Feb 17, 2025 49 min read Daily News Summaries

Mongolia News Summary for February 17, 2025

The following news articles are the opinions of their authors and publications. They are presented here as translations for informational purposes and do not necessarily represent the opinion of MongolBeat or its members.

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Politics

Summary: Projects must be initiated, and justice must prevail

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: news.mn

Harbin Winter Festival begins, and as international athletes compete with their talents, ministers must focus on their "AI" sector. Mega projects are presented in Island Japan, and agreements are signed with the PRC, while a reminder is given that the rights of a Mongolian woman violated in distant Myanmar must be defended by a foreign judge. The "NEWS" agency summarizes the week's significant events. START OF CONSTRUCTION FOR THE "BOOROLOGYUUT POWER STATION" III BLOCK The construction of a 660 MW power station consisting of two blocks is planned on the border between Bayandun district of Tuv province and Bagakhangai district. The construction site is approximately 3 km from Bayandun district and 2 km from the center of Bagakhangai district. The project's feasibility study, preliminary research, and preparations are being conducted. The PPA contract for the project is being signed, and conditions for starting construction works have been met. Detailed design work is progressing according to schedule. SUCCESSFUL LAPAROSCOPIC LIVER DONATION SURGERY Doctors of the National Cancer Center (NCC) have successfully performed a laparoscopic live donor liver surgery in collaboration with the doctors of Seoul National University's hospital. By performing the surgery laparoscopically, the donor experiences less post-surgery discomfort and recovers faster than with open surgery. "TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL DATA CENTER FOR AI" Mongolia is preparing to introduce 5G mobile networks nationwide, beginning the selection process in March. The private sector can fully incorporate autonomous vehicles, robotics, and technology in the industrial sector. With 53,000 km of fiber optic cable, internet access will be expanded. CYBER ATTACKS Daily attacks target government electronic systems; there's a need for professionals and certified sites. By 2030, the threat of cyber warfare will be a major global risk. This issue requires urgent attention. FIFA AUDIT OF MONGOLIAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION The Mongolian Football Association announces an online audit by FIFA starting February 10th and lasting 7-8 working days. MONGOLIA IMPROVES ITS CORRUPTION INDEX In 2024, Mongolia ranks 114th out of 180 countries, seven places ahead compared to last year. MALAYSIA MUST COMPENSATE FAMILY OF DECEASED ALTANTUYA A Malaysian court orders the government to pay 1.42 million USD to the lawyer of Shaariibuu Altantuya's family within 30 days. CHANGE IN CONTRACT TO START WORKS SIMULTANEOUSLY Mutual beneficial legal changes will be made for major constructions in Mongolia. Upon signing the "Gashuunsukhait-Gantzmod" agreement, other projects can commence simultaneously. OSNAAUG WORKERS DEMAND PAY RAISE Workers and employees of the Real Estate Management agency protest demanding a raise. New employees earn a base salary of 900,000 tugriks, while long-serving employees earn about 1.3 million tugriks. PRIME MINISTER L. OYUN-ERDENE MEETS CHINA'S PREMIER LI QIANG Following a meeting in Shanghai last November between the heads of the Mongolian and Chinese governments, certain achievements have been made. FOUR BODYBUILDERS TEST POSITIVE FOR DOPING The Mongolian Bodybuilding Fitness Development Federation announces that four athletes tested positive for doping during the 2024 Asian Championships.

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The Law on the Court Has Been Found Violating the Constitution

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: isee.mn

The Constitutional Court held a session in the middle panel. During this session, they reviewed and decided on the dispute regarding whether the relevant provision in Article 47.6 of the Law on Courts of Mongolia violated the Constitution. It was determined that the clause in Article 47.6 of the Law on Courts of Mongolia, which stated, "A judge who has served for 30 years or more and has reached the age of 55 will be entitled to a pension," violated several constitutional principles. These include Article 1, Section 2, "justice, ... the rule of law ... are the fundamental principles of state activities"; Article 14, Section 1, "All individuals legally residing in Mongolia are equal before the law and the courts"; Article 14, Section 2, "No person shall be discriminated against based on ... age ..."; Article 19, Section 1, "The state is responsible to its citizens for creating ... social, legal ... guarantees"; Article 51, Section 4, prohibiting the removal of judges at any level except under grounds specified by the Constitution and the law on courts or at their own request; and Article 70, Section 1, requiring all laws to fully comply with the Constitution. Therefore, it was decided to suspend Article 47.6 of the Law on Courts of Mongolia as of today. The State Great Khural (parliament) must review this decision of the Constitutional Court at the start of its spring session.

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Zavkhan: A team led by Speaker D. Amarbaysgalan is working in the soums

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Speaker of the State Great Hural D. Amarbaysgalan, along with members of parliament E. Bolormaa and M. Mandkhai, are currently working in Zavkhan aimag. The Speaker is meeting with residents of the northern soums of Zavkhan to introduce the "Three Advancements" policy aimed at legal framework reforms, which will implement a human-centered legal philosophy in the strategic plan for the next four years. At a time when social lifestyles in both urban and rural areas are rapidly changing, it is crucial to update laws to meet current needs and ensure conditions where human rights violations do not occur. Recently, Speaker D. Amarbaysgalan met with senior students of Tes soum in Zavkhan and listened to their voices. The students expressed that the expansion of the general entrance exam for senior students in aimag and soum centers is the most challenging issue. As a result of discussions with the sector minister, it has been decided to postpone the implementation of this regulation for two years, allowing students to strengthen their basic knowledge and plan and prepare for in-depth studies. The students of Tes soum reported to the Speaker various issues, ranging from the school's heating and classroom capacity to the pollution from the central steam boiler and garbage dumps in the soum center. The children also expressed a desire for a place where they can spend their free time properly and have a comprehensive human development center. The Speaker stated: "Issues that can be resolved at the local level, such as instructing the Governor to focus on building a garbage incinerator and ensuring the right to live in a healthy environment, will be prioritized." The team led by the Speaker is currently working in the western region and will continue to work in Bayantes, Bayankhairkhan, and Telmen soums, as reported by the Zavkhan aimag Governing Administration Office.

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Certificates Awarded to Students Participating in the 'Open Parliament' Internship Program

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: isee.mn

The 'Open Parliament' internship program aims to enhance the transparency and openness of the parliament's activities, strengthen citizens' trust in the parliament, promote understanding among students and young people about the parliament, motivate them, increase their knowledge and information, and improve participation. The program successfully concluded on the 14th of this month. Over the course of twenty days, 100 students from accredited universities, both domestic and international, participated in the program, specifically those in their third and fourth years of undergraduate studies. During the program, over 30 training sessions and lectures were conducted, and the intern students worked on assignments in the local areas. They also participated in the permanent committees and working groups of the parliament, handing over their developed recommendations to E. Lkhagva, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Secretariat of the Parliament. Member of Parliament Ch. Lodoiambuu, Member of Parliament Sh. Byambasuren, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Secretariat of the Parliament E. Lkhagva awarded certificates to the students who participated in the program, according to the press release from the Parliamentary Press Office.

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Economy

ÖMNÖGOBI: One Month's Budget Falls Short by 69.1 Billion MNT

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The budget revenue of Ömnögobi aimag was planned to collect 155.6 billion MNT in January 2025. However, during this period, 86.5 billion MNT was collected, achieving 44.4% of the planned amount, falling short by 69.1 billion MNT. Of the total revenue, 92.6% was tax revenue, 7.3% was non-tax revenue, and 0.1% was capital revenue. The local budget revenue plan was exceeded in the Bayan-Ovoo, Bulgan, Gurvantes, Mandal-Ovoo, Sevrei, Khanbogd, and Tsogt-Ovoo soums, while Bayandalai, Nomgon, Manlai, Noyon, Khanhongor, Khurmen, Tsogttsetsii, and Dalanzadgad performed at 12.8-78.2% below the plan. A total expenditure of 276.7 billion MNT was planned for budgetary organizations, of which 34.3 billion MNT was spent, according to the statistics department of Ömnögobi aimag. The budget for Ömnögobi aimag for 2025 was approved at 2.3 trillion MNT.

