Drunk pilot arrested in Canadian cockpit before take-off

        

Image copyright Mark King/Sunwing Airlines

A pilot who was drunk in the cockpit has been arrested shortly before take-off in Canada.

Two hours after his arrest, the 37-year-old man was found to have more than three times the legal limit of alcohol in his body.
His plane, part of the Sunwing budget airline, later left Calgary for Cancun, Mexico, with a different pilot. There were more than 100 people on board.
The incident happened at 07:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Saturday.
Airline staff noticed the pilot behaving strangely, and then he passed out. They alerted the authorities and the man was escorted from the cockpit.

He has now been charged with being in charge of an aircraft while being impaired.
Calgary police have named him as Miroslav Gronych, 37, a Slovak national.
Police spokesman Paul Stacey said: "It had all the potential for a disaster but I'll tell you this much - the likelihood of a pilot on a major airline like this actually being able to take off when they're impaired like that is pretty slim, because there's a lot of checks and balances.
"There's the other flight crew and there's gate crew and they're all about safety.
"So, I'm not surprised that he got caught before (the plane) left the terminal."
But Mr Stacey said: "He won't be flying anytime soon."

Sky Views: Has a conman been elected President?

Greg Milam, US Correspondent

The legendary American swindler Mel Weinberg once told me: "No-one wants to admit they've been conned - that's why they keep coming back for more."
We keep putting faith in the conman, he said, because the alternative is to recognise we've been done.
The millions of Americans who voted for Donald Trump will soon find out if they were right to believe his campaign promises - or if they have fallen for the greatest mind trick in political history.
Plenty of people - including high profile Republicans like Mitt Romney and Marco Rubio - accused the billionaire of being a conman during the presidential campaign.
And since he won, his big-slogan threats and promises - "lock her up", 'build the wall", "drain the swamp" - have either been disavowed or significantly fudged.
On that "swamp" thing, supposedly exposing and removing the powerful special interests who riddle Washington bureaucracy, even top advisers admit it will not be a priority.

Trump will have to walk the walk very soon and the problems that reach the Oval Office are usually the most intractable ones.

Greg Milam

All the while Trump loads his cabinet with billionaires, businessmen, Wall Street high-fliers and political veterans.
No sign of even a representative from the angry, white, working class who propelled Trump to the White House. Not even a token one.
Those voters remain, it seems, convinced that Trump was the right choice and they dismiss media punditry and the significance of his somewhat unpredictable pre-inauguration tweets.
But Trump will have to walk the walk very soon and the problems that reach the Oval Office are usually the most intractable ones.

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Video: Is Donald Trump sticking to campaign promises?

Mel Weinberg - the inspiration for the movie American Hustle - was selling dodgy loans. Trump will be leading the free world.
How long will it be before the leaders of Russia or North Korea try to test him? How will he react?
Roger Mansfield, a small business owner from Pennsylvania, told the Associated Press recently: "We have to trust him. He's going to be our president.
"Wishing him to fail would be like getting on an airliner and hoping the two pilots don't know what they're doing. My gut says he will do the right thing."
Ask Americans for their predictions for the Trump presidency and you will hear everything from a Reagan-style "Morning in America" to their next president getting bored or impeached.
Or what the Beverly Hills resident told the Los Angeles Times: "He's the person who is going to make America glorious again. I love him.
"I believe that he is going to be like Richard Nixon."
America has never forgotten how his presidency ended.

Sky Views is a series of comment pieces by Sky News editors and correspondents, published every morning.

Previously on Sky Views: Sophy Ridge: Let's stop whinging and be grateful

Secretary of State John Kerry Breaks Leg in Bike Accident

Secretary of State John Kerry speaks about cybersecurity and Internet freedom at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, May 18, 2015.

Saul Loeb/Pool/AP Photo

Secretary of State John Kerry broke his leg in a bike accident in France, the State Departmentsaid today.

