PM visits Negeri Sembilan

PM IN NEGERI SEMBILAN

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak delivering a speech at a ceremony to hand over offer letters of house ownership at Kampung Abok Rahang in Seremban. NST/ OWEE AH CHUN

COPA LIBERTADORES

Marcos Mondaini of Ecuador's Emelec, left, fights for the ball with Francisco Najera of Paraguay's Olimpia during a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Thursday Feb. 9, 2012. AP/ Dolores Ochoa

DPM CHAIRS MEETING

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (2nd from left) chairs Cabinet Committee Meeting on Human Capital at ICU Conference Hall, Prime Minister's Department, Level 1, East Block, Perdana Putra Building in Putrajaya. BERNAMA

HOT SHOT

New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin shoots baskets before the start of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, in Washington. Lin, an undrafted guard from Harvard University, has led the Knicks to three straight wins, scoring more than 20 points in each game. AP/ Haraz N. Ghanbari

NO-BIZ-LIKE-SHOWBIZ

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak poses with an Oscar statuette at Los Angeles International Airport after arriving from Chicago with a shipment of 42 Oscar statuettes, February 9, 2012. The 84th annual Academy Awards will be presented in Hollywood, California on February 26th. AFP/ Robyn Beck

PYTHON CAUGHT

Civil Defence personnel showing the python that was caught in Puchong, Feb 9, 2012. The Pythonidae, commonly known simply as pythons, from the Greek word python, are a family of nonvenomous snakes found in Africa, Asia and Australia. Among its members are some of the largest snakes in the world. Eight genera and 26 species are currently recognised. NST pix by Mohd Fadli Hamzah

FOR THE LUCKY 100...

Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad personnel, Siti Zulaikha Mohd Sidek, 31, showing the MyRapid card that will be given for free to the lucky 100 visitors during the launching of LRT Line Extension Projects (LEP) which will be held at Sunway Pyramid from tomorrow till Sunday. Pix by Aizuddin Saad.

B. KING OUTLET ON FIRE

A Burger King outlet in Section 13, Shah Alam that was on fire this afternoon. The fire was said to come from the kitchen area of the fast food outlet. Pix by Roslin Mat Tahir.

DON'T SLEEP & DRIVE

A Proton Saga was damaged after it crashed into a sewing shop in Sungai Buloh. The driver was tired and sleepy when she drove and lost control of the vehicle. Pix by Adib Rawi.

PAYING LAST RESPECTS

United Nations Interim force in Lebanon (Unifil) carrying the casket of late Lt-Col Habibullah Ismail who died of heart attack on Monday. Habibullah's body will be arriving at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 8.30pm tonight and will be flown to Alor Setar in a C130 aircraft. Pix by Bernama.

CAPELLO RESIGNS

In a file picture taken on May 31, 2011 England's Italian manager Fabio Capello attends a training session at London Colney, England. Fabio Capello resigned as manager of England on February 8, 2012 following the Football Association's decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy, the FA confirmed. Photo by AFP.

A REWARD FOR THEIR SERVICE

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak being greeted by former Kemas (Community Development Department) contract staff at a ceremony to hand over the government’s special financial assistance to them in Kuala Lumpur last night. Some 5,000 ex-Kemas employees are eligible for the one-off RM3,000 aid as they have served the department for more than five years. Pic by Effendy Rashid

BACK IN BUSINESS

A North Borneo Railway steward serving lunch to a passenger in his colonial-style uniform. After an absence of six years, the train service is back. It was temporary halted in Sept 2005 due to upgrading works on the railway tracks. The railway is a joint venture between Sutera Harbour and Sabah Railway Departmen. Pic by Malai Rosmah Tuah

WAR IS WRONG

Abdul Razak Sa’shaari, 43, with wife, Siti Sarah Othman, 31, and children Nur Alyssya, 9, and Mohd Zakwan, 4, at the “War is Crime” exhibition held at the History and Ethnography Museum in Malacca yesterday. The exhibition, which depicts events of war across the world, is a joint venture between the Perdana Global Peace Foundation and Malacca government. Pic by Mohd Khairul Helmy

NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED

Norhisyamsul Mohamard (left) being given a traditional healing treatment using leeches with the aid of his assistant, Norzari Khairudin. The leech treatment entrepreneur has a treatment centre at Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya. This unique cleansing treatment is well received with more than 4,000 customers visiting since opening of his business seven years ago. Norhisyamsul clean leeches using the water purification system approved by the UPM Veterinary Hospital. Pic by Nik Hariff Hassan

PHOTO OP

Rakhi, 21, taking a picture of herself using the My KL History On Demand exhibition as a backdrop at the Bangsar Shopping Centre in Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. The exhibition is a joint effort of the New Straits Times Press and History On Demand channel. Pic by Sairien Nafis

TUG OF WAR

US First lady Michelle Obama participates in a tug of war with Jimmy Fallon (L) in the Blue Room of the White House February 7, 2012 during a "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" taping for the second anniversary of the White House "Let's Move!" initiative. - Reuters/Chuck Kennedy

IN FULL HONOURS

The casket carrying the body of Lt Col Habibullah Ismail being carried by Malaysian officers serving with the United Nations Interim Force (Unifil) in Lebanon to an awaiting hearse. Habibullah who served with Unifil in Naqoura, died of a heart attack on Monday. His body is expected to be flown from the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut to the KLIA in Sepang at 8.30pm tonight Thursday, en route to the RMAF base in Subang for prayers. The body will then be flown in a Hercules C-130 to his hometown Alor Star for burial. - NST pix by Adrian David

GOOD LUCK ROOSTER

Performers wear rooster costumes and give out good luck messages to locals during a parade celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year in Wen county of Jiaozuo city, Henan province, February 7, 2012. - Reuters

YOUNG TIGERS TO ROAR

Young Tigers coach, Ong Kim Swee, and the team waiting in the bus before heading to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to depart to Singapore. The Young Tigers will make their debut appearance in the S-League which starts tomorrow. Pix by Supian Ahmad.

DEATH PENALTY LOOMS

Mexican national Luis Alfonso Gonzalez Villarreal (2nd-L), Singaporean national Lim Hung Wang (L), Jose Regino Gonzalez Villarreal (R), Malaysian national Lee Boon Siah (3rd-R) and Simon Gonzalez Villarreal (2nd- R), arrive at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur on February 8, 2012. The Malaysian high courtis to hear testimony of three Mexican brothers who face the death penalty for drug trafficking. AFP PHOTO

REACHING FOR HELP...

A Filipino rescuer listens to the voice coming from the debris of a landslide a day after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in La Libertad, Negros Oriental province, central Philippines, 07 February 2012. At least 48 people were dead and up to 92 were missing after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake triggered landslides and collapsed houses in the central Philippines, an army commander said. The missing from 06 Febraruary quake were mostly from Guihulngan City and La Libertad town in the province of Negros Oriental where landslides buried a total of almost 100 houses in two villages, army Colonel Francisco Zosimo Patrimonio said. Photo by EPA.

GOOD DEAL FOR GROUPON

Employees and guests of Groupon ring the opening bell in celebration of the company's IPO at the Nasdaq Market in New York in this file photo taken November 4, 2011. Groupon reports its first results as a public company on Wednesday and the market will be keen to see if the largest daily deal website makes its first quarterly profit. Photo by Reuters.

QUAKE AFTERMATH

In this Feb. 7, 2012 photo, residents use improvised ladders to cross a damaged bridge at Guihulngan township, Negros Oriental province in central Philippines, after Monday's magnitude-6.9 earthquake shook at least three central Philippine provinces. Photo by AP.

COURTING DANGER

Despite numerous warnings issued and reports about accidents which have taken place on railway tracks involving pedestrians highlighted regularly, some just choose to not heed the reminders and risk their lives daily by taking a short cut through this track near the Seremban railway station. These commuters should know it is an offence to walk on the railway tracks. Pic by Hazreen Mohamad

ONE FOR THE ALBUM

Visitors taking pictures at the My KL History on Demand exhibition at the Bangsar Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The exhibition, a joint effort of the New Straits Times Press and History On Demand channel, will end on Feb 2. The exhibits include pictures of Kuala Lumpur in the old days. Pic by Nik Hariff Hassan

READY FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

Six more days before Valentine’s Day, florist Jenny Loo is busy checking on her stock of blooms, including those from abroad. Flowers are popular among couples on Valentine’s Day. The first official Saint Valentine's Day was declared on Feb 14 by Pope Galasius in 496. Pic by Farhan Najibse

SOLUTION TO WATER WOES

Soldiers from the 60th Royal Army Engineers Regiment installing a 3km-long pipeline along the road to Kampung Batu Lima and Kampung Batu Tiga in Gurun, Kedah, yesterday. The upgrading works are expected to solve water problems faced by the two villages because of low water pressure. Pic by Rahmat Othman

WHERE'S THE PAYMENT?

Ex-Sarawak rangers, who served during the Confrontation and Malayan Emergency, are slighted as their plea for the one-off RM3,000 payment enjoyed by ex-policemen had yet to get a reply. At a press conference today, Sarawak Rangers Association secretary-general Capt (R) Mohd Johari Ibrahim (second from right) said the association brought up the matter with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi in Sibu recently. - NST Photo by Michael Sering

MUTINY

In this handout photograph provided by Haveeru News Service, mutinying Maldivian police are seen amid a cloud of tear gas as they confront the military in Male today. A group of policemen in the Maldives disobeyed orders and joined anti-government protesters in what the president's office described as a "mutiny". -- AFP Photo

FOR GOOD LUCK

A couple releases a lantern into the air for good luck during Chap Goh Meh celebration at Taman Jaya in Petaling Jaya, Selangor yesterday. -- Pix by Afiq Razali

POSING FOR A PICTURE

Singer/songwriter Siedah Garrett attends the 84th Academy Awards Nominations Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton hotel on Monday in Beverly Hills, California. -- AFP PHOTO

FLEXING MUSSELS

Nurul Sharani Ibrahim, 13, helping her family shell mussels, or better known as ‘kupang’, at Kampung Sungai Melayu in Johor Baru, Johor. With improved and more effective cages, farming mussels along the Tebrau Strait and Sungai Melayu is a fast growing industry, with about 120 entrepreneurs in these areas. Pic by Hairul Anuar Abd Rahim

AQUA ARCHWAY

Indonesian tourist Muhammad Ravi Dhia Falda Nasution, 8, is fascinated with the fountain at the Petronas Twin Towers yesterday. Local and foreign tourists thronged the iconic landmark in the middle of Kuala Lumpur during the four-day weekend to shop or simply take in the sites at the surrounding park. Pic by Khairull Azry Bidin

IT DOESN’T PAY TO PLAY TRUANT

Kelantan Education Department officers ticking off secondary students for playing truant in Kota Baru yesterday. State Education director Hussin Awang said the students were taken to Mukim Telipot Mosque for counselling and ordered to read the Quran under the guidance of imam Ahmad Yunus. The students, aged between 15 and 18, were detained in a shopping complex, housing area and surau, with some of them found smoking. Pic by Nik Abdullah Nik Omar

VOWS AND PRAYERS

Hundreds of devotees reached Batu Caves to send their vowed and pray while waiting for the silver chariot to arrive. The silver chariot procession started its 12-hour journey to Batu Caves bearing the idol of Lord Subramaniam from the Sri Maha Mariamman temple. -- NST Photo by Chan Wai Yew

HAPPY NEWLYWEDS

Ally Iskandar Mohd Mardzi and wife, Nurfarahin Romli, 23, smiling away during their wedding reception today at the Terengganu Golf Resort Tok Jembal, Gong Badak. Pix by Aswadi Alias.

THAIPUSAM PARADE

The Thaipusam parade proceeds from Jalan Sultan before heading towards Batu Caves. Once a year, Batu Caves become the centre of a great religious procession. Almost 1 million people pay homage to the highly revered deity, Lord Murugan during the 3-day long festival. Thaipusam falls on the tenth day of the month of Thai in the Hindu Almanac and that would usually be in late January or early February. Pix by Nashairi Mohd Nawi, source from www.journeymalaysia.com.

MESMERIZING TWIN TOWERS

Muhammad Ravi Dhia Falda Nasution, 8, a tourist from Indonesia, attracted by the water fountain near the Petronas Twin Towers. The long weekend sees many tourists flocking into the city centre to visit the twin towers. Pix by Azry Bidin.

DAZZLING PERFORMANCE

Singer Madonna performs during the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by AFP.

WORTH THE WAIT

Patron queuing outside Penang's Line Clear nasi kandar stall in Penang, George Town. Being a long weekend, visitors to the island wait patiently under the sun to savour the dishes there. Pix by Mohd Kamil Rahim.

60 YEARS ON THRONE

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II accepts a bouquet of flowers from a well wisher at the church of St Peter and St Paul at West Newton, eastern England, today. The queen braved the cold and snow to attend church Sunday on the eve of her Diamond Jubilee anniversary. The 85-year-old monarch marks 60 years on the throne on Monday. The anniversary will be marked by a series of regional, national and international events throughout 2012. Elizabeth ascended the throne when her father, George VI, died on Feb. 6, 1952. She is the longest-serving monarch after Queen Victoria, who reigned for more than 63 years. -- AP photo

CELEBRATING FIRST FULL MOON

South Korean citizens twirl cans with holes filled with burning wood chips and straw to celebrate the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, in Seoul, South Korea, today. According to the lunar calendar, the first full moon falls on Monday, Feb. 6 this year, and is the day Koreans traditionally eat special treats and wish for a bountiful harvest in the year. -- AP photo

OLDEST MARATHON RUNNER

100-year-old British Indian Fauja Singh, also known as 'Turbaned Torpedo' and dubbed the world's oldest marathoner, talks to the media after finishing the 10 kilometre race in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong 2012 Marathon today. Fauja Singh finished the race in just over one hour and 34 minutes, organisers told AFP, raising HK$200,000 ($25,800) for the charity Seeing Is Believing. Guinness World Records has reportedly refused to accept him as the world's oldest marathon runner because he could not provide them with a birth certificate. -- AFP PHOTO

UNUSUAL WEDDING

Newlywed Erryzuan Topah shakes hand with a trader at Larkin market while his wife Nurul Jannah Abdullah looks on. The couple tied the knot at the market today. -- Zulkarnain Ahmad Tajuddin

RUNNER COLLAPSES

A competitor named Lau receives CPR from another competitor (bottom-right) while being helped by other runners in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong 2012 marathon on today. Lau, a 26-year-old runner, collapsed after crossing the finishing line of the half-marathon race and was certified dead after being taken to hospital, it was reported on local television. -- AFP photo

HONOURING MAULIDUR RASUL

In Putrajaya, this is the scene today morning of the national level Maulidur Rasul 2012 celebration and procession from 'Masjid Tuanku Mizan' to 'Masjid Putra'. NST/ Fariz Iswadi Ismail

TOPSY-TURVY WORLD OF TEENS

(TOP) Ryan Getler from Australia performs during the Extreme Sports International Festival, in La Guacima, Alajuela, 25 Km west of the capital San Jose, Costa Rica, on February 4, 2012. (BOTTOM) Daniel Sandoval of Costa Rica. AFP/ Ezequiel BECERRA

DOWN MEMORY LANE

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi manjun, Sutera Habour Resort President, Datuk Edward Ong and Kota Kinabalu Mayor, Datuk Abidin Madingkir on board North Borneo Railway after it was relaunched at the Tanjung Aru Railway Station in Kota Kinabalu, on Saturday Feb 4, 2012. NST pix by Malai Rosmah Tuah.

