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US student found guilty of murdering Goldsmiths University girlfriend in Lewisham

A US student has been found guilty of murdering his on-and-off girlfriend at her Lewisham flat in south-east London.

Joshua Michals, 26, stabbed Goldsmiths University creative writing student Zhe Wang, 31, in March 2024. Ms Wang suffered two stab wounds to the face and was also strangled, a post-mortem examination revealed.

Michals, who claimed he acted in self-defence following an argument about a sexually transmitted disease, met Ms Wang on the Goldsmiths campus in 2023, beginning an on-and-off relationship.

During the trial, Michals said he visited her flat on 20 March 2024 with a charcuterie selection to ease tensions, but said she was “cold” and “monosyllabic” when he arrived. He claimed she attacked him with a knife as he came out of the bathroom and that he pressed his forearm to her neck in an attempt to restrain her.

Prosecutor Henrietta Paget KC told the jury that Michals “flew into a rage” and killed Ms Wang at her flat. Michals said he did not intend to harm her and called his father and a solicitor before calling 999 after the incident. He also removed Ms Wang’s phone, which was later recovered from a refuse area in Newham.

Michals, originally from Chicago, Illinois, had moved to London to study for a one-year master’s degree at Goldsmiths, having previously studied film-making in the US.

Goldsmiths University paid tribute to Ms Wang, describing her as “a remarkable writer” whose work will be published posthumously in an upcoming anthology. Dr Francis Gilbert, senior lecturer in the School of Mind, Body and Society, said: “We are devastated by the loss of Zhe Wang, who combined deep intellectual curiosity with creative courage and approached writing as a mindful practice.”

Michals, of Deals Gateway, south-east London, will be sentenced at a later date.

Peckham Community Garden Unveiled to Honour Damilola Taylor

A new community garden in Peckham has been created to honour Damilola Taylor, who was 10 when he was fatally stabbed in 2000.

The Garden of Hope, designed by local teenagers and Ghanaian artist Godfried Donkor, will feature planting beds, seating areas, and a mural incorporating traditional West African Adinkra symbols. The design represents resilience, unity, and new beginnings. It was unveiled on what would have been Damilola’s 36th birthday.

Damilola was walking home from the library in Peckham Square on 27 November 2000 when he was stabbed in the leg with a broken bottle. He collapsed in a stairwell on the North Peckham Estate and died. His death prompted national debate about youth violence, policing, and opportunities for young people in inner-city areas.

The garden has been developed in memory of Damilola and as a calm, creative space for young people in the community. Organisers from the Damilola Taylor Trust and Southwark Council said the site aims to commemorate his life while providing a positive environment for local youth. One student involved in the project said the mural shows that “something positive can grow from something tragic.”

Actor John Boyega, a friend of Damilola and one of the last people to see him alive, sent a video message to mark the unveiling. He praised the trust’s ongoing work and told local students: “You deserve an opportunity, you deserve a great space.”

Damilola’s father, Richard Taylor, who died last year, established the Damilola Taylor Trust to support disadvantaged young people and provide opportunities that may help keep them safe. Over 25 years, the trust has run mentoring programmes, launched the Damilola Taylor Centre in Southwark, hosted annual youth achievement awards, partnered with schools and charities, and campaigned on youth violence, mental health, and safety.

Hounslow Council Pioneers Local Net-zero Investment Model

Hounslow Council is taking a pioneering step towards the UK’s Net Zero ambitions. Through the launch of an innovative Net Zero Neighbourhood (NZN) approach, the result should be warmer homes, lower energy bills, and tangible progress in addressing the climate emergency.

This forward-thinking model seeks to unlock significant public and private sector investment to support large-scale retrofit and local decarbonisation. Retrofitting existing homes – through measures such as improved insulation, heat pump installation, and modernised heating systems – is a critical component of reducing emissions and improving household energy efficiency.

Buildings currently account for approximately 23% of the UK’s total carbon emissions, and the vast majority of homes that will be in use by 2050 have already been built. This makes the upgrading of existing housing stock essential to meeting national climate targets while reducing the long-term cost of living for residents.

