PETALING JAYA: When V. Nandini landed her first job as a copywriter about a decade ago, she was over the moon. And after deducting grocery, rental and other expenses, I would still have some balance left for savings,” she said. Nandini, who is now 34 and earns substantially more, said that despite the better wages, the cost of living is a challenge. “A month of groceries used to cost only about RM150 but now I’m paying double for the exact same items. ALSO READ: Inflation erodes real income gains despite wage hikesNandini’s situation is a typical case faced by many people.

Second-placed Lens can now leapfrog the champions and retake top spot on Saturday if they beat Paris FC in the capital. PSG started brightly, with Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue carving openings to no avail. Substitute Rennes striker Breel Embolo thumped in the third, decisive Rennes goal with nine minutes left to secure a famous win and lift them to fifth in the table. We have to play for Paris-Saint-Germain to win matches, because if we play alone on the pitch, it won't go well, we won't win the titles we want." The former Dortmund and Barcelona man praised Rennes, the club where he came to prominence a decade ago.

Nova said the shorter format may suit European players, who could adapt more quickly thanks to their playing style and practice routines. I have trained with them several times and in my opinion, they could gain the most from the 15-point system,” said Nova. Nova believes his charges, including Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Hui, are also capable of adapting well. If international tournaments do adopt the 15x3 format, Nova is already preparing to incorporate it into their daily training sessions. In line with her coach, Ee Wei is ready to accept any changes and will try to adapt if the 15-point system is introduced.

Gold medallist Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan celebrates with his national flag after winning the Men Single Skating. Shaidorov's Olympic gold carries a profound emotional weight for Kazakhstan, not only as the country's first of these Games, but only the second ever in Olympic figure skating for the nation of about 20 million people. Denis Ten was the country's trailblazer in figure skating, winning Olympic bronze in 2014, but he was stabbed to death by two robbers in 2018 in a parking lot in Almaty. It was a loss that devastated the skating world and left a void in Kazakhstan's sporting identity. "I think Denis Ten influenced not just me but all figure skaters in Kazakhstan," Shaidorov said.

Kagiyama earned silver while teammate Shun Sato took bronze at the Milano Cortina Games after a cascade of mistakes upended the expected order and left pre-event favourite Ilia Malinin tumbling down the leaderboard. Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov delivered the day's biggest shock, seizing the Olympic title after producing the cleanest and most composed free skate of the final fight. Kagiyama, who also took silver at the Beijing Olympics, said performing at the Olympics was special but it also came with particular pressures. I really wish I could have put on a better performance, especially in a place like Milan," Kagiyama said. While Kagiyama expected to walk away with a medal in Milan, finishing on the podium was a shock for his teammate Sato.

KUANTAN: Two people were killed after the car they were travelling in collided with a luxury sports utility vehicle and burst into flames along Jalan Industri near a petrol station in Taman Tualang Indah here early Saturday. Pahang Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Zulfadli Zakaria said the victims, a man and a woman, were found burnt to death inside the car that was completely destroyed by fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found that the crash involved two vehicles, one of which was engulfed in flames. "The car was totally destroyed by the fire, resulting in two occupants being found burnt inside the vehicle," he said. After the fire was fully contained, rescue personnel used hydraulic equipment to cut through the wreckage to extricate the bodies.

KUALA LUMPUR: The public is advised to use electricity prudently amidst the ongoing hot weather and ahead of the festive season, when energy consumption is expected to rise. Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) said electricity usage typically increases during hot weather, particularly due to longer operating hours for electrical appliances such as air conditioners and fans. "The combined factors of the hot weather and festive season may lead to increased electricity bills, and potentially safety risks if precautions are not followed,” TNB said. Electrical safety tips:- Switch off the main power supply when leaving home and unplug unused electrical appliances. - Ensure electrical appliances are not exposed to direct sunlight, excessive heat or flammable materials such as curtains and paper.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 14): Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds are expected to hit across seven states until 6pm on Saturday, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). In a warning issued at 2.30pm, MetMalaysia said affected areas include Baling, Kulim, and Bandar Baharu in Kedah, and Seberang Perai Selatan in Penang. In Perak, the districts at risk are Kerian, Larut, Matang and Selama, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Manjung, Kinta, Perak Tengah, Kampar, Bagan Datuk, Hilir Perak and Batang Padang. Over in Pahang, the forecast covers Cameron Highlands, Jerantut, Kuantan and Rompin, while in Selangor, the affected areas are Klang, Petaling, and Kuala Langat, while in Johor, Pontian, Kulai, and Johor Bahru are under alert. In Sabah, the warning covers the interior (Nabawan and Tambunan), the West Coast (Papar, Putatan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu and Ranau), Tawau, and Sandakan (Tongod, Telupid, Kinabatangan and Sandakan).

