Southern ozone hole slightly smaller this year

WASHINGTON (AP) — Warm air at high altitudes this September and October helped shrink the man-made ozone hole near the South Pole ever so slightly, scientists say.

The hole is an area in the atmosphere with low ozone concentrations. It is normally is at its biggest this time of year. NASA says on average it covered 8.1 million square miles this season. That's 6 percent smaller than the average since 1990.

The ozone hole is of concern because high-altitude ozone shields Earth from ultraviolet radiation.

NASA chief atmospheric scientist Paul A. Newman says the main reason for this year's result is local weather. The upper air has been almost 2 degrees warmer than normal in the globe's southernmost region. That has led to fewer polar stratospheric clouds. These clouds are where chlorine and bromine, which come from man-made products, nibble away at ozone.

"It's just like watching the Pac-Man eating cookies, where cookies are ozone. The chlorine atoms are the Pac-Man," Newman said.

James Butler, director of the global monitoring division at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Earth System Research Lab, said Wednesday that the new figures are "sort of encouraging news."

"It's not getting worse," Butler said. "That's a good sign."

Butler said it stopped getting worse around the late 1990s. But he added, "We can't say yet that it's a recovery."

Newman and Butler said they can't tell if the ozone hole changes are related to man-made global warming.

While warm upper air helped keep the ozone hole small, the surface of the Southern Hemisphere was also warm last month, with the second-highest average temperature on record for September, NOAA announced Wednesday. Records go back to 1880.

For the entire globe, last month tied 2003 for the fourth hottest September on record, with an average temperature 1.15 degrees higher than the average for the 20th century. September was the 343rd consecutive month that global temperatures have been higher than 20th century average.

This year, after nine months, is on track to be the sixth warmest on record globally, 1.22 degrees hotter than normal.

For the United States, this was the sixth warmest September on record, 2.5 degrees higher than the 20th century average. It was the hottest since 2005. But the nation's average temperature over the first nine months of the year is only the 28th highest on record.

___

Online:

NASA's ozone hole watch: http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/

NOAA's global temperatures for September: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/2013/9

___

Seth Borenstein can be followed at http://twitter.com/borenbears

Associated PressSource: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/b2f0ca3a594644ee9e50a8ec4ce2d6de/Article_2013-10-23-Ozone%20Hole/id-841624ee681f46be9876966d8b24572a
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Ferrari ‘open’ about team orders, unlike rivals | 2013 F1 season

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali says Ferrari are ‘open’ about their use of tactics that disadvantage one of their drivers to favour the other in the championship.

Domenicali made the remarks after facing criticism from a fan of the team^[1] over Ferrari’s decision to incur a gearbox change penalty on Felipe Massa’s car during last year’s United States Grand Prix^[2].

“The interests of Ferrari come above all else,” said Domenicali, “if we had lost the championship by the number of points we’d have lost there, the evaluation of what we did would have been different.”

“Unlike the others, we speak openly about what we are doing,” Domenicali added.

“In Austin, we did not sabotage the gearbox, but simply made the most of an article in the regulations which allowed us to break the seals.” This meant Massa took a five-place grid penalty which moved Alonso up one place on the grid.

During the last race at Suzuka Massa was repeatedly ordered to let Alonso pass him^[3] by the team using a code phrase “Multi-function strategy A”^[4]. Massa refused, but Alonso later made his own way past.

Domenicali described himself as “the most sportsmanlike person in the world”, adding: “In all the races, whether you see it or not, I congratulate our rivals.”

The Ferrari team principal also addressed recent speculation, instigated by former Minardi team principal Giancarlo Minardi^[5], that Red Bull had devised some kind of traction control system.

“Everyone is trying to work that out. But it’s pointless make accusations if there is no proof. The FIA can check the control unit, and if they find nothing than Red Bull is obviously doing a good job.”

Domenicali added he had joined Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo in warning Alonso^[6] about critical comments he had made about the team recently: “When he crossed the line, president Montezemolo intervened and in private, so did I.”

2013 F1 season

Browse all 2013 F1 season articles^[7]

Image © Ferrari/Ercole Colombo

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References

1. ^{^} facing criticism from a fan of the team (formula1.ferrari.com)
2. ^{^} Alonso moves forward as Massa takes penalty (www.f1fanatic.co.uk)
3. ^{^} 2013 Japanese Grand Prix lap charts (www.f1fanatic.co.uk)
4. ^{^} 2013 Japanese Grand Prix team radio transcript: Lap 8 (www.f1fanatic.co.uk)
5. ^{^} instigated by former Minardi team principal Giancarlo Minardi (www.minardi.it)
6. ^{^} Montezemolo rebukes Alonso for critical comments (www.f1fanatic.co.uk)
7. ^{^} Browse all 2013 F1 season articles (www.f1fanatic.co.uk)

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Alonso to celebrate points record on Indian GP helmet | 2013 Indian Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso^[1] will mark his record F1 points tally with a special helmet design for the Indian Grand Prix.