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Diplomacy

Munich Security Conference

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: ikon.mn

A delegation led by Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg is participating in the 61st Munich Security Conference held in Germany from February 14-16, 2025. During the conference, they met with Dr. Tedros A. Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, to discuss the relationship and cooperation between Mongolia and the UN, the current state of Mongolia's healthcare system, and ways to strengthen collaboration in protecting children from influenza and other infectious diseases. Dr. Ghebreyesus highlighted the importance of reducing air pollution in Ulaanbaatar to protect the health of citizens and reduce the spread of influenza. He also introduced his initiative regarding pediatric cancer and expressed his intention to provide more detailed information to the Mongolian side soon. He stated his support for Mongolia to join this initiative. On the second day of the 61st Munich Security Conference, Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg attended the "Feminist Foreign Policy Network" ministers' meeting. Traditionally held alongside the conference, this meeting brings together foreign ministers to discuss the protection and empowerment of women's rights and gender equality. This time, discussions focused on supporting women in transition in Syria and their involvement in decision-making processes, resulting in a joint statement. Minister B. Battsetseg emphasized that the challenges faced by women and girls are not confined to specific regions and stressed the importance of addressing these issues at a global level. The Munich Security Conference, with more than sixty years of history, continues to grow annually. It invites heads of state and government, high-ranking officials, leaders in military and defense sectors, heads of international organizations, scholars, researchers, media representatives, and business figures to discuss international security policy, making it a leading global forum in this field. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Notice: Media organizations (TV, Radio, Social media, and Web pages) must credit the source (ikon.mn) if using our information in full or in part.

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Delegation from the Republic of Turkey Received

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: gogo.mn

The Government of Mongolia has announced that the year 2025 will be "The Year of Supporting the Development of the Capital's Infrastructure" to accelerate major projects aimed at improving air quality, environmental conditions, traffic congestion, and the quality of life for the residents of the capital city. In this context, the Governor of the Capital and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, H. Nyamkhuu, together with the Chairman of the "20-Minute City" National Committee, R. Erdeneburen, and relevant officials, met with Emin Hisarciklioglu, a member of the Board of Directors of Turkey's Eskihisar Corporation, and Vedat Köse, Director of Strategy and Business Development at Bilkent Holding. The parties exchanged cooperation proposals on ongoing and future mega projects in Ulaanbaatar. The Governor of the Capital and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, H. Nyamkhuu, expressed gratitude to the visiting delegates and highlighted the expansion of friendly and cooperative relations with Turkey in various sectors such as education, trade, economy, and humanitarian domains since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1969. In addition, the First Deputy Governor of the Capital, T. Davaadalai, provided an overview of the ongoing and upcoming projects in Ulaanbaatar to the Turkish representatives. The delegates from the Republic of Turkey supported the cooperation proposals and expressed their willingness to collaborate. Source: Mayor's Office, Public Relations Department.

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Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg Met with Indian Counterpart

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: news.mn

Minister of Foreign Affairs B. Battsetseg met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during the Munich Security Conference. During the meeting, the ministers agreed to carry out high-level and top-level visits, organize business forums and cultural events to commemorate the historic 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and India this year. They also agreed to deepen and strengthen bilateral relations through cooperation mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Commission and the Foreign Ministry Consultative Meetings, seek opportunities to introduce advanced Indian technology into Mongolia's agricultural sector, and employ English teachers in Mongolia. Minister B. Battsetseg expressed gratitude to the Indian side for supporting the coordination of additional financing for the oil refinery project. The ministers agreed to continue working closely to implement the project within the planned timeline.

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Society

N. Jargalsaikhan: The trend of migration abroad is expected to increase by 68.9% by 2035

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

We spoke with N. Jargalsaikhan, head of the Employment Policy Research Sector at the Institute for Training, Evaluation, and Research in Labor and Social Protection. He highlighted the increasing trend of the working-age population relocating abroad despite the growing labor shortage each year. He emphasized that it's time to address this issue at the policy level. Last week, you presented the results of three studies that define the current state of the labor market. It seems our country has developed quite detailed findings on the labor market. What were the differences in the content of these studies? Based on the determination of this year's labor demand and last year's shortage by sector, region, and occupation, we produce a labor market barometer survey. We've been conducting it annually since 2010. It's necessary to clearly identify issues such as the mismatch of supply and demand in the labor market, employment levels, real wages, and training skilled labor for strategic leading sectors. This allows us to address the challenges facing the labor market at the policy level. For this purpose, we develop "The Medium-term Labor Market Demand and Supply Forecast of Mongolia." The results of the country's salary structure survey are updated with new data compared to GDP inflation and other indicators. Additionally, a study analyzing enterprise activities, employment, and the costs assigned to them is called the "Analysis of the Salary Structure." This considers changes in basic and total salaries, bonuses, and aligns the results with other related indicators. From the averages of the last 10 years, I heard that labor demand fluctuates between 52-95 thousand. How is it this year? The study shows that there is a demand for 83.7 thousand workforce on a national scale this year. Moreover, it is expected to decrease by 12.1% compared to last year's labor demand. About 79.2% of this demand will be in the first half of the year, and the remaining 20.8% is expected in the second half. Which professions and skills are in high demand primarily? Has an analysis been conducted on which sectors face the most human resource shortages? Professions such as manufacturing, auxiliary staff, sales center managers, operators, and iron ore mine machinists are in demand. Specialists account for 19.7% of total labor demand, managers for 15%, and operators, assemblers for 14.2%. Meanwhile, those in production, construction, handcraft, and related services make up 9.3%, and those in commerce and service sectors make up 11.6%. Of the total businesses affected by labor shortages, 38.1% are in the wholesale and retail sector. Additionally, this sector accounts for 25.7% of the total labor shortage. Employers in manufacturing and construction industries represent 21.4% of businesses affected by labor shortages, accounting for 44.3% of the total shortage. Last year, 11.4 thousand job positions were vacant solely in these three sectors due to labor shortages. Meanwhile, employers in mining, extraction, transport, financial and insurance activities, arts, entertainment, games, and services are less affected by labor shortages. Is there a possibility for students in those fields to fill the vacant positions in demand in the labor market? Certainly, students who graduate with these specialties from universities will satisfy a certain amount of demand in the labor market. However, it’s important to note that there are job positions that don’t require higher education. For example, 11% of total labor demand requires general production and auxiliary staff. Thus, it is possible to meet demand by preparing necessary workers through short-term training. Have you compared labor demand with the number of unemployed citizens? According to the National Statistical Office, there are 72,573 unemployed citizens in 2023, and as of the third quarter of last year, 88,064 people were reported to be unemployed. Our study calculated that there would be a demand for 83.7 thousand workforce this year. Comparing these figures, it seems possible to reduce the number of unemployed citizens. Yet, unless we clarify the reasons why they are unemployed, this discrepancy will not change and will continue. The study's conclusions mentioned that labor demand significantly increases at the beginning of the year. What causes this? It's expected that 79.2% of the total labor demand will be in the first half of the year, and the remaining 20.8% will be in the second half. According to the study, 68.6% of the businesses surveyed operate continuously. The remaining 12.3% operate seasonally, and 19.1% do not operate steadily. Thus, organizations with seasonal and irregular operations are more inclined to prepare their required workforce in the first half of the year, which increases demand. Could you share the outcomes from the "Mid-term Labor Market Demand and Supply Forecast of Mongolia?" We used economic models, demographic, occupational, and sectorial trend analyses for this research. To forecast labor demand, we predicted production demand—GDP targets—and calculated the number of workers needed for production. To derive this coefficient, we used data from 229 countries and regions worldwide, considering GDP per capita, population burden, average age over the past 30 years. We estimated the required employment coefficient to reach GDP targets, considering the dynamic effects of the population pyramid. We developed two scenarios for the necessary number of workers for future GDP growth. For example, if the economy grows slowly at an average annual rate of 4.5% and then accelerates to a 7.2% average annual growth. By the first scenario, with economic growth, the employment rate will be 58.8% in 2025, 59.4% in 2030, and 60% in 2035. Under the second scenario, it will be 59.2% in 2025, 61.1% in 2030, and 62.1% in 2035. How did you study the outcomes of the salary structure analysis? The labor and social partnership’s tripartite national committee approved the national wage policy. Within this policy framework, we conduct a salary structure survey every two years, and sectoral and employee-specific policy analyses every three years. Therefore, we have been conducting the salary structure survey in collaboration with the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Protection and the National Statistical Office since 2009-2010. We utilized the salary structure survey database for analysis. What conclusions were drawn from this analysis? The analysis showed that the highest-paid employees have demographic characteristics such as having higher education, working in state-owned industrial sectors, and being experienced male workers. Analyzing changes in real wages, the increase in wages (bonuses) was the main factor contributing to the 2021 rise. Specifically, bonuses accounted for approximately 70% of total wage growth. The remaining 20% was attributed to employee conditions. For 2023, structural growth was the main contributor. Labor cost growth from 2021 to 2023 varied across provinces geographically. The national average real labor cost increased by 45.8%. In provinces like Khovd, Bulgan, and Dundgovi, it doubled compared to 2019. Regarding labor productivity, the mining sector saw a high growth rate of 3.4% from 2019 to 2023. However, its income growth was 4.8%, and the growth of the number of workers was 0.3%. In agriculture, labor productivity decreased by 0.7%, yet sales revenue increased by 1.6%, and the number of workers rose by 7.2%. Despite the high demand for labor in Mongolia, the number of those choosing to work abroad remains high. How do you interpret this? According to the 2020 Population and Housing Census, the number of Mongolian citizens residing abroad was 122,301, a 14.2% increase compared to 2010. The proportion of citizens living abroad is about 3.7-3.9% of the total population. The global average is around 3.6%. Nine out of ten people living abroad are of working age. The future trend of migration abroad is currently unclear. However, it is consistent that migration abroad increases during economically difficult years and decreases during economic stabilization. The most active age group participating in migration is 25-34. This indicates that many young people with high labor productivity are involved in migration. This means that these citizens do not participate in Mongolia's labor market supply. International studies show that the majority of those participating in migration tend to be the educated segment, known as brain drain. The segment with the potential to increase labor productivity is settling abroad. According to the 2023 labor market demand and supply forecast, if measures are not taken to reduce foreign migration and stimulate return migration, the migration abroad is projected to reach 206.6 thousand by 2035. Compared to 2020, this is an increase of 68.9%.