PETALING JAYA: All Bersatu members are strictly warned not to participate in any form of meetings or gatherings organised by those expelled by the Disciplinary Board. Such a directive was said in a circular issued by Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali on Friday (Feb 13), following the expulsion of several party leaders, including deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. “It must be remembered that it is an offence for any party member to collude with individuals or groups acting against the party constitution, or to utter abusive words that tarnish the good name and dignity of the party. “Therefore, all Bersatu members are strictly warned not to participate in any form of meetings or gatherings organised by those expelled by the Disciplinary Board. Clause 9.1.4 further emphasises that every member must comply with the party constitution as well as the Code of Ethics and Conduct,” he said.

Ranjitha Malar Tambi arranging flowers for sale in conjunction with Valentine’s Day. NSTP NOR AIN MOHAMED RADHIKUALA LUMPUR: While love is in the air, business has been slower than expected for florist Ranjitha Malar Tambi this Valentine's Day, with the Chinese New Year holiday exodus cited as a possible reason. On the shop's offerings, she said fresh flowers remain the top choice, with roses continuing to dominate. "Customers still prefer fresh flowers over artificial arrangements with chocolates", she said. With limited storage space and concerns about keeping flowers fresh, she is banking on a late surge.

The videos angered Japanese netizens and prompted Ultraman creator Tsuburaya Productions to consider taking legal action. The company said the videos had been removed following a report lodged. > Several parts of Beijing, Jilin and Liaoning provinces in China have seen the mushrooming of the so-called “huntun jiuguan” (wonton pubs) offering cheap wonton and beer and a place for people to release their stress. China Press reported that patrons were contributing to the rowdy atmosphere at the pubs by dancing and singing on tables. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies).

PETALING JAYA: The holiday exodus has begun, leading to road congestion as many leave the Klang Valley for the festive period. According to the Highway Authority, congestion has been reported at the Genting Sempah Toll Plaza along the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway. Slow traffic has also been reported on the North-South Expressway from Rawang to Bukit Beruntung and from Skudai to Kulai. Previously, the Highway Authority said it projected around 3.27 million vehicles on the road during the Chinese New Year festive period. It added that of that total, around 2.2 million vehicles were expected to be on PLUS highways during the same period.

KOTA KINABALU: "He agreed to end it, but he asked for RM7,000. He said that throughout the two to three months of engagement, his mother’s relationship with the man was often marred by arguments due to differences of opinion and a lack of understanding. He came to meet the family and agreed to break it off, but asked for RM7,000. My mother agreed and said she would follow my advice and do what was best for everyone," he said. Two suspects, a 71-year-old man believed to be the former fiancé and his 19-year-old son, were arrested in connection with the murder.

PUTRAJAYA: Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar will chair a special investigation committee formed to look into issues related to alleged share ownership of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the special committee will conduct a detailed and comprehensive investigation to ensure due process and fairness to the party under investigation. In response, Azam said his acquisition of shares was conducted transparently and did not violate any laws. Azam, in response, said he is ready to be probed by an independent committee established by the Govt to examine issues related to his share ownership. Azam said an independent and transparent probe is crucial to defend his personal integrity and also to maintain public confidence in the MACC as an institution.

Immigration Department deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said enforcement and monitoring will be enforced at Ramadan bazaars nationwide to ensure business premises are free from illegal immigrants. NSTP/ AHMAD UKASYAHKAJANG: The Immigration Department will intensify enforcement and monitoring at Ramadan bazaars nationwide to ensure business premises are free from illegal immigrants. On overall statistics, Lokman Effendi said that from Jan 1 until yesterday, the department had conducted 1,700 enforcement operations nationwide, inspecting a total of 27,000 foreign nationals. Of that total, 6,200 people were detained for various immigration offences, with the majority coming from Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and China. "During the same period, 230 employers were also detained for violating provisions under the Immigration Act," he said.