weather conditions pose risks to their lives.

The NSCDC further urged communities and boat users to prioritise safety measures to prevent similar incidents on waterways across the state.

By Anas Abbas

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, says he holds no bitterness toward friends, colleagues and relatives who have stayed silent during his current troubles. He says he leaves any judgment on those who wronged him to Almighty Allah.

In a statement titled “My Relationships and the Aftermath,” dated September 23, 2026, El-Rufai said some people had expressed concern over the apparent silence of those he had publicly stood by in the past. He described his own view as “quite simple.”

He said his support for people and causes over the years was guided by his Islamic faith, his Arewa upbringing, his personal values and his conscience. It was never done in expectation of praise, gratitude or reciprocity, he said, and he remains answerable for those choices.

El-Rufai said those he supported are equally free to choose how to respond now that circumstances have changed. Some may speak, others may stay silent, and some may even deny their past association with him. He said he would not judge them for responding differently from what he or others might have expected.
“Adversity has a way of illuminating relationships,” he said.

He added that what he has learnt in recent months may lead him to “quietly and without regret” reconsider certain relationships. He stressed that this was not reproach or condemnation, only “part of seeing people, and life, more clearly.”

He said he has no regrets about standing by anyone, would rather stay true to his principles than let others’ conduct redefine them, and seeks “neither revenge nor retribution” for any injustice or ingratitude.

He said ultimate accountability belongs to Almighty Allah, “in this world and in the Hereafter.”

El-Rufai closed by saying posterity will deliver its own verdict, and that his only concern is to remain at peace with his conscience and with Allah.

El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February 19, as it investigates corruption allegations from his time as governor between 2015 and 2023.
He has cast himself as a victim of political victimisation.