While retrofitting is fundamental to the Net Zero transition, the estimated national cost of £250 billion means that public funding alone cannot meet the scale of the challenge.

The NZN model directly addresses this gap by aggregating retrofit projects at a neighbourhood level and blending public and private finance. This coordinated approach is designed to deliver carbon reductions, improve living standards, and generate wider community benefits.

Hounslow’s Investment Memorandum has been developed in collaboration with Connected Places Catapult and 3Ci, demonstrating how coordinated interventions – including insulation upgrades, heat pump deployment, solar installations and shared heat networks – can achieve economies of scale and attract long-term institutional investment.

Councillor Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport at Hounslow Council, said:

“This approach represents a landmark moment for Hounslow. Achieving Net Zero is not only about reducing emissions; it is about improving quality of life.

Through the Net Zero Neighbourhood model, we can deliver warmer, healthier homes, lower energy bills and create local jobs.

By working in partnership with investors and government, we are demonstrating how councils can take a leading role in tackling the climate emergency while supporting local communities. This is about turning ambition into action and creating a model others can follow.”

Zoe Jennings, Head of Investment, Funding and Procurement at Connected Places Catapult, added:

“Hounslow has been an early adopter of the Net Zero Neighbourhood model, featuring in our 2023 prospectus of 40 potential neighbourhoods across the UK. It is encouraging to see the borough continue to demonstrate leadership by working with us to develop this Investment Memorandum. Hounslow is helping to show what scalable, investable solutions can look like, not only for the borough and London, but for communities across the country.”

The Net Zero Neighbourhood approach positions Hounslow as a national testbed for scalable, investment-ready climate solutions, supporting the UK’s Net Zero objectives and providing a blueprint for local authorities nationwide.

Mayor of London Granted Use of Former GLC Coat of Arms

The mayor of London has been granted the right to use the coat of arms formerly belonging to the Greater London Council (GLC).

The King issued the warrant to the Greater London Authority (GLA) last week following a petition from Sir Sadiq Khan submitted in February. The coat of arms features six blue and white waves symbolising the River Thames and a gold Saxon crown on a red background, representing London’s Saxon heritage and the historic county of Middlesex.

Originally granted to the GLC in October 1966, the coat of arms fell into disuse when the council was abolished in 1986. A GLA spokesperson said the decision marked “an important moment as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the GLA” and recognised “the important history of devolved government in the capital.”

The GLC was dissolved under the Local Government Act 1985 after clashes between its leader, Ken Livingstone, and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. While most municipal authorities have a coat of arms, the GLA did not apply for one when it was created in 2000. Applications for coats of arms are handled by the College of Arms, with major decisions announced by the King.

The idea of reviving the GLC’s coat of arms was first proposed in 2020 by former London Assembly member Tom Copley, with support from Conservative Assembly member Tony Arbour. Mr Copley, now deputy mayor for housing, described the approval as “a wonderful 25th anniversary gift for the GLA” on X.

Ronnie Scott’s Reveals New Upstairs Venue for 2026

A new performance space is set to open above Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, expanding one of London’s most respected live music institutions. In February 2026, the Soho institution will reveal Upstairs at Ronnie’s – a new 140-capacity live venue. Closed for refurbishment in 2024, the first-floor space has been completely transformed as part of a major building-wide redevelopment. The result is a purpose-built, intimate auditorium that respects the club’s six-decade pedigree while quietly raising its technical game.

Expect enhanced acoustics, high-spec Yamaha and D&B Audio sound and lighting systems, an upgraded stage, a Yamaha S3X Grand Piano, a state-of-the-art kitchen. Newly appointed Executive Chef Steven Connolly will oversee a culinary offer designed to rival the club’s musical standards.

Musically, the brief is broad but considered. The venue will showcase leading jazz and jazz-adjacent artists, while welcoming contemporary soul, acoustic R&B, gospel, hip-hop, global music and classical performance. It will also launch its own take on the much-loved Late Late Show, creating additional, affordable stages for emerging grassroots talent.

An Opening Season with Intent

The launch line-up will feature a Piano Trio Series spotlighting Ashley Henry, Reuben James, Charlie Stacey and DoomCannon. A straight-ahead vocal jazz jam will be hosted by Natalie Williams, Emma Smith and Georgia Cécile.

