Cover Mongolia

Announcement made after Wednesday market close, KCC closed flat at C$0.37

Kincora outlines multi-target, multi-stage strategy for Tier 1 porphyry copper-gold exploration in Mongolia

Copper-gold porphyry mineralization at Bayan Tal is confirmed within a large scale Devonian "Oyu Tolgoi style" complex supporting priority drilling
Geological and geophysical activities ongoing to progress other large scale, shallow to moderate depth targets and advance a unique portfolio along the value curve
Exploration strategy refined to replicate the systematic approach successfully applied in discovering similar profile Tier 1 gold rich copper porphyry discoveries
Updated corporate presentation highlights Kincora's industry leading proposition of "Location, Team, and Targets"

VANCOUVER, Nov. 17, 2016 /CNW/ - Kincora Copper Limited (the "Company", "Kincora") (TSXV:KCC), following the recent closing of the IBEX transaction and announcement of Kincora's newly formed Technical Committee (refer to our respective November 7^th and 14^th press releases), the Company is pleased to provide an update on ongoing activities and its exploration strategy going forward.

A comprehensive workshop and field visit was concluded in September, including the Technical Committee, industry leading specialists and geologists with extensive recent experience in the gold rich Southern Mongolian copper belt. The workshop identified priority targets and built out a pipeline of regional prospects focused on the following key attributes:

1.	Scale: Kincora's portfolio supports the advancement of potential Oyu Tolgoi and Tsagaan Suvarga (Devonian) analogues, and/or traditional gold rich finger type porphyries. Exploration activities currently are focused on replicating systematic and proven techniques that have been successful at other similar profile targets, including the Tier 1 copper-gold discoveries that the Technical Team has prior experience with.
2.	Shallow targets: The focus is targets on the margins of half grabens and/or uplifted fault blocks where outcrop or subcrop provides a geological window to support integration of geophysical datasets to de-risk exploration.
3.	Multi-target, multi-stage pipeline with exploration ongoing:
	Priority #1 target: Confirmed Devonian ("Oyu Tolgoi style") stratigraphy at the Bayan Tal Igneous Complex ("BTIC"), including 18m @ 0.66% CuEq down hole on the margin of the interpreted system. This is one of the most significant untested Complexes in the Southern Mongolian belt with multiple drill ready targets supporting a candidate for a new Tier 1 porphyry discovery.
	Priority #2 target: "Brownfield" exploration along strike to the Tsagaan Suvarga ("TS style") open pit development project within the TS Massif porphyry system. Field work is refining near surface drill targets.
	Pipeline: Extensive ground magnetics, detailed mapping, regional and local geochemistry, petrography, whole rock geochemistry with fertility analysis, and age dating are ongoing to advance a portfolio of high quality, ranked exploration targets across the district level portfolio developing additional drill targets and areas for systematic exploration in spring and summer of 2017.

Sam Spring, President & CEO, commented: "Location, team and targets are the key ingredients for a successful exploration play. Since closing the IBEX transaction we have started outlining key positive developments on these fronts that differentiate and positions Kincora well moving forward, with systematic exploration advancing our targets up the value curve.

We are excited by the targets identified at Bayan Tal, which is an extensively mineralized system, with distal copper-gold porphyry returned along its southern margin. Recent activities have confirmed similar Devonian stratigraphy to Oyu Tolgoi, the first target since with such attributes that we are aware of. Advancements in geology and geophysics support multiple drill ready targets at Bayan Tal, which is one of the best candidates for a new Tier 1 porphyry discovery in the Southern Gobi.

Considerable exploration efforts have been ongoing since the IBEX deal was first announced and conclusion of multiple ongoing activities are expected to support a unique pipeline of other targets across the dominant landholding between and on strike from the two mines in the belt. We look forward to providing these results, outlining refined drill targets and areas for systematic exploration for the 2017 field season".

Details on the priority exploration targets and pipeline of prospects are provided in an updated corporate presentation: http://kincoracopper.com/investors/corporate-presentation

Background on the Bayan Tal Igneous Complex ("BTIC")

The BTIC sits almost half way between the Oyu Tolgoi and Tsagaan Suvarga Devonian porphyry systems in a similarly interpreted favourable intersection of arc parallel and transverse structures. Such a structural setting is common for most large-scale porphyry deposits globally, also noting periodicity to the location of most deposits in the more mature porphyry belts.

Outcropping mineralization and systematic exploration has refined multiple potential drill targets. Integration of existing Induced Polarization ("IP"), magnetics and geology supports the correct composition and zonation pattern for porphyry formation. BTIC is a known copper-gold or gold-copper mineralized Carboniferous system from prior trenching and drill testing of IP targets respectively returning to up 18m @ 0.66% Cu Eq and 18m @ 0.75% Cu Eq. Subsequent ground magnetics indicates no coincident anomaly or source at these tested targets areas, which sit on the southern margin of the interpreted system.

More recent age dating of the conglomerate has confirmed Devonian stratigraphy, supporting the potential for "Oyu Tolgoi style"concealed targets. The conglomerate is a key indicative marker used in exploration efforts at Oyu Tolgoi, stratigraphically located above the mineralised quartz monzodiorite orebodies and its Devonian age at BTIC is the only other confirmed similar stratigraphy to OT in the belt (publically known to date). Ground magnetics completed in 2015 has advanced new drill ready targets with depth to basement analysis illustrating only shallow to moderate target depths and supporting the potential for a large scale porphyry copper target.

The Devonian age, gold rich Oyu Tolgoi copper porphyry system is a Tier 1 asset, being the largest high-grade group of Paleozoic porphyry deposits known in the world, which coupled with the underexplored Tsagaan Suvarga Devonian porphyry system encourages exploration in this underexplored district. Kincora holds the dominant landholding between and along strike from these two large scale copper systems.

