CAPE CANAVERAL (Florida) - NASA delayed the launch of space shuttle Endeavour on Saturday by at least four days because of a potentially dangerous hydrogen gas leak similar to one that cropped up three months ago.

The countdown was halted shortly after midnight, about 2 hours into the fueling of the external tank and less than seven hours before Endeavour was due to blast off on the space station construction mission. The astronauts had yet to suit up.

WASHINGTON - HUNDREDS of television stations across the United States pulled the plug on Friday on analog broadcasts and switched to a digital-only signal.

Despite an intensive campaign by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) nearly three million US homes were expected to be left with a blank screen when the transition was completed at midnight Friday (0400 GMT Saturday, 12pm Singapore time).

HANOI - RESEARCHERS have begun testing mechanical 'SediTurtles' they say will protect a legendary Vietnamese turtle while cleaning the historical lake in which the creature lives.

Experts showed off the German-developed sediment-eating machines this week as part of preparations before an expected cleanup of Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart and soul of Vietnam's capital.