IT’S MIDWAY THROUGH the week and you want to get up to speed on the latest news topics and catch up on opinions and insights.

We’re here to help you do just that, with our three midweek longreads:

1. Doctor, doctor

In Ireland, we have seen Irish doctors speak out about their long hours – but it’s not just an issue in this country. Cardiologist Lisa Rosenbaum writes about the situation in the USA, and how working hours are affecting doctors. (The New Yorker)

Approx 8 minutes reading time – 1719 words

The whole team would gather to learn about the patients who came in overnight, and discuss patients already in our care. We would hear their stories, examine them, review data, and then, together, make decisions about their care for the day. Now, however, the scheduling is such that overnight residents often have to leave before rounds, and the daily ritual has morphed into a race against the clock.

2. Slight return

The American Museum of Natural History agreed to return objects belong to the Apaches in 2012 – but so far, none have been returned. Tom Mashberg looks at the dispute that has emerged as result of this offer, and the work that is being done to resolve it. (The New York Times)

Approx 5 minutes reading time – 1138 words

The Apaches say this is hardly a case of being fussy. They say the items are imbued with their religion’s holy beings, that tribal elders attribute problems like alcoholism and unemployment on reservations to their unsettled spirits, and that the museum’s position is insulting to them and their deities.

3.  When sharing is not caring

Over on Opinions and Insights, Lisa McInerney tackles the issue of the sexually-explicit pictures which emerged from Slane and how the sharing of them does a disservice to men and women. In doing so, she takes in the reaction to the photos online, as well as the social reasons behind the response to them. (TheJournal.ie)

Approx 5 minutes reading time – 1007 words

Virtual Ireland has been awash with mind-blowing duplicity since this issue came to light. People triumphantly assert that the photographed girl orchestrated her own downfall even as their ignorant trumpeting pulls the slats from under her.

Want some more longreads? Then check out our Sitdown Sunday archives>