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Humanitarian Aid on Trial in Greece

  File photo: Migrants from Afghanistan is towed by rescuers of the Refugee Rescue NGO, on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Twenty-four humanitarian aid workers have gone on trial in Greece, facing felony charges of migrant smuggling, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organization . The case, unfolding on the island of Lesbos, targets former volunteers of the now-defunct NGO Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI) , which operated search-and-rescue missions between 2016 and 2018. Among the defendants are Sarah Mardini , a Syrian refugee and professional swimmer whose story inspired the Netflix film The Swimmers , and Seán Binder , a German-Irish rescue diver. Both were arrested in 2018 for their involvement in helping migrants and refugees arriving by sea from Turkey. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison . Greek prosecutors allege that the group facilitated illegal entry into the country by monitoring coastguard communications and relaying ...

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Nine-Month Odyssey: NASA Astronauts Return to Earth

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, along with two other crew members, have safely returned to Earth after an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Originally planned as an eight-day test mission, their stay was prolonged due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

The astronauts made their journey back aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, which undocked from the ISS early Tuesday morning. After a 17-hour trip, the capsule re-entered Earth's atmosphere and splashed down off the coast of Florida under clear skies. The descent was slowed by two sets of parachutes, ensuring a smooth landing.

This mission highlighted NASA's contingency planning and the resilience of its astronauts. Wilmore and Williams, both veteran astronauts and retired U.S. Navy test pilots, faced months of uncertainty before their return. Their homecoming marks the end of a challenging yet historic chapter in space exploration.

The crew will now undergo health checks at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston before reuniting with their families. Their extended mission underscores the unpredictable nature of space travel and the importance of adaptability in overcoming challenges.

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