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Behind a Happy Marriage

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

We know our spouses as our husband or wife throughout our lives, but do we neglect their inner desires and passionate dreams? Perhaps we confuse this blindness with love, turning our shared life into a mere desire to possess each other, and become puppets playing the role of lovers for our partners. Isn't it regretful when Sarah tells Richard about spending the day with her secret lover when he leaves for work? Upon returning home, their excessively open and exaggerated games begin. The British director and Nobel laureate in literature Harold Pinter's play "The Lover" was first presented on the stage of the Main Academic Drama Theater last November. I was able to see it revived on stage again last Wednesday. The play has two main characters and consists of five scenes, but the events unfold in Richard and Sarah's home. The actors from the studio of the Main Academic Drama Theater played the imagined characters. "The Lover" first reached audiences on television in 1962. If you remember, 10 years ago, the play "Yesterday," based on Harold Pinter's work, was directed by State Prize-winning director N. Naranbaatar and starred Honored Artist G. Amgalanbaatar and Cultural Leading Worker M. Togtokh-Jargal. This time, the play "The Lover: Who Needs Love?" was directed by Cultural Leading Worker, choreographer G. Gan-Ochir, with B. Zolzaya and M. Togtokh-Jargal as Sarah, and C. Ragchaa and O. Maidar-Revja as Richard. Due to Valentine's Day, the city had already entered an atmosphere of love and romance. I headed to the theater to watch "The Lover" on such a bright evening. The play started 20 minutes later than scheduled. Before any show begins, the audience continues to fill their seats. Among them, O. Maidar-Revja, playing Richard, entered through the right door and sat in the front row. As mentioned earlier, the actors playing the main roles alternate daily. It seemed that O. Maidar-Revja was preparing for his turn in the next performance. If I were to describe the play in a few words, it's humorous, fast-paced, and abrupt. Since the director G. Gan-Ochir is a choreographer, it was expected that he would incorporate and direct movement elements in the play, and this assumption was correct. Unlike the world classics, "The Lover" is a completely different work in terms of direction and content. However, using too much continuous movement and rapid transitions without intervals in the play might obscure the meaning of the storyline, making it superficial and light, which could confuse and tire the audience. It is crucial to direct all this artistically. Therefore, such a challenge was faced by G. Gan-Ochir. Harold Pinter's works like "The Birthday Party," "The Homecoming," and "The Dumb Waiter" are famous, marked by their absurd nature. They emphasize human psychological conflict, dialogues, and environmental conditions. Unlike the 2014 play "Yesterday," "The Lover" is dynamic, featuring many "crazy" segments accentuated by the director focusing on dialogues and movements. While maintaining humor and comedy, elements from social media vocabulary and dialogue, well-known to the public, were embedded into the play, resonating with our audience. However, in terms of movement direction, it sometimes included exhausting repetitive solutions. Recently, when news about the play being performed again on stage was announced, I visited the Main Academic Drama Theater to meet with the main actors. Soon, the warm season will arrive, and during spring and fall, theaters "come to life," providing nourishment for long-awaited audiences. Therefore, new plays are currently in preparation, with the Main Academic Drama Theater planning to present a new play next month, directed by State Prize-winning, Honored Art Worker N. Naranbaatar, and starring actress O. Dolgor. Recently, it was announced that the play is based on Nobel Prize-winning writer Eugene O'Neill's work and titled "Waiting for You under the Elm Tree," with O. Dolgor and "Vronsky" T. Sergelen as the main characters. In the backstage room, I talked with Sarah B. Zolzaya and Richard C. Ragchaa. Actor B. Zolzaya said, "Even though there are two main roles in the play, imagined characters also appear. While their married life seems happy on the surface, there are conflicts and arguments behind it. Happiness is also hidden behind constantly feuding couples. Perhaps these coexist to make family relationships more vivid and eventful." Actor C. Ragchaa mentioned, "Although the storyline seems to unfold within a limited scope, it hyperbolizes and humorously depicts common family issues. Additionally, movement and musical elements are incorporated, so the audience won't get bored. We will present 'Who Needs Love' from our perspective, but each viewer may interpret it differently, as everyone's life is different." In Pinter's plays, the actors bear the tense or enigmatic, unforeseeable situations with dialogues and movements. B. Zolzaya and C. Ragchaa merged as one in this play. The casting was appropriate. Nurtured in each other's imagination, the secret lover, and Richard and Sarah's quest for their true selves led to their conflict. Comedy may have been infused into the play, yet marriage is not a joke. Richard could be someone who works for his family's sake, allowing his wife to be with another man. But behind this lies a game, revealing who exposes their true nature by losing, as "The Lover" illustrates. It emphasizes the importance of keeping love free from possessiveness on Valentine's Day.

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Environment

Photo: Winter festival aimed at protecting the Mazaalai bear and promoting Mongolian customs is underway

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: ikon.mn

The "Mongolian" Nomadic Winter Festival, which promotes the intangible cultural heritage of the Mongolian people, began today at the "National Garden Park." This festival aims to promote winter-related customs from Mongolia's intangible cultural heritage and is highlighted by combining it with a snow and ice celebration to emphasize the protection of the Mazaalai bear, a rare and proud symbol of Mongolia. In addition to showcasing the traditions, characteristics, foods, clothing, and daily customs connected to the Mongolian people's national Lunar New Year celebration, the festival will feature demonstrations of traditional winter sporting competitions, exhibitions, and other activities. The "Mongolian" Nomadic Winter Festival will continue at the "National Garden Park" until the 22nd of this month. Warning: Media outlets (TV, radio, social, and web pages) must properly credit the source (ikon.mn) when using our information, whether in full or in part.

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Mongolia's Omnogovi: Unnatural Livestock Losses Decrease by 1679

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Preliminary livestock census results for Omnogovi province at the end of 2024 recorded 1.9 million head of livestock. As of January 2025, the unnatural loss of livestock was recorded at 116, reflecting a 93.5 percent decrease compared to the same period of the previous year, which accounts for a reduction of 1,679 head. Across the soums, Gurvantes and Sevrei Khurmen soums experienced unnatural livestock losses, whereas there were no occurrences in other soums. Examining the five categories, no unnatural losses were reported for cattle and camels since the start of the year, while horses lost 5, sheep lost 19, and goats lost 92 heads. In Omnogovi province, as of January 2024, the headcount for two-humped camels was 1,420,000, one-humped females (inges) 1,150,000, yearling colts 1,140,000, and female horses 800,000. In 2025, these numbers increased to 1,700,000 for two-humped camels, 1,600,000 for one-humped females, 1,200,000 for yearling colts, and 1,300,000 for female horses. In 2024, the count for male sheep was 223,000, female sheep 168,000, male goats 143,000, and female goats 105,000. As of January 2025, these figures rose to 298,000 for male sheep, 230,000 for female sheep, 200,000 for male goats, and 190,000 for female goats.

