DOMESTIC NEWS: 2nd day of New Year Congregation in Yangon attracts about 200,000 people...Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attends opening of DENTOMEC Toothbrush, Toothpaste Factory...Bamauk monastery plans museum for royal articles donated by King Mindon, Chief Queen...71st Anniversary of Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony to be broadcast live...“Gila” (The Hero) film of Rawang ethnic group to be discussed...Senior General Min Aung Hlaing addresses Tatmadaw nursing, paramedical science graduates...Rakhine’s MraukU cultural zone packed with holidaymakers on New Year’s Day...Elephant camp offers ride to pilgrims to Minbu Mann Shwe Settaw Pagoda...473 accidents claimed over 100 lives on Yangon–Mandalay expressway in 2018...Shwebo’s glazed earthen ware makers turning to other businesses...Myanmar moves to liberalize insurance market for foreign entities...Domestic fuel prices continue to slide...Drugs seized in Maungtaw...Authorities provide fertilizer to farmers in Yedashe Tsp...Shooter of 4 border guard caught dead in Myawady...Tropical Storm Pabuk to pass Kawthoung on 5 Jan...Republic of the Union of Myanmar Office of the President Order 1/2019...Myanmar Daily Weather Report (Issued on Wednesday 2 January 2019)...EARTHQUAKE NEWS (Issued at 08:15 hour MST)...I’ll be back on the national team, says defender Kyaw Zin Lwin...Myanmar traditional Lethwei contest to be held in Toungoo.....EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Union Minister Dr. Win Myat Aye receives UNICEF Representative...Manufactured goods exports up $500 mln in current FY...Border trade at Chinshwehaw shows slight decrease in current fiscal...Rice offering Ceremony: Myanmar-Thai Friendship Donation held in Tachilek...Sagaing seeks funds from Union Gov’t to resume excavation of WWII-era Japanese hospital...State Sangha Maha Nayaka Sayadaws, Religious Affairs Union Minister arrive back home from Thailand.....OPINION: "Sovereignty and independence".....ARTICLES: "The Architect of Sovereignty, and Myanmar’s First Independence Day" - An Interview with veteran journalist Hanthawaddy U Ohn Kyaing