Alonso became F1′s all-time highest points scorer at the Japanese Grand Prix, reaching a tally of 1,571 points, surpassing Michael Schumacher’s^[2] previous record of 1,566.

The two totals don’t bear direct comparison as the value of different finishing positions has changed many times in F1 history^[3]. For example a win was originally value at eight points, Schumacher scored ten for each of his 91 victories, and 25 points has been given to race winners since 2010.

Alonso’s helmet also carries a message of thanks to his fans in English, French and Italian.

“To see my name leading the points record for a sport like Formula One is something I never imagined,” said Alonso^[4] after claiming the record in Japan. “Thanks to everyone!”

See here for a list of every F1 world champions’ points totals adjusted to the current scoring system:

Fernando Alonso Indian Grand Prix helmet

2013 Indian Grand Prix

Browse all 2013 Indian Grand Prix articles^[5]

Image © Ferrari/Ercole Colombo

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References

1. ^{^} Fernando Alonso (www.f1fanatic.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Michael Schumacher (www.f1fanatic.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Every F1 points system, 1950-2010 (www.f1fanatic.co.uk)
4. ^{^} said Alonso (twitter.com)
5. ^{^} Browse all 2013 Indian Grand Prix articles (www.f1fanatic.co.uk)

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Ultra-Orthodox singers defy stereotypes in Israel

JERUSALEM (AP) — For most Israelis, the common perception of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish minority is that of an insulated, segregated society devoted to studying ancient biblical texts and rejecting the ills of secular life.

But a pair of devout, soft-spoken brothers in skullcaps and sidecurls are now breaking down some stereotypes by emerging as the most unlikely of media darlings — reality rock stars.

Arie and Gil Gat are Israel's latest national sweethearts after dominating the audition stage of Israel's top-rated reality talent show, "Rising Star," drawing tens of thousands of votes and rave reviews from secular fans.

By day, the duo pray only with men in their synagogues. By night, women give them standing ovations for harmonic renditions of classic hits by The Eagles and Simon and Garfunkel.

"The power of music is above everything," said Arie Gat, 48, who lives in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem. "I'm not a man of lights, flashes and sparkles. I am ready to stand — I say that in the spiritual sense — with what I have, without external outfits. There is no need for that. And I believe that if it's good it will sell and if not then not."

So far, they've been a hit. Appearing in traditional ultra-Orthodox garb, including long beards and long black overcoats, with a guitar hanging gently across their chests, they've swept the votes of the show's four judges while raking in more than 80 percent of the interactive fan votes for performing "Hotel California" and "The Sound of Silence."

"Think about how many people in the world of entrainment, started with a weird look and became the biggest stars," said Tzvika Hadar, one of the show's judges. "These are not people with agents, and a story, and someone who pushed them, and photographed them for a photo-book, and you know what, even caused some provocation. You are taking people from the periphery, from their lives, their surroundings, their beliefs and they come and sing."

"Rising Star" claims to be the first program to feature real-time voting by viewers through a mobile app that is integrated into the show — familiar to anyone who has strummed away on video games like "Guitar Hero." The format, which is being adopted worldwide, has performers on a stage behind a screen that's lifted if 70 percent of viewers running the app vote for them. The studio audience of about 1,000 people wildly cheered as the screen rose during Tuesday night's performance.

Success on the show indicates wide support from an audience that includes few ultra-Orthodox Jews, who typically shun television. Neither brother owns a TV.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews, who make up about 10 percent of Israel's population of 8 million, have at times become aggressive in their efforts to impose their norms in public spaces. Most reject modern media and technology, and they are largely absent from the melting pots of the military and the secular workplace. Instead, they tend to stay in their cloistered communities and maintain a simple, pious way of life that has been adhered to over centuries.

The issue also has seeped into music. Religious soldiers have walked out of military events in which women were singing — which extremely devout Jews believe is contrary to Jewish law.

However, Arie Gat said there was no prohibition preventing him and his brother from performing before women, saying it is all right for women to cheer for them but not to dance.

"We checked out the whole issue of participating in the show in Jewish law," he said. "It's not like we jumped into rumbling waters without checking the temperature. ... From the perspective of Jewish law, there's no problem with what we are doing."