TER trading flat this a.m. at A$0.041

TerraCom: Recommencement of Mining Operations in Mongolia

November 18 -- TerraCom Limited (TerraCom or the Company) (ASX: TER) is pleased to announce the recommencement of mining operations at its BNU Coal Mine in the South Gobi in Mongolia.

This follows from the announcement last week that a binding long form definitive offtake agreement had been executed with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kingho Group, one of the largest private coal companies in China, for a 5.5 year offtake of hard coking coal (HCC) produced from the BNU Coal Mine which provides for an estimated 7.5Mt of coal sales.

TerraCom has been implementing an alternative supply chain for its BNU Coal Mine in 2016. The Kingho Offtake Agreement was the final piece on the implementation of this iniative and the Company is excited about recommencing mining operations to capitilise on the strong coking coal market.

WOF last traded A$0.015 on November 16

Wolf Petroleum: Appointment of Siying Guo as Non-Executive Director

November 17 -- Wolf Petroleum Limited ("the Company or WOF") is pleased to announce the appointment to the WOF Board of Ms Siying Guo as a non-executive director.

Ms Guo has obtained a Masters degree in Management Finance and Accounting and a Bachelors degree in Accounting and Finance from UK universities. Ms Guo currently works in sales and project implementation with CCC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.

WOF welcomes the appointment of Ms Guo and looks forward to the expertise she will bring to the Board.

Initial Director's Interest Notice

HAR trading +33.33% this a.m. at A$0.02

Haranga Resources: Resignation of Marshall Cooper as Executive Director

November 17 -- Haranga Resources Limited ('the Company') wishes to advise that Mr Marshall Cooper has resigned from his position as Executive Director effective immediately. The Board thanks Mr Cooper for his contribution to the Company.

Final Director's Interest Notice: 250,000 unlisted options

VKA trading +35% this a.m. at A$0.027

Viking Acquires Lithium and Tungsten Projects in Thailand

The Board of Viking Mines (Viking: ASX:VKA) is pleased to announce that it is has executed a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) to acquire 100% of Argo Metals Group Limited (Argo) via a share based transaction. Argo holds a 75% interest in the Reung Kiet lithium project located in southern Thailand.

The SPA includes an option to acquire West Mandalay Exploration Pty Ltd (WMX), which has the right to earn a 75% interest in the Khao Soon tungsten project, also located in southern Thailand. The Argo acquisition facilitates Viking's entry into tech based metals with downstream processing opportunities and Thai Government support.

Reung Kiet Lithium Project Key Highlights:

…

Khao Soon Tungsten Project:

…

Presentation - Argo Metals Group Acquisition

PLP: Lithium Alliance with Argo Metals and Viking Mines

Local Market

MSE Trading Report: Top 20 +0.55%, ALL +0.38%, Turnover ₮32.6 Million Shares, ₮10 Million T-Bills

November 17 (MSE) --

Link to report

Teever Achlal JSC Shareholders Meeting Announced for December 25

November 17 (MSE) Based on the Resolution No.: 09 of Board of Directors meeting of "Teever Achlal" JSC, dated on 07 November 2016, the date of next shareholder meeting were announced.

Date: 2016.12.25 at 16:00

Registration date: 2016.12.02

Venue: Building of "Teever Achlal" JSC, khoroo-4, Bayangol district

Issues will be discussed:

To approve members of BoD
To approve large deal /transfer capital/
To release investment loan debt

Economy

Reds are when MNT fell, greens when it rose. Bold reds are rates that set a new historic high at the time.

BoM MNT Rates: Thursday, November 17 Close

	11/17	11/16	11/15	11/14	11/11	11/10	11/9	11/8	11/7	11/4	High	Date
USD	2,428.64	2,424.44	2,446.56	2,459.55	2,452.98	2,453.39	2,428.08	2,420.95	2,413.08	2,406.41	2,459.55	11/14/2016
EUR	2,602.17	2,595.61	2,636.05	2,652.50	2,674.61	2,681.43	2,699.54	2,676.48	2,668.87	2,670.39	2,681.43	11/10/2016
JPY	22.28	22.15	22.63	22.85	22.97	23.23	23.49	23.18	23.10	23.31	23.49	11/9/2016
GBP	3,024.51	3,024.73	3,052.82	3,073.70	3,083.03	3,050.91	3,011.06	3,008.64	2,994.15	3,000.07	3,183.26	8/13/2014
RUB	37.39	37.53	37.34	37.35	37.58	38.73	38.06	37.98	37.75	37.71	54.32	6/27/2014
CNY	353.57	352.89	356.85	359.86	359.93	361.23	358.50	357.22	356.16	355.89	361.23	11/10/2016
KRW	2.07	2.07	2.09	2.09	2.10	2.13	2.12	2.13	2.11	2.10	2.13	11/8/2016
SGD	1,715.50	1,708.80	1,732.94	1,736.91	1,739.27	1,752.48	1,746.32	1,741.75	1,736.22	1,736.67	1,752.48	11/10/2016
CAD	1,809.18	1,803.36	1,810.32	1,813.56	1,817.49	1,832.67	1,816.20	1,811.88	1,802.35	1,794.29	1,832.67	11/10/2016
AUD	1,814.80	1,824.39	1,847.15	1,857.94	1,862.79	1,886.29	1,864.77	1,865.83	1,854.21	1,846.56	1,886.29	11/10/2016
HKD	313.10	312.56	315.40	317.07	316.19	316.37	313.14	312.16	311.12	310.28	317.07	11/14/2016
CHF	2,426.09	2,418.76	2,456.51	2,478.64	2,488.06	2,492.52	2,497.77	2,484.68	2,468.62	2,469.00	2,497.77	11/9/2016

Bank USD rates at time of sending: Khan (Buy ₮2,420 Sell ₮2,440), TDB (Buy ₮2,420 Sell ₮2,440), Golomt (Buy ₮2,420 Sell ₮2,440), XacBank (Buy ₮2,423 Sell ₮2,443), State Bank (Buy ₮2,420 Sell ₮2,458)

USD (blue), CNY (red) vs MNT in last 1 year:

Link to rates

BoM sells US$32m at ₮2,425, declines CNY bids, no swap offers received

November 17 (Bank of Mongolia) Spot trade: Commercial banks bid MNT 2370.00-2444.15 for USD47.8 million, asked MNT 2448.00 for USD1.0 million and bid MNT 343.50-354.51 for CNY70.0 million respectively. The BoM sold USD32.0 million with a closing rate of MNT 2425.00.