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Health

G.Ariunbuyan: We Need to Implement Preventive Measures

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: news.mn

In a regular meeting of the Emergency Commission of Sukhbaatar Province, Major General G.Ariunbuyan, Head of the National Emergency Management Agency, participated and provided relevant directives. He stated, "In the government's 2024-2028 operational program, we have set the goal of establishing a national system with the function of supporting national resilience and have planned and begun implementing measures to enhance resilience and reform risk management. One component of national resilience is disaster resilience. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify the activities of the Rapid Response Headquarters of the Emergency Commission, conduct disaster risk assessments for each province, district, and subdistrict, ensure preparedness, provide professional leadership to all levels of the Emergency Commission in the event of a disaster situation within the local area, compile the necessary data and information for the operations of the Rapid Response Headquarters, create a database, and develop the feasibility study for the management system to be used for unified command and resolve the necessary funds and expenses. There is also a need to prepare a detailed plan to prevent and reduce risks from severe wind and snowstorm disasters, implement prompt responses, and ultimately enhance the capacity of local disaster protection departments, professional units, and state agencies regarding fulfilling responsibilities during disasters and hazardous events." In the province, the snow density is 0.20 g/cm³ on 8% of the total area or Tumetsogt district's area, indicating a high risk for dzud, while in 92% of the area covering Bayandelger, Baruun-Urt, Dariganga, Erdenetsagaan, Asgat, Munkhhaan, Naran, Ongon, Sukhbaatar, Tuvshinshiree, Uulbayan, and Halzan districts, the winter conditions are normal. SOURCE: NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

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Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: gogo.mn

Minister of Family, Labour and Social Protection L. Enkh-Amgalan visited the "Erkhem Chanar" prosthetics factory of "Del Oyu Dol" LLC to familiarize himself with its operations, learn about its issues, and hear their suggestions and solutions. This prosthetics factory produces the latest prosthetics, orthopedics, and special purpose shoes with equipment that meets international standards and norms, and also operates in the fields of rehabilitation and therapeutic services. Currently, 20,000 people in Mongolia use prostheses. The expenses allocated from our national welfare fund are insufficient to produce and provide high-quality, durable prosthetics to citizens. There is a lack of coordination with health insurance and insurance for industrial accidents and occupational diseases. Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan stated that they will study the possibilities of increasing social welfare expenses to provide services that meet the demand in the future.

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Received Three Urgently Needed Pediatric Cancer Medicines

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar. Yesterday was International Childhood Cancer Day. It is a day dedicated to improving public awareness about children's cancer, protecting the physical and mental health of survivors and their caregivers, and promoting and developing healthy behavior. This day has been observed worldwide since 2002. However, our country has been observing it since 2017. This year, our country joined the global initiative aimed at improving the availability of cancer medicines for children and increasing the recovery rate. During this event, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, agreed to receive 35 urgently needed pediatric cancer medicines through the "Global Platform to Improve Availability of Children's Cancer Medicines." The first batch of three medicines has been received. With the support of this joint initiative, high-quality pediatric cancer medicines will be continuously supplied for five years. Dr. L. Tömörbaatar, advisor to the Minister of Health, stated, "Treating childhood cancer requires a continuous supply of quality medicines, regular monitoring of affected children, and the implementation of comprehensive activities such as integrating them into social interactions with their peers, which must be carried out jointly with healthcare workers and the patients' families. Improving the quality and availability of pediatric cancer medicines is expected to enhance the quality of care, lead to recovery, and improve the quality of life for children with cancer." UNICEF's resident representative Evariste Kouassi-Komlan mentioned, "It is vital to provide high-quality healthcare and education services consistently to children undergoing prolonged treatment. Our team has previously established well-equipped classrooms for guest teachers from life-long learning centers and fully renovated and equipped units for preparing chemotherapy medicines, and today, we are pleased to join with partners to support the supply of these medicines to Mongolia." This cooperation will support strengthening the supply chain for cancer medicines, addressing the workforce shortage, and increasing support and services for children with cancer.

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Sports

Athletes from Tuva, Buryatia, and Inner Mongolia participate in the Ulaanbaatar Winter Festival

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: gogo.mn

More than 1,500 athletes from the capital and 21 provinces, as well as over 60 athletes from Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang Uygur, the Republic of Tuva, and the Republic of Buryatia—regions with Mongolian heritage—are competing, showcasing their speed and precision at the Ulaanbaatar festival. Events include: - The national ice archery championship and amateur competition - The national ice ankle bone shooting championship and amateur competition - Snowboarding competition - City paragliding championship - City snow rugby championship - Amateur alpine skiing competition - Amateur ice wall climbing competition - City curling championship - Family relay and tug-of-war competition Source: Ulaanbaatar News

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E. Tsendsuren Wins and Becomes the Central Asian Champion

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar — The "Night of Champions Ulaanbaatar-2025" competition for the Central Asian championship belt took place yesterday at the "Asa Arena" in Ulaanbaatar city, where Mongolia's honored athlete E. Tsendsuren claimed victory. He fought against Mexican athlete Pedro Rodriguez and won by a heavy punch in the sixth round. After his victory, he gave an interview saying, "Despite having a fractured wrist, I believed I had to win. I am happy to have shown a thrilling fight to my fellow Mongolians and protected the championship belt. I have nothing but respect for my opponent; he was a strong competitor. My next fight is in May, so I will be traveling to the USA soon. Thank you to everyone who helped organize this fight. It's great to fight and win in front of my compatriots. I worked very hard, and it paid off. I thank my team who supported my fight in my home country. Thank you to Tugstsogt. If we can work together as a team, we can capture all the major professional boxing belts. So do not miss your chance." The 29-year-old E. Tsendsuren, who fought in the "super featherweight" category weighing between 57-59 kg, this time fought in the "lightweight" category between 59-61.2 kg, making it notable. He auctioned the gloves he used in his victory over the Mexican athlete. The auction started at three million, and state falcon G. Ganhuyag bought the gloves for ten million tugriks. Honored athlete N. Tugstsogt also returned to the professional boxing ring, securing his 12th career victory at home. His opponent was a 43-year-old Filipino fighter, Mark Anthony, who had achieved 26 victories in the professional boxing ring. After his victory, Tugstsogt said, "It was great to win in front of my countrymen at home. I will continue to strive." In addition, B. Tuguldur, B. Misheelt, O. Byamba-Erdene, Kh. Beknur, E. Bayarsaikhan, and E. Enkhamar won against their opponents, bringing joy to the Mongolian people.

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VIDEO: E. Tsendsuren defeats Mexican boxer P.B. Rodriguez with a heavy knockout in the fight for the WBA title

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: isee.mn

Mongolian athlete E. Tsendsuren, an Honored Athlete of Mongolia, conducted his 12th professional boxing match for the WBA Central Asian Championship belt against Mexican fighter P.B. Rodriguez, knocking out his opponent in the 6th round. E. Tsendsuren's opponent, P.B. Rodriguez, had 17 professional boxing matches under his belt with 14 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws, having knocked out six opponents in his career. However, by participating in the "Night of Champions, Ulaanbaatar-2025" event and losing to Honored Coach of Mongolia E. Tsendsuren, he now marks his second professional boxing defeat.

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E. Tsendsuren wins and will compete in the World Championship

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: news.mn

The "Night of Champions Ulaanbaatar-2025" tournament for the Central Asian championship belt took place yesterday at Asa Arena in Ulaanbaatar, where Mongolia's honored athlete E. Tsendsuren claimed victory. He faced Mexican athlete Pedro Rodriguez and secured victory in the 6th round. Also participating in the tournament was Mongolia's honored athlete N. Tögstsogt, who announced his return to the sport. This was the first time such a tournament was held in Mongolia, with 14 competitors from both domestic and international origins. A month before this fight, during a press event, Mongolia's honored athlete E. Tsendsuren announced that he would contest his 12th bout to defend his championship belt in his weight class in professional boxing. He has had 11 professional boxing matches and won all of them, with five victories won by technical knockout. Of his fights, he has fought six in the USA, three in Russia, and two in China, with this latest one being held in Mongolia. He stated that if he won this fight, he would have the opportunity to compete in the World Championship to be held in May.

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MUGT E. Tsendsbaatar defended his Central Asian Championship title

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: gogo.mn

MUGT E. Tsendsbaatar defended his Central Asian lightweight championship title. He defeated his opponent, Mexican athlete Pedro Rodriguez, in the 6th round. Our athlete stated, "Even though my hand was severely injured, I was determined to win. I am happy to have shown an exciting fight to our Mongolians and to have defended my championship title. I have nothing but respect for my opponent; he was a strong contender." The 29-year-old E. Tsendsbaatar, who previously competed in the "Super featherweight" division (57-59 kg), moved up a weight class to "Lightweight" (59-61.2 kg) for this fight.

