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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Liam and Noel Gallagher's older brother Paul charged with rape and string of sex offences
OASIS stars Liam and Noel Gallagher's older brother has been charged with a string of offences including rape, sexual assault and coercive control. DJ and photographer Paul Gallagher, 59, is also accused of ABH, threats to kill and three counts of intentional strangulation, police have confirmed. Advertisement 4 Paul Gallagher has been charged with a string of sex offences Credit: Getty 4 He is the oldest Gallagher brother Credit: Getty Gallagher, of Finchley, north London is accused of offences said to have taken place between 2022 and 2024. London's Met Police began a probe last year and the force said a woman was being supported by specially-trained officers. The charges come as the huge OASIS Live '25 tour came to London last weekend before dates in Edinburgh and Dublin. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'A man has been charged with numerous offences - including rape, coercive control and sexual assault. Advertisement Read more news 'Paul Gallagher, 59, of East Finchley, has been charged with rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of intentional strangulation, two counts of making a threat to kill and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. 'The offences are reported to have taken place between 2022 – 2024. The charges follow an investigation which commenced in 2024. A woman is being supported by specially-trained officers. 'Gallagher will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 27 August.' 4 The charge comes amid Liam and Noel's sold-out Oasis tour Advertisement 4 Paul will appear in court next month Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Liam and Noel Gallagher's older brother Paul charged with rape and string of sex offences
DJ and photographer will appear in court next month RAPE CHARGE Liam and Noel Gallagher's older brother Paul charged with rape and string of sex offences Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OASIS stars Liam and Noel Gallagher's older brother has been charged with a string of offences including rape, sexual assault and coercive control. DJ and photographer Paul Gallagher, 59, is also accused of ABH, threats to kill and three counts of intentional strangulation, police have confirmed. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Paul Gallagher has been charged with a string of sex offences Credit: Getty 4 He is the oldest Gallagher brother Credit: Getty Gallagher, of Finchley, north London is accused of offences said to have taken place between 2022 and 2024. London's Met Police began a probe last year and the force said a woman was being supported by specially-trained officers. The charges come as the huge OASIS Live '25 tour came to London last weekend before dates in Edinburgh and Dublin. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'A man has been charged with numerous offences - including rape, coercive control and sexual assault. 'Paul Gallagher, 59, of East Finchley, has been charged with rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of intentional strangulation, two counts of making a threat to kill and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. 'The offences are reported to have taken place between 2022 – 2024. The charges follow an investigation which commenced in 2024. A woman is being supported by specially-trained officers. 'Gallagher will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 27 August.' 4 The charge comes amid Liam and Noel's sold-out Oasis tour
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Africa's Business Heroes Unveils Top 50 Finalists for 2025 Edition Record-Breaking Number of Applications, Spanning all 54 African Nations
Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) ( the flagship philanthropic initiative of the Alibaba Philanthropy, is proud to announce the Top 50 finalists of its 2025 Prize Competition—marking a record-breaking year for participation and regional representation. This year, ABH received 32,000 applications, the highest in the competition's history, with submissions from all 54 African countries – reinforcing ABH's status as one of the continent's largest and most inclusive entrepreneurial competitions. The 2025 Top 50 provides an overview of Africa's entrepreneurial landscape. African businesses are increasingly leveraging technology, including fintech, AI, and digital platforms, to transform sectors such as finance, education, and healthcare. Sustainability-driven innovations in agriculture and renewable energy address critical challenges while promoting eco-friendly growth. These trends have significant socio-economic impacts, fostering job creation, financial inclusion, and improved access to essential services. The