Next-generation iPad to make October 15 debut: report

A new version of Apple's iPad tablet, as well as an updated Mac Pro desktop and a refreshed Apple TV, are expected to be revealed at a special event.

According to French Apple rumors and news site MacGeneration, which has a 50/50 batting average when scooping such things, Apple has chosen October 15 for its next product reveal, meaning that tech journalists will be getting their virtual invites in the digital mail in the coming days.

Whether or not it's the right date, it seems likely that Apple is about to launch refreshed tablets and will do so before the holiday season kicks into high gear. So what exactly should consumers expect, and should they be getting excited?

In terms of tablets, Apple will be launching a full-sized iPad with a slimmer, smaller, lighter design but, thanks to a reduced screen bezel, one that will not reduce the device's 9.7-inch Retina display size. It is also expected to get the A7 processor bump that the latest iPhone received so that it will be capable of running 64-bit programs and therefore able to address more RAM for heftier processing.

Joining it will be a new iPad Mini which will look remarkably similar to the one it will be replacing, except that it will now have a high-definition Retina display too. Like with its iPhone launches, every new iteration of an iPad features three things -- a catch-up feature: something missing from the product that competitors' products have as standard; a fix or improvement to an existing feature or service; and a ‘killer' new application to keep it ahead of the pack -- so don't be surprised to discover on launch day that the new iPads also feature fingerprint-scanning technology.

However, what is not likely to be revealed is a low-cost plastic iPad. Though the company is rumored to be developing such a device, it is not expected to launch until 2014 for fears of cannibalizing sales of its existing tablet range.

Alongside the tablets, Apple should be able to finally confirm launch date, performance specifications and pricing for the eagerly awaited Mac Pro power-user desktop. After all, it has already been running teaser ads at cinemas and on YouTube.

Finally, its Apple TV streaming box is also expected to get a refresh that will include greater functionality and maybe even one or two physical design tweaks now that it finally has some competition from Android in the form of Google's Chromecast. There's also a good chance that its Pro notebook range will get the Intel Haswell chip treatment, which will mean better graphics performance, faster processing speeds and better battery life. In MacGeneration's report it is also claimed that new iMacs and Mac Minis will be seen at the 

The dangers of running on an empty tank

Trying to get the best fuel consumption out of a single tank of fuel is a good habit, but allowing the fuel level in your tank to reach alarmingly low levels isn't a very good idea.

We've all done it, run our cars till the fuel tank was practically empty. Most of the time it's because our work schedules don't permit us to stop as frequently as we'd like at our usual petrol station. Sometimes it's because we are on a tight budget and want that full tank of fuel to last for ever.Whatever the case, allowing your car to run until the tank is practically empty will not only cause performance issues but will cost you dearly in the long run.

As sophisticated as modern day cars are, they aren't idiot proofModern day cars have their fuel pumps fitted in the middle of the petrol tank. A fuel pump's function is to pump fuel out of the tank and into the fuel line. The reason the pump is fitted right in the middle is so that it's kept cool by the petrol inside the tank.

Fuel tank of a standard MINIWhen the petrol level inside the tank reduces to a very low level, the pump doesn't receive sufficient cooling and as a result begins to heat up. What makes matters worse is at this point the pump is not only pumping petrol but air as well and as such is working overtime. Prolonged exposure to such situations will cause excessive wear and tear on the fuel pump and force it to give up the ghost prematurely. There aren't any warning signs for the impending demise of a worn out fuel pump. One day it will be working fine then the next, your car just won't start.

Besides issues with the fuel pump, continuously subjecting your engine to fuel starvation will cost you a hefty repair bill in the long run. Petrol, no matter how premium it might be, will have a certain amount of sediment in it. Wether it's improper mixing or just because of a lacklustre storage facility, when pumping fuel, this sediment will eventually make its way into your fuel tank. Though this maybe a very small volume at first, overtime there will be a continuous build up inside the tank.

Most fuels do carry a very small amount of sedimentAllowing your fuel tank to reach very low levels will cause this sediment and other residue to be pumped into the fuel system. It will eventually make its way through your entire fuel system and in to your engine. It can cause a lot of problems such as clogging up your fuel line, clogging the fuel injectors or worse. It is even said that it could make its way into your engine and cause a number of performance issues.

