News
Lib Dems Suggest Hobbies May Help Combat Loneliness
Sir Ed Davey, the party leader, has outlined proposals to increase financial support for community organizations and individuals with hobbies.
The Liberal Democrats propose that engaging in hobbies can be a key solution to addressing the UK's escalating issue of loneliness and social isolation.

According to the party's plan, £42m could be allocated to extend the operating hours of public spaces like libraries and community centres, while an additional one-off investment of £40m could support existing hobby groups in organizing outreach events or purchasing equipment.
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, stated that sharing a common interest with others in one's community is a highly effective way to combat loneliness.
The government has expressed its commitment to facilitating social connections through various aspects of its social policies.
Research conducted by the Office for National Statistics at the end of last year revealed that 33% of Britons between the ages of 16 and 29 reported experiencing loneliness frequently.
Prolonged loneliness can have severe consequences for one's health, including an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and dementia later in life.
In recent years, the NHS has begun investing in 'social prescribing', a practice that enables healthcare professionals to refer patients struggling with loneliness to charity-run services, such as art classes or gardening programs.
In 2023, over one million individuals were referred to NHS social prescribing services, marking a significant milestone in this initiative.
The King's Fund, a health think tank, has noted that there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that social prescribing can yield positive outcomes, including enhanced self-esteem and improved mental and physical well-being.
However, the think tank has also highlighted gaps in the existing evidence base, including the optimal conditions for delivering social prescribing effectively.
The Liberal Democrats have warned that the country is facing a pervasive epidemic of loneliness, which is being exacerbated by a lack of community spaces, forcing individuals to seek human interaction online.
The party has proposed establishing a network of 'Hobby Hubs', which would provide a platform for groups to meet and engage in various activities at libraries, community centres, and pubs, and integrate this network into social prescribing programs.
These hobby hubs would offer GPs a wider range of options when recommending activities for their patients, providing more opportunities for social interaction.
The Liberal Democrats estimate that an annual investment of £42m could enable hobby hubs in England to remain open for an additional 300,000 hours, expanding access to community activities.
Sir Ed Davey emphasized the importance of revitalizing British high streets and community centres, providing everyone with a space to pursue their passions with like-minded individuals.
He stressed that it is crucial to prevent isolation from becoming a widespread and accepted norm.
Culture Minister Stephanie Peacock has previously stated that the government is dedicated to supporting individuals in forming social connections across the country.
She explained that the government is adopting a comprehensive approach to addressing loneliness by incorporating it into broader strategies, including the National Youth Strategy, the Pride in Place Strategy, and the Men's Health Strategy.
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UK Jewish Victim Expresses Fears for Personal Safety After Assault
Yoni Finlay, a victim of the synagogue attack, may have also been a potential target in a previous plot.
Following the Manchester synagogue attack, a survivor has expressed concerns about his safety in the UK, citing the discovery of a previously foiled plot that could have put him in harm's way.

On October 2025, Yoni Finlay was inadvertently shot by a police bullet while barricading the doors of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue, where two individuals lost their lives during a violent attack.
Finlay, 40, had long been aware of the potential for such an incident to occur in his hometown, where he has lived his entire life.
According to Finlay, "The fear of an attack is constant, which is why we have implemented security measures, and they do an excellent job, but there is always a risk of something happening."
Unbeknownst to Finlay at the time, he may have been caught up in an earlier plot, which was thwarted by an undercover police operative.
Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, had planned to target Manchester's Jewish community in what could have been the deadliest terror attack in the UK if they had succeeded.
The pair had arranged for firearms to be smuggled into the UK as part of an Isis-inspired plot.
Prosecutors stated that the men intended to launch a gun attack on an anti-antisemitism march by the end of summer 2024, followed by further attacks on Jewish communities in north Manchester.
In a message, Saadaoui noted that Manchester has the largest Jewish community outside of London, stating, "We will carry out [an attack] here."
The next day, Saadaoui took the undercover operative to areas with significant Jewish populations in Manchester to identify potential targets.
Finlay was among the thousands who attended an anti-antisemitism march in Manchester during the summer of 2024, unaware that a plot to target the event had been foiled.
It was not until after his release from the hospital, following the synagogue attack, that Finlay learned about the earlier foiled plot.
Finlay believes that the normalization of antisemitism has contributed to the sense of inevitability surrounding such attacks, saying, "I think for everybody, there was an element of it being a matter of time."
Finlay had also attended a similar march in January 2024, which further underscored his concerns about the prevalence of antisemitism.
He described the undercurrent of hate and antisemitism, saying, "It's difficult to live with on a day-to-day basis, knowing that there are people who don't want us here."
Finlay's personal experiences have been affected, as his son has faced threats and harassment for being Jewish, and now avoids wearing a kippah in public.