READY FOR THAIPUSAM

Thiruvel A/L Mahadeva, 8 (left) and his brother Navin, 11 prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January/February). On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads and undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). NST pix by Sharul Hafiz Zam

UP FOR SALE

A police retiree , Amin Jamal, 66, showing the Sarawak pineapple that has 13 pineapples entertwined into 1 at his house in Kampung Pernu, Malacca. Amin is putting up the fruit for sale at RM100 and above per kg. The pineapple, or its scientific name, 'Ananas Comosus' weighs about 7 kilogrammes. Pix by Hatim Ab Manan.

VYING FOR THE POST

A handful of candidates sitting for the Customs Enforcing Officer Grade WK1-1 in Uniten, Bangi. About 29,440 candidates applied for the post. Pix by Izhari Ariffin.

WINTER STORM

A winter storm walloped eastern Colorado with its first heavy snow of the new year on Friday, closing schools, forcing flight cancellations at Denver International Airport and creating blizzard conditions on the High Plains. Photo by Reuters.

SERVING THE COUNTRY

A soldier places his helmet on Timothy, an army explosive sniffer dog, near the site where a car loaded with explosives was control detonated by an army anti-bomb squad in Pradera, southwestern Colombia, Friday Feb. 3, 2012. Fifteen people were killed this week in two attacks with explosives in southern Colombia, blamed on rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, by President Juan Manuel Santos. Photo by AP.

HAVING FUN, COOLING OFF

Two Pygmy elephants playing in a pond at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Putatan, Sabah have become an instant attraction among visitors, especially children. The park, which is located 25km from Kota Kinabalu, is also home to the orang utan, the proboscis monkey and the Sumateran rhino. The 112ha-park, situated in a natural rainforest, was officially opened in March 2007.

DOWN TO A CRAWL

Syabas contractors repairing a broken main pipe in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur, at 3pm yesterday. In order to reach the pipe, a hole measuring 3m deep was dug, resulting in a 1km traffic congestion. Pic by Mohd Yusni Ariffin

SHOES FOR ANY OCCASION

Shoe vendor Mohamad Hamdan, 30, from Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, has been selling shoes for more than a decade now. Hamdan sells a wide variety of shoes in his shop at Pasar Kedai Lalat. Most of his products are imported from Cambodia and are priced between RM80 and RM100 depending on the size, brand and quality of the shoes. He receives steady business from local residents and visitors during public holidays and festive seasons. Pic by Zulkifle Che Abdullah

CYCLING ABOUT

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (middle) gives his usual 'walkabout' session during visits to the various states in Malaysia a different spin in Kuala Terengganu as he opts to cycle about around Dataran Shahbandar Kuala Terengganu to mingle with the people. NST/ ROZAINAH ZAKARIA

PLAYING AUNG SAN SUU KYI

French Director Luc Besson (L) and actress Michelle Yeoh (R) smile during a photo-op at a press conference promoting "The Lady," their latest film together in Hong Kong on February 3, 2012. The film stars Michelle Yeoh as Myanmar opposition politician and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and tells the story about the political turmoil in Myanmar during the 1980s and 1990s. AFP/ AARON TAM

12-MINUTE SCREENING

Lin Shiming, a National Taiwan University professor, points to the reading from a sensor which can screen flu and two other viruses children are prone to, in 12 minutes, at the university in Taipei on February 3, 2012. Lin said parents can use the new sensor at homes to shorten the time of screening and send the results to doctors by mobile phones to speed up treatment. Photo by AFP.

PRICELESS SHOT

Pat Perez hits his second shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 2, 2012 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Photo by AFP.

AN EYEFUL, WITHOUT HEARING

Hearing-impaired members of the Jing Ying Wushu Lion and Dragon Dance Association Kuala Lumpur wow the audience at Maybank’s Chinese New Year celebrations at Menara Maybank in Jalan Tun Perak, Kuala Lumpur, with their dragon dance. Pic by Chan Wai Yew

GIFTS FOR THE PRIME MINISTER

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak receiving gifts of paintings done by students from schools which obtained aid from the Community Chest at a Chinese New Year dinner organised by the Genting Group. Looking on is Genting Group chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay. The Community Chest is a charity foundation set up by the country’s top business tycoons to offer assistance to schools. Pic by Afendi Mohamed

FILLED TO THE BR1M

People queuing up for the second phase of the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) to get their RM500 voucher for the Tanjung Papat and Elopura constituencies at the Sandakan Community Hall in Sabah yesterday. BR1M is a one-off payment by the government to ease the financial burden of households with a monthly income of RM3,000 and below. Pic by Hamizah Lim

HEADING FOR CRUSHING

Alam Flora staff stacking up a pile of safety helmets not complying with government specifications recently seized by various government enforcement agencies during road safety campaigns. The helmets are being gathered at the Sg Rasau Toll Plaza in Klang to be destroyed. Bernama pic

PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL FLOODED

The pedestrian tunnel along Jalan Sungai Ujong, linking to the Terminal 1 shopping complex in Seremban, flooded after a downpour at 4pm yesterday. Shops along the tunnel were also hit. The floodwaters receded after the rain ended an hour later. Pic by Hazreen Mohamad

CELLPHONE LICENCES CANCELLED

A shoeshine man polishes a customer's shoe while talking on a mobile phone on a street in Gauhati, India, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. India's top court ordered the government on Thursday to cancel 122 cellphone licenses granted to companies during an irregular sale of spectrum that has been branded one of the largest scandals in India's history. (AP Photo

LUCKY ESCAPE

A motorcyclist cheated death after he was thrown into a monsoon drain when his motorcycle grazed with a trailer along the North South Expressway near Juru, Penang. The motorcyclist, in his 20s, only suffered a minor scratch. The driver of the unloaded trailer was travelling back to Bukit Tengah after delivering concrete pipes in George Town when the incident happened at 3.30pm on Feb 2, 2012. NST pix by Danial Saad

WORST IN EGYPT FOOTBALL

Soccer fans flee from a fire at Port Said Stadium February 1, 2012. Seventy-three people were killed and at least 1,000 injured on Wednesday after a soccer pitch invasion in the Egyptian city of Port Said, a health ministry official said, in an incident that one player described as "a war, not football". - Reuters

AirAsia's 100th Airbus

AirAsia Bhd group chief executive officer Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes (fifth from left) posing in front of the group's 100th Airbus at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang Feb 2, 2012. NST pix by Ahmad Irham Mohd Noor

TROUBLING FIND

Forensics Unit personnel opening the plastic wrapper containing a pig's head and body parts that was put near the entrance of the Masjid Al-Hidayah in Sentul this morning. Pix by Zulfadhli Zulkifli.

EARLY MORNING FIRE

Firefighters try to put out the flames a residential building in Berlin, Germany. In the early hours of February a fire broke out in a an eight-story residential building. No injuries were reported. Around 100 firemen where mobilized to put out the blaze. It is currently unclear how the fire broke out. Photo by EPA.

BOOM TIME FOR BUSINESS

A woman prepares a bouquet of roses ahead of Valentine's Day, the biggest holiday of the year for fresh-cut flower sales, at a flower farm of "The Elite flowers" company in Facatativa, near Bogota, Colombia, on February 1, 2012. In giant greenhouses outside Bogota, the flowers are clipped and shipped worldwide, accounting for 65 percent of the roses imported in the United States and many of the bouquets delivered in Europe. The hours ahead of Valentine's Day are a boom period for Colombian growers, who expedite their exports. Photo by AFP.

HAVE FUEL, WILL TRAVEL

Muhomad Hakimi Mohamad Zainuddin, 4, is seen ‘pumping’ fuel into his bicycle at the Road Safety Community Park at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Bernama pic

ATLAS BRINGS GOOD BUSINESS

This Atlas moth, which is the world’s biggest moth species, is bringing brisk business to song composer Mohd Atlas, 48, at his Garage Cafe in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, yesterday. He has made a cage for it and placed it at the counter as a crowd puller. Atlas said business had improved since he placed the moth there, adding that it was a coincidence that he had the same name as the insect. Pic by Nadim Bokhari

MIGHTY PYTHON

Members of the Malaysian Civil Defence Department in Kuala Pilah struggling to weigh a 130kg python caught at a rubber smallholding in Felda Kepis, Kuala Pilah yesterday. Bernama pic

UNIQUE DESIGN

Model Vivian Soon poses on a CAN-AM Spyder Roadster after its launch at Glenmarie Golf And Country Club in Shah Alam, Selangor today. USF-HICOM (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, the distributor of the three-wheeled motorcycle, is targeting to sell 120 units of the unique motorcycle by March this year. The bikes are sold at prices ranging from RM103,800 to RM129,190 for Roadster Sports model and between RM134,800 to RM159,290 for Roadster Touring model. -- Bernama photo

RESCUE MISSION

Wildlife and National Park Department with the help of Malacca zoo staff trying to rescue a Tapir that strayed and fell into a pond in Bukit Katil, Malacca. -- Pix by Mohd Jamah Nasri

PUTIN CAPPUCCINO ANYONE?

A coffeehouse client holds a cup of cappuccino with the portrait of Vladimir Putin created with cinnamon and cocoa powder sprinkled on the cappuccino's foam in Moscow, today.. The strongman prime minister is seeking to win back his old Kremlin job in March presidential elections in the face of an outburst of protests against his 12-year rule. -- AFP PHOTO

CULTURAL FAIR

Indian dancers from Uttar Pradesh wearing traditional clothing wait before peforming at the opening of the Surajkund Fair in Faridabad, Haryana, just outside New Delhi, India, today. The fair is held for two weeks and features culture and crafts from all of India's states, its South Asian neighbours and other countries in the world. -- AP Photo

GOLDEN TOWER

Habib Jewels founder Datuk Habib Mohamed Latif (right) showing a 6kg-replica of KLCC made of gold and diamonds worth RM1 million to Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas during his visit to Habib Heritage Gallery. -- Pix by Ramdzan Masiam.

CHOCOLATE SHOE

A 2 metres high and 3 metres long heel made of 60 kilograms (132 pounds) of chocolate on display for the upcoming Valentine's Day at a department store in Seoul, South Korea. -- AP photo

SIX MONTHS' JAIL FOR COP IN TEEN SHOOTING CASE

Police constable Mohd Hakimi Shamsul (R) at the Magistrate's Court in Seremban. The court sentenced Hakimi to six months' jail for shooting a teenager without any justification, two years ago. Magistrate Nor Azlina Hashim ruled that she found no justification which warranted the accused, Mohd Hakimi Shamsul, to shoot Mohd Azizi Azri Aziz, 20. Nor Azlina however allowed a stay of the sentence pending an appeal by the prosecution, and raised the bail amount from RM3,000 to RM8,000 with one surety. -- BERNAMA

FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN

Kyle Stanley hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open on the South Course of the Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 29, 2012 in La Jolla, California. Stephen Dunn/Getty Images/AFP

SOUTH AMERICAN SKILLS

Paraguay's Libertad's Jose Nunez, right, and Ecuador's El Nacional's Ricardo Lopez compete for the ball during a Copa Libertadores soccer game a in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. AP/ Jorge Saenz

THE ART OF GRAFFITI

A contestant of "Mini Grafiti" showing his talent in conjuction with the Federal Territories Day celebration at Merdeka Square today. -- Pics by Mustaffa Kamal

LATEST IN THE MARKET

Models present the boardgame "Village" during the press preview of the international toy fair in Nuremberg, southern Germany, today. Around 2.700 exhibitors from 62 countries show their newest products at the international toy fair which opens its doors from February 1 to 6, 2012. -- AFP photo

HONOURED

Jeyaceely Antony Roch, 75, in joy after receveing a token of RM3,000 on behalf of her late husband who served the police force during the Malayan Emergency in Pasir Pinji, Ipoh today. The government announced a one off payment of RM3,000 to ex-members of special and auxiliary police, including widows and widowers, covering 62,000 people to remember their contribution to the country in Budget 2012. -- Pix by Muhaizan Yahya.

MAKESHIFT HOME

A homeless man prepares to sleep on the floor of a sports centre in Athens late Monday. Public buildings and municipal sports centers were made available to the homeless by the municipality of Athens as temperatures in the Greek capital fell below zero degrees Celcius. -- AFP PHOTO

DO WE LOOK THE SAME?

A tourist mocks the gesture of a sculpture while he poses for photos at the 798 Art District in Beijing, China, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. Photo by AP.

SAYING GOODBYE

Ahn Jung-hwan, a former member of South Korea's soccer squad, wipes tears away during a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, 31 January 2012, as he announced his retirement from soccer. Ahn, is best known for scoring the extra-time golden goal in a 2-1 win over Italy in the round of 16 contest at the 2002 World Cup. Photo by EPA.

FLOWER SALES TO BOOM

A worker prepares rose bouquets for the upcoming Valentine's Day, at a farm in Chia January 30, 2012. Valentine's Day is marked on February 14, with many people giving loved ones flowers as a token of their affection. But a troubled global economy and bad weather has some growers in Colombia worried about this year's crop. Colombia exports 450 million flowers for Valentine's Day, and flower farmers say that day alone accounts for 12 percent of their annual income. Photo by Reuters.

ENHANCING TRADE AND BUSINESS TIES

Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad (right) with his Australian counterpart Dr Craig Emerson attended a dinner at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Monday night, hosted by the Malaysia Australia Business Council. The two ministers will hold final round of talks for the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (Mafta) on Tuesday. NSTP Pix by Syarafiq Abd Samad

HAVING HIS SAY

Malaysia's former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad delivering a speech titled "Malaysian Approach To Public Leadership" as part of 'The Razak Lecture Series' at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. BERNAMA

WOMAN WITH FUNNIEST ACCENT AND IMPECCABLE COMIC TIMING ON TV

Actress Sofia Vergara poses in the press room during the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 29, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Vergara and her fellow cast members won awards for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series for "Modern Family " Jason Merritt/ Getty Images/ AFP

...AND, HE SOLEMNLY SWEARS

Megaworld finance officer Giovanni Ng swears in as he testifies at the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona at the Philippine Senate in Manila on Monday January 30, 2012. The Philippines' first impeachment trial of a Supreme Court justice opened on Jan. 16, in a major battle of President Benigno Aquino III's anti-corruption campaign targeting his detained predecessor and her allies. AP/ Romeo Ranoco

THEIR SAFETY A PRIORITY

(TOP) Kedah Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) director Mohd Noor Had (L) having a word with a fisherman during a spot-check to ensure Malaysian fishing vessels were equipped with proper safety devices and life jackets. LKIM is concerned about the increased number of fishing vessels that have capsized in rough seas and endangered the lives of fishermen who were ill-equipped to deal with dangers of the sea and lacked even basic things like life jackets. (BOTTOM) A fisherman showing the life-jacket during the inspection. NST/ Syaharim Abidin

AN EYESORE

Some damaged portion of Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin that is still in the process of repairing. The stadium's roof collapsed on June 2 2009, a year after Terengganu hosted Sukan Malaysia. Pix by Imran Makhzan.