Swap and forward trade: The BoM did not receive any bid offers of swap and forward trade.

Cabinet cuts phone allowances of 248 officials to save ₮90 million

November 17 (Mongolian Economy) A regular meeting of the cabinet came to the decision to have 248 state officials pay their own phone bills instead of the bills being paid from the state budget. In doing so, MNT 90 million can be saved on this year's budget, and MNT 265 annually going forward. Of those 248 officials, 107 are officials from parliament and its affiliated organisations, 52 are from the government and its affiliated organisations and 89 are from local administrations.

The state budget paid MNT 65 thousand for the monthly mobile phone bills of twenty authorised officials of agencies, the mayor of Ulaanbaatar and governors of certain provinces and seven officials from their affiliated organisations, in accordance with the government decree to "update the list of authorised officials to use cell phone and their spending norms" issued in 1999. In addition, the decree allowed these authorised officials to buy mobile phones for MNT 130 thousand. However, today's cabinet meeting came to the decision to annul this decree.

Furthermore, this year's revised budget will not include payment for the cell phone bills of officials and was able to reduce the projected cell phone costs of the last four months of this year by 100 percent.

2016 harvest to fully cover domestic wheat and potato consumptions

Ulaanbaatar, November 17 (MONTSAME) Preliminary results of this autumn's harvest was presented Wednesday to the Cabinet by the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, Mr P.Sergelen. He said Mongolia will cover 100 percent of domestic wheat and potato consumptions.

This autumn, a total of 475 thousand tons of grains, including 460 thousand tons of wheat, 153 thousand tons of potatoes, 93 thousand tons of vegetables, 20 thousand tons of oil plants and 50 thousand tons of soiling crops.

Companies and individuals have prepared fallow in 389 thousand hectares. A total of 45 thousand tons of grains are stored for next year's seeding.

METALS-Copper flat as dollar drops, Trump rally fizzles

* Copper gains capped by fizzle in Trump-fuelled rally

* Coming up: Fed Chair Janet Yellen testifies at 1500 GMT (Updates lead, adds official prices)

LONDON, Nov 17 (Reuters) Copper was barely changed as the impact of a slightly weaker dollar was offset by concerns that the metal used in construction and power had risen too far in recent sessions.

Benchmark copper was flat at $5,435.50 per tonne in official trading after touching its highest since June 2015 at $6,025.50 per tonne on Nov. 11.

Copper has fallen 10 percent since last week's surge that was stoked by expectations of higher U.S. infrastructure spending following Republican Donald Trump's election victory.

"The copper surge has come off since last week and has been volatile since that, we have run out of news to keep it going," AME Mineral Economics director Michael Dixon said.

"It was a case of overdone exuberance because little has changed in the world of copper in the last three weeks in terms of outlook. There is a reasonable amount of copper still around for the next year or two."

The dollar index slipped from 13-1/2 year highs on Thursday, easing pressure on commodities priced in the greenback. A stronger dollar makes commodities priced in it more expensive for buyers using other currencies.

Executives at some of the world's major copper producers and traders said on Wednesday the global copper market will be oversupplied for at least two years, casting doubt on the chances of a prolonged rally in prices.

With China accounting for half of global copper consumption, investors hoping for a splurge in U.S. infrastructure spending may end up disappointed given that the plans would add only modestly to world demand.

In supply news, Anglo American said it suspended its Los Bronces copper mine in Chile after protesters seized installations on Wednesday. The mine produced 402,000 tonnes of copper last year.

Market participants are watching U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's congressional testimony at 1500 GMT where she might raise concerns about the dollar's surge.

Elsewhere, zinc was down 0.4 percent to $2,514 per tonne in official trading rings. The metal, used mainly in galvanising steel, hit its highest level since Jan. 2010 on Tuesday.

After failing to trade in rings, aluminium was bid at $1,684 per tonne, 0.7 percent lower than the previous session.

Lead was bid 0.3 percent lower at $2,155 per tonne.

Tin bucked the downward trend, bid up 1.6 percent to $20,200 per tonne. It fell to its lowest since Oct. 21 on Wednesday. Nickel was traded 0.3 percent lower at $11,290 a tonne.

…

World's Top Miner Expects Iron Ore, Coal Price Surge to Cool

BHP plans to use free cash to prioritize debt reduction: CEO
Co. aims to indentify new chairman by mid-2017: Nasser says

November 17 (Bloomberg) BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's biggest miner, expects soaring prices of iron ore and coking coal to moderate even as China pushes ahead with efforts to restructure its steel sector.

Prices have been supported in recent months by restocking and short-term supply disruptions, Chief Executive Officer Andrew Mackenzie told reporters Thursday in Brisbane following the company's annual meeting. Iron ore has jumped 66 percent this year to rebound from three straight annual declines, while coking coal has surged about 295 percent.

China's determination to push through with restructuring in its steel and coal sectors, and the nation's increasing willingness to favor imports over domestic material, has buoyed prices alongside other short-term catalysts, according to Mackenzie.

"The reality is that once some of things go through, unless we see more supply disruptions, the market fundamentals would suggest some of those current numbers will drift back," he said. Oil and natural gas are better placed to deliver gains into 2018, Mackenzie said last month.

Chinese stimulus this year has boosted the housing sector and infrastructure spending, while recent data point to an improving economy in the top consumer of metals, energy and grains. The outlook for the biggest miners has lifted since BHP in August reported a record full-year loss and raw materials tumbled in January to the lowest since 1991.

