Reading Time: 3 minutesThe horrifying collision of a sightseeing helicopter with New York City’s Hudson River has once again put the spotlight on helicopter tourism. The New York Helicopter flight resulted in a tragic accident when the helicopter sank and killed all six passengers onboard. Among the fatalities was tech executive Agustin Escobar alongside his wife and three children. The pilot was also among the casualties. This Spanish family was lured by what they were told was going to be an unforgettable sightseeing venture over New York that promised an “industry-leading safety record.” The catastrophic impact of this trip has sparked global conversations and a renewed call to action concerning the safety and the apparent need for helicopter tours.

Helicopter tours in New York City have become increasingly common, with nearly 30,000 tours conducted each year. Although the majority of these tours are conducted without incident, the few fatal crashes have raised concerns for residents and government officials. The noise and helicopter pollution combined with the already high levels of noise pollution in the city is a major source of frustration for New Yorkers.

Michael Roth, the New York Helicopter Tours CEO, extended his condolences and shared his surprise at the crash. As he spoke to the press, he brought up the possibility of a bird strike or some mechanical malfunction, although its cause is still being investigated. The footage of the helicopter losing control and diving into the Hudson River has gained a lot of attention, further escalating public concern and interest.

Unfortunately, these incidents are anything but unusual. There have been at least 32 fatalities due to helicopter crashes in the city from 1977 through 2019. This incident adds to that, bringing the number to 38. One of the most well-known incidents happened in 2018, when a Liberty Helicopter’s operated helicopter plunged into the East River, resulting in the death of five passengers. The passengers were on an open-door tour, so they were wearing harnesses that subsequently drowned them when the helicopter rolled over. That incident resulted in a ban on open-door sightseeing flights on the Federal Aviation Administration. Richard Vance, the pilot, was the only survivor.

Liberty Helicopters has been linked to a number of serious incidents. In 2009, one of their helicopters crashed into a private plane flying over the Hudson River, killing all nine people on both aircraft. Most recently, in 2019 a helicopter crash on top of a Manhattan skyscraper resulted in the death of the pilot. Despite this record, Liberty Helicopter continues to operate.

In addition to the crashes, the helicopters are also considered a nuisance by a great portion of the city’s residents. Because touring flights are confined to the lower levels of airspace due to commercial air traffic, their sound resonates through residential areas, parks, and even historical landmarks. Although the flights are restricted to the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and can only run Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM, they still interfere with daily life. Unlike these scheduled flights, Concorde and private jets are not bound by as many rules, adding to the traffic congestion.

Designated routes were put in place in 2009 following the deadly midair collision in order to contain helicopter traffic south of Manhattan, around Liberty Island, and along the Hudson River. Helicopter flights that start in Manhattan are banned from flying over land, but those coming from outside the bordering boroughs have no restrictions.

Following Thursday’s crash, there has been a louder push to increase restrictions, or even eliminate sightseeing flights altogether. Advocacy groups like Stop the Chop have fought to eliminate nonessential flights over the city for years. Because of their campaigns, incremental changes have been made, including a ban on short flights in 2010, and Sunday flights in 2016.

Legislators proposed the Safe and Quiet Skies Act in 2023 to place stricter altitude and noise restrictions on sightseeing flights, but the proposal was not approved. Now, following this latest disaster, supporters are renewing their push for the proposal. Representative Jerry Nadler, one of the supporters, argued that the crash was both predictable and preventable. He also highlighted longstanding worries about the uncontrolled level of air traffic in one of the busiest regions of the country.

While the debate concerning helicopter tourism in New York City remains volatile, the investigation into the latest crash is still ongoing. For policymakers, angry residents, and families left in grief, there is a sincere wish to avert in the future yet another example of deliberate neglect suffering.

Reading Time: 3 minutesThe 2025 season starts with a bang with the Masters Tournament, the very first of the year’s major golf tournaments, now underway at the Augusta National Golf Club, a world-tier golf venue. Like all golfers, Scheffler, the defending champion and world number one, is looking forward to this prestigious event. He triumphed at the last edition after besting Ludvig Aberg by four strokes, defending his title last week, and he seems to set himself as the favorite on pre-tournament predictions too.

This season’s cohort seems to boast unrivaled skill. World number two Rory McIlroy is arguably the most fascinating player in this fight; apart from the prize money, glory, and Masters championship, this will also get him a grand slam—something only a select few have accomplished in the history of golf. Other big names include Jon Rahm, last year’s champion, Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 victor, and 2020’s champ, Dustin Johnson. All of the above will be competing to win the prestigious green jacket while further polishing their already stellar legacies.

As it has always been done, the Masters commenced with a team-off. The initial shots were once again given to three sport legends: Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. Collectively, they have 11 green jackets and the Augusta patrons applauded as they formally commenced the tournament. Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley officially proclaimed the tournament open after Watson’s tee shot, which means four exhilarating days of competition were going to commence.