Acoustic soul and R&B will come from Vula Malinga, Vanessa Haynes and Tony Momrelle, while innovative voices include Tawiah and garage and house pioneer Elizabeth Troy. The programme also introduces the first Ronnie Scott’s Classical Series, co-directed by Lizzie Ball and James Pearson, featuring the Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars alongside a hand-picked selection of leading classical soloists and ensembles. A new Ronnie Scott’s Gospel Choir completes the bill.

Backstage, reimagined

For the first time in its history, Ronnie Scott’s is opening its backstage spaces to the public. Reborn as The Greene Rooms – named in honour of owner Sally Greene – the new ‘club within a club’ will operate as a members’ lounge and artist space.

Set on the first floor, the venue offers a discreet Soho refuge for pre- and post-show gatherings, intimate events, artist meet-and-greets, exclusive talks and workshops.

A Strategically timed Expansion

This redevelopment represents Ronnie Scott’s most significant transformation since its 2005 acquisition and reopening by Sally Greene and Michael Watt. It also arrives at a critical moment for live music, with the Music Venue Trust reporting that 16% of grassroots venues closed in 2023 and more than 40% operated at a loss.

Ronnie Scott’s is investing forward – positioning itself not just as an institution, but as an active custodian of the UK’s independent music future.

Fred Nash, Managing Director of Ronnie Scott’s, said:

“With Upstairs at Ronnie’s, we set ourselves the somewhat audacious goal of creating the greatest small live music venue in the world. In all seriousness, it’s about creating a beautiful, intimate space where audiences can experience extraordinary performances, and where artists feel truly valued.

At a time when so many venues face uncertainty, we’re proud to be investing in live music, championing grassroots talent, and supporting Soho’s vibrant cultural community.”

After more than six decades at the centre of the UK’s jazz landscape, Ronnie Scott’s shows no appetite for standing still. Upstairs at Ronnie’s is designed to function not as an extension, but as a destination in its own right – a space intended to attract the calibre of artists and audiences that define serious live music.

Tickets for Upstairs at Ronnie’s are now available here.

Havering smokers turn to new stop smoking app to stub out cigarettes

Nearly 350 smokers in Havering have signed up to quit in the past year after the launch of a new stop smoking app designed to give residents round-the-clock support.

The initiative is part of a pilot programme offering residents free access to the app for 12 weeks, along with 24/7 stop smoking advisor support, free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), free vapes, and motivational tips to help them stay on track.

Hundreds sign up to quit smoking in Havering

Since the pilot began in November 2024, a total of 347 Havering residents have registered for the app, with 292 people setting a quit date. Participants were also able to seek face-to-face support through local pharmacies.

The programme was funded by the government until March 2025 and has since been continued by Havering Council and local partners in response to ongoing demand from smokers looking for structured support.

London-wide response shows strong appetite for quitting

Across London, more than 2,500 people registered to use the stop smoking app.
Key insights from the pilot include:

50% of participants were aged 18–34
64% smoked within 30 minutes of waking
Average cigarette use was 13 per day
After four weeks:
- 43% had quit
- 19% relapsed
- 38% did not respond to follow-up

The findings highlight how many smokers start young — often to “fit in”— and later become dependent, with many using smoking as a coping mechanism. Many users said they wanted support but didn’t feel able to quit alone.

Local resident shares his stop smoking success

Graeme, who quit smoking 10 months ago after using the app, said the digital support helped him stay accountable:

“I smoked for over 25 years and tried on and off to stop, but when I was socialising, I would easily slip back into it. As I’ve got older, I’ve been thinking more about my health, and I found that the app would give me a bit of a nudge by checking how I was doing and keeping me on track.”

Quitting has also had a major financial impact for him:

“I feel much better for stopping, and so does my pocket, as I was spending around £25 a day on cigarettes and a cuppa every time I went to the shop.”

Council commits to ongoing stop smoking support

Councillor Gillian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, praised the commitment shown by local residents:

“The number of people who signed up to the smoke-free app and remained committed shows the level of motivation there is among smokers to quit.”

