Computer Failure Delays United Flights Nationwide

 

Passengers were stranded at airports across the country Friday night after a failure in United Airlines’ computer system, the airline said.

The disruption set off widespread delays at airports in San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, with many passengers left sitting in terminals or stuck on planes that were grounded.

United said in a statement that the problems began at 8:15 p.m. New York time, when the computer failure knocked out its flight departures, airport processing and reservations systems. The statement did not address the nationwide delays, and a spokesman did not return a phone call seeking comment.

It was not clear what had set off the computer failure, but United said in its statement that it had a technology team in place that was struggling to restore the system.

“We apologize for the disruption being caused to travelers at affected airports, and we are seeking to resume operations as quickly as possible,” the airline said.

Just before 2:00 a.m. New York time, United updated its Twitter feed to say it had started to resolve the problem.

"Our systems are up. We are in the process of resuming ops for UA," the Twitter message said.

Passengers at San Francisco International Airport reported a chaotic scene at the United terminal, while others waiting for flights at various airports around the country took to Twitter as they sat in limbo.

“Sitting on the plane in Chicago wanting to go home so badly but the whole computer system at United Airlines has shut down,” wrote @RonRhoads. “Delayed!”

Another stranded passenger, @mettlinger, posted from Dulles International Airport, or IAD: “Latest announcement at IAD: ‘Every computer system United Airlines has is down ... Our computers are paperweights.’?”

View the original article here

Rangers 2-0 Dundee United

 By Clive Lindsay
BBC Scotland
 Highlights - Rangers 2-0 Dundee Utd

Rangers moved four points clear at the top of the table with an impressive win over Dundee United in Walter Smith's last Ibrox game as manager.

Nikica Jelavic headed home from 15 yards after a Steven Whittaker cross on 21 minutes in a fine Rangers start.

Kyle Lafferty, who had already struck a post, fired home after being set up by Steven Naismith four minutes later.

Stuart Armstrong sent a drive against a post late on for a United side who cannot now catch third-top Hearts.

Rangers survived some late nervousness to avoid a repeat of their recent 3-2 defeat at home to the Tannadice side.

And the reigning champions' win means Celtic must now avoid defeat by Hearts on Wednesday if they are to ensure the Scottish Premier League title race goes to the final round of matches on Sunday.

Rangers were unchanged as they looked to continue the form shown in the clinical 4-0 weekend win over Hearts as Smith resisted the temptation to introduce fit-again Scotland midfielder Lee McCulloch.

Jon Daly was dropped to the United bench despite scoring a hat-trick against Motherwell at the weekend, with midfielder David Robertson coming into a more defensive line-up in place of the striker.

If United boss Peter Houston had predicted that his side would have to endure early pressure, he was proved right as Rangers started with great speed and purpose.

United's Keith Watson was the first to threaten with a long-range drive that powered a couple of feet over, but the home side were soon on the offensive.

Naismith looked set to finish off a superb move in which he played successive one-two's before advancing into the penalty box, but team-mate Lafferty took the ball off the Scotland forward's toes and poked a weak shot wide.

Rangers squandered another good chance when Maurice Edu found the unmarked Jelavic with a fine cross, but the striker headed well wide from 14 yards.

Jelavic and Lafferty both scored in the first half at Ibrox

United were having to withstand wave after wave of Rangers attacks and were fortunate to remain on level terms when Lafferty curled an excellent drive off the inside of the far post from the edge of the penalty box.

Jelavic failed to capitalise after making space for himself to collect a clever Steven Davis pass, but the striker soon followed his dipping drive over the bar with the opening goal.

United defender Garry Kenneth was left flat-footed as Jelavic rose to loop a header into the far corner for his eighth goal in 11 games.

Rangers were relentless in the torment being inflicted on the United defence and, when Naismith rolled the ball into Lafferty's path after another incisive break, the Northern Ireland forward's low drive from the edge of the box flew low into the far corner.

United worked themselves into the game, but a deep Watson cross that Allan McGregor palmed away under pressure at the back post was as close as they came to threatening the Rangers goalkeeper.

Daly came on for fellow forward Johnny Russell at half-time, but it was Rangers who continued to be the more dangerous and Lafferty just failed to find a scoring touch on a Jelavic cross that flashed across the face of the United goal.