LATE NIGHT MISHAP

Fire and Rescue Dept personnel examining the taxi that skidded off the Federal Highway late last night. Pix by Aizuddin Saad.

CREATIVITY SHOWCASE

1Malaysia logo constructed out of 370,000 drinking bottles with the height of 100m and width of 38m at UiTM Jengka, Pahang. The logo has been recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records. Pix by Wan Kemat.

ALL TEETH BUT NO BITE

A giant tiger “scarecrow” sits regally in the garden of Abu Bakar Yusof’s family home to scare off wild monkeys and boars at Kampung Telok Pelandok, Port Dickson. Showing its sharp teeth, the mean-looking tiger is supposed to confuse and discourage wild animals from wandering into the place and destroying plants and crops. Pic by Hazreen Mohamad

IT’S NOT JUST JUNK

Mohd Nawawi Ibrahim, 45, making robot sculptures from junk. The GiatMara Pasir Mas student collects iron rods from junkyards to make the robots. His work caught the attention of participants visiting the Kelantan International Islamic Creative Industry Trade Exhibition at Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV in Kota Baru. Pic by Syamsi Suhaimi

COLOURFUL MASQUERADE

A devotee dons his mask as he prepares to dance in the streets during a procession to celebrate the feast day of the Child Jesus in Manila, Philippines today. Hundreds of elaborately-dressed images of the Child Jesus are paraded every last Sunday of January for the celebration. -- AP Photo

A FRUIT DRAGON

A Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel staff creating a magnificent dragon out of thousands of pieces of fruits during the Chinese New Year Cultural and Heritage celebration in the Unesco World Heritage Site in George Town. -- Pix by Ramdzan Masiam

BOAT MISHAP

3 fishermen (from left) Chin Chin Keat, 49, who is also a 'tekong', Amirul Anuar Fazullah, 18, and Safuri Mat Dahari, 37, receiving treatment at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah after their boat capsized at Pulau Segantang. They were afloat for almost 30 hours. -- Pix by Rahmat Othman.

BOUND FOR AUSTRALIA

(From left) Ride2Rescue mission team members Time Holman, 25, Aaron Turner, 29, Kathryn Audsley, 24, Karina Ottosen, 30, Parkroyal Resorts general manager Francois Sigrist, John Clark, 26 and Daniel Seehusen, 26, who are on their way to Melbourne, Australia from London, England, corssing through 3 continents and 10 time zones. The 26,000km mission focuses on urging governments to enhance their policies on human trafficking. Their pitstop at Penang was in conjunction with the Penang Car-Free Day, which saw 300 over cyclists who rode together with them from Lebuh Pantai to Parkroyal Resort Batu Ferringhi. -- Pix by Micheal Ong

SOME SORT OF SCARECROW?

Muhamad Firdaus Abu Bakar, places a soft toy tiger at his front yard to scare away monkeys and wildboars that have been roaming around his house in Kampung Telok Pelandok near Port Dickson, thus protect his crops from being destroyed. -- Pix by Hazreen Mohamad

A SKIJORING SALUTE

The Whitefish Winter Carnival Viking Divas salute the competitors during the opening ceremony at the World Skijoring Championships in Whitefish, Montana January 28, 2012. - Reuters

ALL READY FOR THAIPUSAM

A. Ramasamy (left) and his family in Kuantan busy preparing for Thaipusam on Feb 7. The festival commemorates the occasion when goddess Parvati gave her son, Murugan, a ‘vel’ (spear), to defeat the demon Soorapadman. Bernama pic

BOWING TO TRADITION

A farmer burning dry straw on a padi field in Pauh, Perlis, after the rice had been harvested. The practice of clearing the land through burning is a tradition followed by farmers in Kedah and Perlis. This is done to prepare the land for ploughing. Pic by Amran Hamid

MOTORISTS RETURN

The Gombak toll plaza is experiencing heavy traffic as more people are heading home after the Chinese New Year holidays. Plus Expressways Bhd (Plus) reported heavy and slow moving traffic on the North-South Expressway heading towards Kuala Lumpur. A Plus spokesman said traffic could get worse due to heavy downpour at certain areas in the country. Pic by Shah Adnan

LADY LUCK!

A monthly lucky draw from the Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN)’s ‘Sijil Simpanan Premium’ has Khoo Cheng Hiong jumping with joy. Khoo is now the proud owner of a new luxury car, Mercedes Benz C200. It was presented to her by BSN chief executive Datuk Adinan Maning at Queensbay in Bayan Baru yesterday. Pic by Asman Ibrahim

MINISTER LENDS SUPPORT TO RAKYAT

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar (fourth from left) purchasing pulasan from a stall during an ‘MOA Bersama Rakyat’ event with residents at Sri Cemara, Bandar Baru Sri Damansara, Subang. Pic by Salhani Ibrahim

FLOUTING THE LAW

Motorcyclists caught during a spot operation conducted by the Kulai Jaya traffic police in Johor. The operation was aimed at curbing road accidents. It was revealed that the majority of the motorcyclists caught, mostly teenagers, were found to have no valid licences. Pic by Zain Ahmed

ORANG ASLI LAND PROTEST

About 800 Orang Asli in traditional headgear held a protest in Gua Musang demanding that the Kelantan government not take away their land for alleged logging and agricultural activities. They started to gather since morning until 5pm. Police moved in to disperse the protesters, but some refused to do so resulting in their arrest. Deputy Gua Musang police chief Deputy Superintendent Aziz Hassan is seen here having a discussion with the Orang Asli. Pic by Ramli Ibrahim

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

Civil Defence Department personnel Shamsu Sahid, 55, demonstrating how to handle dangerous snakes such as this King Cobra during the launch of the department’s weekly exercise. Shamsu has 15 years of experience in handling the reptiles. The event, held at Wisma Persekutuan in Alor Star, also doubled as a ceremony for the donation of vehicles - Bernama pic

ANCIENT TRADITION

People release sky lanterns to celebrate the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival in Pingxi, Xinbei city, northern Taiwan. Believers gathered to release sky lanterns as a form of prayer for good luck and blessings. The tradition of releasing lanterns began during the Ching Dynasty when bands of outlaws frequently raided villages, forcing local residents to seek refuge in the mountains. The lanterns were signals used by the village watchmen to inform the refugees that their houses were safe again. The Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Jie is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar year in the Chinese calendar. -- REUTERS photo

FOR UNITY

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman (centre) at Chinese New Year celebration in Padang Awam Grisek, Johor today. -- Bernama photo

FIGHTING FOR THE WORLD'S POOR

Topless Ukrainian protesters demonstrate at the entrance to the congress center where the World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos, Switzerland, today. In freezing temperatures three topless Ukrainian protesters were detained on Saturday while climbing a security fence outside the economic forum to draw attention to the needs of the world's poor. The protesters had their papers checked and will be released later from custody, Davos police spokesman Thomas Hobi said today. -- AP photo

LITTLE BRIDES

Adorned Newar girls are pictured while performing rituals during an Ihi ceremony in Kathmandu today. In the ceremony, girls are married to Bel, the fruit of a wood-apple tree, before reaching puberty. Ihi is a two-day ceremony which begins with purification rituals and ends with "Kanyadan" (giving away the virgin) of the girl by her father. A Newar girl will be married thrice in her life, first to Bel, a second time with the sun in another ritual, and lastly with her future husband later in life. -- REUTERS photo

RARING TO GO

Lion dance troupes getting ready to perform at the Chinese New Year open house at Manjung Airport in Sitiawan, Perak. -- Pix by Muhaizan Yahya.

CHAMPION

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus kisses her trophy as she celebrates after defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia in their women's singles final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne today. -- REUTERS photo

SHIP RAMS INTO BRIDGE

The motor vessel Delta Mariner sits in Kentucky Lake yesterday, as a section of paved road and twisted steel truss, formerly part of the Eggner Ferry Bridge, lies on its front, in Aurora, Ky. The Delta Mariner struck the bridge Thursday night, causing a more than 300-foot span of the bridge to collapse. -- AP photo

LIGHTS STIMULI

A boy relaxes with lights in a "Snoezelen" room during yoga classes for children in Lima. These rooms are specially designed to deliver stimuli to the different senses using lighting effects, color, sounds, music, and is used mostly for people with autism, brain injuries or developmental disabilities, according to Paulina Contin, the instructor of the classes. -- REUTERS photo

FT DAY CELEBRATION

City Hall staff parade along Merdeka Square carrying a Federal Territory flag, to mark the launch of 2012 Federal Territories (FT) Day in Kuala Lumpur today. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak officiated the ceremony participated by 94 contingents with 8,000 members representing government departments, schools, higher education institutions, corporate bodies, non-government bodies and banks. -- Bernama photo

Federal Territory Day celebration

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak inspects DBKL's guard of honour during the FT Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. NST/ Aizuddin Saad

OUTSTANDING LEADER

Former Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad receiving an honorary doctorate in political science from Prof Dr Sujin Jinahyon (left) of Thailand’s Naresuan University in Bangkok yesterday. Chairman of the Naresuan University Council Prof Dr Krasae Chanawongse, in his citation, said the award was in recognition of Dr Mahathir’s life-long commitment to the people in creating a sense of national identity and pride in Malaysia. Reuters pic

HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA

An advertisement on the hot air balloon replica of the 4th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2012 amid an impressive view of the federal administrative capital. Pic by Fariz Iswadi Ismail

ITS DJOKOVIC'S GAME

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after victory in his semi-final men's singles match against Andy Murray of Britain on the twelfth day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne early January 28, 2012. Djokovic won 6-3. 3-6. 6-7. 6-1. 7-5. - AFP

1MALAYSIA DISH

Domestic Trade Cooperatives and Consumerism Deputy Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim trying out the 1Malaysia menu worth RM4 for lunch and RM2 for breakfast when she stopped for lunch at Anjung Semarak, Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang. NST pix by Ramdzan Masiam.

HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA

An advertisement on a hot air balloon replica after the launching of the 4th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2012 in Putrajaya. The fiesta will be held on March 15-18 in Putrajaya. Pix by Fariz Iswadi Ismail.

COCONUTS FOR THAIPUSAM

V. Kalaiprama, 43, (right) and M. Rameshkumar,28, busy sorting coconuts for the upcoming Thaipusam which will be celebrated by the Indians on Feb 7. About 200,000 coconuts was transported from Setiawan, Perak. Pix by Ramdzan Masiam.

OLD SCHOOL SKILLS

Alis Ahmad, 66, a petition writer, attending to his customers behind the Dato Hj Ahmad Badawi hall in Butterworth, Penang. Alis is one of two petition writers still providing services in an era of growing modern technology. With only his typewriter, Alis tends to at least five to 20 customers a day, charging them a fee of RM5 to RM100, depending on the type of letter. Pic by Mohd Kamil Rahim.

Raja Permaisuri Agong receives Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara

KUALA LUMPUR: Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah today received the Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara (DMN) from the Malaysian government. The award was presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at an investiture at Istana Negara at 3pm. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah was present at the ceremony. Also present were the prime minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Chief Justice Tan Sri Arifin Zakaria, Senate president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan. -- BERNAMA

YEAR OF THE TIGER?

(TOP) Tiger Woods from U.S. tees off on the 17th hole during the first round of Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. (BOTTOM) Woods reacts on the 18th hole during the first round. AP/ Kamran Jebreili

VICTORIOUS SCREAM QUEEN

Maria Sharapova of Russia gestures as she celebrates after victory in her semi-final women's singles match against Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic on the eleventh day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2012. Sharapova won 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. -- AFP/ WILLIAM WEST

GILLARD RESCUED FROM PROTESTERS

Australian prime minister Julia Gillard (L) is escorted by police and bodyguards out of a award ceremony after aboriginal tent embassy protesters, protesting the settlement of Australia some 224 years ago, tried to get into the building in Canberra, Australia, 26 January 2012. About 200 protesters trapped Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in a Canberra restaurant before police arrived to clear a passage for the pair. Photo by EPA.

BR1M RUSH

Some 841 applicants queueing up for receive the RM500 BR1M aid at Dewan Suarah Sarikei, Sarawak today. Pix by Mohd Radzi Bujang.

STORM AFTERMATH

A car was damaged under fallen trees in Taman Desa after a freak storm hit Bangsar and Klang Valley yesterday. Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin also visited the affected PPR Sri Cempaka flats affected in the storm. Pix by Afiq Razali.

LOVE BEYOND BARS

An inmate wishing his son a happy Chinese New Year greetings through a telephone at the Kajang Prison yesterday. Family members were allowed to speak to their loved ones for 45 minutes behind the glass barrier. Many of them brought their children and newborns during their visits from 8.15am to 4.15pmam yesterday and today. Bernama pic

DINING WITH THE DRAGON

Eng Xiao Yun, 18, and her aunt Liew Yun Chin, 50, putting on a brave front in facing a “dragon” that came to greet them at the popular Indian restaurant Salim’s in Lintas Square in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, on Tuesday. The dragon dance troupe from the Nam San Temple in Inanam was called in to entertain patrons of the restaurant to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Eng and Liew are regular customers of the restaurant. Pic by Datu Ruslan Sulai

LOVE BEYOND BARS

An inmate wishing his son a happy Chinese New Year through a telephone at the Kajang Prison yesterday. Family members were allowed to speak to their loved ones for 45 minutes behind the glass barrier. Many of them brought their children and newborns during their visits from 8.15am to 4.15pm yesterday and today. The visitors were allowed to bring selected food items such as mandarin oranges, fruits, biscuits and cakes for the inmates. Bernama pic

SCAVENGING STORKS

These white storks have set their sights on the Kampung Kuala Tunggang landfill in Perlis to scavenge for food instead of their normal hunting ground in the padi fields and seashores. Nearby residents, meanwhile, complain that the landfill is located too near to their homes and they cannot stand the stench. Pic by Amran Hamid

FOR THE PEOPLE

A total of 471 Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) personnel from the RMN base in Lumut yesterday received RM500 vouchers under the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) programme. The vouchers were handed over by Azri Jaafar, the special officer to Pangkor state assemblyman and Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. Azri said vouchers valued at RM235,500 were given out. Bernama

GOING BACK HOME

Crowds are seen returning back to Hong Kong from mainland China at the Lo Wu border crossing, as the Chinese New Year holiday draws to a close, Hong Kong, China, 25 January 2010. This year's Chinese New Year holiday in Hong Kong has been the coldest on record since 1996, with temperatures dipping as low as six degrees Celsius. Photo by EPA.

PYTHON FIND

Fire and Rescue Department personnel holding a 12-feet long python near an abandoned house in Rasah, Negri Sembilan today. A nearby resident saw the python making its way into the house and immediately called the authorities. Pic by Bernama.

POLLEN ROBOTS

Minami Sawada, an employee of Japanese weather forecasting company Weathernews displays some of the 1,000 pod-shaped pollen counting robots called "Pollen-robot". The Pollen-robot, which has two LED eyes and glows a range of five different colors to indicate pollen levels, will be placed outside houses and can send reports recording pollen, temperatures, humidity and air pressure to the company through the Internet. Photo by AFP.

