logo
Joe Biden's doctor dubbed ‘wally of the week' after pleading the fifth in important probe

Joe Biden's doctor dubbed ‘wally of the week' after pleading the fifth in important probe

Sky News AU3 days ago
Sky News host Rita Panahi has dubbed Doctor Kevin O'Connor the 'wally of the week' after he pleaded the fifth amendment at a Capitol Hill inquiry.
Kevin O'Connor – a former White House doctor who treated former US president Joe Biden – has exercised his right to plead the fifth amendment at a Capitol Hill inquiry.
Doctor O'Connor was called to give evidence as lawmakers investigate Biden's declining health during his term in office, but he refused to answer any questions.
'Now you plead the fifth so you don't incriminate yourself because you're fearful that what you say if you answer the question truthfully will see you in jail or facing charges,' Ms Panahi said.
'This is the biggest scandal, the fact that we had the president of the United States, the most powerful man in the world, who was cognitively impaired.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Donald Trump shuts down claims he's named in Jeffrey Epstein files, 'up to' Attorney General to decide what gets released
Donald Trump shuts down claims he's named in Jeffrey Epstein files, 'up to' Attorney General to decide what gets released

Sky News AU

time13 minutes ago

  • Sky News AU

Donald Trump shuts down claims he's named in Jeffrey Epstein files, 'up to' Attorney General to decide what gets released

US President Donald Trump has responded to persistent calls for the files relating to the Jeffrey Epstein case to be released amid claims his name features in the documents. While Trump suggested on his presidential campaign he would be open to looking into a client list relating to convicted sex offender Epstein, who died in jail in 2019, he appears to have changed his tune. During a press conference on Tuesday, local time, the President said he didn't "understand" the fascination with the documents which were being called upon to be released. 'I don't understand it, why they would be so interested. He's been dead for a long time. He was never a big factor in terms of life. I don't understand what the interest and what the fascination is. I really don't. And the credible information has been given,' he told reporters before leaving an event in Pennsylvania. 'I don't understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case wold be of interest to anybody. It's pretty boring stuff. It's sordid, but it's boring,' 'And I don't understand why it keeps going. I think really only pretty bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going.' The US Department of Justice and the FBI released a joint two-page memo earlier this month which attempted to shut down the interest over the Epstein files, reporting the systemic review conducted by the two government bodies "revealed no incriminating 'client list'". It also said FBI investigators concluded that Epstein committed suicide in his prison cell in New York City. At a separate press briefing on the White House lawn, Trump was asked if Attorney General Pam Bondi told the President he was named in the files but he said claims he was included in the documents were "made up". 'No, no. (Bondi) has given us just a very quick briefing and in terms of the credibility of the different things that they've seen,' Trump said. 'I would say these files were made up by (former FBI Director James) Comey and (former President Barack) Obama, made up by the Biden (administration) and we went through years of that with the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax. 'But she's handled it very well. And it's going to be up to her, whatever she thinks is credible, she should release.' Trump's unfazed attitude to releasing the files comes as he faces calls from within his own administration for the documents to be shared publicly. US House Speaker Mike Johnson called for the justice department to make the documents public during an interview with Benny Johnson which was released on Tuesday. 'It's a very delicate subject, but we should put everything out there and let the people decide it,' the Speaker of the House said. 'I agree with the sentiment that we need to put it out there. 'We need the DoJ focusing on the major priorities. So let's get this thing resolved." Trump's own daughter-in-law and former chair of the Republican National Committee, Lara Trump also backed the idea of "more transparency" on the files in an appearance on Benny Johnson's podcast. 'I do think that there needs to be more transparency on this, and I think that that will happen. 'I believe that there will probably be more coming on this. 'And I believe anything that they are able to release that doesn't, you know, damage any witnesses or anyone underage or anything like that, I believe they'll probably try to get out sooner rather than later'.

'Pattern book' house plans could be approved in 10 days
'Pattern book' house plans could be approved in 10 days

7NEWS

time23 minutes ago

  • 7NEWS

'Pattern book' house plans could be approved in 10 days

New homes picked from pre-approved designs could be ticked off for construction in 10 days in another bid to accelerate house building in Australia's most expensive market. In what the NSW government has called its 'pattern book' of low-rise designs, eight terrace, townhouse and manor house plans are available and will be heavily subsidised to encourage market activity. It will give people that have been locked out of housing due to rising costs and a planning system that made it too difficult to build homes the chance to live in communities, the government said. Premier Chris Minns has previously declared war on red tape and blamed a sluggish planning system for his state's poor progress on nationally-agreed housing targets. NSW is committed to building 377,000 new homes by July 2029 but data has consistently shown it is on track to fall well short. Master Builders Australia data released in 2024 found the state would come closer to building 300,000 in that timeframe. 'For too long, too many people in NSW have been locked out of the housing market by rising costs and a system that made it too hard to build - we're changing that,' the premier said. 'This Pattern Book is about giving people more choice, faster approvals, and affordable, high-quality homes – whether you're a young person trying to get in, a family needing more space, or a downsizer looking to stay close to the community you know.' Planning Minister Paul Scully said the pattern book took the guesswork and delay out of home building, with the pre-approved designs 'cost-effective' and 'high-quality'. The designs will be available for $1000, but heavy government subsidies mean they will cost just $1 per pattern for the first six months. The government estimated the designs would typically cost upwards of $20,000 if developed through an architect. Committee for Sydney planning policy manager Estelle Grech said the plans were proof density can be 'both beautiful and attainable'. 'It isn't an abstract rezoning. It's practical, design-led guidance that shows how you can get more bang from your block, build beautiful homes and help solve Sydney's housing crisis,' she said. 'While these designs may not appear everywhere overnight and are more likely to be a slow burn, they set a strong benchmark for what's possible when it comes to low-rise development.' A NSW Productivity and Equality Commission report released in 2024 made several recommendations to boost housing supply, including zoning well-located areas for higher density and cutting apartment design requirements. One of the government's signature planning policies involves the blanket rezoning of land around metro stations and existing transport hubs for higher-density housing.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store