However, United were now enjoying more possession against a Rangers side who appeared to have already started to think about their final game of the season against Kilmarnock.

Smith's decision to replace young winger Gregg Wylde with experienced holding midfielder McCulloch suggested that the Rangers manager was also out to protect the lead.

Rangers continued to live dangerously and, after McGregor missed his attempt to gather a cross to the back post and Davis was forced to concede a corner, Scott Robertson's head flick forced the goalkeeper into a save.

A powerful Jelavic free-kick curled just over the United crossbar, but it was the visitors who were the more dangerous in the closing stages.

McGregor had to beat away a dipping Daly drive as the striker looked to capitalise on a Madjid Bougherra slip then fellow substitute Armstrong's shot struck the upright.

However, Rangers took the three points to signal tributes from the Ibrox stands for the veteran Smith, who will hand over the manager's chair to assistant Ally McCoist at the end of the season.

Tuesday, 10 May 2011

Scottish Premier

Final Result Full Time 90:00+2:35 The final whistle goes and the game is over. 89:41 El-Hadji Diouf takes the direct free kick. 89:41 Substitution Kyle Lafferty leaves the field to be replaced by Richard Foster. 89:41 Foul by Morgaro Gomis on Kyle Lafferty, free kick awarded. 89:11 The ball is crossed by Prince Buaben, clearance by Sasa Papac. 87:05 Shot on goal by Lee McCulloch from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target. 86:11 Steven Whittaker takes a shot. Save made by Dusan Pernis. 85:15 Substitution Nikica Jelavic leaves the field to be replaced by El-Hadji Diouf. 85:03 Paul Dixon produces a cross, Sasa Papac makes a clearance. 84:46 The ball is sent over by Keith Watson, Sasa Papac manages to make a clearance. 81:57 Stuart Armstrong has an effort at goal from a long way out hitting the post. 80:45 Jon Daly takes a shot. Allan McGregor makes a save. 79:02 Unfair challenge on Kyle Lafferty by Keith Watson results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Allan McGregor. 78:31 The ball is crossed by Craig Conway, Stuart Armstrong takes a shot. Save made by Allan McGregor. 77:31 Unfair challenge on Lee McCulloch by David Goodwillie results in a free kick. David Weir takes the direct free kick. 75:54 Steven Davis takes the outswinging corner, Nikica Jelavic takes a shot. Comfortable save by Dusan Pernis. 75:48 Centre by Steven Whittaker, blocked by Paul Dixon. 74:06 Substitution Stuart Armstrong replaces David Robertson. 73:55 Morgaro Gomis produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal. 72:02 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Maurice Edu by Garry Kenneth. Strike on goal comes in from Nikica Jelavic from the free kick. 70:39 Paul Dixon gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nikica Jelavic. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Madjid Bougherra from right wing, clearance by Keith Watson. 69:47 Substitution Scott Robertson leaves the field to be replaced by Prince Buaben. 69:02 Craig Conway takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Scott Robertson takes a shot. Allan McGregor makes a comfortable save. 68:56 Keith Watson sends in a cross, clearance by Steven Davis. 66:46 Shot by Kyle Lafferty. Save made by Dusan Pernis. 66:38 Centre by Nikica Jelavic, Garry Kenneth makes a clearance. 64:46 Substitution Lee McCulloch replaces Gregg Wylde. 64:14 The ball is sent over by Keith Watson. 62:56 Craig Conway handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Allan McGregor restarts play with the free kick. 62:20 Outswinging corner taken by Craig Conway, Sasa Papac manages to make a clearance. 61:53 Craig Conway takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post. 61:02 Keith Watson sends in a cross, clearance by David Weir. 60:55 Keith Watson produces a cross, clearance made by Madjid Bougherra. 60:08 The ball is sent over by Paul Dixon, clearance made by David Weir. 58:41 Free kick awarded for a foul by Kyle Lafferty on Scott Severin. Direct free kick taken by Garry Kenneth. 57:40 Steven Naismith gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Craig Conway. Craig Conway delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing. 56:54 Morgaro Gomis fouled by Sasa Papac, the ref awards a free kick. Garry Kenneth restarts play with the free kick. Correction - 56:18 Craig Conway has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright. 56:18 Craig Conway has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post. 55:43 The ball is crossed by Craig Conway, David Weir makes a clearance. 55:27 The ball is swung over by Keith Watson, clearance by Madjid Bougherra. 54:35 Shot from 12 yards from Nikica Jelavic. Save made by Dusan Pernis. 52:31 Centre by Nikica Jelavic. 51:03 Foul by Jon Daly on Sasa Papac, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Allan McGregor. 50:40 The ball is delivered by Paul Dixon. 50:25 Free kick awarded for a foul by Madjid Bougherra on Scott Robertson. Morgaro Gomis takes the free kick. 47:55 A cross is delivered by Steven Whittaker. 46:42 Foul by Craig Conway on Steven Naismith, free kick awarded. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Gregg Wylde, save made by Dusan Pernis. 45:01 The second half begins. 45:01 Substitution Jon Daly comes on in place of Johnny Russell. Half Time 45:00+0:10 The match has reached half-time. 45:00 The ball is sent over by Steven Naismith, Dusan Pernis makes a comfortable save. 44:24 The ball is swung over by Keith Watson. 43:36 The offside flag is raised against Nikica Jelavic. Scott Severin restarts play with the free kick. 43:11 Free kick awarded for a foul by David Goodwillie on Madjid Bougherra. Madjid Bougherra takes the direct free kick. 43:03 Keith Watson crosses the ball, Allan McGregor makes a save. 42:52 The ball is delivered by Craig Conway, David Weir makes a clearance. 42:03 Paul Dixon delivers the ball. 39:53 Craig Conway crosses the ball. 39:46 Craig Conway produces a cross, blocked by Steven Whittaker. 39:15 Garry Kenneth produces a drilled right-footed shot from 25 yards. Blocked by Steven Davis. 37:51 The ball is sent over by Nikica Jelavic, Paul Dixon manages to make a clearance. 37:23 David Robertson fouled by Steven Naismith, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by David Robertson. 36:30 Corner taken left-footed by Gregg Wylde, Paul Dixon makes a clearance. 36:24 Gregg Wylde produces a cross, Paul Dixon makes a clearance. 34:14 Garry Kenneth concedes a free kick for a foul on Nikica Jelavic. Steven Davis crosses the ball in from the free kick, Garry Kenneth manages to make a clearance. 32:05 Craig Conway produces a cross, Sasa Papac manages to make a clearance. 30:54 Craig Conway delivers the ball, David Weir manages to make a clearance. 28:54 Free kick awarded for a foul by Johnny Russell on David Weir. Free kick taken by David Weir. 28:18 The ball is crossed by Kyle Lafferty, clearance made by Scott Severin. 27:51 Keith Watson produces a cross, blocked by Steven Naismith. 27:04 Steven Davis sends in a cross, Garry Kenneth manages to make a clearance. 26:16 Johnny Russell sends in a cross. 25:49 Foul by Steven Whittaker on Craig Conway, free kick awarded. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Craig Conway. 24:20 Assist by Steven Naismith. 24:20 GOAL - Kyle Lafferty:Rangers 2 - 0 Dundee Utd Kyle Lafferty gets on the score sheet with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Rangers 2-0 Dundee Utd. 22:43 Keith Watson delivers the ball, David Weir manages to make a clearance. 22:29 Paul Dixon sends in a cross, Sasa Papac makes a clearance. 20:45 The assist for the goal came from Steven Whittaker. 20:45 GOAL - Nikica Jelavic:Rangers 1 - 0 Dundee Utd Nikica Jelavic grabs a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Rangers 1-0 Dundee Utd. 20:42 Centre by Steven Whittaker, 19:25 Effort on goal by Nikica Jelavic from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target. 17:35 Steven Whittaker gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Paul Dixon. Paul Dixon takes the direct free kick. 16:31 Centre by Gregg Wylde. Gregg Wylde crosses the ball. 16:00 Centre by Craig Conway, Steven Davis gets a block in. 15:34 Gregg Wylde sends in a cross, blocked by Johnny Russell. 15:00 Effort from just inside the box by Kyle Lafferty strikes the post. Correction - 14:01 The ball is delivered by Maurice Edu, Headed effort from inside the box by Nikica Jelavic misses to the right of the target. 14:01 Maurice Edu delivers the ball, Headed effort from inside the box by Nikica Jelavic misses to the right of the target. 13:18 A cross is delivered by Nikica Jelavic, save by Allan McGregor. 11:54 The ball is crossed by Steven Davis. 11:21 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Steven Davis, Dusan Pernis makes a save. 10:26 The assistant referee signals for offside against Craig Conway. Indirect free kick taken by Allan McGregor. 10:06 Steven Whittaker gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Scott Robertson. Garry Kenneth takes the free kick. 8:00 The referee blows for offside. Dusan Pernis takes the free kick. 6:50 Nikica Jelavic takes a shot. Save by Dusan Pernis. 6:46 Effort from 25 yards by Steven Whittaker. Keith Watson gets a block in. 6:21 Inswinging corner taken by Steven Davis, Garry Kenneth manages to make a clearance. 5:58 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Gregg Wylde from the right by-line, clearance by Paul Dixon. Correction - 5:18 Foul by Scott Severin on Kyle Lafferty, free kick awarded. Steven Davis crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel, save by Dusan Pernis. 5:18 Scott Severin challenges Kyle Lafferty unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Steven Davis, save by Dusan Pernis. 3:48 Corner taken right-footed by Craig Conway, clearance made by David Weir. 3:30 Foul by Steven Naismith on Craig Conway, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Scott Severin. 3:16 The ball is crossed by Nikica Jelavic, clearance made by Garry Kenneth. 2:11 Kyle Lafferty crosses the ball, save made by Dusan Pernis. 1:50 Effort on goal by Keith Watson from outside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the bar. 0:42 A cross is delivered by Sasa Papac, Paul Dixon makes a clearance. 0:00 The match begins. Live text and data provided by The Press Association.