USHERING DRAGON YEAR

Children in make-up wearing traditional costumes perform during the temple fair at Ditan Park, also known as the Temple of Earth, on the third day of the Chinese New Year in Beijing today. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, began on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. -- Reuters photo

OUCH! THAT HURTS

Vancouver Canucks' Kevin Bieksa is checked into his team's bench by Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Smyth (94) during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia on Tuesday. -- Reuters photo

PLEDGING A FAIR ECONOMY

US President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Obama demanded large tax hikes on millionaires to finance a fair economy from “top to bottom” as he sketched a populist vision to convince voters to give him a second White House term. -- AFP photo

WELL DONE

Emilio Zelaya (left) of Argentina's Arsenal FC is congratulated by teammates for his goal against Peru's Sport Huancayo during a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. -- Reuters photo

GRAND CELEBRATION

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak waving to the thousands who had gathered at the Penang Barisan Nasional Chinese New Year open house in Tanjung City Marina yesterday. Speaking to the crowd, he said the Chinese community might regard the entry of the water dragon as a good year, but people could expect every coming one to be just as “lucky”. Pic by Danial Saad

GREETINGS, MAHAGURU

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak greeting Pertubuhan Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia mahaguru Tan Sri Omardin Mauju at the Pendekar 1Malaysia Nite. Some 10,000 members of various martial arts associations and the public thronged Anjung Times Square in Penang last night. The event is held as a sign of unity among various martial arts exponents in the country. Bernama pic

COOLING WATERS

Visitors to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre could not resist taking a dip in the pool to escape from the heat during the Chinese New Year holiday yesterday. The city was relatively quiet as many city dwellers had gone back to their hometowns. Pic by Sairien Nafis

ENJOYING HER SOLITUDE

A child walking between the guests’ seats at Dataran Merdeka during the final preparations for the upcoming Federal Territory Day on Feb 1. The first 2,000 people attending the celebrations will get special seats next to the VIP stage. A number of exciting events will take place, including cultural and arts festivals, recreational sports, exhibitions and demonstrations, beginning this Saturday. Pic by Nik Hariff Hassan

AN UNDERWATER EXPERIENCE

Visitors looking on in awe while others take shots of a diver feeding about 250 different species of marine life found in Malaysia and worldwide in a 90-metre underwater tunnel at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Aquaria yesterday. Bernama pic

YIELDING RESULTS

Statistics derived from the 25th Ops Sikap for the Chinese New Year period so far, has shown fewer road fatalities compared with other days in the year. Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said less people were killed in road accidents between Jan 16 and Jan 23 this year, compared with the average accident statistics of 18.8 fatalities per day. Pic by Danial Saad

A DRAIN ON THEIR RICE BOWL

Padi farmers like Rosdan Khamis, 37, accept that theirs is a life of toil. But the padi farmer, and 20 others like him, of Kampung Tedong Pantai in Merlimau, Malacca have also poor irrigation and pests to deal with. They stand to lose between RM2,000 and RM5,000 if there is a hot spell during the harvest season, which will dry out their fields and expose their crops to brown plant-hoppers (bena perang). Rosdan, who farms about 4.9ha of padi, says the badly planned irrigation system is to blame. “I face losses of up to RM5,000 during harvest in the dry season. The padi fields do not get enough water. Whenever it rains during this period, the water dries in about a week. I have to channel water from a drain about 100m away using my own pump.” He says if the authorities built a ditch across the centre of the padi fields, the problem faced by the farmers would be solved. Pic by Muhammad Hatim Ab Manan

CLEANING UP THEIR ACT

Siti Sara Nazir teaching her 3-year-old daughter, Khaisara Nazir, to throw rubbish into the right compartment in an improvised bin. The washing machine-turned rubbish bin has two compartments to encourage recycling among residents of Jalan Melur 5, Kampung Melayu Ampang in Kuala Lumpur. Bernama

AN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE

Rafael Nadal of Spain jumps up in celebration in front of a TV cameraman after his victory over Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in their men's singles quarter-final match on day nine of the 2012 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne early on January 25, 2012. Nadal won 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-3. -- AFP/ PAUL CROCK

KING OF THE FASHION WORLD

(TOP) German designer Karl Lagerfeld acknowledges the public following the Chanel Spring/Summer 2012 Haute Couture collection show, on January 24, 2012 at the Grand Palais in Paris. (BOTTOM) A model presents Lagerfeld's creation at the same event, earlier. AFP/ ALEXANDER KLEIN

A HAPPY CELEBRATION

(TOP) Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (R) congratulates newlyweds Fairuzuan Hamshi (the groom is the son of PM's political secretary, Datuk Mohammad Fatmi Che Salleh) and the bride Siti Zulaiha Azmi in Kota Bharu. (BOTTOM) Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak joins the happy couple for lunch. -- NST/ Syamsi Suhaimi

Doing good with Mobile Skuad Sayang

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak looking pleased with the 'Mobile Skuad Sayang' at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu. NST/ Fathil Asri

VICTORIOUS JOY

Kim Clijsters of Belgium celebrates after defeating Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during their quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, today. -- AP photo

2 MORE BODIES FOUND

Two scuba divers of Italian Navy inspect inside the Costa Concordia cruise ship which ran aground off the west coast of Italy at Giglio island and lies on its side, half-submerged and threatening to slide into deeper waters in this photo released yesterday. Divers yesterday found two more bodies on deck number four of the Costa Concordia, the capsized cruise liner resting half-submerged near the port of Italy's Giglio island, said Franco Gabrielli, head of the civil protection agency. A Dutch company, meanwhile, prepared to begin pumping 2,380 tonnes of fuel out of an Italian cruise shipwreck today as rescue workers kept up the search for 17 people still missing after the crash, reports -- Reuters photo/AFP

CHEERFUL

Indian girls dressed in traditional attire wait to get into the grounds where they were to perform during the final dress rehearsal of the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, yesterday. India marks Republic Day on Jan 26 with military parades across the country. -- AP photo

'NO' TO ARAB LEAGUE PLAN

Children chant slogans during a protest outside the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. Syria rejected yesterday a new Arab League plan aiming to end the country's 10-month crisis by calling on the government and the opposition to form a national unity government within two months. -- AP photo

GULF THREATS

In this photo taken on Jan 18, 2012 and released by U.S. Navy, its aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln transits the Indian Ocean. Amid heightened tensions with Iran, USS Abraham Lincoln sailed through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf on Sunday. Senior Iranian lawmakers today have stepped up threats that Islamic Republic warships could block the Persian Gulf’s oil tanker traffic after the latest blow by Western leaders seeking to rein in Tehran’s nuclear program. -- AP picture

LION DANCE FOR WEDDING

Newlyweds Norsiah Ali, 43, and Md Dali Amir, 45, took the 1Malaysia concept to another level when they incorporated the lion dance into their Malay wedding at Kampung Pengkalan Rama Panta in Melaka, Monday Jan 23, 2012. The family wanted the wedding to be different for the bride, the youngest of nine siblings, whose reception fell on Chinese New Year's Day. NST pix by Rasul Azli Samad

SHARING CNY SPIRIT

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak with his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon waving to the crowd when attending the Gerakan Chinese New Year Open House in Kuala Lumpur Monday Jan 23, 2012. NST pix by Mohd Yusni Ariffin

DRAGON DANCE IN MOTION

Yang di-Pertua negeri, Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob enlightened by a dragon dance alongside Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam during the Chinese New Year celebrations in Jonker Walk, Malacca. Pix by Muhammad Hatim Ab Manan.

SENDING A PRAYER

An ethnic Chinese man lights joss sticks on the Chinese New Year's Eve at Kuan Yin Temple in Klang, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, late Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. Photo by AP.

SERVING YOU RIGHT

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia serves to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic during their women's singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 23, 2012. Photo by Reuters.

THE DRAGON AWAKES

Dragon dance performance on the eve of the Chinese New Year celebrations at the Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. This year is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar. NST pix by Afiq Razali

ONE LUCKY LADY

Every year Yeow Lean Hee, 83, (sitting) enjoys three separate Chinese New Year reunion dinners with her family.Like in previous years, the first dinner is at her grand daughter's house in Subang Jaya, followed by dinner at her son's house in Sri Petaling and her third son's house in Taman OUG. NST pix by Yong Chee Choong.

LIKE A DRAGON

A fire breather performs in Chinatown in Manila a day before the Chinese New Year on January 22, 2012. The Lunar New Year falls on January 23 and is the begining of the Spring Festival holiday. - AFP

TIME FOR PRAYERS AND REFLECTION

In Melaka, Malaysian-Chinese visit temples to pay their respects to their ancestors in conjunction with the Lunar Chinese New Year celebrations. This was the scene at the Cheng Hoon Teng temple along Jalan Tokong in Melaka. This year, according to the Chinese zodiac charts, it is the turn of the Water Dragon to reign throughout the next twelve months. Dragons are the only mythical creatures amongst the 12 animals that reside in the Chinese zodiac system. -- NST/ Rasul Azli Samad

SPANIARDS DUEL

Feliciano Lopez makes a forehand return to compatriot Rafael Nadal during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.- AP/ John Donegan

HUMANA CHALLENGE

Richard Lee hits his tee shot on the first hole at the Palmer Private Course at the PGA West during the third round of the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation golf tournament January 21, 2012 in La Quinta, California. Denis Poroy/Getty Images/AFP

SCORING AND CELEBRATING

(TOP) AS Roma's Brazilian defender Juan (R) is congratulated by his team mates Fabio Borini and Leandro Greco (L) after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A football match between AS Roma and Cesena at the Olympic stadium in Rome on January 21, 2012. AS Roma won the match 5 to 1. (MIDDLE) Miralem Pjanic of Bosnia (L) also join in on the celebration. -- Pictures by AFP/ GABRIEL BOUYS

TRISHAW MAN POWERS ON

The trishaw, which used to be popular in Kelantan, is slowly making a comeback. It now serves as an alternative mode of transportation following the move by bus operators in the state to scale down operations. The trishaw service is being revived through a special initiative between the Tourism Ministry and the Kelantan Tourism Department. Pic by Zulkifle Che Abdullah

FLOOD OF SOUVENIRS

The resorts in Pulau Redang, Terengganu may be closed for business due to the monsoon season, but this does not stop 24-year-old Norhidayah Mohamed from opening her stall near the jetty to the island in Dataran Shahbandar, Kuala Terengganu. She sells a wide variety of souvenirs, but the most popular are the ones depicting the turtles, the state’s icon. Norhidayah expects the business to pick up from March 1 when all the 16 resorts on the island resume operations. Pic by Faizul Azlan Razak

PROSPERITY

Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak (centre) with Pahang Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob (6th from the right) tossing 'Yee Sang' with the staff of Hotel Zenith in Kuantan, Pahang. - NST Photo by Luqman Hakim Zubir

WAR ERA REVISITED

Lee Min (right) showing the names of his fellow guerilla mates who were brutally executed by the Japanese Forces on 21 January 1944 during the World War II. Min, who was accompanied by his son Lee Yaw Koo, attended the ceremony to commemorate the war victims at the Petagas Memorial in Kota Kinabalu, on Saturday Jan 21, 2012. - NST pix by Edmund Samunting.

BUMPER TO BUMPER

Motorists at the Karak highway making a beeline out of Kuala Lumpur on Saturday Jan 21, 2012 to their respective destinations in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations. NST pix by Hasriyasyah Sabudin

ROADS CONGESTED

Roads leading into Johor from Singapore are highly congested on Saturday Jan 21, 2012 as Singaporeans make their way to Johor Baru for last minute shopping and meet their families and love ones in Malaysia in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations that starts on Jan 23-24. - Bernama

NEW YEAR RUSH

In this Friday Jan. 20 2012 photo, Chinese travelers crowd a long-distance bus terminal in Chengdu, in southwestern China's Sichuan province. Millions of Chinese are expected to cram onto China's train and bus network to return home for the Chinese Lunar New Year which begins on Jan. 23, 2012. - AP

NO STOPPING EXODUS FROM THE CITY

Yesterday evening’s downpour caused flash floods in various parts of the Klang Valley, resulting in a massive traffic congestion. Traffic slowed to a crawl in many parts of the city as city folk headed home as part of the balik kampung exodus for the Chinese New Year holidays, which falls on Monday. Pic by Adib Rawi

FROM MALAYSIA WITH LOVE

Mercy Malaysia Relief Operations head Eddy Hew Cheong Yew carrying a 25kg rice package on his shoulder at the Mercy Malaysia food relief programme for Somalian refugees in Mogadishu, Somalia. Pic by Aizuddin Saad

BABAGON’S SWEET DELIGHTS

Farmer Diana Murin cutting a pineapple for customers to sample at her roadside stall in Kampung Babagon, Penampang, a popular stopover for motorists travelling between the district and the interior. Diana, who also plants the fruit at a plot behind her house not far from where the stalls are, said demand for pineapples, particularly from Babagon, have been consistently high because of its reputation as the sweetest of all types planted in Sabah or even the country. Most of those who sell at the roadside stalls are like Diana — they plant and sell their produce. Apart from pineapples, seasonal fruits, vegetables and freshwater fish are also sold there. Pic by Zunnur Al Shafiq

RED HOT VAMPIRE

Cast member Kate Beckinsale arrives at the premiere of "Underworld Awakening" in Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. Wearing her trademark skin-tight leather outfit on screen, Beckinsale plays the lead character Selene, a vampire, in the highly successful 'Underworld' series of films. AP/ Matt Sayles

WORK OF ART FOR LUNAR CNY

Nicasio Leong Magdaraog puts some finishing touches to the head of a dragon for the start of celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 in Manila's Chinatown district, Philippines. The Lunar New Year, known as the Year of the Dragon, begins Monday, Jan. 23. -- AP/ Pat Roque

ANG POW FOR CHONG HWA

"Ah Jib Gor", or "elder brother Najib" in Chinese, announced an allocation of RM2.5 million for the construction of a new building for the school, the "ang pow" (cash packet) coming just two days before the Chinese new year of the dragon on Monday. Pix by Effendy Rashid.

LUNAR NEW YEAR RUSH

Passengers queue up at the check-in counter at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, as millions of Chinese make their way home to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year, on Friday Jan. 20, 2012. Photo by AP.

WRATH OF FIRE

A fire seen raging which razed 6 shop houses in Taman Bolton, Gombak, Selangor today.

PINING FOR PROSPERITY

The demand for golden and flower pineapples grows as Chinese New Year approaches. The pineapple has special meaning as its Chinese name means 'prosperity beckoning'. Pix by Mohd Kamil Rahim.

KODAK IN BANKRUPTCY

A November 5, 2009 file picture shows workers fixing a giant electronic billboard advertising for Kodak at Time Square, New York. Eastman Kodak, which brought photography to the masses over a century ago, filed for bankruptcy early today. -- AFP

GLOBAL MOVEMENT OF MODERATES LUNCHEON

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak chatting with delegates at Luncheon Global Movement of Moderates Conference. Pix by Effendy Rashid .

CHINESE NEW YEAR RUSH...

