A new silent book club is offering people with busy lives a dedicated reading hour in 'peace and quiet'.

This evening (April 23), Douglas City Library is hosting the event from 6:45pm until 8pm to give residents 'uninterrupted' time to read their own book with refreshments.

Readers are able to bring a book in any format including audiobooks, e-readers, paperbacks, manga or comics.

It’s been arranged to coincide with World Book Night’s 'Reading Hour' project, and the library's official membership of the international Silent Book Club.

The club will then continue as a 'regular reading retreat' for users on the last Wednesday of every month from 6.30pm–8pm.

Deputy Librarian Sophie Goodwin and City Librarian Jan Macartney have been speaking to Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper.

This week the UK government confirmed it was 'unable to recommend' the Island's Assisted Dying Bill for Royal Assent.

The Ministry of Justice raised a number of concerns, seeking clarity to make sure the legislation complies with the European Convention on Human Rights.

But what has the reaction been to the news?

Amy Griffiths has been finding out.

Some of the interviews contain descriptions which some listeners may find distressing.

The chair of Peel Commissioners has confirmed that a 'formal employment matter' is being conducted and a member of staff is being investigated.

Ray Harmer read out a statement at last night's commissioners meeting which asked residents to respect the confidentiality of the process.

He also confirmed that the fees for the solicitors would be released after the course of events had taken place.

Meanwhile, Katryna Baptist, who posted the initial video alleging poor governance, says she 'can't just quit' and will carry on in the position to deliver a mandate.

This is despite telling the board she felt 'unsafe' at meetings and her request for the infrastructure minister to sit in the private meeting to ensure 'fairness' being rejected by the board.

However, Ms Baptist said she felt 'encouraged' by the number of people who went along in support of her.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to them both.

The Douglas North MHKs say they are still awaiting a response from Douglas Council with information about the Ballanard Road playing field six weeks after sending a letter.

David Ashford and John Wannenburgh have asked the council for timelines and schedules regarding the replanting of trees and whether there are still plans to turn the site into a building compound to support the refurbishment of houses in the Willaston estate.

The council recently felled 39 trees in the area and started a replanting scheme - but the MHKs say a lack of communication with residents about the situation is causing 'angst'.

Mr Ashford says there are concerns about 'reinstatement works' from recent tree felling which includes large rocks, glass and rubbish found in the topsoil.

He and Mr Wannenburgh believe the playing field is vital to the community and is one of very few available green spaces in the area.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to them both.

The Road Transport Licensing Committee (RTLC) is urging people to make a complaint if they think they've been overcharged for a taxi journey.

It's after a post on social media claimed a 'small minority' of drivers aren't using meters when they should be.

Amy Griffiths has been speaking to secretary Noel Capewell and chair Graham Curphey:

The health minister insists her department is 'taking charge' of capacity issues at Noble's Hospital.

An independent rapid review has been commissioned by the DHSC after serious concerns were raised by the Medical Staff Committee.

Last month the group of 75 senior doctors and consultants claimed there was a 'critical shortfall in inpatient bed capacity' at the site.

Claire Christian has been speaking to Amy Griffiths:

The politician behind the Island's Assisted Dying Bill admits he's disappointed by the UK's decision not to recommend the legislation for Royal Assent.

The UK's Ministry of Justice has raised concerns that the Bill may not comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Safeguards against coercion, monitoring of assisted deaths and ensuring capacity were among the points raised.

Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson has confirmed work is underway to draft amendments that would address them:

A mum on the Isle of Man has been speaking out about the symptoms her five-year-old son displayed before he was diagnosed with a rare form of brain tumour.

In 2024, five-year-old Hector started began waking in the night with headaches and, during the day, his food began to taste strange.

Having been air-ambulanced from the Isle of Man to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, he later underwent a six-week course of proton beam therapy at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

In this edition of Newscast, Hector's mum, Rebekah Dalrymple, explains to Lewis Foster what the last 18 months have been like for them as a family - and why she will run the Manchester Marathon this weekend (19 April) in support of The Christie.