Outgoing Chairman Jac Nasser told shareholders at the meeting that he believed that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is likely to moderate some policies espoused during the campaign. The world would be left in "complete trauma if tarriff levels are put up across the board to the level suggested," he said, referring to Trump's previous comments over a potential move to tax Chinese imports at 45 percent.

Rising prices of iron ore to copper and coal this year have boosted expectations for BHP's profits. Underlying earnings will jump more than 280 percent to $4.6 billion in the 12 months to June 30 from a year earlier, according to the average of 22 analysts' estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Expectations have surged from an average of $2.1 billion in May, the data show.

Current higher prices will boost free cash flow and likely accelerate miners' efforts to cut debt, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. The top four diversified miners have reduced borrowings in the past year by a combined $6.9 billion, according to Investec Plc.

"We've made it quite clear that certainly in the very near term, our priority is to reduce the levels of debt," Mackenzie told reporters. Net debt stood at $26.1 billion as of June 30, the company said in August.

BHP's board will review internal and external candidates in a search for a new chairman and expect to identify a successor by the middle of next year, Nasser said. The company's preference is typically for internal appointments, he said. Mackenzie, appointed as CEO in 2013, won't be "going anywhere soon," Nasser earlier told the annual meeting.

China eases coal mine working day curbs as supply tightens – Financial Times, November 17

PRECIOUS-Gold prices edge higher as dollar retreats from 14-year high

* Spot gold may consolidate below $1,235/oz -technicals

* Fed Chair Janet Yellen testifies at 1500 GMT

* SPDR Gold holdings down 0.13 percent on Wednesday

Nov 17 (Reuters) Gold prices rose on Thursday as a rally in the U.S. dollar showed signs of fatigue after the currency hit its highest in nearly 14 years against a basket of currencies the day before.

Spot gold was up 0.3 percent at $1,228.47 an ounce at 0812 GMT, after dropping 0.25 percent in the previous session.

U.S. gold futures rose 0.33 percent to $1,228.00 an ounce.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of major currencies, slipped 0.23 percent to 100.180, as moderate U.S. inflation data drove a flattening of the U.S. Treasury yield curve.

The index climbed to 100.57 on Wednesday, which was its highest since April 2003, after a week-long rally mainly driven by the post-election surge in U.S. bond yields as traders bet President-elect Donald Trump's administration will adopt inflationary policies.

"The dollar was higher and gold was sold. Now, the dollar has given away gains and gold is steady," said Yuichi Ikemizu, head of commodity trading at Standard Bank in Tokyo.

"It has found a bottom around $1,220 and looks firm."

"We need something for gold to follow. At this moment there is nothing supporting movement and investors are sidelined," Ikemizu added.

Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker said he favoured raising interest rates and that the U.S. central bank might have to hike more aggressively if the Trump administration enacts fiscal stimulus.

St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said on Wednesday that the Fed would hike U.S. interest rates in December barring any major shocks.

Financial markets expect the Fed to hike rates next month and have begun pricing in a much more aggressive run of rate increases after Trump promised to boost the U.S. economy with spending on infrastructure.

"Since the gold market has absorbed the likelihood of a December rate rise, we do not think Mr. Bullard's rate comments were especially price-negative," said James Steel, chief metals analyst for HSBC Securities.

Fed Chair Janet Yellen's congressional testimony is due later in the day and will be watched closely for cues on the economic outlook and rate increases.

Gold is highly sensitive to interest rates.

Spot gold has failed to break resistance at $1,235 per ounce and may consolidate below this level, which is above support at $1,210 for one or more days, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.

SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, said its holdings fell 0.13 percent to 926.26 tonnes on Wednesday.

Silver rose 0.36 percent to $17.03 an ounce, while platinum was down about 0.5 percent at $939.50.

Palladium rose 0.74 percent at $720.50.

Related:

Gold Edges Higher as Investors Weigh Fed Comments – WSJ, November 17

Gold aims for a 1-week high as data, Yellen support interest-rate view – MarketWatch, November 17

Oil Prices Lifted by Production Cut Expectations

Futures edged higher despite a large increase in U.S. crude inventories

November 17 (WSJ) Oil futures edged higher on Thursday amid renewed hope for an OPEC production cut.

U.S. crude futures rose 94 cents, or 2.06%, to $46.51 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent, the global benchmark, was up 95 cents, or 2.04%, at $47.58.

Market participants are focused on the Nov. 30 meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Ongoing talks between members and non-members are expected to take place in the lead up, as they look to curb production to stabilize prices.

Oil prices began to rise Wednesday, despite a report showing a larger-than-expected increase in U.S. crude supplies, after media reports quoted Russian Energy MinisterAlexander Novak as saying that Russia would "support any decision" adopted by OPEC.

"Verbal intervention by key players is keeping hope alive," said John Kilduff, founding partner of Again Capital. "They keep talking this up, the market keeps biting on the lure, and here we are."

OPEC, the 14-nation cartel that controls over a third of the world's oil, is trying to formalize a deal to cut production to between 32.5 million and 33 million barrels a day from record levels of 33.83 million barrels a day in October.

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih is expected to meet his counterparts, Russia's Mr. Novak and Qatar's Mohammed Saleh Al Sada,on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, taking place in Doha on Thursday, according to people familiar with the plans. Ministers from Iraq and Iran, two countries that have resisted an agreement, aren't expected to attend.

Market watchers say that without Russia's commitment to cut or freeze production, OPEC members would be less inclined to scale back their own.

There is widespread skepticism over whether OPEC will be able to achieve its goal given some producer nations have asked to be exempted from any output cut deal, plus the group has a patchy track record for its members sticking to output quotas.

But analysts say that Saudi Arabia's commitment to a deal makes it hard to discount the possibility of an agreement.

