Manx Newscast

The House of Keys debated some of the clauses of the Assisted Dying Bill this week, with a number of experts giving evidence. Hear some of the contributions here, including Ayre and Michael MHK, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan telling members he would be seeking to bring forward an amendment that could see the proposed legislation put to a public vote. Manx Radio broadcasts Keys questions live on AM...

Have you or a loved one been experiencing delays waiting for a visa application on the Island to be completed? Treasury has apologised after admitting there have been 'challenges' navigating the Island's immigration system. Some people have been told it's taking up to 90 days to process applications. Joe has been waiting for his Visa to live and work on the Island since February. H...

"It's been amazing!" That's how Ramsey's Roisin Quinn has described winning Interior Design Masters. The BBC One TV show sees wannabe designers take on different challenges each week before a winner is crowned. Roisin's been telling Amy Griffiths how things have been since the final episode aired on Tuesday:

As the days get longer and recently we've seen some warmer spells, we're being warned to wear sun cream and clothes that protect against harmful UV. Private GP and dermatologist Dr Roger Dixon has told Manx Radio of increasing rates of skin cancers as a result of a lack of protection. He spoke to Amy Griffiths:

As Manx Utilities continues to study the ecological impact of windfarms on the Island, environmental concerns about wind turbine blades are being raised.  The Chief Innovation Officer of ExoTechnologies, a company on the Island that works with sustainable and recyclable material, believes there are BPA-free solutions the authority can use with the introduction of the turbine blades. &nbs...

Back in 2018, the first all-female expedition travelled to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch - the densest accumulation of marine plastic anywhere on earth. Local marine biologist Rowan Henthorn was onboard. The 14-strong international crew set sail on a month-long voyage, which saw them cross 3,000 nautical miles from Hawaii to Vancouver. A filmmaker went along for the ride, and...

This week is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week - a campaign dedicated to talking about problems women may be experiencing before, during and after pregnancy. It's all about raising public and professional awareness of perinatal mental health and advocating for those women and families impacted. The Island's perinatal service was launched back in 2018 after healthcare pro...

Members of the Manx hospitality sector have begged the government for help to survive. Over a hundred were at a Licensed Victuallers gathering at the Manx Museum yesterday afternoon. Government Ministers Dr Alex Allinson and Tim Johnston were present. Some in the audience said they feared they wouldn't be able to carry on in business much longer. Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston spoke live on Manx...

The Isle of Man Government has launched a secure messaging platform for Social Security customers, which will allow people send and receive messages, forms, and documents directly with the team.  The Political member with responsibility for social security is Dr Michelle Haywood tells us more

Is the hospitality sector in crisis on the Isle of Man? Local businesses have been sharing their concerns about the future of the industry. We hear from Andy Saunders of the Licensed Vituallers Association, Carl Joughin from the Mitre Hotel in Ramsey, Johnny McDowell from New Cod on the Block in Onchan and Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston and the Chief Minister Alfred Cannan.

Improving women's health services on the Island has to be a joint effort, according to Manx Care. It's hosted an event with industry specialists from the UK and the Isle of Man to share experiences and practices. The healthcare provider's hoping to create a strategy to make support more accessible. Amy Griffiths went along to the event:

If you missed any of this month's two-day sitting of Tynwald, do not worry.  Political Correspondent Phil Gawne was there and has all the details you need to know.

There's been a further fall in the rate of inflation on the Isle of Man to 3.2 per cent in March, a decrease of 0.3 per cent compared to February. Treasury Minister Alex Allinson says 'prices are now rising at their slowest annual rate since August 2021 and the unbroken trend of a falling inflation rate since the turn of the year is an encouraging sign.' He says: 'This time last year annual inflat...

Fatima Whitbread has been visiting the Island this week advocating for lasting improvements to the lives of young people.  The two-time Olympic medallist - who was abandoned as a baby and left in care homes until the age of 14 - says she'd like to see more being done for 'looked after' children.  She spoke to Chanelle Sukhoo 

Manx Care insists a data breach where 'huge volumes' of patient records were found at a former employee's home was an isolated incident. The healthcare provider's written to 160 people after the documents were discovered in September last year. It's apologised 'unreservedly' for the breach, and says the current safeguards have been further strengthened to prevent an inc...

There's a warning after two near-fatal Heroin overdoses on the Island last night (Monday, 15 April). Anyone who recently took the drug is told to seek medical advice, whilst those with it in their possession are urged to dispose of it immediately. Manx addiction charity Motiv8 is offering free Naloxone kits - which can help reverse the effects of an overdose. In this episode of Newscast, Lewis Fos...

Accidents happen, but dog owners also need to take greater responsibility for their pets. That's the message from a trainer on the Isle of Man, who says it's frustrating to see repeated stories of lost and injured dogs in certain areas. With lambing season upon us, emergency services and farmers have put out calls for residents to keep a closer eye on their pets. Manx Radio caught up with...

The Deputy Chief Minister says it's no good listening and not taking on the feedback, as government prepares for next week's roadshows. 'Listening to You' is a series of events where Manx residents will have a chance to put questions directly to ministers. They're taking place in four locations around the Island, starting next Monday. Justice and Home Affairs minister Jane Pool...

A Manx resident has described the moment drones and missiles were launched into Israel overnight by Iran. Adrian North was in Tel Aviv during the attack, which has led to fears of a major escalation in the conflict in the Middle East. More than 300 drones and missiles are said to have been launched, with 99 percent of them intercepted. It comes as Tehran is blaming Israel for a recent airstrike on...

People on the Isle of Man who are living with Parkinsons are being reminded they are not alone. Today (11 April) marks World Parkinson’s Day; it’s believed between 400 and 500 people suffer with the degenerative condition on the Island. Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder with symptoms generally developing over years.  Pamela Shimwell-Mayo is the chairman and...

Some Manx farmers are considering changing when they lamb in order to cope with changing weather patterns. Recent heavy rain has made the process incredibly difficult for those working in the sector; March was the fourth wettest on record. Storm Kathleen over the weekend also brought gale force winds hampering access to land and threatening the lives of newborn lambs. Farmer, and Manx Radio Countr...

A blind teenager from the Isle of Man says she’s hoping to break barriers and challenge stigmas and stereotypes through her podcast. Evie Roberts hosts ‘Talking in the Dark’ from a studio at Ballakermeen High School. She’s already interviewed some big names including Nile Rogers, Baroness Tani Grey Thompson and Stephen Fry. The 14-year-old told Manx Radio's Chanelle Suk...

The scale of change needed at the meat plant is ‘significant’ and there will be ‘bumps in the road’ as it happens. That’s the message from Isle of Man Meats which has come in for severe criticism after supply issues. Chairperson Nigel Davis spoke to Tessa Hawley: ​

A launch event is to be held this evening ahead of a fundraiser with a difference that's set to take place in May. Breast Cancer Now is hosting its annual sleepover - this time, in Peel Castle. Sandy Denning from the charity told Manx Radio it's hoped the event will raise money for vital research into cancers like invasive lobular breast cancer, which is extremely difficult...

The Isle of Man’s farming industry is going to struggle in the future unless something ‘quite dramatic’ is done. That’s the view of the Manx National Farmers Union. This week a farm in the south of the Island said it was giving up potato production blaming high production costs and a sharp drop in local demand. General Secretary Sarah Comish has been speaking to John Moss: