The Endeavor landed safely

However, CNN reports that NASA will freeze the upcoming shuttle launches until the problem of loss of insulation material is resolved.

Update 19:35
The space shuttle Endeavor returned safely to the Kennedy Space Center, despite a gap that opened up in the shuttle's heat shields and damage to two of the heat shield tiles on the bottom of the shuttle, apparently from foam that fell during launch. As you may remember, NASA decided during Endeavor's stay at the International Space Station not to fix the malfunction, and in the end, this decision was proven to be correct. However, CNN reported in the broadcast that accompanied the landing that NASA would freeze the upcoming launches until a solution to the issue of damage to the heat protection system is found.

NASA personnel breathed a sigh of relief about a quarter of an hour before landing when the shuttle actually went through the problematic phase where the heat in the air surrounding it is high, due to the friction with the atmosphere before reducing the speed. During their descent towards the Kennedy Space Center, the crew members could look to the left (west) and see Hurricane Dean which made landfall on the coast of Mexico today.

The shuttle Endeavor will land at 19:32 * The engines were fired at 18:25

18: 40 Update

Shuttle pilot Charles Hobaugh ignited the Endeavor's engines at 18:25 p.m. and the Endeavor began its descent toward the Kennedy Center. It is expected to land there at 19:32 Israel time

The Florida landing site is ready for the shuttle Endeavour. NASA photo

The crew members of the shuttle Endeavor on mission STS-118 have completed preparations to return to Earth. The landing is planned for this evening, at 19:32 Israel time (12:32 USA time) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The shuttle's cargo deck is now closed and flight controllers have decided to continue with the landing process. Commander Scott Kelly and pilot Challers were brought in to ignite the Endeavor engines at 18:25 and begin the descent towards the Kennedy Center. If the flight controllers choose to skip the first opportunity to land in Florida, the next opportunity will be about an hour and a half later (21:06 p.m., departure from the runway in that case would be at eight o'clock).

NASA says that Edwards Air Force Base in California is also on standby, but most likely they won't need it. As you may remember, the NASA control personnel moved the landing a day earlier than planned, in order to be able to complete it before the expected closure of the control room in Houston due to Hurricane Dean. During the launch of the shuttle, a dent was discovered in its insulation system, which protects the shuttle from the high heat upon entering the atmosphere, however NASA claims that this does not endanger the landing and therefore preferred not to try to repair the damaged tiles in space.