Chris Kaba was involved in a nightclub shooting days before his death
Kaba, a rapper who performed under the name Madix, was shot in the head during an armed vehicle stop in Streatham on 5 September 2022.
Protesters gather after the trial verdict where Martyn Blake was cleared of murdering Chris Kaba at the Old Bailey, Central Criminal Court on October 21, 2024 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
By EasternEyeOct 23, 2024
CHRIS Kaba, who was shot dead by a police firearms officer in south London in September 2022, had been named as the gunman in a nightclub shooting days before his death.
Kaba, a rapper who performed under the name Madix, was shot in the head during an armed vehicle stop in Streatham on 5 September 2022.
It has now been revealed that he shot a man in both legs at Oval Space nightclub in Tower Hamlets on 30 August 2022, reported the BBC. The 24-year-old was part of the 67 drill group, which was also an infamous gang.
In the trial of the firearms officer, 40-year-old Martyn Blake, the jury was not informed of Kaba’s criminal history. Blake was cleared of murder by a jury at the Old Bailey, a decision that Kaba’s family said was "painful proof that our lives are not valued by the system."
Reporting restrictions were lifted after the trial, revealing that police were unaware of Kaba’s identity when they stopped the car. However, the vehicle had been linked to a shooting in Brixton the night before.
Blake testified that he feared one of his colleagues could be killed as Kaba tried to escape the stop, leading him to fire the fatal shot. Kaba was unarmed at the time.
During the trial of three other men involved in the nightclub shooting, Kaba was named as the gunman by the judge. He died before being charged but was later added to the charge sheet. Those convicted were sentenced to prison terms ranging from five to ten years.
Senior Metropolitan Police officer DAC Stuart Cundy supported the release of information about Kaba’s gang connections, stating that it would provide a fuller picture and reduce the potential for unrest.
Suhas Subramanyam speaks during the House Oversight And Government Reform Committee meeting at the US Capitol on March 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
INDIAN AMERICAN Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has strongly condemned recent attacks on Hindu temples across the US, saying that every American should be able to practise their faith without fear.
Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives, Subramanyam said: “Hate has no place in our communities, and that’s why I condemn the recent hateful attacks on Hindu temples and mandirs all across the country.”
The Democratic lawmaker highlighted several recent incidents, including the desecration of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Greenwood, Indiana, and gunfire directed at the ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah.
“These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a rise in violence and division in our country,” he said. “It’s not just temples that are being attacked. All places of worship are at risk.”
Subramanyam, who represents Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, urged more resources to strengthen security at religious sites.
“We must be committed to doing more to combat the rise in hate that we’re experiencing in the United States and ensure that our communities are protected. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do that,” he added.
The ISKCON temple in Utah reported that 20 to 30 bullets were fired at the building while devotees were inside, causing heavy damage to its carved arches. Similar acts of vandalism have taken place at BAPS temples in New York, Los Angeles and Sacramento. Last month, the Bay Area Shiv Durga Temple in Santa Clara, California, was also attacked.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi earlier condemned the break-in at the Santa Clara temple “in the strongest terms possible” and called for those responsible to face justice. He said such crimes were part of a troubling rise in attacks on Hindu temples. “In America, everyone should be able to pray in peace and safety,” he said.
In a separate incident, the Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple in Dublin, California, was burgled last week, with thieves taking jewellery and cash worth about $34,000. It was the second burglary at the site this year. Police said they are still investigating and that there is no evidence so far to suggest religious prejudice as a motive.
Subramanyam, a lawyer by profession, previously served as a White House technology policy adviser to President Barack Obama before entering politics.
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Prince Harry visits the Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London, in London, Britain, September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett
PRINCE HARRY had tea with King Charles on Wednesday (10) at their first meeting in 20 months, in what may prove a first step toward ending a much-publicised rift between father and son.
Harry, the Duke of Sussex, last saw his father in February 2024, shortly after it was announced that the king was undergoing treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles, 76, had a private tea at Clarence House in London with his son on Wednesday.
Harry, 40, travelled directly to an Invictus Games event in London after the meeting. Asked by a reporter about his father, he said: "Yes, he's great, thank you."
Harry flew into Britain on Monday (8) for a series of engagements, and earlier on Wednesday visited a research centre which specialises in improving treatment for victims with blast injuries.
Since Harry and his American wife Meghan moved to California in 2020 where they now live with their two children, they have been highly critical of the royal family and the institution in interviews, TV documentaries and Harry's autobiography Spare.
Harry had some particularly barbed comments for Charles and his elder brother, heir-to-the-throne Prince William, leading to a total breakdown in his relationship with his family.
"Of course some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course they will never forgive me for lots of things. But you know ... I would love reconciliation with my family. ... There's no point in continuing to fight anymore. And life is precious," he told the BBC.