Syria Tries to Defend Its Record to United Nations

Ambassador Bashar Jaafari, the Syrian envoy, repeated the government’s claim that the unrest at home was the work of as yet unidentified foreign agitators trying to undermine Syria’s stability and that armed infiltrators were responsible for the shooting of protesters.

“This unrest and riots in some of their aspects have hidden agendas,” Mr. Jaafari told reporters. “Some armed groups take advantage of the demonstrations; they get within the demonstrators and start shooting on the military men and the security forces. This is why there are many casualties.”

Mr. Jaafari also defended President Bashar Assad’s record, saying that more political reforms were coming on the heels of Mr. Assad’s decision to lift the emergency law.

“President Assad is a reformer himself, and he should be given the chance to fulfill his mission in reforming the political life in the country,” he said.

Government opponents openly mock both assertions. Syrians, not foreign agitators, are demanding basic freedoms that have been denied them for the 40 years in which the Assad family has run the country, they say. Although Mr. Assad, 45, promised reform when he inherited the presidency from his father 11 years ago, he has put none in place — instead, they say, the government has strangled any nascent reform movement by jailing its leaders for years.

But efforts by the Security Council to issue the mildest of statements criticizing Syria was postponed until at least Wednesday afternoon. Several member states — Russia, China and Lebanon — seemed firmly opposed, diplomats said, although the ambassadors of China and Lebanon would only note that further discussion was scheduled.

Russia has been adamant that the use of force in Libya far exceeds the Security Council resolution that authorized efforts to protect Libyan civilians; statements by its senior leaders indicate that Russia will not contemplate anything similar elsewhere in the restive region. Diplomats from other countries also noted certain differences over military actions in Libya.

While the Libyan leader, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, threatened to search from alley to alley to root out opposition, Mr. Assad has spoken of reform in Syria and blamed outsiders for the unrest. That stance is influencing some members, diplomats said, although not all.

“The outrageous use of violence to quell protests must come to an end — and now,” the United States Ambassador, Susan E. Rice, told reporters. “The Syrian government’s actions to repeal the decade’s old emergency law and allow for peaceful demonstrations were clearly not serious, given the continued violent repression against protesters.”

Ms. Rice repeated the Obama administration’s contention that Iran was helping Syria to suppress the demonstrations.

Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations secretary general, reiterated his demand for an international investigation into the hundreds of deaths in Syria.

