DOMESTIC NEWS: Christmas prayer, luncheon held at Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker’s residence...Donation ceremony held to mark Two Dragons Monastery Sayadaw’s 90th birthday...Union Chief Justice attends stake driving ceremony for Chin State High Court...Four bridges in Rakhine State to be commissioned soon...Buddhists from twelve countries hold New Year prayer in Bangkok...Thatta Thattaha Maha Bodhdi Pagoda construction works begin in Kengtung...University of Veterinary Science (Yezin) holds 32nd graduation...Ngawun Bridge (Laymyathnar) to open in February 2019...Second day of Children’s literature festival in Muse District...Newly created Condominium Management Committee ready to support developers...71stAnniversary Independence Day National Objectives...Myanmar Daily Weather Report (Issued at 7:00 pm Saturday 29th December, 2018).....EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Myanmar,Bangladesh conduct coordinated patrol...Myanmar Traditional Medicine Practitioners Conference concludes...Over 1.5 mln tons of rice exported within 9 months of 2018...Myanmar-Malaysia trade went down over 49 % in October...Prices of chili peppers increase in domestic market...Myanmar earns almost $3.3 bln in international trade...MNA begins flying to Chengdu, PRC...Tourist arrivals in Yangon exceed one mln in 11 months...Myanmar U-22 football team prepares for international friendlies.....OPINION: "Legislative pillar upholds true essence of democracy".....ARTICLES: "Be Alert, Be Brave, Be Diligent and Be Vigilant in Safeguarding Myanmar’s Independence" - By Htun Tin Htun