Passengers walk through a wicket while making their way to board trains at Shanghai Railway Station, as millions of Chinese head home to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year, in Shanghai, China on Thursday Jan. 19, 2012. Photo by AP.

NOT GOING ANYWHERE...

The Costa Concordia cruise ship that ran aground off the west coast of Italy is seen at Giglio island January 18, 2012. Divers searching the capsized Italian cruise liner Costa Concordia suspended work on Wednesday after the vast wreck shifted by more than a metre, delaying plans to remove the oil from the liner to prevent a possible environmental disaster. Photo by Reuters.

IGNORANCE DAY

Mallory Whitt works at her desk at the offices of the Wikipedia Foundation in San Francisco, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. January 18 is a date that will live in ignorance, as Wikipedia started a 24-hour blackout of its English-language articles, joining other sites in a protest of pending U.S. legislation aimed at shutting down sites that share pirated movies and other content. Photo by AP.

TOUCH OF SPRING

Preschool children pasting cutouts of a Chinese character which means ‘spring’ on a wall in their classroom at Tadika Ilmu Ceria in Serdang New Village, Selangor, yesterday. The decorations are part of the kindergarten’s efforts to usher in the Chinese New Year, which is also known as the Spring Festival in China. - Pic by Yong Chee Choong

NO WHERE TO RUN

Kuala Lumpur traffic police officer Zaini Abu Seman recording speeding motorists using a Tru Cam camera during Ops Sikap 25 at Km6.6 of the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway yesterday. The light-weight camera captures images that clearly show the registration numbers of vehicles. Ops Sikap 25 has recorded 2,626 accidents and 26 fatalities nationwide since it was launched on Monday. Police have also issued 26,990 summonses for various traffic offences during the period. Ops Sikap 25, which was launched in conjunction with Chinese New Year, will end on Jan 30.

UMMI FORGIVES AZWAN

At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today, Ummi Hafilda Ali (left) says she is willing to retract the police report made against her brother, Azwan Ali (right) who was said to have threatened her recently. - NST Photo by Chan Wai Yew

IHSAN SAMUDERA

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is scheduled to launch the 'Ihsan Samudera' programme for 5,000 fishermen and their families in Kampung Tanjung Lumpur on Saturday. The fishermen will receive boat engines, nets, safety jackets and Global Positioning System gadgets, while their children will receive school uniforms, food baskets and bicycles. - Bernama Photo

DURIAN PARTY

Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim attends a gathering with foreign media representatives and a durian party at Craft Complex, Jalan Conlay in Kuala Lumpur today. -- NST Photo by Izhari Ariffin

SMILE...YOU ARE ON 'TRU CAM'

Zaini Abu Seman, a police traffic personnel, using the 'Tru Cam' to filter the speed of passing vehicles in a speed trap operation during the Ops Sikap at Km 6.6 on the Duke Highway. Pix by Rosdan Wahid.

HAZARDOUS IN CHINA

Thick smog envelops downtown Beijing, China, 18 January 2012. The level of air pollution measured, by the US Embassy in Beijing monitoring station, as a hazardous 414 on the PM2.5 index. China has indicated it will introduce the same type of monitoring in Beijing and other major cities, bowing to public pressure as concerns grow over pollution which health authorities indicate lower life expectancy by at least five years.

PENGUINS IN HANBOK

Penguins wear traditional Korean hanbok costumes during a photo call held as part of a Lunar New Year event at an aquarium in Seoul January 18, 2012.

LONGEST 'LIDI' DRAGON

Malaysia Book of Records founder and managing director Datuk Danny Ooi (right) inspecting the longest hand-made dragon replica, made from wooden skewers at Sungei Wang Plaza in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday Jan 17, 2012. The 35m long dragon is made out of 75,000 wooden skewers and took 10 people and two weeks to be completed. NST pix by Iqmal Haqim Rosman

A SON'S LOVE

Takbirun Naning, 37, carrying his father, Naning Ramain after receiving the RM500 cash aid through the 1Malaysia People's Assistance (BR1M) scheme from Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin in Semporna, Sabah on Tuesday Jan 17. NST pix by Edmund Samunting

CHINA'S MASS MIGRATION

(TOP) A Chinese couple bids farewell as passengers prepare to board the train at a railway station in Beijing on January 16, 2011, as they return home for the lunar Chinese New Year holidays. (BOTTOM) Chinese passengers prepare to board their trains at a railway station in Beijing. The lunar Chinese New Year holidays this year marks the year of the dragon on January 23. China said the number of people living in cities exceeded the rural population for the first time with urban dwellers now representing 51.27 percent of China's entire population of nearly 1.35 billion, a development experts warned was likely to put strain on society and the environment. AFP

SERVING THE PEOPLE

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (front, left) greets the people of Semporna as he walks about and gets to know them better and impress upon them the benefits of being governed by the Barisan Nasional government. NST/ Edmund Samunting

ENTER THE DRAGON

This 121m-long dragon -- the longest in the state -- 'looms' near the entrance to Melaka's Jonker Walk. Malaysian-Chinese are all abuzz with excitement as the Chinese New Year of the Dragon nears. Preparations for celebrations are on high gear this week, as the weekend draws nearer. NST/ Muhammad Hatim Ab Manan

AN ACE WITH KILLER SERVE

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic prepares to serve to Russia's Vera Dushevina during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012. AP/ John Donegan

AWAKENING THE DRAGON

A worker (L) inspects a dragon lantern decoration made from recycled materials and energy-saving LED lights at the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen temple in Jenjarom, some 50 kilometres Southwest of Kuala Lumpur on January 16, 2012. The Chinese Lunar New Year, the year of the dragon, falls on January 23, 2012 and will be celebrated by ethnic Chinese worldwide. AFP/ Mohd Rasfan

ECO-FRIENDLY TRAM

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam looking at the model of the tram that will be used in Melaka. The new service, which runs on natural gas will be operational by middle of 2013. NST pix by Nur Ain Musdad

NEW MALAYSIAN COINS

The new coins which are smaller and lighter are the third in a series minted thus far, to replace the current series which is 20 years old. They will be issued in the denominations of five sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen. Its design draws inspiration from the distinct elements that define Malaysian heritage and culture. NST pix by Rosdan Wahid

1MALAYSIA VOUCHERS

Polytechnic students happy to receive the RM200 1Malaysia vouchers at the Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Azizi Shah multi-purpose hall today. -- NST Photo by Roslin Mat Tahir

FOUNTAIN ON THE HIGHWAY

Water shooting up to 5m from a broken water main after it was rammed by a car, which landed in a ditch, at the Federal Highway near the Shah Alam ramp yesterday. Pic by Afiq Razali

GETTING INTO CNY MOOD

Peter Brezina, 29 a tourist from Czeen Republic plays a trick on his friend Klara Barakova, 32, as he tries on a dragon head at Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur today.. -- Pix by Intan Nur Elliana Zakaria

MUD FILLED UTENSILS

Nor Ayu Abdul Ghani 18 , cleaning mud-stained dishes after she and other Kampung Manek Urai residents were allowed to return home from a flood relief centre yesterday. The Kampung Manek Urai in Kelantan was submerged under 3 metres of flood waters. -- Pix by Fathil Asri.

RM500 JOY

Tan Siew Lan from Kampung Pasir Penambang, elates while showing a BR1M voucher after receiving the RM500 aid from Minister for Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Datuk Seri Noh Omar at SJKC Khai Tee, Pasir Penambang, Kuala Selangor. -- Pix by Suzaini Sulaiman.

KEEPING THE TRADITION GOING

V. Lehsyni , 5, helping her mother to cook sweet rice in a decorated clay pot marking the Pongal celebration in Penang today. Pongal, is a harvest festival celebrated by Tamilians, usually held from January 13–15. -- Pix by Ramdzan Masiam

CHAMPION AGAIN

Datuk Lee Chong Wei won the men singles final beating Kenichi Tago (Japan), 21-6, 21-13 at the Maybank Malaysian Open 2012 at Bukit Jalil today. Lee Chong Wei equalled a badminton legend’s record of eight Malaysia Open titles today, trouncing his opponent in the final and declaring he had his sights set on Olympic gold. -- Pix by Yazit Razali/AFP story

CARGO SHIP WRECKED

South Korean Coast Guard boats move around the broken South Korean cargo ship Doola No. 3 after an explosion in waters off South Korea's western port city of Incheon, South Korea, left five people dead and six others missing, officials said. The unexplained explosion tore apart the front of the ship and left the 4,198-ton vessel half-submerged, coast guard officials said. -- AP photo

KAZAKHSTAN GOES TO POLLS

People studying their ballots during parliamentary elections in the village of Kosmos, east of Almaty, today. Kazakhstan began voting today in an election designed to put a second party in parliament and ease growing discontent after deadly riots shook the image of stability prized by the veteran leader of Central Asia's largest economy and oil producer. -- REUTERS picture

PM VISITS PAHANG

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak opens the Al-Wardah Welfare and Education Club Annual General Meeting at Chini Timur multi purpose hall in Pekan, Pahang today. -- NST Photo by Halim Mat Ali

CHONG WEI INTO FINALS

World No.1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei advanced into the finals of the Malaysian Open Badminton Super Series to meet Kenichi Tago from Japan after defeating World No.3 Chen Long of China in the semi-final match tonight. NST pix by Yazit Razali

RE-ELECTED

Incumbent Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou celebrates after provisional election results of the Taiwan's 2012 presidential election are announced in Taipei January 14, 2012. Ma claimed victory in the island's presidential election on Saturday, pointing to smooth future relations with China and the likelihood of stepped-up economic integration. - Reuters

CRUISE GOES UNDER

A cruise ship that ran aground is seen off the west coast of Italy at Giglio island January 14, 2012. At least six people were killed and rescuers were looking for other victims after the ship carrying more than 4,000 people ran aground overnight, took on water and tipped over. - Reuters

Without a care in the world

Children frolicking in the flood waters in Kampung Gudang Rasau, Kuantan. -- NST Pix by Luqman Hakim Zubir

The year of the dragon

Peter Brezina, 29, jokes with Klara Barakova, 32, of the Czech Republic with a dragon costume. The couple were attracted by the bright and vibrant dragon ornaments on sale for the upcoming Chinese New Year festival in Petaling Street. -- NST Pix by Nur Intan Elliana Zakaria

Taiwan goes to the polls

An elderly voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Taipei January 14, 2012. Taiwan votes for its next president and parliament on Saturday in an election that will be closely watched by China and the United States as they look for stability in the region at a time of political transition for both superpowers. -- Reuters/Shengfa Lin

KEEPING TRADITION ALIVE

Calligrapher Tony Yong expertly writes a Chinese character that means ‘dragon’ on a piece of paper at his shop in Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur. He sells his works for RM10 to RM40 a piece depending on the size of the paper in the run-up to Chinese New Year. Pic by Chan Wai Yew

Soldier Ride

Wounded veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan pedal their way across the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys, near Marathon, Florida, January 13, 2012. About 30 injured veterans and their supporters joined in the ride down segments of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway for Soldier Ride, an activity staged by the Wounded Warrior Project to provide inspiration and raise funds for injured comrades recovering in American military hospitals. -- Reuters/Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/Handout

SULTAN’S FELLOWSHIP

Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah spending time with the congregation of Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah in Shah Alam after prayers yesterday. His presence, accompanied by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, caused much excitement among the faithful with many queuing up to greet him while others whipped out their handphones to capture the moment. Pic by Rosdan Wahid

NO iPHONE 4S TODAY

Chinese police stand guard as they block off the area outside an Apple store in Beijing on January 13, 2012. Thousands of Chinese tech fans queued in freezing temperatures on January 13 as the new iPhone 4S went on sale, sparking violent scenes when staff at the Beijing Apple store refused to open its doors. - AFP

MEET THE PRIME MINISTER

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak meetis the Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders and members at Intekma Resort today. Also present was Deputy Chairman of Selangor BN, Datuk Noh Omar . – NST Photo by Osman Adnan

AirAsia X ceases India, Europe flights

An Airbus A340 AirAsia X passenger jet arrives on its inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur to Paris Orly Airport, in this file photo. Malaysian long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X will stop flying to Europe and India from its Kuala Lumpur base due to soaring taxes and higher jet fuel prices, it said on its Facebook page on Thursday. “AirAsia X will concentrate capacity in our core markets of Australasia, China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea,” the carrier said. AirAsia X said it will suspend flights to Mumbai from January, while the services to New Delhi, London and Paris will cease in March. AirAsia X said customers who hold bookings after these dates will be offered an alternative travel option at no additional cost. -- Reuters picture

ENTERTAINMENT FOR TOURISTS

A busker plays bagpipes for tourists near the Houses of Parliament in London. A row between the British government in London and the SNP has escalated sharply in recent days, after British Prime Minister David Cameron on Sunday outlined a plan to bring forward the referendum, and restrict the questions asked. -- Reuters photo

SAVING WHAT THEY COULD

A resident of Sungai Lembing town in Kuantan moving things to higher grounds after her house was flooded following heavy rain last night. Some houses in the town were flooded up to 2.6 metres.

CULTURAL WELCOME

Passengers of Emirates A380 receive a 'bunga telur' upon their arrival at the KL International Airport as a welcome gesture. The Emirates A380 made its maiden landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Dubai, United Arab Emirates today. Emirates airlines will have 21 direct flights a week from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur. -- Bernama picture

IS THIS REAL?

Frankie Ng, dressed as a god of wealth was shocked when children form Ti-Ratana welfare home pulled his beard at a Chinese New Year celebration in Suria KLCC today. -- Pix by Farizul Hafiz Awang

TV HOST HOME ROBBED

Actress and TV host Wardina Safiyyah Fadlullah, 33 dan her husband Ikhwan Johari, 36 describe the robbery that took place at their home in Taman Bukit Utama, Bukit Antarabangsa early this morning. – NST Photo by Zulfadhli Zulkifli

SMALL GIFT OF GREAT KNOWLEDGE

First-year students of Politeknik Kota Baru (from left) Mud Yasaruddin Yassir, Jurita Aziz Mohamed Zain, Nur Amran Rapani, Nur Alya Iwani Ahmad Izani and Nor Nabilah Elias browsing through some books at an exhibition after they received the RM200 1Malaysia Book Voucher from Kok Lanas assemblyman Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad in Kota Baru, Kelantan, yesterday. The book vouchers are redeemable only for academic books. In the 2012 Budget, it was announced that some 1.3 million students in institutions of higher learning would be given RM260 million worth of book vouchers. Pic By Syamsi Suhaimi

CATCH OF THE DAY

Rashid Ibrahim, 35, a fisherman, arranging his catch of siput mentarang for sale in Lahar Idin, Penanga, Kepala Batas, Seberang Perai Utara. Priced at only RM6 per kg, Rashid sells about 200kg or about 2,000 pieces of this shellfish a day. This type of shellfish breeds along muddy shores and is popular with the locals. It tastes delicious when fried or cooked with vegetables and curry. It is also very appetising when grilled. Pic by Mohd Kamil Rahim

BEAMING DRAGON

Pedestrians walk pass an illuminated decoration shaped as a dragon as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Beijing today. The new Chinese year of the dragon begins on January 23. -- AFP photo

HONOURED

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor (left) receiving a racket from national badminton player Datuk Lee Chong Wei. -- Bernama photo

Happy as a clam..?