Still, neither of the brothers has informed any of their six children what they are doing. They say few friends or neighbors are aware.

The brothers perform regularly in the streets of Jerusalem, and claim to make their living from it. They have developed a small following and were recruited to the show after producers heard about their act.

The Gat brothers grew up secular in the southern city of Eilat, where they developed their love for modern music. Before becoming religious 16 years ago, Arie learned to play the guitar and later became a professional drummer. Gil, 37, spent some time in New York playing gigs at jazz clubs and blues bars.

Israeli reality shows are no strangers to minorities. Arabs, Ethiopians immigrants, converts to Judaism and newly secular people who have abandoned religion have all won competitions, in part because of emotional stories that have touched the public. Now, the Gat brothers have brought the ultra-Orthodox in with their passion as well.

"There's much love," said Gil Gat. "Music brings down all barriers between secular people, religious people. There is this kind of love."

___

Online:

The Gat brothers sing "The Sound of Silence:" http://bit.ly/16vih9p

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ultra-orthodox-singers-defy-stereotypes-israel-152801898.html
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Reds choose Bryan Price for next manager

Bryan Price smiles after being named manager of the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, at a news conference in Cincinnati. Price, who had been the National League baseball team's pitching coach, was signed to a three year contract. Price replaced Dusty Baker. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Bryan Price smiles after being named manager of the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, at a news conference in Cincinnati. Price, who had been the National League baseball team's pitching coach, was signed to a three year contract. Price replaced Dusty Baker. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

FILE - In this May 26, 2012, file photo, Cincinnati Reds pitching coach Bryan Price watches a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, in Cincinnati. The Reds have chosen Price to replace Dusty Baker as their next manager, according to a person familiar with the decision. The club plans to introduce the 51-year-old Price at a news conference later Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.(AP Photo/David Kohl, File)

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (61) talks with pitching coach Bryan Price during the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Bryan Price speaks at a news conference with general manager Walt Jocketty, left, and owner Bob Castellini, right, after Price was named manager of the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in Cincinnati. Price, who had been the National League baseball team's pitching coach, was signed to a three year contract. Price replaced Dusty Baker. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

FILE - This is a Feb. 16, 2013, file photo showing Cincinnati Reds pitching coach Bryan Price. The Reds have chosen Price to replace Dusty Baker as their next manager, according to a person familiar with the decision. The club plans to introduce the 51-year-old Price at a news conference later Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

CINCINNATI (AP) — Pitching coach Bryan Price was first on the Reds' list of manager candidates. Three hours of answering every question tossed his way ended their search rather quickly.

After one interview, it was over.

The Reds stayed in-house for their next manager, giving Price a three-year deal Tuesday that came with expectations that he'll take them deep into the playoffs right away.

"Bryan is exceptional," owner Bob Castellini said. "We've been fortunate to be with him long enough to know how exceptional he is.

"I can't tell you how well this has fit in for us. We did not have to go out and do a search," he said. "We had the person we felt could take this team deep into the postseason and then some."

Dusty Baker led the Reds to three 90-win seasons and three playoff appearances in the last four years, their best stretch of success since Sparky Anderson managed the Big Red Machine in the 1970s. But Cincinnati got knocked out in the first round of the postseason each time.

The Reds fired Baker with a year left on his two-year deal after a final-week fade that included an implosion by the pitching staff.

Cincinnati lost its last six games, including a 6-2 defeat at PNC Park in the wild-card playoff against the Pirates. General manager Walt Jocketty said the closing slump was a major factor in the decision to make a change.

Jocketty considered two in-house candidates: Price and Triple-A manager Jim Riggleman. Price got the first interview and impressed everyone so much that Jocketty didn't interview anyone else.

"I was convinced that Bryan was our guy just because of the past association we've had with him," Jocketty said. "I think that to bring other people in just for the process of going through an interview — to me, I wouldn't want that."

The job carries enormous expectations for the 51-year-old Price, who has been one of the most successful pitching coaches in the majors but has never managed at any level. He interviewed for the Marlins' job last year, which got him thinking that he'd like to be a manager some day.

Given his four successful seasons in Cincinnati, he wanted to stay if possible.

"It's a team that's capable of doing even more," Price said. "I think we certainly should talk very optimistically about the three playoff appearances in the last four years, which were maybe somewhat discredited because we hadn't gotten past the first round.

"Considering the 15 years prior, it was definitely a huge step in the right direction," Price added. "But we all have expectations of getting beyond that."

