DOMESTIC NEWS: Message from the President U Win Myint, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on Commemoration of the 71st Independence Day 4th January 2019...Over 200,000 people attend third day of New Year Dhamma Congregation in Yangon...Over 200,000 people attend third day of New Year Dhamma Congregation in Yangon...Vice President U Henry Van Thio addresses NWRC coord meeting...Winners of titles and medals announced...Thura U Shwe Mann attends Independence Day commemoration activities in Pyu...Black Peter screening at Film Development Centre...Sittway holds mini marathon to mark Independence Day...Illegal timber seized in Bago Region...Charity Cup 2019 to be broadcast live on MRTV.....EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat receives Egyptian Ambassador...Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker receives Singapore Ambassador...Union Minister for Information Dr. Pe Myint receives Forever Group CEO...Union Minister for International Cooperation accepts credentials of UNFPA Representative...Value of trade on YSX drops in 2018...Watermelon body asks Commerce Ministry to re-open Kyin San Kyawt gate...Foreign Heads of State send felicitations to President U Win Myint...Foreign Heads of State send felicitations to State Counsellor...Thura U Shwe Mann receives Ambassador of Nepal to Myanmar...Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe receives expert teams from Shanghai, Guangzhou...206 human trafficking cases reported in 2018...Myanmar migrant workers in Thai, Kawthoung residents warned of Tropical Storm Pabuk...Myanmar defender Thein Than Win joins Thai club Ratchaburi .....OPINION: ''Safeguarding & preserving independence''.....ARTICLES: "Stray thoughts on the 71st Anniversary of Independence Day'' - By Maha Saddhamma Jotika Dhaja, Sithu Dr. Khin Maung Nyunt