“Given the injury is near the site of his prior hip surgery, he will return to Boston today to seek treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital with his doctor who did the prior surgery,” a State Department spokesman said in a statement.

Kerry is stable and never lost consciousness. He is expected to make a full recovery.

The State Department says the incident happened this morning while Kerry was bicycling near Scionzier, France. Paramedics and a physician were on the scene with the secretary’s motorcade at the time of the accident.

Kerry was transported via medical helicopter to the University Hospital of Geneva.

“Secretary Kerry is in good spirits and is grateful to the French and Swiss authorities, doctors, and nurses who assisted him after the accident,” the department spokesman said.

He had been scheduled to travel to Spain today to meet with King Felipe VI, President Rajoy, and Foreign Minister Garcia-Margallo to discuss a range of bilateral and global issues, followed by a Tuesday trip to Paris, to lead the U.S. delegation to the Counter-ISIL Coalition Small Group Ministerial.

“The Secretary very much regrets not being able to visit Spain to meet with one of our close allies for discussions on a range of issues, as well as being unable to attend the counter-ISIL coalition ministerial meeting on Tuesday in Paris in person. The Secretary plans to participate in the counter-ISIL coalition meeting remotely," the State Department spokesman said.

Beau Biden Passes Away: Tributes and Condolences Pour In

Beau Biden, son of Vice President Joe Biden, nominates his father for the Office of Vice Presdient of the United States during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., September 6, 2012.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo

Tributes and condolences poured in after the passing of Beau Biden, the son of Vice PresidentJoe Biden, Saturday night.

Beau Biden, the former attorney general of Delaware, passed away at the age of 46 after a battle with brain cancer.

After tweeting condolences Saturday night, Bill and Hillary Clinton issued a joint statement this morning, saying, Hillary and I mourn the loss and give thanks for the life of Beau Biden, so full of love, honor and service - and we pray for the strength of his wonderful family. He was a son to be proud of, a brother to cherish, a husband and father to love and be grateful for. The pain of his loss is so great because his life was so large and good."

Secretary of State John Kerry, who broke his leg this morning in a bike accident, said today in a statement, "Beau’s loss is crushing for everyone lucky enough to have known him and the whole Biden family, because you can’t know them without feeling their overwhelming love for each other – for family."

"For the Bidens, being there for each other was and is everything. Any real conversation with Joe was about family and how much he and Jill loved their children and grandchildren."

President Obama weighed in shortly after the announcement of Beau Biden's death, saying the Obama family was "grieving" for the Biden's loss.

"Beau Biden believed the best of us all. For him, and for his family, we swing our lanterns higher," the president said. "Michelle and I humbly pray for the good Lord to watch over Beau Biden, and to protect and comfort his family here on Earth."

Democrats and Republicans alike released statements and tweeted condolences and remembrances to the Biden family.

Beau Biden Dies of Brain Cancer, Family Says

ARLETTE SAENZ

More From Arlette »

Digital Journalist

FILE - In this Saturday, July 4, 2009. file photo, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, right, talks with his son, U.S. Army Capt. Beau Biden, at Camp Victory on the outskirts of Baghdad, Iraq. On Saturday, May 30, 2015, Vice President Biden announced the death of son, Beau, from brain cancer. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed, Pool)

AP

Beau Biden, the son of Vice President Joe Biden, has died of brain cancer, the family said. He was 46.

"It is with broken hearts that Hallie, Hunter, Ashley, Jill and I announce the passing of our husband, brother and son, Beau, after he battled brain cancer with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life," the vice president said Saturday night.

"The entire Biden family is saddened beyond words. We know that Beau's spirit will live on in all of us -- especially through his brave wife, Hallie, and two remarkable children, Natalie and Hunter," he added.

Beau Biden, who had been considering a run for governor in Delaware, was undergoing treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo

PHOTO: Beau Biden, son of Vice President Joe Biden, nominates his father for the Office of Vice Presdient of the United States during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., September 6, 2012.