data underscores opportunities in scalable, tech-enabled, and sustainable businesses poised to drive Africa's inclusive economic growth. Now in its 7th year, ABH continues its mission to spotlight and empower entrepreneurs who are driving innovation and building a more inclusive and sustainable future for Africa. Each year, the competition awards US$1.5 million in grant funding to 10 outstanding entrepreneurs. In addition to funding, ABH provides the Top 50 finalists with capacity-building, mentorship, and enhanced exposure. Dramatic Growth in Reach The 2025 call for applications not only broke records in volume but also marked an over 300% increase in applications from countries traditionally underrepresented in pan-African competitions, including Algeria, Tunisia, Togo, Gabon, South Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Mauritius. This surge signals the deepening of ABH's grassroots appeal and accessibility, as well as reflecting the impressive health of entrepreneurship across the African continent. Bringing ABH to the Continent: 9-City Roadshow As part of its 2025 campaign, the ABH team embarked on an ambitious 9-city roadshow, connecting in person with entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders in Casablanca, Cairo, Addis Ababa, Kampala, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Abidjan and Dakar —the host city for this year's Semi-Finale, scheduled for September 10–11. These on-the-ground engagements reflect ABH's commitment to being more than a competition—it is a community-builder and ecosystem enabler. The roadshow activated local entrepreneurial ecosystems, engaged past ABH Heroes, hosted info sessions, and facilitated connections between investors, innovators, and changemakers. Harnessing Technology to Scale Impact 2025 also marked a milestone in ABH's embrace of innovation. For the first time, ABH introduced ABi, its AI-powered co-host built on Qwen Turbo and first unveiled at the 6 th ABH Summit&Finale held in Kigali in March 2025, to enhance applicant experience and streamline operations. ABi supported the competition by providing real-time customer service to thousands of applicants and assisting in screening the eligibility of submissions—demonstrating how technology can improve both efficiency and inclusivity. Celebrating the 2025 Top 50 The 2025 Top 50 finalists represent the next generation of African changemakers. They span 16 sectors and hail from 17 countries, with 36 % female representation and 10% Francophone entrepreneurs, reflecting ABH's ongoing commitment to gender and linguistic diversity. These entrepreneurs were selected for their bold solutions, measurable impact, and potential for scale across Africa. As part of the next stage of the competition, the Top 50 will participate in the ABH Virtual Bootcamp, an intensive training program featuring workshops led by ecosystem leaders, investors, and ABH Heroes. Topics will include building resilient teams, investment readiness, leveraging AI, and digital marketing for growth. 'The 2025 ABH Prize has raised the bar, yet again. We are seeing greater depth, diversity, and innovation across the span of applications,' said Zahra Baitie-Boateng, Managing Director, Africa at ABH. 'This record-breaking year speaks to the relevance of ABH in every corner of the continent. These 50 finalists are solving real problems with global potential, and we're excited to amplify their work.' In addition to training and mentorship, the Top 50 will benefit from media exposure and access to a dynamic network of ABH Heroes, alumni, and partners. Looking Ahead The Top 50 will now undergo a second round of evaluations through in-depth interviews with ABH Round 2 judges. 22 entrepreneurs will be shortlisted to undergo due diligence led by PlusVC. Those who advance will be revealed as the Top 20 finalists in August, before heading to Dakar for the Semi-Finale in September. The Top 10 finalists selected in Dakar will then progress to the Grand Finale in Kigali in December, where they will compete for their share of US$1.5 million in grant funding and be crowned this year's Africa's Business Heroes. To learn more about the 2025 ABH Top 50 finalists and the competition, visit Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa's Business Heroes (ABH). For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact: pr@ About Africa's Business Heroes: Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) is the Jack Ma Foundation's flagship philanthropic initiative in Africa. It supports visionary entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries who are building inclusive and sustainable economies. Over 10 years, ABH will recognize 100 entrepreneurs, awarding them with grant funding, training, and a platform to amplify their stories. Each year, the Top 10 finalists compete in a televised pitch finale for a share of US$1.5 million.
