■ United States
Shuttle launch delayed
NASA said on Friday it would be at least late next week before the first shuttle mission since the 2003 Columbia accident can be launched, after Discovery's liftoff was postponed two days ago because of a fuel sensor problem. The sensors are designed to shut off the shuttle's three main engines before fuel runs out to avoid damaging them. A premature shutdown could force a shuttle to make an emergency landing or prevent it from reaching its desired orbit. While the Kennedy Space Center launch team takes the weekend off, 12 teams of engineers around the US will be analyzing 200 possible scenarios that could explain the problem with one of Discovery's hydrogen fuel sensors. During a routine test before the planned liftoff on Wednesday, one of four sensors located in the hydrogen fuel tank failed.
■ Jamaica
Hurricane Emily strengthens
The island nation evacuated its old pirate town, Port Royal, and other flood-prone coastal areas on Friday as Hurricane Emily drew closer, the second hurricane to threaten the Caribbean island in 10 days.
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