"I don't know how much longer my father has. He won't speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile."
Buckingham Palace and Harry's representatives had been tight-lipped ahead of the prince's visit to Britain about whether there would be a meeting with the king.
However, Charles' communications chief and Harry's media representatives were pictured in July at a secret meeting in London in what newspapers suggested might be the first steps towards a reconciliation.
Historian and author Anthony Seldon said mending their relationship was important for the monarchy and for both Charles and Harry as individuals.
"The king is the king, but he's also a human being and a loving father," Seldon told Reuters. "I think the rift will have caused both of them a lot of anguish. So if that can be healed, at least in part, now or subsequently, then that's all to the good."
(Reuters)
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The commemoration event honoured two South Asian WW2 veterans who died this year, Havildar Major Rajindar Singh Dhatt MBE and Sergeant Mohammad Hussain.
TWO South Asian Second World War veterans were honoured at a commemoration event in London on Wednesday, September 10. The ceremony paid tribute to Havildar Major Rajindar Singh Dhatt MBE and Sergeant Mohammad Hussain, who both died this year.
The event, hosted by British Future and Eastern Eye with support from the Royal British Legion, also launched My Family Legacy, a project to raise awareness of South Asian contributions in the world wars and preserve family stories for future generations.
More than 2.5 million people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka served in the Second World War, forming the largest volunteer army in history. New polling by Focaldata, released alongside the launch, found that only half of the UK public – and fewer than six in ten British Asians – know that Indian soldiers served in the war.
Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future, said: “We should never forget what we all owe to those who won the second world war against fascism. South Asian soldiers were the largest volunteer army in history. Ensuring that their enormous contribution is fully recognised in our national story remains important work in progress. My Family Legacy aims to help people to find, document and tell these family stories of courage and contribution, service and sacrifice in the world wars.”
Gail Walters, Director of Network Engagement at the Royal British Legion, said: “Honouring the South Asian soldiers who served in Britain’s World Wars is about remembering their bravery and also gives a fuller picture of our shared history. The service and sacrifice of South Asian soldiers are integral to Britain’s national story and helped build the country we are today.”
Amrit Kaur Dhatt, granddaughter of Havildar Major Dhatt, said: “It is so important to capture stories of Commonwealth and ethnic minority soldiers, like my grandfather’s, because they were left out of mainstream history. I find that even the disparity and awareness between VE and VJ Day remains shockingly significant. But remembering isn’t just about the past. It is about shaping the future. And I fear that today’s society clearly hasn’t learnt enough from history. Baba Ji had always hoped that future generations would never have to see the devastation that they [war veterans] had to endure.”
Ejaz Hussain, granddaughter of Sergeant Hussain, said: “As the last soldiers of the war fade before our eyes, it remains imperative that we capture their stories. We - as a country and a people - are blessed to be here today, enjoying liberty and safety directly because of the sacrifices of those from the greatest generation, of which my grandfather was one.”
Journalist Sangita Myska said: “Honouring the service given by South Asian soldiers is vital to understanding the intertwined and complex relationship forged by our forebears with Britain.”
Actor Adil Ray OBE said: “This is the greatest war story that’s never been told. Millions of Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs from India, today’s Pakistan and Bangladesh fought two world wars, fighting for our freedom. We owe everything to Major Dhatt and Sergeant Hussain and their fellow soldiers. Their history is our history.”
IT WILL be a two-way contest between education secretary Bridget Phillipson and former Commons leader Lucy Powell for the post of Labour’s deputy leader after Emily Thornberry and Paula Barker withdrew from the race on Thursday (11).
Thornberry, who chairs the Commons foreign affairs committee, had secured 13 nominations from Labour MPs while Barker, the Liverpool Wavertree MP, had 14, well short of the 80 needed to progress.
Their withdrawals follow that of housing minister Alison McGovern, who pulled out on Wednesday (10) and backed Phillipson. Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, remains in the running but with 15 nominations is unlikely to make the threshold by the 5pm deadline.
Phillipson has already secured 116 nominations, well above the requirement, while Powell has 77 and is expected to cross the line with late support.
The contest was triggered by the resignation of Angela Rayner, who admitted underpaying stamp duty on a flat and stepped down as deputy leader and deputy prime minister last week.
Her departure has left a gap in Labour’s leadership at a time when prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is managing his first year in government.
Thornberry, announcing her withdrawal on social media, said she was “deeply grateful” for the backing she received and described it as “a privilege to take part in this race with such brilliant women”. Barker said the next deputy leader must be willing to challenge the government when necessary and later endorsed Powell as someone who could be “a constructive friend to the government”.