For fans of the match, ESPN began coverage at 3 p.m. ET. It can also be streamed on Masters.com, the Masters app, and Fubo which has a free trial for first time users. Those who are interested in more extensive coverage throughout the day can find some group and hole feeds on ESPN+, available to subscribers. With so many options available, fans will not miss any moments from the tournament.

The Thursday featured tee times included many of the crowd favorites. Zach Johnson started at 8:13 a.m. while he was followed by Collin Morikawa at 9:47 a.m. Phil Mickelson has been a crowd pleaser for a long time now, and today did not start at 9:58 a.m. while he was followed by Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas who took the course at 10:15 a.m. some notable pairings include Jordan Spieth at 10:26 am, Bubba Watson at 11:21 am, and then Rory McIlroy advanced the pack in the afternoon at 1:12 pm followed closely by Hideki Matsuyama and Bryson DeChambeau at 1:23 pm. Jon Rahm ended this strong line up at 1:34 pm.

In terms of conditions, Thursday started with near perfect spring weather with temperatures nearing 79 degrees and gentle winds throughout the day. Unfortunatly the weather forecast for the evening brought some mixed conditions as the Natioanl Weather Service warned of a 50% chance of rain during the night which would disturb the early rounds on Friday. Thankfully the amount of rainfall in question is predicted to be light, hovering between a tenth and a quarter inch.

The excitement attending the contest is evident and the fans are already thinking of the possible winners. BetMGM’s odds released on Wednesday showed Scheffler still ahead with the odds of +450. This is followed by McIlroy at +650 with Morikawa and Rahm each at +1400. DeChambeau trails soon after at +1600 where Ludvig Aberg, Justin Thomas, and Xander Schauffele complete the list of top contenders.

As the participants walk onto the exquisitely manicured fairways of Augusta, the audience is guaranteed an exhibition of unparalleled talent, exceptional planning, and unyielding composure. Together with the underlying narratives and the legends that are crafted, everything is bound to be magical for both dedicated fans and fresh faces over the ensuing four days.

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Cruz Azul and Club América, two of Mexico’s most storied soccer clubs, square off against one another once again in an important second-leg showdown in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals. Things are on the line after their first meeting ended in a scoreless draw, as each side pushes for all-important entry into the semifinals of the tournament. The match will begin at Estadio Olímpico Universitario on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 11:30 PM ET. The match will air live on Fox Sports 1 and be streamed on Fubo for those fans who are itching to see all the action.

Cruz Azul this clash in excellent form, sitting at the top of the Liga MX table. With a 21-7-3 mark, the club has 70 points and is in five spots ahead of second-place Toluca. A major factor in their success this season has been their attacking trio, led by Ángel Sepúlveda (13 goals), backed up by Ignacio Rivero and Carlos Rotondi (each on 10). The Blue Cross chain of two wins and five draws in the last seven league games. They went into their last match, a 3-2 win against UNAM, where Rotondi banged in two goals to take a win for the home side.

Club America, on the other hand, comes into the match with a strong but somewhat less dominant performance in Liga MX. They are now fourth in the standings with 17 wins, 6 draws and 8 losses. Their +26 goal differential is third in the league, a testimony to their offensive firepower and defensive fortitude. Henry Martín has been the team’s most productive player this season — the 32-year-old striker both leads the team in goals and assists with nine in each category. Helping him are Brian Rodríguez, eight goals, and Alejandro Zendejas, seven, providing América with depth in attack.

Despite having strong statistics, Club América enters after a crushing 1-0 loss against Pachuca, in which they conceded an early goal after 20 minutes from Salomón Rondón. That loss could serve as added incentive when they battle Cruz Azul, with a closely fought encounter in prospect.

It will be the fourth time Cruz Azul and Club América have faced each other in the last seven months. The two sides have each taken a victory in their recent meetings, with the third being a draw, highlighting how evenly matched they are. Vaduz match with both players having played against each other adds another element to an already exciting upcoming game.

The game is also a showcase of the ongoing talent in Liga MX, and both clubs bring an interesting mix of veterans and up-and-coming stars. And while Club América looks to maintain their momentum with Henry Martín — a continuing threat in the attacking third — Cruz Azul looks to carve out a name for themselves on the pitch with players such as Sepúlveda and Rotondi. The stakes will be high, and with a semifinal place at stake, both teams will be looking to deliver a commanding performance.

The match represents more than a competition; as a reflection of Liga MX’s prowess and the region’s increasing impact on international football. The Concacaf Champions Cup is also a path to compete — and achieve status — on a global level, and that’s added incentive for both clubs to win.

The match will be shown on Fox Sports 1, and streamed on Fubo, for those hoping to catch the action live. Viewers can use Fubo’s free trial to stream live, though regional restrictions may apply. Whether you’re a true, diehard fan or a casual one, this is one match-up that guarantees excitement, passion and lots of drama.

With the final whistle looming, Estadio Olímpico Universitario will be the focus, as one of these Liga MX giants march on. With recent history, current form and star power all raising the stakes, Cruz Azul vs. Club América could be one of the defining moments of this year’s Concacaf Champions Cup.