Investigators Unable to Pinpoint Exact Reason for Mid-Air Emergency, Despite Successful Crash Landing

Federal authorities have concluded that the precise cause of a dramatic helicopter crash near Philadelphia in 2022 cannot be determined, despite extensive investigation. The medical helicopter, en route to a hospital in Philadelphia, experienced a severe mid-air emergency, causing it to nose-dive before successfully crash-landing without fatalities.

The Eurocopter EC135 was flying at approximately 1,500 feet when it abruptly gained altitude, only to spiral into a steep descent over Drexel Hill. Surveillance footage captured the helicopter’s “near-vertical, nose-down, spiralling descent.” Although the pilot managed to regain control and avoided crashing into surrounding buildings and power lines, the aircraft could not regain sufficient engine power, resulting in a crash landing next to Drexel Hill United Methodist Church in Upper Darby at around 1 p.m. on January 11, 2022.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its final report on January 4, stating that the helicopter’s engines operated normally but failed to provide enough power to continue flight. The board concluded that the probable cause was “an inflight attitude upset for undetermined reasons,” which caused over-speeding of the rotor system and a power reduction from both engines.

The flight, operated by Denver-based Air Methods and part of the LifeNet program, was transporting an infant and a medical crew when the incident occurred. The pilot sustained serious injuries but was able to land the helicopter safely, avoiding further harm despite the challenging conditions.

Witnesses, including flight crew members, recalled the frightening moments of the emergency, with the medic and nurse being thrown to the ceiling of the helicopter as it rolled sharply. They managed to secure themselves and the patient as the pilot assessed potential emergency landing sites. Local authorities labelled the incident a “miracle” due to the lack of life-threatening injuries, despite the close proximity of the crash to a daycare centre at the time.

Animal Rights Activists Win Battle for Benito’s Better Living Conditions, Moving Him to a Larger, Warmer Park

After months of campaigning, Benito the giraffe is finally set to leave his cramped, harsh enclosure in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, for a more spacious and suitable home. Following a sustained advocacy effort led by local animal rights group “We Are Your Voice,” the government of Chihuahua has confirmed plans to move Benito to Africam Safari in Puebla, located 1,250 miles south.

Benito arrived in Ciudad Juarez in May 2023, a young giraffe struggling with the extreme desert temperatures. As a 3-year-old, he was confined to a small enclosure with minimal shade, battling the harsh sun in the summer and chilling winds in the winter. Animal rights activist Ana Félix, who spearheaded the campaign, highlighted that the winter winds had significantly impacted Benito’s health, with gusts reaching 25 mph (40 kph) worsening his living conditions.

In response to the growing concern, the state government of Chihuahua stepped in, confirming the transfer to Africam Safari, a safari-style park where animals roam freely in large enclosures. Africam Safari had expressed readiness to welcome Benito, although the lengthy transfer process required extensive paperwork.

Félix, who had shared harrowing images of Benito crammed under a small canopy for shade, praised the move but noted it was long overdue. “The authorities finally took action, albeit late, but thankfully, it’s still in time for Benito,” she said.

At Ciudad Juarez’s Central Park, where Benito had been kept in a small, fenced space with limited trees and a lack of proper environmental enrichment, activists had pushed for better conditions. Although the park had made some improvements, such as building a larger sun canopy and cleaning a nearby pool, it was clear that the environment was unsuitable for the giraffe.

Benito’s relocation will not only improve his living conditions but also continue to raise awareness of the need to address the welfare of other animals in inadequate facilities. “We’re still fighting to get the rest of the animals out of that park. It’s not an appropriate place for any species,” Félix stated.

Benito’s presence in Ciudad Juarez had initially boosted visitor numbers at the park, especially among children, with monthly visits rising from 140,000 to 200,000. However, the long-term goal for activists is to ensure a better environment for all animals.

Proceeds from Sale of Belongings of Former Speaker to Benefit Six Charities

The estate of the late Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the first female Speaker of the House of Commons, will be auctioned off, with the proceeds benefitting six charitable organisations. The auction is expected to raise around £200,000, featuring a variety of personal items including a large certificated diamond ring, her frog collection, photographs, and a resin bust of Lady Boothroyd by Frances Segelman.

A key highlight is the diamond solitaire ring, valued between £70,000 and £100,000. It was bought from Lady Boothroyd’s favourite jeweller, J McCarthy Ltd, who was instructed by her to find a diamond of a specific size. When a much larger diamond arrived, the jeweller was instructed to bring it to her at “The House.” Her response to the larger size was simple: “A diamond can never be too large!”

Other jewellery featured in the sale includes diamond-encrusted cuff earrings by Oscar Heyman (estimated at £4,000 to £6,000), an Omega De Ville wristwatch (estimated at £2,000 to £3,000), and a House of Commons brooch set with gold and diamonds (estimated £1,000 to £2,000).

In addition, various items from her career will be up for grabs, such as framed photographs with Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela (estimated between £20 and £60), as well as memorabilia from her time in Parliament, including a black leather dispatch box and a House of Commons whisky tumbler set (each estimated at £200 to £300).

The auction also includes a range of her clothes, such as political outfits and ball gowns, with estimates ranging from £40 to £300. Highlights include a red, white, and blue cocktail suit worn to a 1997 Lord Lloyd Webber house party.

Thomas Forrester from Special Auction Services, which will host the sale, described Lady Boothroyd as “an engaging, entertaining and human politician” whose items reflect her “remarkable life.” The auction will also feature a JFK-signed programme from his inauguration, a travelling trunk from her time with the American presidential race in the 1960s, and various other personal artefacts.

All proceeds from the auction will go to charitable causes, ensuring that Lady Boothroyd’s legacy continues to support those in need.

Authorities Investigating the Shooting of Imam Hassan Sharif as Police Seek to Identify Suspect

An imam in New Jersey is fighting for his life after being critically shot outside a mosque in Newark on Wednesday morning. Authorities are currently working to identify the shooter, with no one in custody at this time. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but New Jersey’s governor has pledged full support to safeguard places of worship.

The incident took place after 6 a.m. outside the Masjid-Muhammad-Newark Mosque. The victim, later identified as Imam Hassan Sharif, was rushed to University Hospital in critical condition. While law enforcement continues their investigation, there is no confirmed information on whether the imam was deliberately targeted.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy responded to the incident by assuring the Muslim community and people of all faiths that authorities would do everything possible to ensure the safety of houses of worship. “We are committed to keeping all residents safe, especially in and around places of worship,” Murphy said in his statement.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) expressed deep concern over the attack. The organisation, which represents the largest Muslim civil rights advocacy group in the US, is gathering details and urging the public to come forward with any information related to the incident.

“We are praying for the imam’s swift recovery and are closely monitoring the situation,” said Dina Sayedahmed, a spokesperson for CAIR-NJ.