"As long as the Saudis continue to push for some semblance of cohesion within the Cartel, further price support should be anticipated," Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch & Associates, wrote in a client note.

Gasoline futures are up 3.69 cents, or 2.8%, to $1.3560 a gallon. Diesel futures are up 3.85 cents, or 2.68%, to $1.4735 a gallon.

Related:

Oil rises on optimism over OPEC deal; stronger dollar caps gains – Reuters, November 17

Politics & Legal

Mogi: WTF?

Former Speaker Z. Enkhbold to continue leading DP until December congress

November 17 (news.mn) The 48^th meeting of National Consultative Committee of the Mongolian Democratic Party (DP) was held yesterday (16^th of November). Top on the agenda was the issue of who should lead the troubled party. According to "caretaker" G.Erkhembayar , former MP and Parliamentary Speaker Z.Enkhbold would stay on as leader of the party until successor is chosen. The next DP convention will be held on 6^th of October.

Z.Enkhbold resigned as party leader following the crushing defeat of the Mongolian Democratic Party (DP) in the election. The DP retained only nine seats in the 76-seat Great Khural (Parliament), in the election, which took place on 29th June.

Former PM S. Bayar denies offshore allegations

November 17 (news.mn) On Thursday (17^th of November), the State Great Khural (parliament) discussed the appointments of several new Mongolian ambassadors, members of National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia and Constitutional Court, which had presented by Cabinet. Former Prime Minister S.Bayar, has been proposed as Ambassador of Mongolia to the United Kingdom. During the meeting, S.Bayar spoke regarding offshore allegations. He said "I don't have an offshore account. I think that politicians should not own offshore accounts. I abide by the law and am fully prepared to be investigated regarding the offshore allegations."

An online database published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) as part of the Panama Papers investigation includes 49 results for Mongolia. One of the Mongolian offshore account holders listed is 'a certain' S.Bayar. So far, there has already been once case of mistaken identity regarding Mongolians linked to the Panama investigation.

S.Bayar was Prime Minister of Mongolia and General Secretary of the Mongolian People's Party from 2007 to 2009. He resigned his position as PM due to health reasons.

Business

Cabinet approves concession agreement with MAK on Tsagaansuvarga power lines

Ulaanbaatar, November 17 (MONTSAME) The cabinet gave permission to the National Development Agency to sign the concession agreement with the Mongolyn Alt Corporation (MAK) on a project on overhead power lines and substation connecting Oyu Tolgoi and Tsagaansuvarga (White Stupa), on Wednesday's regular meeting.

The Minister of Finance was assigned to reflect the repayment of the concession cost, USD 32.231 million, partially in the respective year's government budget.

With the implementation of this project, the issue of power supply of Tsagaansuvarga project will be settled, and Mandakh and Khatanbulag soums of Dornogovi (East Gobi) province will be connected to the central power grid system.

BCSC Panel Dismisses Fraud Allegations Against Alberta Resident and B.C. Company Over Mongolia Coal Mine

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 17, 2016) - A British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) panel has dismissed fraud allegations against Robert James Maddigan and 0902395 B.C. Ltd.

In an amended notice of hearing issued January 23, 2015, BCSC staff alleged that Maddigan, an Alberta resident, and 0902395 committed fraud by failing to deliver shares or return the money of two investors who had lent money to 0902395.

Maddigan is the sole director and officer of 0902395, a non-reporting B.C. company. 0902395 was a consultant to a coal company for the acquisition of a coal mine in Mongolia. In return, the coal company agreed to issue some of its shares to 0902395.

0902395 entered into loan agreements with 34 investors. Under those agreements, the investors were promised shares of the coal company, or in the alternative, a return of their funds.

In 2012, 0902395 received nine million shares from the coal company and, in 2013, transferred the shares to some of the investors. However, 0902395 did not fulfil the terms of its loan agreements with two investors. Instead, 0902395 chose to transfer certain of the shares to other of its creditors instead of the two investors.

In its decision, the panel dismissed the fraud allegations, stating, "There was no suggestion by the executive director, nor was there any evidence to show, that the debts repaid by the respondents ahead of their obligations to Investors A and B were anything other than bona fide legal obligations." The panel also noted that the respondents' "conduct lacks the requisite element of dishonesty for fraud."

You may view the decision on our website www.bcsc.bc.ca by typing Robert James Maddigan, 0902395 B.C. Ltd. or 2016 BCSECCOM 379 in the search box. Information regarding disciplinary proceedings can be found in the Enforcement section of the BCSC website.

Please visit the Canadian Securities Administrators' Disciplined List for information relating to persons and companies disciplined by provincial securities regulators, the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and the Mutual Fund Dealers Association (MFDA).

5,100 tons meat exported in 2016, disease outbreaks affect sales

November 17 (UB Post) The Ministry of Food and Agriculture reported that 5,100 tons of meat have been exported in 2016 so far.

Due to three disease outbreaks, the Chinese government imposed a temporary ban on the import of Mongolian meat. This negatively affected meat exports according to the Ministry.

Chinese authorities paid a working visit to Mongolia and exchanged views on future meat exports and food safety requirements. Meat exporters such as Zavkhan Group noted that discussions about meat exports need to held at the governmental level in order to revive trade. Currently, China's temporary ban is still in place.

Minister of Food and Agriculture P.Sergelen paid a working visit to Russia to propose increasing the amount of meat exported to Russia. The Ministry reported that it was working to improve the legal environment surrounding meat exports. P.Sergelen highlighted that the Ministry was in the process of amending the livestock health law, bringing veterinary hospitals up to international standards, and drafting a bill on the conservation of animal genetic resources.

Current data shows that the agricultural sector has accounted for 13.7 percent, or 3.7 trillion MNT, of the GDP. Agricultural exports total 332.2 million USD, or 7.1 percent, of the nation's overall exports.

