DOMESTIC NEWS: Senior General Than Shwe sends message of felicitations to Syrian President Mr Bashar Al-Assad; Senior General Than Shwe, wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing pay homage to Maha Muni Buddha Image in Kyauktaw; Rural development undertakings supervised; NPE Managing Director inspects maintenance of presses at dailies; Officials to undergo training abroad; Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) fixed with iron frames; Mandalay dwellers enjoy Maha Thingyan Festival; Earlier completion of bridges urged to save costs and serve people sooner with better transport; Yangon revellers enjoy Maha Thingyan Festival on Atet Day; Yangon Mayor's Maha Thingyan Pandal closes; Valiant Pandal attracts Thingyan revellers; Bird flu under control in Myanmar - LBVD issues reminder on regular flow of fowls and eggs and safe consumption; Senior General Than Shwe meets officers, other ranks nad family members of local regiments in Kyauktaw, An in Rakhine State..."POEM":"New Year Wish"("Sitra constellation - ANd meiktha coincide...")..."PERSPECTIVES":"Happy New Year"..."FEATURE:"Thingyan, transition to new year"