Rohani Jalil, 48, earns a living by selling 'lokan' (clams) in Jalan Kuantan, Kemaman. The clams are found near Sungai Chendor about 7 kilometers from Cherating. Each bag has 50 clams and is sold at RM10. -- NST Pix by Luqman Hakim Zubir

Now everyone can fly.. well, almost.

The owner of the goods van removes his belongings after a Myvi crashes into his vans upon hitting a pile of sand at Jalan Perkeliling, Pengkalan Chepa in front of a petrol station at 7.30 am this morning. The driver is reported to be uninjured. -- NST Pix by Zaman Huri Isa

Dakar 2012

Thierry Bethys, of France, races his Yamaha in the 9th stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between Antofagasta and Iquique, Chile, Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012. -- AP Photo/Martin Mejia

Take Note!

An artist creates a caricature on a Samsung Galaxy Note device on the opening day of the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 10, 2012. The Note is the first phone to go over the 5-inch screen size, coming in at 5.3 inches. -- Reuters/Rick Wilking

MALNOURISHED

In this file photo, one year and 9-month-old Sania cries as she is weighed only 5 kilogrammes on a scale after eating a meal at a ward for malnourished children at a government hospital in Morena in the Central Indian State of Madhya Pradesh. A new study says 42 per cent of children in India under the age of five are underweight and nearly 60 per cent are stunted. The Hunger and Malnutrition Survey monitored over 100,000 children in 112 districts across nine states in the country from October 2010 to February of last year. -- AP photo

GIANT BIRD

A video game character "angry bird" sculpture made from piggy banks, an emblem of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen, is displayed outside her campaign office in Taichung today. Tsai is challenging incumbent Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang party (KMT) on the January 14 vote. -- AFP photo

IN RECOGNITION OF WEAVING HERITAGE

A Pos Malaysia staff showing a collection of stamps unveiled today with five themes based on the country's weaving heritage, namely the Songket, Kain Cindai, Sutera Cina, Pua Kumbu and Rangkit. Pos Malaysia chose the theme as a mark of appreciation for the textile arts and traditional weaving heritage which were introduced by traders 2,000 years ago. Each stamp, measuring 35mm x 45mm, is printed on a phosphor-coated paper and priced at 60 sen while the first day cover, totalling 30,000 units, is priced at 50 sen each. It can be purchased from post offices nationwide from Jan 12. -- Bernama photo

DOLPHIN RESCUE

A dolphin specialist Lindsay Porter (right) from the St Andrew University, Scotland, and Kenneth Kassem (left) from the World Wildlife Fund in their effort to move the stranded dolphin to an enclosure within the Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort after its staff spotted the mammal at Tanjung Aru beach in Kota Kinabalu, yesterday morning. - NST pic by Edmund Samunting

ADAM ADLI SUSPENDED

Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student, Adam Adli Abd Halim who lowered a banner bearing the image of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was suspended three semesters by the university today. -- NSTP Photo by L. Manimaran

PM RETURNS HOME

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrived home today from a 2-day working visit to South Africa. The special aircraft carrying the prime minister and wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor touched down at KL International Airport at 2.40pm. Najib was among 46 national leaders who gathered in Mangaung at Bloemfontein, a 5-hour journey from Johannesburg yesterday, to witness the 100th anniversary celebration of the South African ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC). -- Bernama Photo

TRYING NOT TO FALL

A National Service trainee on the ropes during training. Defense Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi took time to visit the PLKN Rimba Templer Rawang training camp this morning. The National Service is gaining popularity among youngsters, especially parents. NST pix by Hasriyasyah Sabudin

MAKEOVER

NST Body Makeover Challenge winner Mohd Firdaus Mohammad (centre), runners-up Faroukh Othman (right) and third placed Chan Woei Yee (left). --- NST Photo By Nur Adibah Ahmad Izam

FIRE DAMAGE

Bomba personnel checking a damaged BMW after succesfully putting out the fire at kilometer 237 of the PLUS Highway near Pedas-Linggi Toll gate today. - NSTP Photo by Owee Ah Chun

MEETING THE FOREIGN PRESS

PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his family held a press conference with foreign media representatives at their house in Segambut, Kuala lumpur this morning.

HELPING HAND

Needy senior citizens in Alor Star throng the Kedah Chinese Assembly Hall to register for Chinese New Year ang pow to be handed out by the Kedah Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Jan 14. PIC by pc lim

A NEW YEAR MUST

Shopping centre employee in Rawang, S. Sharruiin (right) holding a lime tree being sold for RM28.80 in conjunction with the coming Chinese New Year as customers Ryan Yuen and Mazni Joseph look on. Bernama pic

VICTORIOUS CHEER

French skipper Loick Peyron (rear left), sprays champagne with his crew, as they arrive in Brest harbour, western France, today. Peyron and his thirteen-man crew have beaten the around-the-world sailing record by more than two days to take the Jules Verne Trophy, beating the old mark set by Franck Cammas on Groupama 3 in 2010. -- AP photo

MISSION ICE BLOCKED

The Russian-flagged tanker Renda, carrying more than 1.3 million gallons of fuel, sits in the ice while the Coast Guard Cutter Healy crew breaks the ice around the tanker approximately 19 miles northwest of Nunivak Island on Friday. The cutter Healy crew is escorting the Renda crew to Nome, Alaska, where the tanker crew will offload the needed fuel to the city. The vessels are transiting through ice up to five-feet thick in this area. The 370-foot tanker Renda will have to go through more than 300 miles of sea ice to get to Nome, a city of about 3,500 people on the western Alaska coastline that did not get its last pre-winter fuel delivery because of a massive storm. If the delivery of diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline is not made, the city likely will run short of fuel supplies before another barge delivery can be made in spring. -- AP photo

A LOYALIST

A supporter of Taiwan President and Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou displays her manicured nails with Ma's name on it in Changhwa county, central Taiwan today.The upcoming presidential and legislative election will be held on January 14. -- Reuters photo

IN SUPPORT OF PM

Proton staff holding 1Malaysia placards showing their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on his visit to Proton plant in Shah Alam during his meeting with Selangor workforce today. -- Pix by Afendi Mohamed.

CITRUS GIFT

Patrons of Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur receiving oranges from a dragon. The mall entertained its visitors today with a traditional dragon dance to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year. -- Pix by Aizuddin Saad.

GRACIOUS

A Cambodian dancer performs in Victory Day celebrations to mark the Khmer Rouge regime's downfall in 1979 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, today. -- AP photo

LEARNING IS FUN

Smart Reader Kids in Bandar Baru Bangi principle, Datin Nor Hidayawati Jaafar (centre) spending time with her students and having fun learning while teaching the beauty of Mathematics. Pix by Nur Adibah Ahmad Izam.

SURFERS' PARADISE

A surfer sails over the high surf at sunset Friday, Jan. 6, 2012 in Encinitas, Calif. Surfers took advantage of the summer like weather and high surf hitting the Southern California coast. Photo by AP.

BLAZE VICTIM

The recovered remains of the seventh firefighter who died while fighting a forest fires raging the mountains of the commune of Carahue, near Temuco, some 700 Km south of Santiago, Chile, are transported in the side-basket of a helicopter on January 6, 2012. Ten firefighters -- private contractors for forestry company Mininco -- were trapped Thursday when the blaze changed direction. AFP photo

MA MEETS MA

Taiwan's incumbent President and presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou is greeted by a giant doll of himself while meeting supporters as he tours the neighborhoods of Nantou, southern Taiwan, today. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 14. -- AP picture

EXTRAORDINARY

Some of Hot FM Terengganu's yeh-yeh tour participants with their unique bicycles. -- Pix by Aswadi Alias

H5N1 CONCERN

A pigeon flies in Hong Kong. The World Health Organization (WHO) said it was "deeply concerned" about research into whether the H5N1 flu virus could be made more transmissible between humans after mutant strains were produced in labs. -- AFP photo

SHOW OF SKILLS

Qin Xiao Long,25 Chen Ming, 15, and Wan He Long, 17 from Asia Pacific Circus & Acrobatic Sdn Bhd giving an interesting show of skills at the Jusco shopping centre in Rawang in conjunction of the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations. Pix by Bernama.

FESTIVE MOOD IS IN THE AIR

Special worker, Li Lian Huan, getting about 500 lanterns ready to be used as decorations during the Chinese New Year celebrations in Sunway Pyramid. Pix by Syarafiq Abd Samad.

No way through

A motorist stands on the edge of a break in highway BR 356 that was washed away after several days of heavy rains swelled the Muriae River in Campos, 230 kms (142 miles) northeast of Rio de Janeiro, January 5, 2012. Civil Defense officials said the 4,000 residents of the town are being evacuated, and they expect the flooding to continue for three to four months. Photo by Reuters.

YOUNG ADULTS

Twenty-year-old female tour guides dressed in traditional kimonos hang up 'ema', or voting tablets, with their written wishes after a purification ceremony with a Shinto priest to celebrate Japan's Coming of Age Day at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine on January 6, 2012. Since tour guides will be busy working on Japan's national holiday Coming-of-Age Day on January 9, the company held a ceremony for them ahead of time. Young people turning 20 are officially recognised as adults in Japan. AFP PHOTO

PETROL SMUGGLERS NABBED

Perlis Anti-Smuggling Unit deputy commander of operations Mejar Noor Mohamed Shaik Alaudin (centre) and his officers inspecting the seized vehicles. Seven people were arrested for trying to smuggle out RM6,000 worth of petrol and diesel at Bukit Kayu Hitam yesterday. The seven were arrested as they were travelling in six vehicles, including a trailer, at Km6, near the border checkpoint about 7.30am. Checks showed the suspects had concealed 1,900 litres of petrol and 1,600 litres of diesel in their vehicles. Pic by Lim Poh Chin.

ANCIENT ART

An African student dangling from a metal bowl performs Qigong, a practice originated from China where coordinating breathing and movement is carried out for exercise and meditation, in Hong Kong. Twenty-seven orphan students from Malawi who were trained to speak fluent Mandarin at a Taiwan-funded Buddhist orphanage in Africa performed dance and kung-fu for a group of primary school students in Hong Kong as a part of a cultural exchange program. -- AFP photo

COSTLY DAMAGE

A firefighter cuts a tree after if fell on a car in Ghent, 50 km west of Brussels, Belgium, today. Gale force winds caused disruption in Belgium, France, Britain and the Netherlands. -- AP picture

SECOND DAY AT SCHOOL

Teachers of Tadika Suria Bestari Cerdik in Taman Daya, Johor Baru trying to calm down Darik Lim Yokeshen, 4, on his second day at school. -- Bernama picture

PREPARING FOR THE BIG DAY

A worker painting head of a dragon, used in a traditional dragon dance during Chinese New Year. The company has so far completed about 70 dragon heads. It takes about two-weeks to complete a whole dragon, which is sold at price range of between RM1800 and RM 2300. -- Pix by Syarafiq Abd Samad

PREMIER HANDSHAKE

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, right, shakes hand with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak upon arrival for the Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. Photo by AP.

TURN BACK...FAST...

A pickup truck makes a u-turn after high winds sent a grassfire-turned-wildfire on a destructive path across the prairies east of Nanton, Alta January 4, 2012. Photo by Reuters.

CHECK OUT THE BLUEFINS

A fishmonger checks large bluefin tuna before the first trading of the new year at Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market on January 5, 2012. A bluefin tuna was traded at 56.5 million yen (724,000 US dollars) at the wholesale market auction.

WHERE’S MY MAMA?

Some are immensely happy, but many are just like Muhamad Danish Jasmi on their first day at school. The anxious Year One lad just can’t hold back his tears any more and makes a dash to find some comfort at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Pantai in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Nearly 140 students registered for Year One at the school yesterday. Bernama pic

WAT-ER DIRTY ISSUE

Kelantan People’s Action Council president Che Azmi Mohd Ali addressing some 300 people who gathered outside Komplek Darul Naim, the Kelantan state secretariat office, over water quality issues yesterday. Poor water quality had been plaguing Kelantan for many years and it has yet to be resolved by the Pas-led state government despite being in charge of the state for five terms. Pic by Zaman Huri Isa

NO CHANGE IN PEOPLE’S ATTITUDE

The once ‘beautiful’ Penang River has became an eyesore following irresponsible action by some members of the public who continue to dump garbage into it despite the numerous cleanliness campaigns carried out by the local authorities. Pic by Ramdzan Masiam

CHARRED REMAINS

Fire and Rescue Department officers combing through the debris to look for the cause of a fire which razed a double-storey house in at Kampung Berjaya, Alor Star. Two people were killed in the blaze early yesterday. Pic by Shahrizal Md Noor

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

Despite the monsoon season, Kuala Lumpur still enjoys blue skies and sunshine, as seen from this view from the Kuala Lumpur Tower. The city has been experiencing light, intermittent rainfall compared to the heavy rains in flood-hit states such as Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor. The monsoon season is expected to last until early March. Pic by Chan Wai Yew

WHERE THERE’S A WILL

Despite being paralysed from the waist down as a result of an accident 10 years ago, kite maker Husmizi Ibrahim did not let it rob him of his spirit to continue to contribute to the preservation of heritage. With an eye for detail, Husmizi transforms a common Wau Bulan (traditional Malay kite) into a work of art from his home in Pulai Chondong, Machang. He designs intricate motifs to add value to the wau bulan and other traditional kites. Pic by Zaman Huri Isa

BOUNTIFUL ‘HARVEST’ IN THE CITY

Nurul Iman Yusof, 18, watering her fruits to retain their freshness at her stall in Jalan Raja Alang, Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. City dwellers don’t have to go far to obtain various types of local fruit as they can be found aplenty in this place. Malaysia’s equatorial climate is conducive to the growth of tropical fruits like durian, mangosteen and rambutan. Pic by Khairull Azry Bidin

UP IN SMOKE

Pemandu Town Bus Service Sdn Bhd driver, Laganathan Doraisamy, with his half-burnt fare collection he had salvaged from his charred bus which earlier caught fire on the Alor Gajah-Central Malacca-Jasin Highway, near Sekolah Kebangsaan Semabok. The 12.25pm incident was triggered by an engine problem. Pic by Rasul Azli Samad

SCHOOLBOUND

A group of children from Kampung Mantaranau, Kiulu walking to school at SK Pekan Kiulu in Sabah from as early as 6am. About 40 children, mostly primary school pupils, trek across rubber plantations, secondary forest and two other vilages on a route of about five kilometres to the Kiulu township where they attend class either at SK Pekan Kiulu or the SM Tun Fuad Stephens. Pic by Zunnur Al Shafiq.

FIRST DAY TEARS

Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Tun Dr Ismail 1 pupil, Marcus Chow consoled by his teacher on the first day of school today. Pix by Effendy Rashid.

SHOWING OFF THEIR NEW MYKAD

Abdul Latif Ismail and his wife Fauziah Madon showing off their new MyKad after getting it replaced at the Selangor National Registration Department at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam today. - Bernama

TEMPORARY CUSTODY

Munawar Tan Abdullah (centre) hugs his two relatives after gaining temporary custody the children from the Butterworth Magistrate court today. -- NST Photo by Danial Saad

IST DAY BLUES

A standard one pupil of Sekolah Kebangsaan Teluk Pasu cries when left by herself on the first day at school today.

