Criminal investigation underway at Middlemore hospital after impostor doctor allegations 

 

Criminal investigations are underway regarding an ‘imposter’ doctor who worked in Middlemore hospital’s respiratory ward. It is alleged he worked there for a number of months before it was realised he was not registered. Health Minister Andrew Little became aware of this situation on Wednesday the 10th.

 

Sam Uffindell in hot water over bullying allegations 

 

National MP Sam Uffindell’s name has been in the headlines this week after a former King’s College student came forward, saying Uffindell, with other students, beat him in boarding school 20 years ago. Uffindell has since been accused of terrifying flatmates- which he has denied. Uffindell has, however, admitted that he was a school bully, and that he was asked to leave King’s after the incident in which he beat a fellow student. 

 

Uffindell has also been stood down whilst an investigation is carried out regarding further allegations from a former flatmate. This former flatmate has said that Uffindell bullied her to the point where she was forced to flee for her safety. She also said this pattern of bullying was fuelled by excessive drinking, after which he would trash the house. 

 

So is this merely school bullying or is this a pattern of intimidation and bullying behaviour?  

 

Sleeping spiders? 

I don’t know why I hadn’t thought about this, but there’s ongoing research as to whether spiders experience REM sleep—I kind of just assumed that they would. Anyway, research by Daniela Rößler (an ecologist at the University of Konstanz) has found that spiders’ sleep cycles include leg twitching and their eyes flickering. This is similar to REM/ rapid eye movement sleep in humans. 

 

Climate change causes lizards to age before they are even born 

Due to climate change, lizards in France are giving birth to offspring that have already aged and have damaged DNA. This decreases their chances of survival, and the degradation of DNA over generations will ultimately send them into a population decline that cannot be recovered from. 

 

Tourists go for a dip in thermals pools that are considered wāhi tapu (sacred) 

The Te Puia tourist attraction is under fire after allowing tourists to go into the thermal pools, with this place historically being where iwi would wash their deceased/ tūpāpaku. An apology-  if you can call it that-  was issued by the tour company featuring some bullshit about the demand for experiences- as if that fixes the fact that they should have respected the history of that area and not used it as a tourist spot. 

 

US sheriff stocks schools with AR-15 rifles 

North Carolina schools are opening later this month, and when they do they will be stocked with AR-15 rifles- one of the most common rifles to be used in school shootings. These will be for school resource officers to use in the event of an active school shooting. Doesn’t exactly sounds like a fucking good idea there matey. 

 

UK judge refuses parents’ request to move comatose boy into hospice

The parents of 12yo Archie Battersbee, who is believed to be brain dead, wish to move their son to hospice when hospital staff withdraws his life support. Doctors believe there is no chance of recovery and that he should be allowed to die. Moving him would also hasten his death as he is so unstable. This is yet another case where judges are putting doctors’ judgments against family wishes as the child’s interests take precedent over the parent’s wishes. 

 

Louisiana officers charged over Breonna Taylor’s death

Four Police officers were charged over Breonna Taylor’s death. The charges were laid against four Louisiana police officers on Friday, three of which face a maximum charge of life in prison on civil rights charges. Their names are (former officers) Joshua Jaynes and Brett Hankison, (and current officers) Kelly Goodlett and Sgt. Kyle Meany. 

 

The US House of Representatives passes legislation banning certain semi-automatic weapons.

Passed on Saturday the 30th of July, this is the first of this kind of vote in years, however, it is likely to stall in the 50-50 senate as the republicans are likely to stand by possession of firearms and against the limitations on firearms. 

 

Gloriavale schools close due to a staffing shortage (allegedly due to abuse) only to reopen 

Gloriavale schools closed last week due to a staffing shortage, where teachers stood aside while police investigated abuse. It has since reopened, with a staggered plan in place for students to return.

Abuse scandals and investigations are no stranger to Gloriavale with abuse charges including the fact that they made 6-year-olds work that was at times dangerous-  all whilst they should have legally been in school.