Contract signed for construction of Bulgarian greenhouse in Mongolia

November 16 (Freshplaza) In the last days of the "Borisov 2.0" cabinet, the Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture Desislava Taneva will spend approximately 1.7 million Lev (about 868,771 Euro) to build a greenhouse for the production of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator.

The exact value of the project is estimated at 1.4 million Lev, VAT excluded, but after accrual of taxes the amount is closer to 1.7 million Lev. According to the technical specifications of the contract, the greenhouse will have an area of 5,000 square metres. The facilities will not serve to grow exotic vegetables or fruits, but traditional Bulgarian products: 40% tomatoes, 30% peppers and 30% cucumbers.

The project has been described as high-tech, with a greenhouse that will withstand temperatures between -50 and +40 degrees Celsius, being thus tailored to the Mongolian climate.

According to earlier statements by the Bulgarian authorities, the greenhouse is a pilot project that Bulgaria will try to run on the Mongolian market.

Source: frognews.bg

Opinion: General introduction of mining in Mongolia and update on current situation

November 17 (gogo.mn) Mongolia used to be called Minegolia because of its bountiful mineral resources, and at that time everyone wanted to get a job in the mining industry, including me. The earliest use of the word "Minegolia" that I have found is in 2001, on an exam practice quiz for a "Developing World" class at McGill University, and therefore the word could date from earlier than 2001. In recent years, Minegolia seems to have only led Mongolia into crisis due to its very unstable political situation. To analyse how this came to be, let us start with what defines "Minegolia".

Most would agree that the name Minegolia is apt for this richly-resourced country. Mongolia has approximately 90 different types of mineral resources, around 1,170 deposits and more than 8,000 registered reserves. Larger copper deposits that are widely known are Oyu Tolgoi, Erdenet and Tsagaan Suvarga, and these also have gold deposits. Mongolia aims to reach an output of 1 million tons of copper by 2020.

You might have heard about Oyu Tolgoi (which means Turquoise Hill) that is the biggest copper mine in Mongolia. According to the Feasibility Study for the project, signed in 2010, Oyu Tolgoi has profitable deposits of 3,380.0 million tons of iron ore, 31.1 million tons of copper, 1,328.0 tons of gold, 7,601 tons of silver and 81,600 tons of molybdenum. Also it has conditional deposits of 3,775 million tons of iron ore, 19,664 million tons of copper, 810 tons of gold, 5,905 tons of silver and 75,500 tons of molybdenum. The owners of the joint venture, Oyu Tolgoi LLC, are Turquoise Hill Resources (66%) and, on behalf of Mongolian government, Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC (36%). Many experts have advised that the government should not make the situation too complicated for themselves by taking on the responsibilities as owner, but rather relinquish ownership in return for revenue from taxes and royalties. In my view, this is arguable.

Recently, the Mongolian Mining Association held its Discover Mongolia conference, and Frontier Securities held its Invest Mongolia conference last September. At these conferences, the discussion turned to how Mongolia has suffered a big loss of trust from foreign investors because of its unstable political situation which in turn resulted in instability in the legal regime relating to industry and investment. Mr. Masa Igata, the director of Frontier International stated that the confidence of international investors has not revived yet. Therefore, the Discover Mongolia conference underlined sustainability. They believed that with change, Mongolia could provide a stable and regulatory environment for the mining industry. However, many challenges lie ahead.

Most Mongolians want to believe that they can develop Mongolia without the mining industry by relying on agriculture, farming, exporting meat products and raw wool and cashmere. But most are unaware of how many people can benefit from mining, not only the families of mining industry employees and supply and sales agency staff. Thus, without adequate knowledge, most have a negative image of the mining industry.

One of the biggest factors in bringing about the current crisis in Mongolia was the influence on Mongolia's mining industry from uneducated, populist politicians who know little about economics or mining. Many people trust such populist politicians without question. Mongolians could assist their efficient development by learning to be skeptical of these populists.

More transparency would also assist. For example, there are rumours that some state coal miners sell their products to Chinese companies for 4-5 times less than the market price. I will elaborate on this in my next article.

Ulaanbaatar

UB Mayor meets with Polish Ambassador on reopening of embassy

November 17 (MONTSAME) Mayor of Ulaanbaatar City S.Batbold held a meeting with Ambassador of Poland to Mongolia Michal Labenda on Thursday.

In saying that he is pleased about the upcoming re-opening of Polish embassy in Ulaanbaatar, the UB Mayor congratulated on National Independence Day of Poland. "Mongolia and Poland have a long history of bilateral relationship. I am convinced Mongolia-Poland ties would be broadened and lifted up to a new level", said S.Batbold. Ulaanbaatar and Warsaw have lots in common which will make the cooperation path between the two cities smooth, he added.

In turn, Ambassador Labenda noted that Warsaw and Ulaanbaatar were witnessing dynamic cooperation during so called socialist period. Our good ties have been conserved so far. Warsaw is confronted with challenges related to natural conservation, environment and public transport. The Government of Poland offers EUR 50 million loan to the Government of Mongolia, informed the Ambassador.

S.Batbold said public transport is a potential sector for bilateral cooperation and inquired about areas the loan is earmarked for.

The polish side plans to devoted the loan to the fields of education, agriculture, infrastructure and environment, responded Ambassador Labenda.

Diplomacy

Dalai Lama to Visit Mongolia as Nation May Seek Loan From China

By Michael Kohn

November 17 (Bloomberg) -- The Dalai Lama begins a four-day trip to Mongolia starting Friday, a visit that could complicate plans by the government in Ulaanbaatar to ask its southern neighbor for as much as $1 billion in financial assistance.

The visit by the Tibetan spiritual leader will include religious events, teachings and a scientific conference, Gandan Monastery spokesman S. Davaapurev said at a news conference Thursday in Ulaanbaatar. Davaapurev said the visit was not political and would not include any meetings with government officials.

China routinely protests any official recognition by foreign governments to the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama has lived in northern India since fleeing in 1959 from China's military takeover of the region. China accuses him of waging a campaign for independence, while the spiritual leader says he is seeking autonomy for Tibet.