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Dornod: The First Two-Time Champion in Olympic Taekwondo's Poomsae Category

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The "Poomsae-2025" National Championship of Olympic Taekwondo concluded in the capital city from February 12 to 14. Athlete B. Daryaa from the Dornod province won six consecutive matches to become the two-time national champion, winning the gold medal. Thus, Dornod has produced its first two-time champion in the Olympic Taekwondo Poomsae category. A total of 47 athletes from the "Khan Orgil Soyolz" club in Dornod province, coached by N. Narantsogt, participated in this competition. In 2023, B. Daryaa represented Mongolia in the junior poomsae category of the Asian Championship for the first time from Dornod and ranked 7th. The "Khan Orgil Soyolz" club achieved one gold, five silver, and 12 bronze medals from the National Championship, concluding their competition successfully.

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A Wrestling Tournament Featuring Military Titles Was Held

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: news.mn

A wrestling tournament featuring military titles was held. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Halh Nomrog Buryat khoshuu and the 90th anniversary of the Labor Merit Red Banner Order of Tsagaan-Ovoo soum in Dornod aimag, the tournament was named after State Champion Dondogiin Tsogzoldorj. In this event featuring 128 powerful wrestlers with national, provincial, and military titles, State Champion Lkhagvasuren Enkhsaikhan from the ZK-189 unit won first place, while State Champion Byambadorj Tuvshintugs came in second. Various people paid tribute to the tournament organizer, MUBKh head, senior judge, and Mongolian state champion D. Tsogzoldorj. These included the MUBKh, family members, relatives, friends, local people, fellow wrestlers, and students. The winner of the tournament received an award of 8 million tugriks, the runner-up received 5 million, and those who reached fourth place each received 2 million tugriks. The next tournament will continue with a series of "Young Wrestlers" matches beginning on February 20. Additionally, a new tournament format by MUBKh, the 'Golden Bazer' lottery tournament, will be organized in March and October of this year. This tournament is being organized in collaboration between the MUBKh and "Tenuun Entertainment" LLC, with MUBKh Executive Director T. Tumendemberi, manager S. Gantor, and the company's CEO B. Erdenesaikhan having signed a cooperation agreement.

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SELENGE: Girls' Team Set to Compete for the Gold Medal

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Selenge aimag girls' team, the silver medalists of the 2024 national championship, are getting ready to compete for the gold medal. The 2025 National Youth Girls Volleyball Championship organized by the Mongolian Volleyball Federation is currently taking place in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. The provincial girls' team, coached by A. Amartuvshin as the head coach and E. Lkhagvaa as the assistant coach from the Selenge aimag Sports Bureau, qualified in the top 4. The tournament features participation from coaches and teams of 58 groups, with around 700 young volleyball players.

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B.Tsenguun: Reflecting on my inner world and getting to know myself, fencing had an impact on it

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

B.Tsenguun, a member of the 'Duel' club and an 11th grade student at the 'Goethe' International High School, has been practicing fencing for many years. He participated in various age categories of the competition and began his athletic career by winning a silver medal in the heavy saber category at the national youth championship. Since then, he led his team to victory in the youth national championship, was a runner-up in the adult individual category, and took third place in the Ulaanbaatar city championship. He also won the 'DFC Cup' competition in the under-16 category and was crowned champion among adults. Last year, he competed in the heavy saber category at the World Junior and Youth Championship held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the direction of coach Ts.Jigjidsuren. After being named the best athlete in 2024, he competed against over 40 athletes from four clubs in this year's national youth championship and secured a spot in the Asian and World Championships to be held in the southern neighbor country in April. -The scheduled date of the world championship is approaching. For you, this will be your second time competing against the best in the world. -Participating in this year's national youth and junior championship, where I won a silver medal, allowed me to head to the southern neighbor and gain the right to compete in the world championship. I am currently reviewing and studying the information published on the World Fencing Federation's website. Each country sends their best athletes to the World Championships. As the competition date is approaching, I am consulting closely with my coach to train and prepare more thoroughly. An athlete should always be prepared physically and mentally. Before participating in major competitions last year, undergoing psychological training proved beneficial. -The World Junior and Youth Championship in Riyadh last year might have taught you a lot about techniques and tactics for future battles? -It was a big challenge for me to participate with my team's children in the World Junior and Youth Championship for the first time. Upon setting foot in Riyadh, I thought, 'Let me show everything I've learned and am capable of now.' Competing against the best of my age, I gained experience at my level. During the competition, I tried to learn from their techniques, speed, strength, thinking, and decision-making skills. Although the Saudi Arabian athletes did not achieve much success, they appeared to aim to develop this sport in their country. -Having fought six battles and won three, from which country did you find the strongest opponent? -I competed in the group matches against athletes from Germany, Luxembourg, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, and Egypt. Among them, I lost 15:10 in the knockout match to an Egyptian athlete, who had already won a silver medal from the World Championship. The score being not very different, I was not too disappointed. He was the fastest and most mentally strong opponent I've met. His confidence, patience, skills, and sense made a great impression on me. -It is said that those who practice fencing tend to 'fight' willingly. Could this be related to the inherent determination the Mongolians have in their blood? -Among fighting sports, fencing is more interesting and unique. It has developed by demonstrating its features, ancient traditions, and techniques, which is why it is called 'mental chess.' Its distinction lies in combining strategy, tactics, planning with speed, strength, endurance, and feeling. Fencing has light, heavy, and epee disciplines. In our country, the heavy saber discipline is more developed. Athletes from Japan and South Korea in Asia are strong competitors in all categories. In the 'Paris 2024' Olympic Games, Oh Sang-guk from South Korea won the epee and Kano Koki from Japan won the heavy saber category. I, personally, admire the skills of the Hungarian athlete Gergely Siklosi from Europe. He has ancient, classical fencing technique, and his use of rules and techniques during the matches is admirable. The Hungarian fencers lead the men's team category and returned home with a gold medal from Paris. Athletes spend a lot of time and effort preparing for local and international competitions, which is why they find joy in showcasing their work on the fighting field. Engaging in sword fighting attracts a lot of interest from men. This stems from the nomadic life, traditional culture, and the historical invasions led by the ancient Mongolian khans with horses. Our athletes seem to succeed more in individual competitions than in team battles. -Athletes in the heavy saber category score by hitting any part of the opponent's body. With the light saber, points are only awarded when stabbing the chest. The epee sabre is light, flexible, and allows you to score by cutting and stabbing above the chest. Fencing has been included in the Olympic Games since the first modern Olympiad held in Athens, Greece, in 1896, and it remains an Olympic sport to this day. In modern times, this sport is considered to have a lower chance of injury. I find it interesting to fight with the cutting epee. -How does the fighting technique of European athletes differ from Asians? -I started competing in international competitions last year. There are several athletes in our 'Duel' club who participate in international competitions. Among them, B. Gandol won a bronze medal at the Asian Junior and Youth Championship held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in 2022. Continental competitions differ slightly from world championships, as they reflect the level of development in each country. As Japan has developed fencing, they have both continental and world champions and Olympic winners. Some of them work as coaches. Many countries in the continent invite European experienced coaches to train their athletes. Fencing originated in Italy. It was common for people of that time to use swords for military training and preparation purposes. This sport began to develop in Mongolia in 2009, starting from the southern part of Italy, Sicily, Palermo, and spreading among the French nobility from the 15th century. -You've been practicing this sport for many years. Who suggested you step into the fighting field at that time? -When I was eight years old, my aunt suggested one day, 'Fencing seems very interesting. Why don't you try it?' At that time, I watched videos to understand what kind of sport it was, and I became a student of coach Ts.Jigjidsuren when I came to 'Duel' club to attend. An athlete never forgets the first day of training and the first medal won from a competition. -Can you draw strength and inspiration from the sport you are interested in? Some athletes make their dreams their goals, and their goals, their life. -Indeed. One of my self-set goals, looking at the future positively, is sports. Fencing keeps me away from the stress and frustration of today’s society, even if temporarily, and gives me pleasant feelings to spend time productively on what I like. Dedicating energy and goals to the right things and finding pleasure and satisfaction in them helps athletes succeed. Practicing sports has many advantages. It has taught me endurance and allowed me to approach things carefully, cautiously, and responsibly rather than with excitement. -How supportive are your close relatives of you? -My parents have supported me since the time I first showed interest and started practicing. They still attend all my competitions. They knew back then that everything you learn in sports will be useful later in life. My family advises me to stay calm in competitions and prevent injuries while fighting. -Have you felt something new after taking a break and coming back? -I took a brief break from sports when I was 12. At that time, it seemed uninteresting to compete in tournaments without much success and consistency, and I was discouraged. During those times, my family gave me emotional support, and my coach encouraged me to continue training. Returning after some time, I felt my energy more than before, and my way of thinking and attitude broadened. Looking into my inner world, having conversations with myself, and understanding who I am was important to me. When facing difficulties, intellectual strength and ability help a lot to overcome personal challenges. -What level of understanding do the administration and teachers of the 'Goethe' International High School have for students who practice sports? -I study in the 11th group of this school. They understand and support me, and the school's management allows me to miss classes during competitions and participate. My classmates take the time to contact me and send 'Today, we covered this lesson' messages on the web. -Does the International Fencing Federation change its rules every four years? -Yes, they do. The rule of scoring and maintaining balance did not seem very accurate to me. As an example, a Canadian athlete at the World Championship, during the last two seconds, ran towards the opponent and fell while sitting without maintaining balance, yet still scored points. The judges counted the points at that time. Afterward, the rule was updated to include a clause about maintaining balance after scoring. -How do you evaluate your coach as an experienced and skilled coach? -In Mongolia, he is one of the experienced, knowledgeable, and skilled coaches training professional athletes in fencing. He ensures his athletes complete their training well and competes in tournaments. He tries to stay close to us, works with each person individually, and points out any mistakes or shortcomings, explaining clearly. Having competed in continental and world competitions more than once, he knows how to train his athletes and improve their skills. -How is the right to participate in the Olympic Games granted to athletes? -After participating in the World Championship, we will compete in international and Asian cup championships. As fencing is an Olympic event, athletes are given ranking points. The World Fencing Federation will organize the competition to qualify for the Olympics. Consistently participating in all competitions will increase the ranking points. Athletes competing in the adult category are eligible to participate in the Olympic Games if ranked in the top 10. -You have been crowned national champion more than once. Are medals added to your trophy rack every year? -I do not count my medals. I have received many medals from competitions organized in each age category. Recently, I have been competing in the adult category and increasing the number, with four national championship titles so far. This year, I won a silver medal in the adult category. Most of the medals on my trophy rack are gold. The success of athletes in international competitions depends on the time and effort put into developing the sport in each country.