"Beau's life was defined by service to others. As a young lawyer, he worked to establish the rule of law in war-torn Kosovo. A major in the Delaware National Guard, he was an Iraq War veteran and was awarded the Bronze Star. As Delaware's Attorney General, he fought for the powerless and made it his mission to protect children from abuse," the vice president said.

"More than his professional accomplishments, Beau measured himself as a husband, father, son and brother. His absolute honor made him a role model for our family. Beau embodied my father's saying that a parent knows success when his child turns out better than he did," Biden said.

"In the words of the Biden family: Beau Biden was, quite simply, the finest man any of us have ever known," he said.

President Obama said he and first lady Michelle were also grieving Biden's death.

"Beau took after Joe. He studied the law, like his dad, even choosing the same law school," Obama said. "He chased a life of public service, like his dad, serving in Iraq and as Delaware's Attorney General. Like his dad, Beau was a good, big-hearted, devoutly Catholic and deeply faithful man, who made a difference in the lives of all he touched -- and he lives on in their hearts.

Beau Biden, the eldest of Joe Biden's sons, sought medical treatment at a Houston cancer center in 2013 after feeling "weak and disoriented." At the time, the vice president and White House refused to discuss his condition, but doctors later said Biden had undergone surgery to remove a small lesion from his brain. He also suffered a mild stroke in 2010.

After the surgery he underwent a normal course of treatment of radiation and chemotherapy, and was given a clean bill of health by his doctor in November 2013.

This spring, however, Biden suffered a recurrence and immediately sought aggressive treatment. He was admitted to Walter Reed earlier this month.

Beau Biden formerly served as attorney general of Delaware. He is survived by his wife Hallie and children Natalie and Hunter.

In 1973, he and his brother Hunter survived a car accident that took the lives of his mother, Neilia, and younger sister Naomi.

Joe Biden's Son Beau Dies at 46

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's son Joseph "Beau" Biden died Saturday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 46.

In a statement, Joe said that his family is "saddened beyond words" at Beau's death and that Beau's "absolute honor made him a role model for our family." Survivors include Beau's wife, Hallie, and their two children, Natalie and Hunter.Beau was an attorney and served as the Attorney General of Delaware from 2007 to 2015. He spoke at the 2008 Democratic National Convention to support Barack Obama's first presidential campaign.

"More than his professional accomplishments, Beau measured himself as a husband, father, son and brother," Joe's statement continued. "Beau embodied my father's saying that a parent knows success when his child turns out better than he did."

President Obama released a statement to express his family's grief: "Michelle and I are grieving tonight. Beau Biden was a friend of ours. His beloved family – Hallie, Natalie, and Hunter – are friends of ours. And Joe and Jill Biden are as good as friends get."

Beau's mother was Joe's first wife, Neilia Hunter. Neilia died in a car accident in November 1972, as did Hunter and Joe's infant daughter, Naomi. Beau and brother Hunter survived the crash. Joe married current wife Jill in 1977.

Joe's full statement can be read below.

It is with broken hearts that Hallie, Hunter, Ashley, Jill and I announce the passing of our husband, brother and son, Beau, after he battled brain cancer with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life.

The entire Biden family is saddened beyond words. We know that Beau’s spirit will live on in all of us—especially through his brave wife, Hallie, and two remarkable children, Natalie and Hunter. 

Beau's life was defined by service to others. As a young lawyer, he worked to establish the rule of law in war-torn Kosovo. A major in the Delaware National Guard, he was an Iraq War veteran and was awarded the Bronze Star. As Delaware’s Attorney General, he fought for the powerless and made it his mission to protect children from abuse.

More than his professional accomplishments, Beau measured himself as a husband, father, son and brother. His absolute honor made him a role model for our family. Beau embodied my father's saying that a parent knows success when his child turns out better than he did.