READY FOR THE WATER DRAGON

A worker (right) putting up lanterns at Thean Hou Temple in Lorong Bellamy, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday in preparation for the Chinese New Year which falls on Jan 23. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2012 is the year of the Water Dragon. In Chinese culture, the dragon is considered an auspicious creature symbolising power, strength and good luck. Pic by Chan Wai Yew

FLOODS WILL NOT STOP THEM

Even the floods will not stop these two brothers Mohd Badrulzaman Munir Bahari, 13 and Mohd Baharuddin Mizwan, 9, from going to school that starts tomorrow. They made sure all books, school uniform and shoes are all dried up while their parents cleans up the house after the floodwaters in Padang Besar receded this morning. NST pix by Eizairi Shamsudin

COMING OF THE DRAGON

Abdul Latip Shurikin, 30, setting up lanterns for the upcoming Chinese New Year 2012 at Thean Hou Temple. According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23 rd, 2012 and ends on February 9th, 2013. The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs. The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness for the Chinese. NST pix Chan Wai Yew

GOING FOR HIGHER GROUNDS

Mustafa Harun, 52 and his wife, Haimah Awang, 53 transferring important belongings and their childrens e-book netbooks to safer grounds after their house was submerged in floodwaters at Kampung Nyatoh, Setiu in Terengganu this morning. NST pix by Imran Makhzan

LUCKY BAGS

New Year's shoppers pick up lucky bags which contain items worth three times as much as the price tag to celebrate the New Year business at Tokyo's Mitsukoshi department store on January 2, 2012. People buy lucky bags to try their luck at the New Year's sales at Japan's biggest holiday of the year. Photo by AFP.

TRIUMPHANT

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia reacts during her first round match against Tamira Paszek of Austria at the Brisbane International tennis tournament, in Brisbane on January 2, 2012. Photo by AFP

WELCOME BACK NICOL

Six times world champion, Datuk Nicol David received a warm welcome from her fans at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport(KLIA) last night. Pix by Yazit Razali.

COLOURFUL CELEBRATION

Fireworks adorn skies at I City, Shah Alam during Karnival Sayang Selangor today. -- Bernama picture

USHERING NEW YEAR

Seven-year-old M. Mishalani having a face painting by Mohd Khairi Shamsudin, 23, while attending the New Year 2012 Celebration Countdown at I City, Shah Alam.

NEW YEAR'S SWIM

Winter swimmers of the club Berliner Seehunde (Berlin Sea Dogs) take a new year's swim in four degrees centigrade water in lake Orankesee, Berlin, Germany, today. The group meet annually for their traditional new year's day swim. -- EPA picture

GRANDSON TO THE RESCUE

Muhammad Azrin Jusoh, 18 carrying his 90-year-old grandmother who is paralysed to safer grounds after their house in Kampung Apal, Besut, Terengganu was flooded following heavy rain last night.

DRAGON YEAR DECO

According to the Chinese calender 2012 is the year of dragon. In conjunction with the dragon year, some shops are offering limited exotic mini dragon fruit tree to their customers as Chinese people start to shop for Chinese New Year decoration. -- Pix by Chan Wai Yew

FATAL NEW YEAR CRASH

Seven people were killed in an accident involving two cars and a trailer at KM6 of the Lekir-Manjung road near Sitiawan, Perak last night, about 80km from Ipoh. Five others were reported seriously injured. - NST

KTM EXTENDS SERVICE

KTM services will extend into the early hours of January 1 to cater for people celebrating the New Year in the city. Extra services will operate past regular hours for routes such as Mid Valley and KL Sentral to Rawang, Putra and KL Sentral to Seremban, Putra and KL Sentral to Port Klang and Batu Caves. -- NSTP Photo by Chan Wai Yew

SG PERAK TRAGEDY

The body of 1 of the 3 children who drowned - after being swept away by the strong currents of Sungai Perak at Kuala Kenderong two days ago - being carried on a stretcher. -- Bernama Photo

USHERING IN 2012

Mohd Fuad Hussein,32 (kiri) dan Mohd Raffe Khalid,27, showcasing their new year glasses they sold at Muar Uptown, Jalan Maharani in Muar. Pix by Shahrul M. Zain.

EXTENDED HOURS

A notice shown on KTM services that will be extended to early morning on 1st January 2012 for public celebrating New Year's Eve in the city. The additional services would be operational after the regular train schedule on 31st December 2011 and will involve routes from Mid Valley and KL Sentral to Rawang, Putra and Kl Sentral to Seremban, Putra and KL Sentral to Pelabuhan Klang and Batu Caves only. The last train for Mid Valley and KL Sentral to Rawang is at 2.06am, Putra and KL Sentral to Seremban 2am and Putra and KL Sentral to Port Klang 2.06 am. Picture taken at KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur. Pix by Chan Wai Yew .

ON THE BALL

Hairuddin Omar (ATM) trying to get past the defence of Muhamad Sufian Anuar from Singapore Lion XII in a friendly match at Stadium MBPJ last night. Pix by Yazit Razali.

KING OF FRUITS

Durian Kampung Payamas is popular especially to locals due to its delicate and rare taste when they are in season. Pix by Shahrul M Zain.

BACK TO SCHOOL

A Form 1 student from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Taman Tun Dr Ismail seen heaving a load of textbooks on his shoulders for the upcoming 2012 school term which starts on the 3rd and 4th January nationwide. Pix by Effendy Rashid.

A BIG HIT

The 1Malaysia shop that just opened during the Sayangi Selangor carnival in I-Citym Shah Alam was flocked with customers on the opening day. Pix by Yong Chee Choong.

ARIFIN JAKA PASSED AWAY

A relative pours rose-scented water over the grave of the late Datuk Arifin Jaka, a retired Court of Appeal judge, who passed away this morning at Serdang Hospital. He was buried at Precinct 20, Putrajaya this afternoon. NST picture by Farizul Hafiz Awang

BEYOND REPAIR

Five cars belonging to hotel guests at Jalan Nazrin Shah, Ipoh were damaged after trees fell on the cars. Pix by Muhaizan Yahya.

PRE-DAWN EXPLOSION

Fire burning at a warehouse is seen from Pazundaung creek in Mingalar TaungNyunt township, Yangon, Myanmar, 29 December 2011. The explosions occurred early morning around 2:00 am at a warehouse killing at least 10 people.

CAR ON FIRE

Two men were badly burnt when this car, parked at the Shah Alam Stadium, caught fire at 3.30pm today. Pix by Mohamd Naufal Mohamad Idris

LAST RESPECT

North Korean citizens living in Malaysia visit the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur to pay their last respects to the deceased North Korean leader Kim Jong-II who passed away following a heart attack recently. -- NST Photo by Aizuddin Saad

LIMITED EDITION

Monsoon Cup 2010 the memories, the limited edition book that is out in major bookstores nationwide today. The book gives a fascinating glimpse into how the yacht race grew from a simple vision into an internationally acclaimed event.Pix by Supian Ahmad.

HARRODS MADNESS

Shoppers crowd the doorway of Harrods department store as it opens for post-Christmas sales in London December 27, 2011. Photo by Reuters.

FLOOD AID

Sarawak State Welfare department giving out rice, sugar and other basic necessities to the flood victims at Kampung Simpok flood relief centre. Up to date, there are about 6,891 flood evacuees have been relocated to relief centres. Pix by Nadim Bokhari.

NOT FOR SALE

A worker walks in front of lines of Honda cars that were damaged by the flood before the destruction demonstration at Honda automobile plant in Ayutthaya province, central Thailand Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011. The 1,055 unit of Honda cars, mostly Brio eco-cars and City subcompacts, were destroyed in an action to assure to customers that the flood-damaged cars will not be repaired and sold. Photo by AP.

BEYOND REPAIR

Adam Salleh, 44, seen moving away his washing machine after it was damaged in a flood in Rantau Panjang. Pix by Azahan Rosli.

POPULAR SEAFOOD

Seafood buyers carefully select the popular 'siput mentarang' which is commonly found at Kampung Sungai Tembus in Kepala Batas, Kedah. - NST Photo by Zulfa Mohamad

GIVING THANKS

S. Thulasi, 7, scattering flowers into the sea at Miami beach in Batu Ferringhi, Penang, yesterday after thanksgiving prayers with her family for surviving a tsunami seven years ago. She was only 20 days old when tidal waves slammed the island, causing her to be swept away from her parents’ restaurant on Dec 26, 2004. She was found crying while floating on a mattress by her father, A. Suppiah, several hours later. She was later named ‘tsunami baby’ as she was found amid the despair, giving people hope of finding their loved ones who were swept out to sea. Bernama pic

PREPARED FOR THE WORST

Natural calamities come in many forms, and one of them is flood. As a precaution, Nor Azli Saliman, a resident of Pagoh, Johor, decided to build a raft out of plastic barrels with a sheet of canvas as a roof to shelter his family and their possessions from the rain. A visit to Kampung Jawa in Muar found that other residents have also taken similar precautionary measures to safeguard their electrical appliances and clothes. Pic by Shahrul M. Zain

SANTARINA AFLOAT

Sujie Abang, 51, in her santarina suit braves the flood at her house in Moyan Lidan Asajaya, near Kota Samarahan Kuching on Christmas day. Some 5000 residents in the area were evacuated to four flood evacuation centres. NST picture by Nadim Bokhari

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, his wife, Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman (left), Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and wife Datin Seri Maznah Rais at the Malaysian Christmas Open House 2011 at SMK Tinggi Kajang. Pix by Fariz Iswadi Ismail

CHRISTMAS CHEER

Tan Sri Dr Jason Goh and wife Puan Sri Pernile Villadsen gives a present to his father-in-law Jorgen Villadsen, who travelled from Denmark to celebrate Christmas in Sg Buloh. Also present were his daughter Victoria Goh (3rd from right) and other family members from Denmark - Peer Hubschmann (5th from right), Sebastian Hubschmann (4th from right), Ann Villadsen (2nd from right), and Sarah Hubschmann (right). Pix by Aizuddin Saad

NO CABLES, PLEASE

Taman Bukit Segar Jaya, Cheras residents protest against the plan to erect high tension cables in Zone 24. -- NST Photo by Danial Saad

FOR THEIR SAFETY

A father carries his child to safety after Sungai Endau in Tanjung Gemuk, Rompin, began overflowing last night due to high tide. Pix by Afif Abd Halim

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Christmas decorations light up Pavilion on Christmas Eve in Kuala Lumpur today. -- NST Photo by Fariz Iswadi Ismail.

TAN SRI DR ABDUL HAMID OTHMAN PASSED AWAY

File photo of Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Othman. The former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department passed away today, believed to be from a stroke. Abdul Hamid, 72, who was advisor to Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd, died at 4.45pm while working in his office at Maju Junction in Kuala Lumpur. Bernama photo

MACC seize NFC documents

An eight-man team from the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission ( MACC) today seized several documents and a computer from the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) office in Kuala Lumpur as part of their ongoing investigations.

'DATUK' AWARDS...

Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah bestowed the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP) carrying the title 'Datuk' to Mizal Zaini (AC Mizal) and Idris Md Yusof (Eizlan Yusoff) at Istana Abu Bakar in conjunction with his birthday. Also attending the ceremony were Emylia Rosnaida Abd Hamid dan Vieshantie Harun. Pix by Halim Mat Ali.

LITTLE MASTERCHEFS...

Nur Marisya Mohd Alimin, 11 and Miza Nasrin AAfriza Zulkifli, 9, displaying their masterpiece during the Dapur BK programme with Bintang Kecil readers aged 7-13 years old at the Concorde Hotel. Pix by Intan Nur Elliana Zakaria.

MAHER ZAIN IN CONCERT

Singer Maher Zain (right) with Perak tourism exco, Datuk Hamidah Osman signing on tourism products during the Perak Tourism Monorail launch at Saloma restaurant. Maher Zain will perform a free concert for his Perak fans on Saturday, December 24. The two-hour concert will be held at Stadium Perak, Ipoh. Pix by Lim Poh Chin.

HAPPY MOMENTS

Little Nicole Sim Xiang Qing, 2, playing with the Christmas tree ornaments at the Pavillion shopping centre celebration display in Kuala Lumpur. Pix by Danial Saad.

ONLY FOR WOMEN...

A picture taken on November 25, 2011 shows an outside view of the Bella Sky hotel in Copenhagen. Behind a locked glass door lies the 17th floor of the hotel: the Bella Donna floor is off-limits to men so women will feel safe and pampered, even though it is in violation of gender equality laws. Access to Bella Donna, which means Beautiful Woman in Italian, is so strictly restricted that a female guest who wants to bring a man up to her room must ask to switch rooms to another floor. Photo by AFP.

BABY ELEPHANT RESCUED

Department of Wildlife and National Parks personnel are coaxing a baby elephant rescued from Kampung Troh, Karak, into a truck to be relocated to a national park this morning. The baby elephant is accompanied by its mother. NST picture by Mohd Rafi Mamat

STRONG SUPPORT

About 1000 students from public and private institutions of higher learning show their strong support for the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Ministry of Higher Education in Putrajaya today. - Bernama Photo

BIRD FLU

Workers place dead chickens into plastic bags after they were killed at a live chicken distribution centre in Hong Kong today. Hong Kong culled 17,000 chickens and suspended live poulty imports for 21 days after three birds tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu virus. -- AFP PHOTO

NEW TECHNOLOGY

National Heart Institute (NHI) Chief Executive Officer, Tan Sri Dr Robaayah Zambahari showing the MitraClip Mitral Valve Repair System used to repair the clogged heart arteries that will cost RM150,000 at a press conference today. Pix by Nik Hariff Hassan.

KEPLER-20e

An artist's rendering shows a planet called Kepler-20e in this handout released December 20, 2011. NASA's Kepler mission has discovered the first Earth-size planets orbiting a sun-like star outside our solar system, a milestone in the search for planets like the earth, the space agency said on Tuesday. Photo by Reuters.

BANNED...

A file picture taken on October 15, 2011 shows Liverpool's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (L) exchanging words with Manchester United's French defender Patrice Evra (R) during an English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England. Suarez was hit with an eight-game ban and a 40,000 British pound (48,000 euro) fine on December 20 after a Football Association disciplinary hearing found he had racially abused Evra at Anfield on October 15. Photo by AFP.