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State Nachin L. Enkhsaruul Wins Fourth Time at Wrestling Palace

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: montsame.mn

A wrestling tournament was held for the 100th anniversary of the Khalkh Nomrog Buriad khoshuu and the 90th anniversary of Tsagaan-Ovoo sum in Dornod aimag, dedicated to State Nachin D. Tsogzoldorj. The tournament featured 128 strong wrestlers with state, aimag, and military titles. Among the wrestlers with state titles, there was one champion, one lion, five elephants, five hawks, and fifteen nachins who competed. State Nachin L. Enkhsaruul from the “Aldar” sports committee and “Uvs Lake” club of Uvs aimag’s Khovd sum won the championship, while State Nachin B. Tuvshintugs from the “Suld” sports committee and “Bulgan Khangai” club of Bulgan aimag’s Khishig-Undur sum was the runner-up. For State Nachin L. Enkhsaruul, this was the fourth time winning a tournament organized in the wrestling palace. He won two of these championships after receiving his state title, and two when he held the aimag’s lion title. In an interview, he expressed his happiness in winning in a tournament dedicated to his elder brother, D. Tsogzoldorj. He mentioned that every opponent in each round was very strong, and he tried to wrestle in his own style to show sharp and artistic wrestling to the audience. He succeeded in using the techniques he practiced during training and winning his matches. Enkhsaruul stated he is happy to have shown a beautiful competition and delighted the viewers. He is meticulously preparing for the upcoming New Year’s tournament and aims to advance to higher stages during the rounds. He acknowledged that his main goal is to increase his rank at the national festival. As for the runner-up, State Nachin B. Tuvshintugs, this was his third time reaching the finals at the wrestling palace, resulting in one championship and three runner-up finishes. He expressed his satisfaction with being the runner-up in a tournament in honor of D. Tsogzoldorj and noted that the quality of tournaments held in the wrestling palace has increased due to the decrease in their number, leading to tougher competition. He, too, aims to increase his rank at the national festival. In the finals of the tournament, State Elephant D. Anar and D. Khuderbulga made it to the semi-finals, along with State Champion O. Khangai, Hawk N. Zolboo, O. Munkh-Erdene, and Nachin D. Amarsaihan.

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Arts

BAYAN-ULGII: For the first time, Eagle Hunters and Ethnic Costume Competitions were organized at the Ice Festival

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The Governor's Office of Bayan-Ulgii Province, together with the Department of Physical Education and Sports, and the Department of Culture, Arts, Tourism, and Youth, organized the "Tungalag Tolbo-2025" ice festival on February 15 at Lake Tolbo. This festival, part of the national movement "Healthy Mongolian Person" initiated by the President of Mongolia, aims to encourage citizens to live a healthy lifestyle by participating in active outdoor activities, strengthening physical fitness, discovering the talents of winter sports enthusiasts, and contributing significantly to the development of winter tourism. More than 2000 people participated in the ice festival, including representatives from all districts of the province, civil servants, NGOs, businesses, citizens, and amateur participants from the neighboring Khovd province. Compared to last year's ice festival, this event was more extensive, covering a wider range and aiming to elevate it to the level of a major cultural and sports festival, with plans to organize it annually on a regional, national, and international scale. The provincial leaders participated in the "Tungalag Tolbo-2025" ice festival, where the governor of the province, E. Zangar, gave an opening speech and greetings. Within the framework of the festival, competitions in sports such as skate racing, tug of war, hockey, ice sumo, ice knucklebone shooting, ice archery, and sport fishing were organized, and the best participants were awarded. Additionally, an eagle hunting performance and an ethnic costume competition were organized for the first time, which was a special event, and there is a need to promote the festival internationally and involve foreign travelers to expand its reach.

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"Ulaanbaatar" Winter Festival Begins

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The "Ulaanbaatar" winter festival is being organized in collaboration with the City Tourism Department, the City Sports Department, and "Sky Resort." The festival was opened yesterday at the "Sky Resort" ski base. The main goals of the winter festival are to promote and introduce the beautiful winter season, customs, traditions, and unique culture of our homeland. It also aims to pass these down to the younger generation, introduce newly developing extreme winter sports and travel types to the residents of the capital, and provide an opportunity to spend happy weekends with family. Within the festival, there will be competitions such as curling, ice archery, archery, snowboarding, alpine skiing, family relay races, and tug-of-war, along with many other interesting programs like parachute demonstrations.

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PHOTOS: Around the "Blue Pearl" Ice Festival

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: gogo.mn

"Blue Pearl 2025" Ice Festival is continuing for the third day. In addition to the amazing Mongolian ice sculpture competition and "Open mic" free performances, the "Huvsgul Ethnic Arts Performance" was held. At this arts performance, over 50 folk talents and artists representing Khalkh, Darkhad, Khotgoid, and Uriankhai ethnic groups from all the sums (districts) of Khuvsgul aimag showcased their music and art. Many guests from Arkhangai, Zavkhan, Darkhan, Selenge, Tuv, and Bulgan aimags, as well as from abroad, are visiting and enjoying the ice festival. For example, a female tourist who frequently travels to Mongolia from France completed her camel tour in Hatgal during the ice festival and mentioned that she would travel to Renchinlkhumbe sum on a sled carrying her luggage. An American tourist who previously visited for the Golden Eagle Festival in 2024 is now visiting specifically to experience Mongolia's winter and attend the Huvsgul Ice Festival. This year, the ice festival is being organized for 10 days for the first time. Dr. J. Oyunmaa, one of the initiators of the ice festival and a doctor of biological sciences, said, "The significance of this year's ice festival is that it does not gather a large number of people at once, prevents exceeding capacity, distributes tourists and travelers, and provides income to the local residents, all of which are beneficial in many ways." Source: Journalists Club for Sustainable Development

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Bayankhongor: "Transparent Lake-2025" Ice Festival (Photo Moment)