Despite being a lifelong resident of Manchester and feeling a strong connection to the city, Finlay feels that it is no longer safe for him and his family.
However, Finlay is determined not to let fear dictate his life, stating, "It's essential not to allow terrorism and hatred to win."
Finlay's resolve to continue living his life without being controlled by fear is evident in his commitment to not letting terrorism prevail.
The sentences handed down to Saadaoui and Hussein, who were found guilty of preparing acts of terrorism, reflect the severity of their crimes.
Saadaoui received a life sentence with a minimum term of 37 years, while Hussein was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 26 years.
A third individual, Bilel Saadaoui, was convicted of failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism and received a six-year sentence.

The convictions and sentences serve as a reminder of the importance of preventing and combating terrorism.
The events surrounding the foiled plot and the subsequent attack on the synagogue have had a profound impact on Finlay and the Jewish community in Manchester.
The case highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the community to prevent such incidents in the future.
News
Probe Underway into DNA Discovered at Nancy Guthrie’s Residence
According to the sheriff’s department, efforts are underway to determine the owner of the DNA, although the location of its discovery has not been released.
Local authorities have discovered DNA at the residence of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of American news anchor Savannah Guthrie, that does not match her or anyone in her close circle, according to officials.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department is currently working to determine the origin of the unidentified DNA, but has not disclosed its exact location.
Several gloves have been found by investigators, with one discovered approximately two miles away from Nancy Guthrie's residence.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home nearly two weeks ago, and authorities suspect she was taken against her will.
The sheriff's department has clarified that reports of a glove being found inside or on the property of Nancy Guthrie's home are incorrect.
All evidence collected has been submitted for laboratory analysis, according to the department.
On Thursday, the FBI released a description of the suspect, stating that the individual is a male, approximately 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in (175-177cm) tall, with a medium build.
Investigators were able to gather identifying details about the suspect by analyzing footage from a doorbell camera located outside Nancy Guthrie's home.
The suspect was seen wearing a 25-litre Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack in the footage, as reported by the FBI.
Following the release of the doorbell footage, investigators received over 13,000 tips, including 4,000 within a 24-hour period.
The FBI has increased the reward for information regarding Nancy Guthrie's disappearance from $50,000 (£36,700) to $100,000.
The county sheriff's department stated that the suspect description remains a primary focus of the investigation, but added that no individual or possibility is being ruled out.
Investigators have also made a broader appeal for neighbors to share any video footage that may be relevant to the case.
Authorities have noted that Nancy Guthrie, 84, requires daily medication and has limited mobility.
Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings have posted multiple social media appeals directed at their mother's abductor.
The family believes Nancy Guthrie is still alive and has indicated their willingness to pay for her safe return.
News
Malinin Crashes to Eighth in Free Skate Upset
At the Milan-Cortina 2026 event, USA’s Ilia Malinin, heavily tipped to claim the men’s figure skating title, experienced a disappointing outing, suffering two falls, which ultimately led to him finishing off the podium, while Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov secured the top spot and the gold medal.
At the Milan-Cortina 2026 event, Ilia Malinin of the USA, who was heavily tipped to win the men's figure skating gold, experienced a disappointing performance, falling twice and ultimately missing the podium, allowing Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov to claim the top spot.
For further information, Mikhail Shaidorov's gold medal win is detailed in a separate article, which also discusses Ilia Malinin's unexpected loss.
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