Vietnamese fishermen rescued

- Eight Vietnamese fishermen were rescued when their deep-sea boat sank at the Tok Bali estuary, in Pasir Puteh today after being hit by high waves. The incident occurred as soon as their boat tried to enter the estuary to land their catch at the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) port at 10am. - Bernama

FLOOD AID

Saiful Baharin Mohd, 38 is all smiles after receiving RM500 flood aid from Minister at the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz at Kolej Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah, Kuantan this morning. The one-off cash assistance is given out to every family who has sought relief and registered at evacuation centres. NST picture by Azmaidi Abidin

TENSE BORDER

A South Korean soldier walks along barricades at a military check point in Paju near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas this morning. North Korea announced that Kim had died on December 17 of a heart attack at the age of 69 and urged its people to rally behind his youngest son, calling him "the great successor". AFP PHOTO

X'MAS PREPARATIONS

Fascinated visitors capture photographs of Christmas decorations at Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur -- NST Photo by Chan Wai Yew

PASSING WITH FLYING COLOURS

Trainees standing at attention in celebration of completing their Fire Science Diploma and Advance Diploma in Fire Science in Fire and Rescue Department Wakaf Tapai in Marang yesterday. Some 170 trainees took the course which covers theoretical and practical aspects of fire and safety. Bernama pic

SEA HARVEST

Despite the rainy season, Saad Hussien, 55, still uses the traditional way of prawn fishing to harvest shrimps near the Portuguese Settlement in Malacca. The shrimps, locally known as ‘udang geragau’, are usually used to make ‘belacan’ and ‘cencalok’. They can also be eaten fresh. Pic by Nik Hariff Hassan

WEAVING A LIVING ON BASKETS

Maimun Mohamad, a 52-year-old housewife, weaving lekar picnic baskets using nipah leaves to support her husband and family. The smaller baskets are sold for RM7 while the larger ones cost about RM20. She can make 10 baskets in a day, some of which are sold to the public and others to wholesalers who come to Kampung Pengkalan Gelap in Kuala Setiu, Terengganu.

HOT AND REFRESHING

Visitors to the Selayang hot springs at night, immersing themselves in the nutrient properties of the warm water. It is said that the mineral content of the water such as sulphur, helps remove impurities and toxins in the blood. The 0.01 per cent of sulphur can also be used to smoothen the skin. Pic by Chan Wai Yew

Demonstration at UPSI

Security officials of Universiti Peguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Tanjung Malim close the main gates of the university during a peaceful demonstration against a 5th semester student of the college who allegedly took down a flag carrying the image of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at PWTC. Pix by Mohd Yusni Ariffin

Indelible ink for the next general election

Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof announces the use of indelible ink and advance voting in the upcoming general election at a press conference in Putrajaya today. NST picture by Afendi Mohamed

MESSI SCORES

FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against Santos FC during their FIFA Club World Cup final match at Yokohama International Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Japan today. Messi grabbed a brace as a rampant Barcelona out-classed the Brazilians Santos 4-0 to lift the Club World Cup and confirm their status as the best team on the planet. -- AFP Photo

MANY HAPPY RETURNS

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak celebrates the birthday of his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, at the launch of 1Malaysia TV in PWTC today. - Bernama Photo

Last US forces leave Iraq

The final section of the last American military convoy to depart Iraq from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division crosses over the border into Kuwait on December 18, 2011 in Khabari Al Awazeem, Kuwait. Around 500 troops from the 3rd Brigade ended their presence on Camp Adder, the last remaining American base, and departed in the final American military convoy out of Iraq, arriving into Kuwait in the early morning hours of December 18, 2011. All U.S. troops were scheduled to have departed Iraq by December 31, 2011. - AFP

SEARCH STILL ROCKS

Local rock group Search thrilled the crowd with their popular songs at the Fenomena Search Concert held at the Mines Exhibitions & Convention Centre in Seri Kembangan, Selangor last night. NST pix by Farizul Hafiz Awang

A JOLLY GOOD WET SANTA

A diver dressed in a Santa Claus outfit feeding fish at a show, ahead of Christmas next weekend, at Aquaria KLCC in Kuala Lumpur. About 9.1 per cent of Malaysia’s total population are Christians. Pic by Aizuddin Saad

Typhoon Washin death toll rises

Residents rest in an evacuation centre after their houses were washed away by flash floods caused by typhoon Washi in southern Philippines. More than 250 people were killed and almost twice that number were missing after the typhoon hit the southern Philippines, officials said on Saturday, triggering flash floods and landslides and forcing tens of thousands from their homes. - Reuters

Death toll in Philippines rises

Filipinos embrace the dead bodies of relatives after a flash floods in Iligan city, southern Mindanao, Philippines today. Some 140 people were killed and 260 missing in floods and landslides triggered by tropical storm Washi that slammed into the southern region of Mindanao bringing heavy rains that caused many rivers to overflow. The floods were worsened by the high tide, local officials said. Pix by EPA

BIEBER FEVER

Performer Justin Bieber waves to fans in front of Whitney Elementary School in Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. Bieber staged a private show Friday at the low-income school. The concert was filmed for an episode of "The Ellen Degeneres Show" and came two months after Bieber promised the school's 650 students a $100,000 donation. Photo by AP.

PS VITA'S HERE

A customer smiles as he bought Sony Compuer Entertainment's (SCE) new portable video game console "PlayStation Vita" (PS Vita) at the launching event in a video game shop in Tokyo on December 17, 2011. Sony will put the new gaming system on the market in the United States and Europe in February 2012. Photo by AFP.

ROYAL VISITOR

The newly proclaimed 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (second from right) meeting the people after Friday prayers at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur. With him is Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom (right). Bernama pic

‘Airman of the Year’

Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Gen Tan Sri Rodzali Daud (left) pinning the ‘Airman of the Year’ award on Sergeant Mohamad Lokman Abdul Jabar at a ceremony at the RMAF base in Subang yesterday. The other recipients of the award were Warrant Officer 1 Azmi Bakar (right) and Captain Norafiszal Sabuan. Bernama pic

World's shortest living woman

Guinness World Records Adjudicator Rob Molloy (right) and doctor Manoj Pahukar measure Jyoti Amge, 18, during a news conference in Nagpur today. Amge was officially announced by the Guinness World Records on December 16 the world's "shortest woman living (mobile)" measured as 62.8cm.

TO PROTECT AND SERVE

Three members of the tourist police patrolling the Kuching pier. About 40,000 personnel from government agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police, the Civil Defence Department and the People's Volunteer Corps will be deployed throughout the nation to reduce criminal activity from Jan 1. Electronic devices such as closed-circuit television cameras will also be installed in every state to fight crime. Bernama

MARINE DELIGHT

Students from schools in Pekan, Pahang, are delighted to see a diver swimming among the sharks at Aquaria yesterday. Later, they visited Petrosains. Their trip to Kuala Lumpur City Centre was sponsored by the East Coast Economic Region initiative. Pic by Mustaffa Kamal

MONORAIL FIRE DRILL

Monorel Melaka staff descends from a monorail coach using a rope ladder during a fire drill at Hang Jebat Station, Taman Rempah, Malacca today. NST picture by Muhammad Hatim Ab Manan

BREAK OFF...

Fire and Rescue personnel looking for trapped victims under a school bus and a car after the brakes of a school bus failed to work and rammed into 8 other vehicles at Jalan Dutamas Raya in Segambut today. Pix by Mokhsin Abidin.

RAGING FIRE

Firefighters discuss how to approach a burning double-tanker truck gasoline fire in Montebello, California, today. Thousands of motorists were stuck on a 10-mile stretch of freeway near Los Angeles after the big-rig tanker truck burst into flames Wednesday. No one was injured. Photo by AP.

Homeless after big waves hit Kemaman

Norizan Othman, 47, wipes away tears while going through what's left of her house at Kampung Baru Geliga in Kemaman after it was destroyed by last night's high tide and big waves. Pix by Aswadi Alias

WHAT'S LEFT OF IT...

A man walks past the Casablanca Hotel that has been bombed down by Shi'ite rebels during recent fighting with government forces in the northwestern Yemeni city of Saada December 13, 2011.

CAVING IN

The ongoing road works at Jalan Kuantan-Sg Lembing seen caving in during construction. Pix by Luqman Hakim Zubir.

FATAL CRASH

A lorry, bus and car were involved in an accident at Km367.3 of the North-South Expressway this evening. The lorry driver Vinayagamorthy, 45, was killed in the accident. -- Picture by L. Manimaran

SEEKING JOBS

Disabled people protest in the center of Athens today. Hunderds of Greeks with physical and mental disabilities and their supporters demonstrated in Athens to demand jobs and other rights amid fears about austerity measures in the economic crisis. -- AFP picture

SAVING THEIR BELONGINGS

Siblings, Mohd Hakimi Azhar, 12 (right) and Mohd Haikal Azhar, 10, from Kampung Gudang Rasau in Kuantan carrying their bicycles to safer ground as they fear it may get drifted away by flood waters. Over 1,000 flood evacuees have been allowed to return home, bringing down the number of people still at relief centres to 1,735 this evening. A police spokesman told Bernama that as at 5pm, there were still 1,255 people at five evacuation centres here and 480 in four centres in Rompin. All major roads in Pahang remained open despite the floods, he said. -- Bernama

THE KING AND HIS DEPUTY

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah being congratulated by Sultan of Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V at Istana Negara today.

FLASH FLOODS IN KL

Heavy rain today caused flash floods in several areas in Kuala Lumpur. This photo was taken at Taman Danau Kota. Pix by Sairien Nafis

HOME-MADE BOAT

Six-year-old Nazmi Nassruddin treading flood waters using a boat made of plastic drum at Kampung Sungai Belat, Kuantan. -- Picture by Luqman Hakim Zubir

Deputy Agong sworn in

Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V taking his oath as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong witnessed by the Malay Rulers in Istana Negara, Jalan Duta. Bernama pix

Agong for the second time

Sultan Kedah Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah creates history today when he becomes the first ruler to hold the office of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the second time. He served as the 5th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from Sept 21, 1970 to Sept 20, 1975. pix by NST

ROAD CAVED IN

A landslide on the slopes of Gombak-Bentong road at 36th mile caused the trunk road to close one of its two lanes for traffic. Part of the trunk road, popularly used by lorries and heavy vehicles caved in yesterday. Public Works Department (PWD) officials visited the scene and the road has been cordoned off to warn road users and for public safety. Pix by Rosela Ismail

Unique monarch system

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin with his wife Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Nur Zahirah succeeded as Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Dec 13 2006. Malaysia's constitutional monarchy system is said to be unique as compared to other countries practising the institution on Kingship. Unlike other countries where the throne is inherited, in Malaysia, the post of Head of State or the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is rotated among the nine hereditary Malay Rulers. - Bernama

Richard Marx Live

International singer Richard Marx thrilling Malaysian fans at his concert at Arena Of Stars, Genting last night. NST pix by Amran Hamid

TIMELY AID TO TIDE HER OVER

Zainad Dollah, 62, getting help from her niece, Norshahirawati Mahadi, 17, to fill up her Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia application form at her home in Kota Baru, Kelantan, yesterday. The government has allocated RM2.6 billion under the aid programme for households earning less than RM3,000 per month. Pic by Fathil Asri

DIRTY SPROUTS

A lorry carrying containers overflowing with bean sprouts making its way to the Selayang Wholesale Market yesterday. The uncovered containers leave the bean sprouts exposed to contamination, sparking food safety and hygiene concerns. Pic by Alia Yasmin

HEAVY LOAD

A Rela member ‘lugging’ an African student, who injured his left leg, after he leapt from the third floor of the Sri Palma Villa condominium to avoid an immigration raid in Mantin, Negri Sembilan, yesterday. The state Immigration Department managed to bust an African syndicate with the arrest of the suspect. His detention led to the arrests of three other accomplices who were believed to be carrying out online cheating scams. Pic by Owee Ah Chun

FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS

Protesters carry signs in the shape of robots during a rally held by Philippine, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Thai migrant workers in Taipei, today. Hundreds of migrant workers march the street to ask Taiwan government to include care-takers into the protection of labour law and allow them basic human rights including days off. The Chinese characters read, "days off." -- Reuters picture

MUSLIM HAUTE COUTURE

A model presents creations of Indonesian fashion designer Boyonz Ilyas during an Islamic fashion show at a sports centre in Jakarta, Indonesia, today. It was a kickoff show to announce an Indonesian Muslim fashion show during the International Fair of the Muslim World from Dec 17 to 19 in Paris. -- AP photo

BICYCLE FROM THE PAST

Timothy Wooi, 51, and his unique 1830s bicycle were the limelight at the launch of 'No Vehicle Day' at Lebuh Pantai, Penang today.

Shucking delicious oysters

In this photo taken Tuesday Dec. 6, 2011, owner Kevin Lunny holds a Pacific oyster at the Drake's Bay Oyster Co. in Point Reyes National Seashore, Calif. For more than 100 years oyster farmers have culled delicious bivalves from the salty waters of a pristine bay tucked amid the green rolling hills of Point Reyes National Seashore, located about 50 miles north of San Francisco. The oyster farm was allowed to remain after the land and waters here became a national park in 1962, but next year Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is set to decide if the company's permit will be renewed. -- Picture by AP/ Eric Risberg

PM in Johor

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the officiating ceremony of the Johor Premium Outlet in Kulaijaya, Johor. -- Picture by NST/ Aizuddin Saad

Barcelona on top

(TOP) Barcelona's midfielder Xavi Hernandez (down), midfielder Cesc Fabregas (C) and defender Dani Alves celebrate after Real Madrid's defender Marcelo scored an own goal during the "El clasico" Spanish League football match Real Madrid against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Dec 10, 2011. (BOTTOM) Barcelona players celebrate after their Chiliean forward Alexis Sanchez scored a goal during "El clasico". -- Pictures by AFP/ JAVIER SORIANO

Kuantan hit by floods

An SUV ploughs through floodwaters in Jalan Tun Ismail in Kuantan late last night. Heavy rains, which started in the evening and continued late into the night have caused flooding in many districts and areas in Kuantan. Picture by NST/ AZMAIDI ABIDIN

TOKEN OF APPRECIATION

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (centre) with his consort, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah (third from right), accepting a token of appreciation from the government from the Prime Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor (second from right), at a royal farewell banquet held at Istana Negara in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur, last night. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (second from left), Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim (left) and wife Datin Seri Masnah Rais (right) joined about 600 other guests at the banquet. Tuanku Mizan has completed his tenure as the 13th king and his successor Sultan of Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah will assume the role as the country’s new king on Monday. Bernama pic

Himalayan whitewater rafting

Participants paddle during the 10th Himalayan Whitewater Kayak and Rafting Competition at Bhotekoshi river in Sindhupalchowk district, some 70 kilometres east of Kathmandu, on December 10, 2011. Some 42 entrants from 12 countries participated in the race. -- AFP Photo/Prakash Mathema

Say cheese

The public taking the opportunity to pose with pilots on the last day of the Lima '11. -- NST Pix by Khairul Ghazali

Trying out for size

Normuzalifah Abd Patal tries a sub-calibre 5.56mm assault rifle during a visit to the SME Ordnance exhibition at Lima '11. -- NST Pix by Abd Samad Syarafiq

Flight simulation

A group of excited children seen at the simulated flight wshowcase at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2011 (LIMA '11) exhibition today.-- NST Pix by Danial Saad

SWEET TREAT FROM SABAH

Workers preparing the sweet and crunchy kuih cincin (ring cookies) made of high-quality apong sugar. The popular kuih cincin in Sabah originated from Papar, about 40km from Kota Kinabalu. The uniquely shaped cookies are fried twice — first for about a minute and the second time after they are dipped in a mixture of water and corn flour. Pic by Datu Ruslan Sulai

BATIK GOES PLACES

An interesting array of creations show the versatility of the batik prints at the KL International Batik exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. NST/ Amirudin Sahib

READY TO DIVE