So each time you decide to allow the needle on your fuel gauge to dip to E, ask yourself if it's really going to be worth the risk in the long run. Most experts will tell you to always keep the tank half full. The moment the needle reaches the half way mark, its time to visit the petrol station. While this is a good tip to keep in mind, sometimes it isn't always easy to keep doing this. So, as long as you constantly have at least a 1/4 tank of petrol in your fuel tank, you shouldn't need to worry about clogged injectors.

Look after your car and your car will look after youThe best way to keep your car running like clockwork is to adhere to the manufacturer's recommended service intervals and always insist on using genuine parts. Look after your car and your car will end up looking after you for a considerable number of years.

After Salman Khan's moustache in DABANGG, Ranbir Kapoor's hairy chest to become a fad in BESHARAM

By Rachana Sheth, Glamsham Editorial

Anil Kapoor, who topped the list of hairy hunks in 80s, was always a butt of a joke for his fuzzy chested hair. But it seems, the hirsute look which was a laughing stock then is set to become a fad now if you believe director Abhinav Kashyap.

Abhinav, who brought back the trend of hero sporting a moustache through his super successful debut film DABANGG, is aiming to recommence the bushy chested look and bring it in vogue through his upcoming film BESHARAM.

While Salman Khan sported a pencil thin moustache with elegance in DABANGG series, Ranbir Kapoor will be mostly seen flaunting his unbuttoned shirt showing off his well unshaven chest, a masculine look which was in trend for almost three decades i.e. 70s, 80s and 90s.

Abhinav reasons why he chose to bring the trend of hairy trunk back, "I wanted Ranbir to slightly look out of the place in BESHARAM, something which is not in sync with today's time. When Salman wore a moustache nobody liked it then, but today it has become a trend, so I can say Salman was ahead of time. When I was making DABANGG many came to me advising that yeh kya purrane zaamne ka hero hai mooch laga raha hai....But I would always say everything is cyclical including fashion and trends. And today I take pride in saying that I started the cycle again. Everything should be tried out and one should be experimental. You never know what clicks."

He further blames Khans for cessation of shaggy torso look. Abhinav says, "From the time Khans started ruling the roost every other actor began to shave their chest. I have several of such female friends who come to me and ask why these heroes get their hairs removed? On the contrary the hairy chest looks quite masculine and sexy. They say although clean shaven looks good on-screen but that is extremely uncomfortable to watch. So I thought let's bring back the era of heroes having hairy chest."

Also starring newbie Pallavi Sharda along with Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, BESHARAM is set to hit the screens on October 2nd, 2013!

Food that defines Malaysia

Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang and Sambal Squid 

A Malaysian favourite which can be eaten for breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea, dinner and/or supper. A fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and "pandan" leaf.

Profitable Arsenal prepared to spend again

By Keith Weir

LONDON (Reuters) - Premier League leaders Arsenal are prepared to spend more on their squad after the record signing of German playmaker Mesut Ozil, the club's chairman said on Monday.

The arrival of Ozil for 42.5 million pounds ($68 million) at the start of the month has lifted the mood among supporters angry at the departure of striker Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas over the past two years.

Arsenal have not won a trophy since 2005 and some fans of the north London club had questioned the club's ambition under Stan Kroenke, the American sports entrepreneur who is its majority shareholder.

Chips Keswick, when became Arsenal chairman in June, said manager Arsene Wenger would be given more money to spend as he reported another season of financial profit off the pitch.

"With the Ozil transfer I believe we have made a significant statement and when Arsene decides the time is right to invest again, Stan Kroenke, myself and the rest of the Board will be delighted to support him," Keswick said in a statement.

Keswick said Arsenal would stick to their principles of running a financially sustainable club and developing young players but said their ambition should not be questioned.

"We have a controlling owner in Stan Kroenke and a Board which is united in our resolve to keep Arsenal Football Club at the pinnacle of the game both here and in Europe."

The sale of striker Van Persie to Manchester United helped Arsenal remain in profit in 2012-13. On the pitch, United won a record 20th English league title, helped by 26 goals from Dutchman Van Persie.

Arsenal finished fourth to clinch a spot in the lucrative Champions League for a 16th successive season.

Profit before tax was 6.7 million pounds in the year to the end of May, down from 36.6 million a year earlier, Arsenal said.

The club made a 47 million pound profit on the sale of Van Persie and Alex Song, the midfielder who moved to Barcelona. However, the club said it had invested 58.7 million pounds on buying new players and extending contracts, before the additional spending on Ozil.