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: montsame.mn

Ölgii, February 16, 2025 /MONTSAME/. Within the framework of the "Healthy Mongolian Citizen" national movement initiated by the President of Mongolia, citizens are encouraged to engage in an active lifestyle in the fresh air, strengthen their physical fitness, and discover the talents of amateur winter sports enthusiasts. In order to promote winter tourism, the "Transparent Lake 2025" festival was organized at Tolbo Lake located in Tolbo soum, Bayan-Ölgii province. Here are photo moments from the event. Follow @montsame.mn

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DORNOD: The 80th Anniversary of the First Issue of "Döl" Newspaper

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: montsame.mn

The "Döl" newspaper of Dornod Province is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its first issue. Decision No. 67 of the 67th meeting of the Central Committee of the MPRP's Political Bureau, held on October 24, 1944, decided to establish newspapers in the provinces of Dornod, Zavkhan, Khovsgol, Dornogovi, Sukhbaatar, Uvs, Uvurkhangai, Govi-Altai, Umnugovi, and Khovd, and named the newspaper of Dornod province "Döl". Thus, from January 1, 1945, the "Döl" newspaper began work with an editor, typesetter, printer, and scribes. In 1945, the Mongolian People's Army began advancing on a broad front from Dornod region to liberate the Mongolian nation from the Japanese militarists and strengthen its sovereignty. Among those forces was the special detachment called "Döl". Specifically, when the war against Japanese militarism was declared, the governments of the USSR and Mongolia organized two special secret units on the front lines of Inner Mongolia and Bargh. The unit organized on the Bargah Mongolian front was named "Döl", and its core members consisted of volunteer cavalry units, the provincial auto base, and the "Döl" newspaper editorial staff. Upon arriving at the front, the "Döl" detachment engaged in protecting their unit from remaining Japanese military attacks, printing and distributing leaflets, urging civilians hiding in the hills and woods to return, establishing connections with former local authorities, and organizing local governance. They carried out these activities day and night, through rain and storm. In addition, they organized, and sent to Mongolia, Bargh individuals and herders who wished to voluntarily enter Mongolia. During this period, they engaged in combat with Japanese remnants comprising groups of 20 to 30 people. Notably, at the end of August 1945, near the Orshuun River in the Bargah territory, they encountered and defeated a significant Japanese force. A distinguishing event is that the entire staff of the "Döl" newspaper fought, printed the newspaper, and carried out propaganda activities during the battle, achieving a rare feat not known before. According to the memoir of Sh. Bat-Ochir, the editor of "Döl" newspaper: "Upon receiving the intelligence from the printer Ts. Danzandarjaa, our unit launched a counter-offensive at once. Between 09:00 in the morning and 16:00 in the evening, we smashed the Japanese force, took the survivors prisoner, and handed them over to the Soviet military command. The entire "Döl" newspaper team participated in the battle at Orshuun River, where typographers Sodnom and Khanzan, and printer Danzandarjaa fought exceptionally, earning praise from the unit commander during the evening assembly." Furthermore, the intense events of the Liberation War and history have remained vividly on the yellowed pages of the "Döl" newspaper. At that time, "Döl" newspaper met the intellectual needs of its readers, given its informational capacity and reach. Specifically, several issues of the newspaper, along with thousands of leaflets, were printed and distributed under war conditions using a manually operated machine named "Partisan" documented in historical archives and various sources. For example, in the editor's notes: "Crushing the Japanese groups encountered along the way, we reached Khailaart. It was very tumultuous, with gunfire here and there. Our people stayed in a two-story log building where a person named Urjin Garmaev lived. On the 14th, they printed the second issue of the newspaper, 20,000 copies of three types of leaflets, and distributed them to the Russian military by plane. The third issue was prepared on the 15th and 16th. At that time, they began receiving combat news from the Soviet military high command for publication in the newspaper." The "Döl" newspaper, which served in the war front, published an article titled "Great Victory" in its fifth issue, reporting the defeat and surrender of Japanese military units. This newspaper was printed in 20,000 copies and distributed by plane to all the counties of Bargh. On the night of the 14th, editor Sh. Bat-Ochir developed and prepared materials for the 6th issue. On August 18 and 19, the seventh issue of the "Döl" newspaper was released, featuring articles about the opportunities for the Inner Mongolian and Chinese people, previously under double foreign oppression, to gain freedom and independence. In the past decade, there has been increased interest in studying the historical contributions of the "Döl" newspaper, its role in the Liberation War, and how the entire editorial worked on the war front. Now celebrating its historic 80th anniversary, the "Döl" newspaper is published in full color, with eight pages in A3 format, maintaining its role as a regular publication in the local community.

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The Stone Interpreter, The Gray Wolf