In the words of the Biden family: Beau Biden was, quite simply, the finest man any of us have ever known.

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Reaction to death of vice president's son Beau Biden

 

By The Associated Press3 hours ago

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Vice President Joe Biden's son Beau Biden died Saturday of brain cancer nearly two years after he was first diagnosed. He was 46.

Related Stories

1. US Vice President Biden's son Beau dies of cancer, aged 46 AFP
2. Joe Biden's son Beau dies of brain cancer Reuters
3. Beau Biden Dies of Brain Cancer, Family Says ABC News
4. Beau Biden Once Called His Father Joe 'The Best Coach I Could Have Asked For' Huffington Post
5. Joe Biden Praises Ireland For Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Huffington Post

Here are some reactions to his death:

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FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 file photo, Capt. Beau Biden carries his son Hunter, 3, on  …

"Michelle and I humbly pray for the good Lord to watch over Beau Biden, and to protect and comfort his family here on Earth." — President Barack Obama.

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"He was extraordinarily in tune with people. He was passionate about serving. ... I think it's important that people know what a real, genuine, decent guy he was." — Democratic Delaware Gov. Jack Markell.

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"Throughout his life, Beau never shied away from doing the right thing, even when it meant doing the hard thing. Beau served his country and community with honor, and that's how he will be remembered." — U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.).

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"I first met Beau when he was six years old. ... It's been a privilege to watch him grow up and become a leader in our state and in the Delaware National Guard. My last memory of Beau was during the Return Day Parade in Georgetown, Delaware, two days after last November's election. I was walking along the parade route shaking hands with people just as Beau passed by, standing in a National Guard vehicle, waving at the crowd. For a moment, our eyes met, he waved to me and I to him. Then, he mouthed these words to me, 'I love you.' I smiled and returned them to him. And, he was gone." — U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.)

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"Beau had a warm and generous spirit. He was a truly giving person, and he appreciated the good in others in the way we all should. He leaves a legacy of service, and also a great personal legacy that calls on each of us to be more gentle in our judgments and more gracious with our thanks. He was one of the best of the good guys." — U.S. Rep. John Carney (D-Del.)

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"He was filled with a sense of honor, duty, and humility - to the core. He was a class act, period, ingrained with integrity, compassion, a sense of moral obligation to help others, and especially people who were hurting." — Secretary of State John Kerry.

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"Beau's dedication to public service was deep, broad and profound. He embodied the best and most noble traits that his parents sought to instill in him. I know Joe is very proud and he should be proud because Beau was simply a joy to know." — Democratic Senate minority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

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"Tonight, our country lost a committed public servant, someone who devoted his own life to making the lives of others better. Beau was steadfast in his defense of our principles, whether as a member of the Delaware National Guard or as the state's Attorney General. ... I had the privilege of knowing Beau personally. He was a 'mensch' in the truest sense of the word." — DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

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"My God, he's just a young man. ... It's just so difficult. ... I never heard a disparaging word about him as a person." — Former Delaware governor and Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Castle, who many political observers expected to square off against Biden in the 2010 U.S. Senate race before Biden opted not to run and Castle suffered a stunning defeat in the GOP primary.

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"As a dedicated Attorney General and soldier, Beau devoted his career to proudly serving his country and home state. It was an honor to serve alongside him as he worked tirelessly to fight for the powerless and protect the most vulnerable, our children." — Dennis P. Williams, Democratic mayor of Beau Biden's hometown of Wilmington.

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"The good die young. ... He was a rock star. ... He had a great image, great character. He was just a friendly, approachable individual." — New Castle County (Delaware) Executive Tom Gordon, a longtime friend and political ally of Joe Biden.

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"This is truly tragic news. ... Beau served his country and the citizens of Delaware with honor and dignity. He leaves behind a lasting impact on the world around him. He will be missed." — Charlie Copeland, chairman of the Delaware Republican Party.