"Appamado ca dhammesu, to be diligent in Laws; this is the way to auspiciousness"... DOMESTIC NEWS: 1. Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Syrian Arab Republic; 2. Prime Minister attends merit-sharing ceremony; of Ayenyein Chantha Maha Mingala Ordination Hall in Kyauktan; 3. Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt attends cornerstone-laying ceremony for construction of new gymnasium in Kyauktan Township; 4. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than tours Rakhine State; 5. Roads in Mandalay crowded with Thingyan revellers on 2nd Akyat Day; 6. Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe attends concerts of Xi Shuang Ban Na cultural troupe, Myanmar artistes; 7. CPT Minister receives CCTV crew; 8. Closing ceremony of pandal of Ministry of Home Affairs held; 9. Yangon Mayor's Pandal comes to a close in evening of Maha Thingyan Atet Day; 10. Commander, mayor take part in Thingyan in Mandalay; 11. Yangonites show core of Thingyan with peaceful and happy celebration... "PERSPECTIVES": "New Year Resolution" (Page 2)... ARTICLES: "Drug—a boon or a curse" (Page 8)... POEMS: "Like the 'payit' buds waiting to burst into bloom"; "Let's usher in the New Year" (Page 2).