Price was a left-handed pitcher for six years in the minors, his career scuttled by elbow surgery. He started his coaching career in Seattle's farm system and was the Mariners' pitching coach from 2000-05. He moved to Arizona as pitching coach from 2006-09, resigning there after Bob Melvin was replaced.

Jocketty hired him to replace Dick Pole in Cincinnati, where he helped the Reds' staff develop into one of the NL's best during his four seasons working with Baker. Now, Jocketty has several important lineup decisions to make to try to keep the Reds competitive in the NL Central, which sent three teams to the playoffs.

Division champion St. Louis opens the World Series against Boston on Wednesday. The Pirates passed the Reds for second place and home-field advantage for the wild-card playoff during the final week of the season.

The pitching staff will have some changes, with starter Bronson Arroyo eligible for free agency. Left-hander Tony Cingrani made his debut last season and showed he could win in the majors, but was sidelined by back problems in September. Ace Johnny Cueto missed most of the season with shoulder problems.

The Reds have to decide whether to keep left-hander Aroldis Chapman as their closer or move him into a starting role. Price would have preferred making him a starter. If he gets moved into the rotation, the Reds don't have anyone with appreciable experience at closing games.

He and Jocketty said they hadn't made any decisions on the pitching staff or the everyday lineup.

The offense struggled last season with no consistent right-handed hitter. Cleanup hitter Ryan Ludwick tore cartilage in his right shoulder on a slide on opening day and missed most of the season. He returned in mid-August and hit only two homers with the shoulder still bothering him.

Joey Votto and leadoff hitter Shin-Soo Choo led the NL in on-base percentage, but Choo is a free agent. Billy Hamilton created a sensation with his speed when he was called up in September, but struggled to get on base consistently in Triple-A before his first promotion to the majors.

___

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Associated PressSource: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-10-22-Reds%20Manager/id-d806d94412564d73a58ac1da428c60fb
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After 150K+ Downloads On iOS, TourPal Closes $1M+ Series A For Its Audio Guide Focused Travel App

There are quite a few startups attacking the tour guide app space which, as well as packaging the traditional (paper) guidebook into a handy app form, are more generally trying to bridge the connectivity gap that tourists face when they take their phone abroad and don’t want to be burnt by roaming costs (e.g. Triposo or PocketGuide). Today, another of these travel app startups, TourPal, has just closed a $1 million+ Series A, with investment coming from a group of private angels. It had previously raised a small seed, of circa $100,000, also from private angels.

As well as offering free offline maps, TourPal’s special sauce is a focus on monetising its offering with paid audio guides. TourPal’s apps (iOS and just launched on Android last week) are free to download with audio guides offered as in-app purchases.

The audio tours, which it says are created by professional tour guides, cover hundreds of global tourist destinations — including London, Paris and New York, plus Charlottesville, Haifa and Louanghrabang to name a few.  In all, it currently has more than 250 different tours in more than 70 locations worldwide, with eight different languages supported.

“Traveling in unfamiliar places can be difficult and requires either a private guide or doing research. TourPal eliminates the need for both by making traveling easy,” the startup says. “TourPal offers online and offline maps with routes that include tourist attractions and sights, audio guides for each of the sights (done by pro tour guides) an innovative system for recommendations on businesses in the tours area (restaurants, shops etc…) and more.”

TourPal’s local recommendations feature is powered by social crowdsourced data for each location — garnered from the likes of Foursquare, Instagram and Facebook — to show only the most popular places, giving app users a filtered view of what’s around them.

TourPal soft launched its iOS app last November — but did a major update in July, bringing in its current design and feature-set. To date, it says it has had more than 150,000 downloads on iOS, and around 1,000 on Android about a week since that app launched.

Monthly active users on iOS in peak tourist season (August) were 55,000, dropping to 50,000 in July and 30,000 in September — although TourPal noted it did minimal marketing last month as it was awaiting funding and the launch of its Android app. To date it’s sold more than 1,000 paid tours, and had more than 20,000 free downloads of offline maps within its apps.

TourPal intends to use some of its new funding for marketing around the social recommendations feature on iOS, and also more generally to support the launch of its new Android app. It’s also currently offering some of its U.S. audio tours for free (for a limited time) as a promotion.

Some screenshots from the iOS app follow below:

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HTC's One Max ratted out by the FCC again on its way to Sprint

Now that we know HTC's One Max is likely to be living large at AT&T, another variant for Sprint looks to have also been unmasked by the FCC. An OP3P700 version of the 6-inch, 1080p device has just passed the US regulator with Sprint's LTE bands 25, 26 and 41, a likely sign that it's bound for Big ...

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/eyQ0Fe348Eg/
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