“I condemn, utterly, the continuing violence against peaceful demonstrators, most particularly the use of tanks and live fire that have killed and injured hundreds of people,” Mr. Ban said.

Mr. Jaafari belittled the idea of any investigation other than one already initiated by the Syrian government.

Other world leaders also weighed in on Tuesday.

In Britain, the foreign minister, William Hague, said the European Union was considering sanctions against Syria. “Its government can still choose to bring about the radical reform which alone can bring about peace and stability,” he told the House of Commons. “Or it can choose ever more violent repression.”

 

Man City Beats United 1-0 to Reach FA Cup Final

 

Chelsea kept alive its faint hopes of retaining the Premier League title with a 3-1 win at West Bromwich Albion.

Yaya Toure scored in the 52nd minute for City, leaving United in contention for only the domestic championship and Champions League. Toure scored after intercepting a poor clearance by Michael Carrick. United was reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute when Paul Scholes drew a red card for a dangerous lunge.

Toure dedicated his goal to his brother and teammate, Kolo, who is suspended for a failed doping test. Kolo Toure faces a two-year ban after testing positive for a substance that his former manager at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, said was in a diet pill belonging to the defender's wife.

"I am very sad for him at this moment in time. He is a professional player and he wants to play," Yaya Toure said. "People make mistakes sometimes. It is part of life. It is part of sport."

City is fourth in the Premier League and on course to qualify for next year's Champions League. It plays Stoke or Bolton in the May 14 final — when it will try to end a 35-year streak without a trophy.

"We've done nothing yet," City goalkeeper Joe Hart said. "We've got ourselves into a good position in the league and we've put ourselves in the final."

Backed by an investment of about $1 billion by owner Sheikh Mansour since 2008, City now has a shot at a first trophy since the 1976 League Cup. It reached the 1981 FA Cup final, but lost a replay to Tottenham.

"The boys are over the moon; the club are over the moon," Hart said.

United was without suspended Wayne Rooney while Javier Hernandez, who scored in Tuesday's Champions League victory over Chelsea, was benched.

With six games left, United is seven points ahead of Arsenal in the chase for the Premier League title and plays Schalke in a two-leg Champions League semifinal this month.

Chelsea recovered from a 1-0 deficit, getting goals from Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Frank Lampard to move the defending champions within eight points of United. Arsenal hosts Liverpool on Sunday.

Everton continued its late-season rally with a 2-0 win over Blackburn. Birmingham eased its relegation worries with a 2-0 win over Sunderland, and Aston Villa did likewise with a 2-1 victory at West Ham.

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BERLIN (AP) — Jan Polak scored in the last minute, giving Wolfsburg a 2-2 draw with fellow relegation candidate St. Pauli in the Bundesliga. Hannover was held to a 0-0 tie at Hamburger SV.

Goals from Deniz Naki and Matthias Lehmann appeared to put St. Pauli in position for a crucial win after Mario Mandzukic's opening score. But Polak scored to leave both sides even on points in the relegation zone.

Third-place Hannover could be overtaken Sunday if Bayern Munich beats Bayer Leverkusen. Hamburg remains seventh, three points behind Nuremberg, which won 2-0 at Kaiserslautern behind goals from Christian Eigler and substitute Robert Mak.

Roberto Firmino scored the winner for Hoffenheim, which beat Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 at home. Stuttgart ended Cologne's seven-game winning streak at home with a 3-1 victory.

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GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Stephen Craigan scored his first goal in five years to help Motherwell beat St. Johnstone 3-0 and reach the Scottish Cup final for the first time since 1991, when it last won the trophy.

The 34-year-old defender headed in a fifth-minute corner kick that eluded goalkeeper Peter Enckelman's attempted catch. Jamie Murphy scored with a low shot in the 14th minute and John Sutton made it 3-0 with a 25-yard shot six minutes before halftime.

Twenty years after beating Dundee United 4-3 in the final, Motherwell will meet Celtic or Aberdeen on May 21 at Hampden Park.

With Celtic playing Aberdeen in the second semifinal Sunday, Rangers defeated St. Mirren 2-1 to leapfrog its great rival and take a one-point lead in the Scottish Premier League.