Mongolia has a deep historical connection with Tibet and the long line of Dalai Lamas. In 1578 the Mongol warlord Altan Khan forged an alliance with the spiritual leader of Tibet, giving him the title Dalai Lama (Ocean Lama). The current Dalai Lama has made several visits to Mongolia since 1979. China has protested in the past when the Nobel laureate toured Ulaanbaatar.

Currently weathering a financial crisis, Mongolia is planning talks with the International Monetary Fund and China to support an Economic Stabilization Plan that includes austerity measures coupled with large-scale mining and rail projects.

Mongolia's Deputy Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is planning a trip to China this month to discuss a loan, Bulgantuya Khurelbaatar, Mongolia's deputy Minister for Finance, said Tuesday in Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia hopes to secure $1 billion from China, Bulgantuya said.

A request for a comment from Mongolian Minister for Foreign Affairs Munkh-Orgil Tsend was not immediately returned. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment.

(BN)

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to visit Mongolia tomorrow – GoGo Mongolia, November 17

Dalai Lama to visit Mongolia – Montsame, November 17

Dalai Lama to visit Mongolia – news.mn, November 17

Speaker welcomes Ambassador of Japan on end of his term

Ulaanbaatar, November 17 (MONTSAME) Speaker of Parliament M.Enkhbold welcomed at the State House yesterday the Ambassador of Japan to Mongolia, Mr Takenori Shimizu in connection with completion of his diplomatic mission in Mongolia.

Mr Shimizu thanked for the Speaker's time and said "The first time I set foot in Mongolia was in 1973, and I lived in Mongolia for 16 years in total. I spent nearly half of my entire life, over 30 thirty years, doing jobs that are linked to Mongolia. Therefore, Mongolia is my second home. Japan-Mongolia relations have reached the very level, I had been striving for from the first moment. However, there is still a lot to accomplish. I will dedicate myself to this, and will do the best I can in my power". He extended special thanks to the Speaker M.Enkhbold for his consistent support.

In response, Mr Enkhbold expressed his hope that the friendship will remain at the personal level although the term as an ambassador ends. He also said "The people of Mongolia never forget that Japan has been stretching helping hands to Mongolia, in times of distress. In the five years of having You as the Japanese Ambassador to Mongolia, the bilateral ties have upgraded to the strategic partnership level, and our countries have exchanges 5-6 high-rank visits".

Mr Enkhbold underlined the signing of the Strategic Partnership document as the remarkable milestone in the Mongolia-Japan relations and reaffirmed Mongolia's commitment in formalizing a Medium-term cooperation document.

In turn, Mr Shimizu confirmed Japan's interest in finalizing the Medium-term Program in an approximate period. The Ambassador called for the government and parliament of Mongolia to exploit all potentials of Mongolia for delivering the strategic partnership. "Mongolia has abundace of opportunities and potentials", he noted and added that Japan will help Mongolia to step onto the world market through its technical assistances.

Ambassador Shimizu highlighted it is indispensable to settle the management issue of the New Ulaanbaatar International Airport (NUBIA).

Mr Enkhbold responded that the cabinet has presented the issue to the parliament, which will attach special focus to the request of Japanese side.

At the end, the Speaker said "Mongolian state and people appreciate and highly recognize the achievements you have made in your term of office. I wish You a success and happiness in Your further endeavours".

North Korean Labor Export to Mongolia May Increase

November 16 (The Caravel) Radio Free Asia reported that North Korea is planning to send migrant laborers to Mongolia as a source of foreign currency flow back into the country.

North Korea has faced repeated sanctions from the international community for its continued nuclear and missile tests, and U.S. President Barack Obama has even issued a sanction on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the first time. Already considered one of the world's poorest countries with a per capita GDP ranking of 210, the country has been struggling to find steady cash inflow.

In 2014, the Asan Institute for Policy Studies published a report that stated that North Korea sent about 53,000 laborers to 16 countries. Common destinations included China, Russia, and the Middle East. Mongolia was the fifth-most popular destination for North Korean laborers, with up to 2,000 workers being sent in.

Despite their differences in political systems, Mongolia and North Korea have enjoyed a stable friendship. It was the second state to recognize North Korea as a country and took North Korean orphans after the Korean War. In 1988, the two countries signed a Legal Assistance Agreement to develop civil society and create a legal framework for criminal justice.

"Mongolia is seeking foreign laborers to work in its mines, and it is likely that many North Korean laborers will apply for the job," said an anonymous source working in the construction industry in Mongolia.

Most North Koreans are limited to manual labor when they are working abroad, most commonly in construction, factories, and mines. While a typical North Korean may earn about $700 a month, the government seizes a significant portion of the paycheck and leaves the worker with about $150 to $200.

At its peak in 2013, Mongolia employed about 5,000 North Korean workers, but that number has decreased to about 1,000 today.

Mongolia Parliament approves but moves 'ASEM Day' to October

November 17 (news.mn) The Mongolian 'State Great Khural' (parliament) has backed a draft decree for 'ASEM Day' initiated by President Ts.Elbegdorj. The 'ASEM Day' celebration is aimed to stress the importance of the Asia-Europe Meeting which was held earlier this year in Ulaanbaatar. The President has proposed to mark 'ASEM Day' on 1^st of March every year. Parliament, however, has decided to move the day to 17^th of October as there are many celebration on March.

Mongolia hosted the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on 15-16 July, 2016. Leaders of more than 50 Asian and European countries participated in the event. ASEM leaders celebrated 20th anniversary of the meeting with a traditional Nomadic Naadam in Ulaanbaatar.

