DOMESTIC NEWS: SME development to gain speed in 2018...Children?s literature festival to be held in Yangon from 6 to 8 January...2017-2018 Architect?s Fair holds opening ceremony...Programme on film editing and film making held in Yangon...Ethnic communities gather at forum on peaceful coexistence...New national-level environmental conservation policy to be issued in 2018...Number of passengers expected to increase after upgrade of Yangon circular railway...Drugs worth more than Ks 310 million confiscated in Kachin State...Prices of condo apartments fall by 20-30 % in Yangon market: real estate agents...Yangon Danyingon fruit, vegetable and flower wholesale market to officially open on 1 January...Proceeds from commemorative celebration of Yangon Zoo to go for charity...Youths with enthusiasm working as teachers in Maungtaw...Two bridges supporting Maungtaw region development...Friendly football matches played in preparation for MPT MNL 2018 season...Myanmar Drift Championship 2018 in February...Zwekapin FC defeats Gandamar FC...Welcoming to New Year...Kantarawady Commemorative Plaque and Hawgyi Monastery...Maximizing effectiveness of aid...No Teaching, No Living......EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Myanmar?s external trade exceeds $23 bn, with $3.2 bn in trade deficit...Weekly rubber exports increased by over 1,000 tonnes....."OPINION": "Characteristics and value of a country".....ARTICLE: "Safeguard Our Independence With Sense of Its Value!" - By Pwint Thu Aung