Daily News Roundup

 

Disgraced former Liberal MP Daryl Maguire faced a hours questioning at the ICAC inquiry today, as the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian further distanced herself from him.

The NSW Premier’s former close friend is fronting an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry in Sydney over his conduct while a member of parliament.

Speaking to the media this afternoon, Ms Berejiklian conceded Mr Maguire “fooled a lot of people” and she can’t rule out that he pursued a relationship with her purely for his personal gain and business deals.

Within the first hour of being in the witness box, Mr Maguire admitted “monetising” his parliamentary office, including accepting cash, for helping to broker deals and provide access to senior political figures.

He faced hours in the chair but was not asked once about his relationship with the Premier. But he is due to face the inquiry again tomorrow, where Ms Berejiklian is sure to be a hot topic.

His evidence may end up deciding whether Ms Berejiklian survives in her job, with NSW Parliament also sitting on both days, giving her critics plenty of opportunity to attack.

Pressure is mounting on the Premier over what she knew about her ex-lover’s business dealings, with more damning revelations emerging today that have seen pressure mount on her leadership.

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US drug company Eli Lilly has suspended the late-stage trial of an experimental antibody treatment for COVID 19 because of a safety concern.

The problem has not been identified, but the company says safety is its top priority.

The US Government-sponsored trial is testing a treatment similar to one taken by US President Donald Trump.

Mr Trump touted the drug, along with the antibody treatment from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals that he received for his COVID-19, as tantamount to a cure in a video he posted last week.

The announcement comes one day after Johnson & Johnson said it was forced to pause a large high-profile trial of its experimental coronavirus vaccine because a volunteer fell ill.

AstraZeneca’s US trial for its experimental COVID-19 vaccine has also been on hold for more than a month after a volunteer in its UK study fell ill.

Trials of that vaccine resumed in other regions after a brief halt.

Lilly said earlier this month it was applying for emergency use authorisation (EUA) for the antibody drug, LY-CoV555, for patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 based on data from another clinical trial.

It is not uncommon to pause drug trials to investigate safety concerns, and such actions do not necessarily indicate a serious problem.

The US Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Lilly began its ACTIV-3 trial in August and is aiming to recruit 10,000 patients, primarily in the United States.

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Champion mare Winx has tragically lost her first foal, a filly by top stallion I Am Invincible.

The superstar racehorse, who retired in 2019, was due to give birth later this year as a start to her breeding career.

Winx’s former trainer, Chris Waller, released a statement on behalf of devastated connections on Tuesday, leading to expressions of sadness from racing fans both in Australia and overseas.

“It is with great sadness that the Kepitis, Tighe and Treweeke families wish to inform everyone that unfortunately … overnight Winx lost her foal,” the statement said.

“There are so many people involved in the Winx story from owners, staff past and present to her many fans around the world.

“Our thoughts and attention at the moment are on Winx, ensuring that she remains healthy, as anyone in this situation would respect.”

The statement did not give details on the champion mare’s condition, aside from noting the “traumatic” nature of events.

“It is a traumatic time for a mother and those involved and Winx is now the centre of our attention following the loss of a beautiful filly this morning.

“We wish to thank everyone for their support and understanding, please respect the connections during this sad time and we will update you as soon as appropriate.”