Published: 2025-02-16 | Translated from: unuudur.mn

The Mongolian Writers Union organized the "Utga Chimeg" festival this past Sunday. In honor of the 90th anniversary of Labor Hero, State Prize Laureate, People's Writer, Cultural Merit Artist, scholar, and author L. Tudev's birth, the festival awarded the best short story on his birthday. From the final ten selected stories, writer B. Sarantuya's "Regdendagva" won this year's "Utga Chimeg". We have previously shared this work with our readers. This time, we present the stories "The Gray Wolf" by G. Bolormaa and "The Stone Interpreter" by T. Bum-Erdene, which received high acclaim from festival-goers. The Stone Interpreter Bodkhüü was charmed by the intimate words of Budjargal, saying she feels like seeing her father in his gaze, completely beguiled. Emotional warmth filled his heart like holding his fingertips in his arms. He thought, "Perhaps she is my destined partner," cherishing in his mind the only daughter of the renowned and handsome Guo Namnan of the front region. Upon hearing that the famous seer Doloon Dond, known for his infallible divination with forty-one black stones gathered from the Sayan Mountains and others, was visiting the area, he decided to meet him. Doloon Dond was skilled in divination, collecting stones from seven great rivers, including the Kherlen, Onon, and Tuul, reaching forty-one in total, and rumored to accurately predict the direction of straying livestock while staying with families along the rivers. Inspired by the praise, "Bodhüü, who doesn't miss a Bodhi's path," he too began divining with stones confidently. Hoping to know his fate with the beloved Budjargal, he tried divining covertly but ended up with "head here, feet there" results. Then, luckily, he heard news of Doloon Dond's travels. Noticing a faint, bluish-robed figure like specks of soot on the horizon, Bodkhüü quickened his pace, and his bay horse galloped across the damp ground upon urging. He saw another rider further along the mountain trail as he descended the stream. A few people were waiting outside the yurt, chatting about Doloon Dond. "A great seer once journeyed with Doloon Dond, talking and spending the night together. As they parted ways, the seer drew his stones and said, 'It's strange, when I see my home, I think of my spouse; if not, do I dwell on myself?' feeling quite uneasy. Doloon, scattering his stones from seven mountains, said, 'Well, you claimed your forty-one stones knew everything, but they missed this one,' as he shook his pouch and a snake fell out. Everyone admired his savvy sense," they said, laughing heartily. Some left the yurt either smiling or frowning. Finally, it was Bodkhüü's turn. Receiving a tobacco pouch from Doloon Dond, Bodkhüü said, "Feeling enamored with a woman and wanting to see the future of my life, I tried divining, but the result seemed bleak. Fortunately, I crossed paths with you, hoping to ask," to which Doloon Dond replied, "Divining is not a mere fool's play, you know," smiling approvingly. "Let's see the stones," he said. Bodkhüü, slightly flustered but maintaining composure, felt around for the pouch decorated with stitched silk borders and displayed his stones. Doloon Dond tenderly ran his fingers over them, saying, "These are soft stones, smooth like a woman's fingertips. This suggests harmony and artistic grace." Then he asked, "How does it come out when you check for yourself? Shall we take a look together?" Bodkhüü divided his stones into sets of three before the great seer until the final moment, showing his outcome. "This is how it appears. Look... My half seems settled, but the other half's head is light, yet the feet weigh down..." he confessed, helpless. Doloon Dond took his pouch from his side. Despite being made from cowhide, it was soft like silk after much use. Arranging his stones from seven mountains, he blew over them, and as he laid them evenly on a patterned cloth square, Bodkhüü turned his gaze to distant mountain tops through the yurt's opening, avoiding looking at the seer's divining stones. The stones in Doloon Dond's hand separated into sets of three repeatedly, as if slicing through Bodkhüü's emotions each time. Perhaps due to his eagerness to feel the heartbeat of his cherished one. "Young man, you have understood the heart of the woman you love. Very good. But have you known her in person?" he asked earnestly. Bodkhüü, in his youthful innocence, blushed sheepishly, "No, I merely touched her fingertip hidden in her sleeve." "I see, then there's something to talk about," Doloon Dond laughed heartily, making Bodkhüü's heart feel light, sharing a fresh, youthful laugh under the yurt roof. Shortly, Doloon's face turned serious, and he gazed at Bodkhüü. The sunlight and wind had paled and faded the yurt's roof, yet it still fluttered joyfully above their shared laughter. "In truth, I am not a seer. I merely interpret what the stones convey. They speak all through the fingertips, into the mind, and share abundant wisdom, if they didn't, they would remain on mountain peaks or river bottoms, contemplating countless moments over millennia," he said. "Indeed, that's why I wished to become a seer like you..." Bodkhüü began but was interrupted. "Son, let me tell you frankly. Words of encouragement may seem sweet but can be deceptive. Genuine words are like salt—satisfying yet honest. Someone who hasn't seen their destiny cannot reveal others'. If you cannot interpret the stories of the stones, leave them in peace. Please, return these stones to the seven rivers where you found them. They seem thirsty," Doloon Dond advised. Bodkhüü, feeling guilt-stricken, lowered his eyes to his great mentor, seeking guidance. "If I bear any fault..." he started, but Doloon Dond interrupted again, "Nonsense, how could you have erred? Don't worry," easing Bodkhüü's apprehension. "Now listen carefully to my words. They are more significant than the divining stones," Doloon Dond continued. "Two horses tied to one stake do not eat well. Now, head directly home. Since I know you live only with your mother, this is why I tell you, sincerely," he explained. Surprised at the mention of his home life, Bodkhüü stared wide-eyed. "Speak about your beloved with your mother. Mention her father's full name properly, without mistake. The world's path is deceitful, full of false steps and pitfalls. Hence, my son, go straight to your mother," Doloon Dond instructed, letting Bodkhüü depart. "My hopes of becoming a seer are dashed. I must return the forty-one stones to the seven rivers. Still, I'll travel unerringly to my mother..." Bodkhüü thought to himself, whispering softly, "The daughter of Guo Namnan, Budjargal..." before urging his horse onward. The bay horse eagerly trotted, extending its shadow under the moonlight... The Gray Wolf A gray she-wolf quietly whined, sliding out of her den, slicing through the mountain breeze with her skittish eyes fixed between the sky and earth. The last time she encountered her blue-maned partner at the back of the brown hill was recently. Having pups to nurse, she ventured out for food, going through Makhan's pass, reaching Asgat’s origin. Managing to stalk a wandering yak calf, she took it down with a single bite at the neck's seam as night ended, skirting the ledge for leisurely consumption. Two crows pecked intermittently at her feast, prompting her to hastily tear out the lungs from its chest cavity and trot back to her den, reminiscent of her blue-maned wolf’s cooperation. Encountering resistance upon entering a trap unexpectedly, the blue-maned partner perished immediately thereafter. This misfortune marked the beginning of new challenges for the gray she-wolf. Still, she awaited her partner at the den's threshold. The four pups clung to her milk-laden teats, seeking nourishment. Standing at the den's mouth as night mingled, she awaited the blue-mane. Daybreak arrived without him. The pups struggled for sustenance from her scant milk, causing her pain. Hunger gnawing at her belly, the far more terrifying void continued—the absence of the blue-mane, whose despairing presence felt ever-distant. Winter storms raged on. A troubling premonition filled her when the absence of her partner felt final, compelling her mournful cry. The gray she-wolf ventured from the den, leaving her pups behind. Passing several ridges, trailing the slope down to a fallow meadowside, she reached a camp's vicinity, drawn by the scent of remains. A chunk dislodged her from the scent. As just punishment, she stumbled into a cunningly camouflaged trap. The clanking chain hooked her swift kick. Yet, life’s drive remained resolute. Breaking free, urged by survival's imperative, she ran. The absence of her partner haunted her ceaselessly. In pursuit of life, biting her ankle fiercely to limp away faster, she left behind vivid stains marking her escape. Various surviving obstacles, she halted briefly and pressed on resolutely toward the den. Upon returning to the den, she discovered the corroded smaller one laying silent on the den's lip, the remains of its siblings nestled lifeless. Haunting cries echoed persistently in the subsequent days. Wolf cries reverberated distress throughout. The gray’s derisions sent her seeking another family. She boldly ventured to an active den scented with life. Met with hostility, the trio there lunged, attacking her repeatedly. Despite being thwarted, she persisted, willing to engage in the survival game as for her own lost pups. When the mating male embarked on an expedition, the fostering mother likewise decided to rest. Abandoning usual caution, indulging shared playtime outside subsequently prompted the maternal wolf to join. As the sun warmed, her pups shone from the playful exchange. The sight stirred the protective female gray wolf. Snuffling at the loved exposed litter, she resolved to safeguard them. In return, affirming her deemed role within, drew comfort from their nurturing closeness. With mounting empathy during evaluation, the gray cubbed-mother within registered her survival odds narrowly. Her health deteriorated steadily, her physically challenged form fared weakly. Despite being hampered, she remained vigilant for impending threats to Luna’s litter. The final moon heralded a particular morning when unable to rise, her chest surrendered midway. Her pups nudged her dry teats to no avail. In apparition faintness, the voice of her blue-mane bid: "Raise our pups." Lifting upon sniffing the spry joy, she favored among visions. Giving her requisite breath to nature, stretched alongside motionless, frozen anew. With care, an endangered predator sought these others, summoned her as at last removed. Leading her own legacy onward. One eager thought toward the fledging new in those whispering echoes remained ever-formed bond frozen her particular plight. Surmounting newly encountered terrain, marking hopes, and encouraging others alike. An initial hunter returned, issuing a dismissive judgment toward her now, "He’s past hope. Let’s be done with you," ensuring successful endeavors once anew. Her world lingered beneath remnant skyward beams, concerned optics streaming toward acute salvation, devoid forthcoming eternity. Grieving ominous transparency cried, a mere above hushed ordeal.

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Today's Stories

Politics

Economy

Diplomacy

Society

Environment

Health

Sports

Arts

Politics

Summary: Projects must be initiated, and justice must prevail

The Law on the Court Has Been Found Violating the Constitution

Zavkhan: A team led by Speaker D. Amarbaysgalan is working in the soums

Certificates Awarded to Students Participating in the 'Open Parliament' Internship Program

Economy

ÖMNÖGOBI: One Month's Budget Falls Short by 69.1 Billion MNT

Diplomacy

Munich Security Conference

Delegation from the Republic of Turkey Received

Foreign Minister B. Battsetseg Met with Indian Counterpart

Society

N. Jargalsaikhan: The trend of migration abroad is expected to increase by 68.9% by 2035

Behind a Happy Marriage

Environment

Photo: Winter festival aimed at protecting the Mazaalai bear and promoting Mongolian customs is underway

Mongolia's Omnogovi: Unnatural Livestock Losses Decrease by 1679

Health

G.Ariunbuyan: We Need to Implement Preventive Measures

There is a need to increase social welfare expenses for prosthesis production

Received Three Urgently Needed Pediatric Cancer Medicines

Sports

Athletes from Tuva, Buryatia, and Inner Mongolia participate in the Ulaanbaatar Winter Festival

E. Tsendsuren Wins and Becomes the Central Asian Champion

VIDEO: E. Tsendsuren defeats Mexican boxer P.B. Rodriguez with a heavy knockout in the fight for the WBA title

E. Tsendsuren wins and will compete in the World Championship

MUGT E. Tsendsbaatar defended his Central Asian Championship title

Dornod: The First Two-Time Champion in Olympic Taekwondo's Poomsae Category

A Wrestling Tournament Featuring Military Titles Was Held

SELENGE: Girls' Team Set to Compete for the Gold Medal

B.Tsenguun: Reflecting on my inner world and getting to know myself, fencing had an impact on it

State Nachin L. Enkhsaruul Wins Fourth Time at Wrestling Palace

Arts

BAYAN-ULGII: For the first time, Eagle Hunters and Ethnic Costume Competitions were organized at the Ice Festival

"Ulaanbaatar" Winter Festival Begins

PHOTOS: Around the "Blue Pearl" Ice Festival

Bayankhongor: "Transparent Lake-2025" Ice Festival (Photo Moment)

DORNOD: The 80th Anniversary of the First Issue of "Döl" Newspaper

The Stone Interpreter, The Gray Wolf

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