DOMESTIC NEWS: Vice President U Myint Swe urges traditional medicine practitioners to raise standards, preserve knowledge...UEC Chairman meets officials from Mandalay Region election sub-commissions...71st Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida Selection Examination held in Yangon...Matric examiners discuss rules for 2019 matriculation exams...Commemorative stamp to be issued for month of Pyatho...Advice from Sitagu Sayadaw on placement of world’s biggest drum...Certificate Course in Basic Diplomatic Skills (41/2018) concludes...Innwa Bank opens new branch in Hmawby Tsp...Over 169.12 acres of unused land returned in Taunggyi, Shan State...Three new commemorative stamps issued to honor 71st Independence Day...Over 169.12 acres of unused land returned in Taunggyi, Shan State...Muse District Children’s Literature Festival commences...Let us participate in December Mass Walking...Shichida School holds awarding ceremony in Yangon...MFF Awards Night: Maung Maung Lwin, Lwin Moe Aung declared players of the year.....EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Watermelon, muskmelon exports rising year on year: Myanmar Trade Promotion Dept director...Potato prices remain unchanged in domestic market...Myanmar’s maritime trade touches $5 bln this Fiscal Year...Bilateral trade with Indonesia up 11.8% in October...Myanmar delegation led by Bhamo Sayadaw, Union Minister Thura U Aung Ko leave for Thailand...Korean donors hand over new building to No. 3 BEHS, Thanlyin...Japanese midfielder Nakamura joins Shan United.....OPINION: "Read to cultivate critical thinking and refresh spirits''.....ARTICLES: "An Independent Road to Walk On'' - By Thike Soe Tun (Nat Ywar)