MOSCOW (AP) — Russian officials say fragments of a failed space probe are now expected to fall to Earth on Jan. 15.

The unmanned Phobos-Ground probe was launched Nov. 9 on what was supposed to have been a 2 1/2-year mission to the Mars moon of Phobus to take soil samples and fly them back to Earth.

But it became stuck in Earth’s orbit and attempts to send commands that could propel it toward the Mars moon were unsuccessful.

As the probe’s orbit slowly deteriorated, space officials predicted it would come crashing down by late February.

A precise date was given Wednesday by a spokesman for the air and space defense troops, who said any fragments that do not burn up in the atmosphere are expected to fall to Earth on Jan. 15.

NEW YORK (AP) — Long Island Rail Road workers who faked disabilities to get more money would avoid prosecution and be able to keep their pensions if they admit wrongdoing under a deal with the federal government.

In announcing the arrest of 10 retirees Tuesday, federal officials also said they are offering an amnesty program for others to come forward.

In exchange for admitting false claims, and giving up certain disability rights, former workers would be able to keep their pension benefits and won’t be prosecuted.

The round-up came five months after an initial batch of 11 arrests targeted railroad retirees who had been granted early retirement because of supposed on-the-job injuries. Authorities said they were later spotted later playing golf and tennis, working out, and even riding in a 400-mile bike race.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) — Fire officials in suburban Chicago say an explosion at a factory in Arlington Heights killed one person and injured several others.

Arlington Heights Fire Chief Glenn Ericksen confirms that one person was killed Tuesday morning in the explosion.

Several other injuries were reported after the blast, but Battalion Commander Tom Zerfass couldn’t confirm the number of people involved.

There’s no visible damage to the outside of the building. Dozens of people were led out of the structure, and emergency workers were ventilating the building.

Zerfass says it isn’t clear what caused the blast. He says fire crews are still investigating.

CHICAGO (AP) — A spokesman for Zenith Electronics says Eugene Polley, the inventor of the first wireless TV remote control, has died.

John Taylor says the former Zenith engineer died of natural causes Sunday at a suburban Chicago hospital. He was 96.

Couch potatoes everywhere have Polley to thank for hours of feet-up, channel surfing. His invention began as a luxury, but has become a necessity in an era of hundreds of TV channels and home theaters. Just ask anyone who’s lost a remote.

Polley’s 1955 Flash-Matic pointed a beam of light at photo cells in the corners of the screen. This activated the picture and sound and changed channels.

Polley and fellow Zenith engineer Robert Adler were honored in 1997 with an Emmy for their work in pioneering TV remotes.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a man for climbing Mount Rushmore National Memorial in western South Dakota.

Mount Rushmore spokeswoman Maureen McGee-Ballinger says the climber was arrested about 2:15 p.m. Monday on federal charges that include trespassing and climbing the memorial. She did not identify the man, who has yet to appear in court.

McGee-Ballinger says the man was spotted on the loose rock directly below the carvings of four presidents, and park rangers escorted him safely down the mountain.

She says visitors and the sculpture were never in any danger. She says similar incidents happen several times a year when people for unknown reasons decide to try to climb the mountain.

Mount Rushmore upgraded its security after members of Greenpeace climbed the mountain in 2009.

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Information from: Rapid City Journal, http://www.rapidcityjournal.com

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia’s Justice Ministry says it will extradite former Libyan Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi Al-Mahmoudi — currently being held in Tunis — back to Libya.

Official Mondher Bedhiafi told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Al-Mahmoudi’s extradition will take place in the coming weeks.

Al-Mahmoudi was arrested last September in southern Tunisia for crossing the border, en route to Algeria, without permission from Tunisian authorities.

Several international organizations including Human Rights Watch have spoken out against the extradition because of the perceived risks involved.

Al-Mahmoudi was the last head of government under former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who was killed last year.