Phillipson, a long-standing MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, has presented herself as a candidate with experience in Cabinet and the ability to take on populist threats, while Powell, who was removed as leader of the Commons during last week’s reshuffle, has argued she can devote herself fully to the deputy leadership role without ministerial duties.
Supporters of Powell say she offers a voice more independent of the leadership, while Phillipson’s backers highlight her loyalty and strong performance as education secretary.
The next stage of the contest will see candidates who meet the MP threshold secure backing from either five per cent of local constituency parties or three affiliated organisations, including at least two trade unions, in order to make the final ballot.
Voting among Labour members and affiliated supporters opens on October 8 and closes on October 23, with the winner to be announced on October 25.
The result will not affect the role of deputy prime minister, which has already been filled by David Lammy, but it will decide who takes the deputy leadership of the Labour party at a time of internal debate about direction and priorities.
The race, widely expected to run through Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool later this month, is seen as a test of party unity and the balance between loyalty to the leadership and space for dissent.
Senior figures have said they want the next deputy leader to be a woman and from outside London to address perceptions of a male-dominated and London-centric leadership.
Both Phillipson and Powell fit that profile, raising expectations that the final outcome will be decided not on geography but on whether members prefer a loyal cabinet figure or an independent backbencher with more freedom to speak out.
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Sabin Tamang, 20, who works in a restaurant and participated in a Gen-Z protest, holds up a shovel while posing for a photograph next to graffiti as he takes part in a cleaning campaign following Monday's deadly anti-corruption protests in Kathmandu, Nepal, September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar
NEPAL is facing its worst political and social crisis in decades after deadly protests toppled prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli earlier this week, leaving parliament in flames, thousands of prisoners on the run and the country’s leadership in limbo.
The protests, led largely by young people and dubbed the “Gen Z” movement, erupted after a controversial social media ban and quickly spread across the country. Demonstrators accused the government of corruption, lack of opportunities and failure to deliver reforms.
Violence peaked on Tuesday (9) when at least 19 protesters were killed during clashes, prompting Oli, a four-time prime minister, to resign. Nepal’s health ministry later confirmed the death toll had risen to 34, with more than 1,300 people injured.
During the unrest, around 13,500 detainees escaped from prisons across the country. The army said on Thursday (11) it had recaptured 192 inmates in Rajbiraj, a southeastern city, while security forces also regained control in Ramechhap, east of Kathmandu, where clashes left two prisoners dead and 12 wounded.
India’s border security force confirmed it had detained about 60 fugitives trying to cross into Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal before handing them back to Nepali authorities. Security forces have also recovered nearly 100 weapons looted during the uprising.
Fires set by protesters destroyed parliament, government offices, the Supreme Court and commercial buildings. A Hilton hotel in Kathmandu and hotels in Pokhara were among the businesses torched during the violence.
Soldiers remain deployed on the streets of the capital, where a curfew has been imposed and schools, shops and colleges are closed. Essential services are only slowly resuming.
President Ramchandra Paudel, 80, has appealed for calm and promised that efforts are underway to find a solution “as soon as possible” within the constitutional framework. “I am consulting and making every effort to find a way out of the current difficult situation in the country,” he said. “I appeal to all parties to be confident that a solution to the problem is being sought to address the demands of the protesting citizens.”
FILE PHOTO: Nepal's former Chief Justice Sushila Karki looks on during the launch of her autobiography "Nyaya" at a ceremony in Kathmandu, Nepal, September 22, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer
With Oli’s resignation, Paudel is constitutionally required to invite the leader of the largest parliamentary party to form a government. However, protesters are demanding the dissolution of parliament altogether. They have instead put forward retired chief justice Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first woman to head the judiciary, as their preferred interim leader.
Karki, 73, served as chief justice in 2016 and is seen by many demonstrators as a symbol of integrity. “We see Sushila Karki for who she truly is — honest, fearless, and unshaken,” said Sujit Kumar Jha, a 34-year-old company secretary in Kathmandu.
A protest leader, Ojaswi Raj Thapa, said: “We will dissolve the parliament. We are not trying to dissolve the constitution. We may need some changes to the constitution but we don’t want to end it.”
Local media reported that Karki has already held talks with president Paudel and Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel. The army confirmed that “initial talks” are ongoing and that curfew orders will remain in place in Kathmandu and nearby areas for most of the day.
The demonstrations have been described as the most serious challenge to Nepal’s political system since the abolition of its monarchy in 2008. While Oli’s whereabouts remain unknown after his resignation, protesters insist they will not back down until their demands are met.
For now, the streets of Kathmandu remain under tight watch, and though international flights are still operating, the uncertainty has left the country of 30 million people at a standstill. As one young protester shouted near the charred remains of the parliament building: “This is our time. We will not be silent.”