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Newport man hit girlfriend ‘after she mistreated pet spider'
Gwynfor Bowden, 44, also strangled the woman when he put her in a headlock after they fell out while celebrating New Year's Eve together at her Newport home. The couple, who had been in a relationship for four years, were both 'heavily intoxicated' at the time. Bowden attacked her because he 'wanted to teach her a lesson', Cardiff Crown Court was told. Ross McQuillan-Johnson, prosecuting, said: 'An argument broke out with the defendant claiming his partner was mistreating his pet spider. MORE NEWS: Money-laundering family caught red-handed with £14,000 in criminal cash 'It escalated to the point of physical violence after he asked her, 'How would you like it if I treated you like that?' 'The defendant struck her across the top of her head with a bottle of prosecco.' Blood poured from the cut he caused her. 'To his credit, realising what he had done, he contacted the ambulance service,' Mr McQuillan-Johnson added. Bowden admitted the assaults after he was arrested by the police and he was granted conditional bail. Whilst on that bail, which prevented him from contacting her, he went to her house on Saturday, May 10 where they started drinking and listening to music. Another argument broke out and the defendant smashed her phone as she was calling the police. He then got into his car and drove off before he was stopped by officers on Ogmore Crescent in the Bettws area of Newport. Bowden refused to be breathalysed at the scene but later gave a sample at the police station. The defendant's reading was 60 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath with the legal limit being 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Bowden, of Power Street, Newport pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), criminal damage and drink driving. He has one previous conviction for ABH from 2012 which was also committed in a domestic violence background. His barrister Paul Hewitt said his client was a former soldier who had suffered from psychotic depression following tours in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2009. 'There is remorse here,' Bowden's lawyer added. The defendant had spent more than two months in prison after he was remanded in custody by magistrates following the May matters. The judge, Recorder Simon Stephenson, told him that his offending was aggravated by three factors. They were that it occurred in a "domestic abuse context", that he had been drinking and by his previous conviction for a similar offence. Bowden was jailed for 16 months and two weeks with the sentence suspended for 12 months. He will have to attend an accredited programme, complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and he was made the subject of a 90-day alcohol abstinence and monitoring requirement. The defendant will have to pay a victim surcharge.
Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Incredible transformation of dad who spent £3,200 amid cocaine addiction
Dad-of-five Reece Rowley said he started using drugs at 14 years old and at one point was spending £3,200 a month on cocaine but revealed how he turned his life around A dad-of-five who spent £3,200 a month on cocaine, and started using drugs at just 14 years old, shared his incredible transformation. Reece Rowley said he turned to illegal substances to cope with his anger after his dad left the family when he was a baby. This spiralled into a dangerous habit with the dad eventually blowing £800 a week on cocaine. At the time, Reece had been rough sleeping for eight months and ended up in hospital four times with a suspected heart attack. Reece has since turned his life around after starting a programme, and he now wants to use his experience to help other addicts. Reece said his life started to spiral when he started smoking cannabis at just 14 years old. His behaviour had gotten so out of control that his mum and stepdad asked him to leave the family home and he moved in with a neighbour. When he turned 18, Reece became a father and started using cocaine. In the height of his addiction, 5ft 7in Reece was just 9st 5lbs, and the dad dealt drugs and stole to fund his horror habit. Reece, from Harlow, Essex, slept on the streets for eight months, stole food and went to prison for ABH. He said: "Even so young, my addiction had consequences. My dad took off when I was a baby and raised his two other children and it made me angry. I took it out on my mum and stepdad so they asked me to leave. "I was left to my own devices and it was scary but from that stemmed more anger and resentment. Addicts are very self absorbed and 'why me?' but I wasn't thinking about how my actions affected my mum and step father." Reece revealed how his life of addiction was impacting his young family, saying: "I fell in love with the party life and staying out for days on end, leaving my child and partner at home. "I got into cocaine. It was a weekend thing at first but it crept into weekdays. I was irresponsible, aggressive and I couldn't take accountability so my relationship broke down." The dad said he then lived on the streets "outside a row of shops in the town centre and would wake up surrounded by pigeons" and "had to steal my food and I was skin and bone". Reece had four more children and said he was trying to get sober for six years and even tried rehab but left two weeks into the eight-week treatment. He finally decided to give up drugs for good after his second stint in prison. The dad-of-five said: "I became an existence. Every time I used, I could feel my heart beating. I had pains and I couldn't breathe or smell. When I thought about the damage to my family and the trauma I'd caused I knew I couldn't go on like this anymore. "I looked at myself and knew I couldn't keep causing pain. I had a choice. I've got five children. I can let them bury me or I can choose to give them hope." Reece has since turned his life around after starting a 12 step programme. He is now sober, works as a landscaper, weighs healthy 13st and lives with his nan while trying to help others. Reece said: "I'm so proud of myself. I feel so lucky and grateful. Things are so different now. My mental health, my financial situation, my relationships are better and I can look at myself in the mirror. I haven't been this sober since I was 14. "People stop me and say I look so different. I'm able to be more grateful. I see pleasure in the small things like getting up and having a shower. Now I want to use my story to raise awareness and stop an addict from dying. You can come out the other side. I'm aiming to be someone's sponsor one day but I have to stay disciplined. The addiction wants you isolated but you aren't alone."
