DOMESTIC NEWS: President U Thein Sein calls for cutting ?red tape?... Myanmar?s oldest living trees...Literary talks held in Insein Township...Publications for Alin Say Taman library in Indaw Township...Danubyu, Laymyethna Townships see infrastructural development in education, health sectors...Cash and kind for 50- bed People?s Hospital in Myanaung Township...Construction of PyinOoLwin ring road nearing completion...Electricity supply for Thedaw in Yesagyo Township...2013 MNL League to be launched 5 Jan...Auto-telephone lines already repaired in Taunggyi...Literary talks on Independence Day held in Kawlin...Myanmar Society of Mechanical Engineers to be founded...Rail tracks upgraded near Kawche station in Bago...Passenger ships take care of declining water level in Ayeyawady River...Development of village library emphasized...Bago Region WAO, MCWSC donate offertories to nunnery...New gravel road commissioned in Homalin...Christmas feast served...Republic of the Union of Myanmar Investigation Commission Press Release No. 4/2012 13th Waxing of Nadaw, 1374 ME (26th December, 2012) [The Government is taking responsibilities for providing medical treatments to those injured in Letpadaungtaung copper mine incident in Salingyi Township, Monywa District, Sagaing Region.]...Inter-Basic Education School Sports Contests continue...New village project introduced...Cohesiveness among regional authorities and Union ministries key to comprehensive planning: President...Air Bagan holds press conference on passenger plane crash..... EXTERNAL RELATIONS: ROK government and people donate cash for quake victims..... "PERSPECTIVES": "Safety first"