She added that the council will continue funding the app in the coming months due to its clear impact on resident health, wellbeing and long-term outcomes.

Tower Hamlets Council Faces Risk of Continued Government Intervention

Tower Hamlets Council faces the risk of repeated government intervention due to “significant weaknesses” in its operations, according to an external audit.

The report by EY, the council’s auditor, identified ten key issues, including high turnover among senior management and concerns over social housing management. The council is controlled by Luftur Rahman’s Aspire Party.

Chief executive Stephen Halsey said the council welcomed the report and was acting on its recommendations. However, Labour councillor Marc Francis criticised the leadership as “defensive” and called for a “less rose-tinted view of itself”.

EY highlighted that the council had been “slow” in appointing a permanent replacement for its former chief finance officer, who left in April, and that it should have referred itself to the Regulator for Social Housing sooner after taking housing management in-house in 2023. The corporate director for housing disagreed, stating the referral timeframe was not “unreasonable”.

Mr Halsey noted that recruiting a new CFO had been challenging due to a “competitive” employment market. Other areas of concern included procurement and contract management, as well as the conduct of internal investigations.

The audit, covering the 2024-25 financial year, was presented to the council’s audit committee on Wednesday and awarded a C3 grade, the second-lowest of four possible ratings.

EY partner Stephen Reid told councillors many issues had persisted “for many years” and that “the pace of improvement has not matched the scale of the challenge.” He added: “Without urgent and sustained action and clear accountability, the council risks remaining in a cycle of statutory intervention and limited assurance.”

The government had previously sent ministerial envoys to the council in January after inspectors raised concerns over governance and local accountability. Luftur Rahman, who previously served a ban from public office in 2015 for “corrupt and illegal practices,” was re-elected mayor in 2022.

Councillor Francis said audit committee members had already highlighted all the weaknesses noted in the report. Labour councillor Asma Islam questioned the council’s assurances, citing a “systematic, cultural issue that is actually weaving through a lot of what this council does through all of its decision-making.”

Tortilla Launches New Winter Menu with Immersive Event

Tortilla, the UK’s favourite Cali-Mexican restaurant brand, has officially launched its new Winter Edit seasonal menu, hosting an immersive event at its London Wall location to introduce the limited-edition dishes.

Designed to offer customers a warming alternative to the classic British winter fare, Tortilla’s winter menu centres on the theme of “cosying up with flavour”, bringing bold Cali-Mex combinations to the colder months. The London launch event showcased the full seasonal range, highlighting the brand’s continued commitment to fresh, premium ingredients and vibrant flavour profiles.

Available nationwide throughout December and January, Tortilla’s Winter Edit features five new limited-time items crafted to deliver heat, richness, and festive warmth:

BBQ Adobo Chicken — a smoky, sweet, slow-cooked protein

Thiccc Sauce Chilli Cacao Mayo — creamy, spicy, with a subtle chocolate note
Fermented Purple Carrots — adding tang, crunch, and colour to burritos, tacos, and bowls
Dulce de Leche & Banana Quesadilla — Tortilla’s indulgent winter dessert, served warm
Spiced Apple Margarita — a seasonal version of Tortilla’s classic house cocktail

Police Hunt Three Men After Pepper Spray Attack at Heathrow Injures 21

A police manhunt is ongoing for three men following an alleged pepper spray attack at Heathrow Airport, which left 21 people injured and caused significant disruption.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning when a group of four men reportedly used a substance believed to be pepper spray during the robbery of a woman’s suitcase in a car park lift shortly after 08:00 GMT. The assault prompted an armed police response and led to train delays, as well as the temporary closure of the Central Terminal Area tunnel and the Terminal 3 car park.

A three-year-old girl was among those treated, and five others required hospital attention. The Metropolitan Police confirmed a 31-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.

Commander Peter Stevens stated that the men directly involved were believed to be known to each other, and officers are working “to determine the full circumstances around what happened.” The police previously said that an argument had escalated, resulting in multiple injuries.

Those injured are not thought to be in life-threatening or life-changing conditions.