News in Brief (2024-01-17)

US co's lunar lander will burn up in earth's atmosphere after failed moonshot
CAPE CANAVERAL, Jan 16: A U.S. company's lunar lander will soon burn up in Earth's atmosphere after a failed moonshot. Astrobotic Technology said its lander is now headed back toward Earth from the vicinity of the moon. Company officials expect the mission to end Thursday. Astrobotic is working with NASA to track the lander's path and said it should pose no safety risk during its fiery reentry. The lander, named Peregrine, rocketed from Cape Canaveral last Monday. — AP
NZ MP quits after shoplifting allegations
WELLINGTON, Jan 16: A New Zealand MP has resigned following multiple allegations of shoplifting, which police are investigating. Golriz Ghahraman, of the Green Party, is alleged to have stolen three times from two clothing stores - one in Auckland and the other in Wellington. The former UN human rights lawyer made history in 2017 as the first refugee in the country's government. "I have let down a lot of people and I am very sorry," she added. Ms Ghahraman fled Iran as a child with her family, who were all granted political asylum in New Zealand. — BBC
Big win for Trump in Iowa caucuses
DES MOINES, Jan 16: Donald Trump romped to a landslide victory Monday in Iowa's caucuses -- the first vote in the US presidential race -- cementing his status as the presumptive Republican standard-bearer to challenge President Joe Biden in November's election. The former president has led polling for more than a year, but the contest offered the clearest insight yet into his ability to convert that advantage into a stunning White House return. — AF