"Tapo ca, ascetic practices; this is the way to auspiciousness"... Headlines: * Forces of national construction and national defence are to be mobilized and strengthened; * Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives Thai ambassador... Region: * Education Minister attends golden jubilee ceremony of Pyinmana BEHS No 1; * Pile driven for construction of Twantay Bridge; * Minister inspects cultural heritage maintenance tasks in Rakhine State; * NCC Work Committee meets; * Rural road opened; * Independence Day Commemorative Essay and Poem competitions prize winners announced... Religion: * 'Soon' donated to Sayadaws of State Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon); * Christmas A Victorious Day... International Relations: * Minister U Win Aung arrives back after attending Ministerial Meeting of Trilateral Highway Project in India; * Vietnamese delegation leaves; * MWAF President receives Chinese guests; * Chinese guests tour Yangon... Drug: * Heroin seized in Muse.