Arsenal currently lead the Premier League on goal difference from arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

(Writing by Keith Weir,; editing by Justin Palmer)

‘Allah’ was used by non-Muslims since Prophet’s time, says PAS MP

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 — Non-Muslims have been using the word "Allah" to refer to their god since Prophet Muhammad's time, a leader of Islamist party PAS has said, appearing to side with the Christians in their fight to use the Arabic word.

According to Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, there was never a ban against the word by any Muslim leaders or scholars since Islam was first practised, and non-Muslims' usage of the word was even documented in the holy book of Quran.

"Smua stuju Bkn Islam guna kalimah Allah pd zmn Nabi. Knapa kita haramkn? Islam ala Melayu?" (Everybody has agreed that non-Muslims have used the word "Allah" since the Prophet's times. Why are we banning it? Islam ala-Malay?) Khalid asked in Malay on his Twitter account @KhalidSamad recently.

Khalid was referring to the panelists on a recent forum on the "Allah" row, which video was uploaded to YouTube last week.

Moderated by former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin, other speakers in the forum included Dr Yusri Mohamad, the president of Muslim NGO PEMBELA, and Assoc. Prof. Dr Khalif Muammar A. Harris of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia's (UTM) Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science and Civilisation.

Khalid could not be reached by The Malay Mail Online at the time of writing to elaborate on his series of tweets.

Last Tuesday, the Court of Appeal heard submissions from the church and the government and expects to reach a decision this October on whether Catholic newspaper, The Herald, may continue to use the word “Allah”.

In the forum following the court hearing, Khalid criticised Muslims for trying to turn something which he said was "harus" (allowed) in the Prophet's times into absolutely "haram" (forbidden) now.

"We want to bring the condition and original understanding which was present during the Prophet's times ... Not by defending an inaccurate reality," warned Khalid.

"(Not) by making the Islam that we want to implement in Peninsula Malaysia different from any other place ... There we can, but then here we cannot."

The PAS Central Working Committee member also mocked those who claimed that by banning the use of "Allah" by non-Muslims, Malaysia has become a more advanced Muslim-majority country compared to others which do not do so.

"Is it true that we're more advanced? Or are we trying to change a condition and stance which in the end will confuse Muslims themselves when they recite the Quran?" he asked.

"Why do we insist on making Islam in Malaysia different from the Islam (practised) elsewhere?"

He explained that even the Islamic phrase of "there is no god but God" in the syahada recital -- to declare belief in the oneness of God and acceptance of Muhammad as God's prophet -- cannot be translated if "Allah" does not mean "the God".

Putrajaya had in January 2010 filed an appeal after the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled a month earlier in favour of allowing the Herald to continue using the word “Allah” in its Bahasa Malaysia section.

The Catholic Church had in July this year moved to strike out Putrajaya’s appeal, after its patience finally ran out with the lack of progress on the government’s challenge over the decision that has contributed to festering interfaith ties in the country.

A month later, the appellate court ruled in favour of allowing the government’s appeal against the 2009 High Court decision.

Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, the case is expected to go all the way to the apex court as neither side is seen as willing to back over the contentious issue.

The Allah row erupted in 2008 when the Home Ministry threatened to revoke the Herald’s newspaper permit, prompting the Catholic Church to sue the government for violating its Constitutional rights.

The 2009 High Court decision upholding the Catholic Church’s constitutional right to use the word “Allah” had shocked Muslims who considered the word to only refer to their God. It also led to Malaysia’s worst religious strife, with houses of worship throughout the country coming under attack.

Christians are Malaysia’s third-largest religious population at 2.6 million people, according to statistics from the 2010 census, behind Muslims and Buddhists.

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood condemns 'politically motivated' ban

Cairo: The Muslim Brotherhood slammed as "corrupt and politically motivated" today an Egyptian court order banning all its activities.

The Islamist group of deposed president Mohamed Morsi said on its official Twitter account that it was an organisation that "will always be present on the ground even after it is dissolved".

"The Muslim Brotherhood is part and parcel of Egyptian society. Corrupt and politically motivated judicial decisions cannot change that," it said.

Earlier today, an Egyptian court banned the Brotherhood from operating and ordered its assets seized, in the latest blow to the movement of deposed president Mohamed Morsi.

The ruling is subject to appeal and could be overturned by a higher court.