Related:

Cabinet considers President's proposal on celebrating ASEM DAY – Montsame, November 17

Health & Education

Bayan-Ovoo soum's newly built hospital grand opening, financed by Oyu Tolgoi

Umnugobi, Mongolia, 16 November 2016 (Oyu Tolgoi LLC) -- Earlier this year Gobi Oyu Development Support Fund, financed by Oyu Tolgoi LLC and managed in partnership with the local community,commissioned two kindergartens as its first projects in Dalanzadgad, South Gobi.

We are delighted to announce another big step forward on this journey with the opening of a newly built hospital in Bayan-Ovoo soum, financed by the Gobi Oyu Development Support Fund. The project was approved in April this year, construction began in June and was completed in October, and the State Commission accepted the hospital building on 18 October.

The hospital is two-story building with 10 beds complete with garage and other amenities. The hospital employs 18 staff, including doctors and nurses, and is equipped with a surgery, birthing room, and other medical checkup rooms.

The opening ceremony was attended by South Gobi aimag Governor N. Naranbaatar, South Gobi aimag deputy governor Kh. Batbold, Head of Governor' office social policy department U. Enkhtsatsral, head of South Gobi Health department Ch. Bayarjargal, Bayan-Ovoo soum governor O. Mandakhbayar, Bayan-Ovoo soum's head of the Citizens' Representatives' Committee Ts. Enkh-Amgalan, Oyu Tolgoi LLC's acting CEO Stephen Jones and General Manager, Communities Sh. Baigalmaa, other senior dignitaries from the South Gobi aimag and citizens of the Bayan-Ovoo soum.

During the opening ceremony, South Gobi aimag Governor N. Naranbaatar said: "On behalf of the South Gobi aimag and the citizens of the Bayan-Ovoo soum, we are thankful to the Oyu Tolgoi team for close collaboration and cooperation and in funding this newly built hospital building".

Head of South Gobi Health department Ch. Bayarjargal: "Bayan-Ovoo soum has more than 1,700 residents now. We are very pleased with the new hospital building that has 10 rooms and 400 square metres, connected to central water pipelines and system, the hospital has surgery, birthing, medical rooms that are up to the latest medical standards".

Notes:

The Gobi Oyu Development Support Fund was established as part of the Cooperation Agreement between OT and its partner communities in April 2015. The construction of the hospital was carried out by Suvargan Gobi LLC of Umnugobi.
The construction of the hospital was carried out by Suvargan Gobi LLC of Umnugobi.

Meet the retired North Tyneside postman who is changing lives in Mongolia

The 68-year-old initially signed up to teach for only three months but has been in the Asian country for three years

November 17 (Newcastle Chronicle) Meet the former North Tyneside postman who decided to spend his retirement teaching English in Mongolia.

Neil Porter, 68, only imagined he'd stay in Mongolia for three months after retiring from his delivery job, but soon fell in love with the Asian country.

Though Neil has no plans to return to the North East anytime soon, the former postman has a plea for Geordies to donate items such as clothes, books and toys for the impoverished children that he teaches.

From Seaton Delaval, Neil first visited Mongolia in 2010 while he was travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

In just five days into his countryside visit, he was smitten.

He added: "I returned the following year for three weeks, travelling around the countryside staying a lot of the time with herder families on the steppe in their yurts.

"With retirement looming on the horizon, my tour guide from my first trip suggested I come to Mongolia to teach English even though I had no experience whatsoever. She said that it didn't matter and that I would be much appreciated.

"So after I retired, I enrolled with Projects Abroad for a three month stay in Ulaanbaatar."

Neil was the first English speaking volunteer in his placed school, state school 13 of which a majority of the students come from poor districts.

Neil added: "Their families have moved to Ulaanbaatar from the countryside in search of work. The yurts have no running water or sanitation as we know it.

"For the most part students are keen and willing to learn some English. When they graduate being able to speak English would mean a higher salary than if they couldn't, even when doing the same job."

Though Neil is satisfied with his life in Mongolia, he does miss bits of home.

He said: "The few things that I miss are Saturday afternoons during the football season when I would go to watch at St James' Park and the sea. And we have no Greggs.

"One big difference living here is the winter, you just wear lots of layers. When I do return to UK I will be able to wear shorts and T-shirts all year.

"At this time of year I crave for mince pies and Christmas cake. I beg friends and family to send things but there is a limit to how many times you can ask people favours."

Neil is looking for one more favour though. He is asking for donations of clothes, books, comics and supplies to be sent to aid the children of the school.

He added: "People can be sure that anything sent will be much appreciated and put to good use."

Neil said even a new jacket makes all the difference to a child, as he experienced with a young Mongolian girl.

He added: "I had come across a seven-year-old girl called Azza who was autistic, although this is not recognized here in Mongolia. Her father had died and her mother had left her to start a new life somewhere.

"Azza lived in the village school dormitory and had nothing, so when I got back to Ulaanbaatar I bought the ingredients to make some cupcakes, got my grade 12 students to bake them and we sold them to raise money to buy winter clothes for Azza.

"We sent the clothes to her in Luus and the principal of the school said when she put the clothes on she wouldn't take them off even to go to bed.

"The amount raised was only about £30 but the difference it made to that little girl was 100 times that."

With around three years under his belt in Mongolia, Neil still wants to stay in his new-found home.

He added: "I have no plans to return to the UK yet, I will stay as long as my health holds out,

"I am accepted here and am treated the same as the Mongolian teachers. The hospitality is amazing and anyone reading this should think about coming out here, especially any retired people to teach English.

"They would be made very welcome and the experience they gained would be well worth it."

To mail supplies to Neil, his address is PO Box 829 Post Office 24 Ulaanbaatar 16066 Mongolia.

Culture & Society

Mogi: OH JEEEEEEEEEEZ (South Park fans?), scientology has taken over our human rights commission?

Church of Scientology: Creating a Humane Culture in Mongolia

With nearly 5,000 Mongolian students trained on the Youth for Human Rights curriculum, Mongolia's National Human Rights Commission plans countrywide implementation.

ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA • NOV 16, 2016 (Church of Scientology) Although the Mongolia constitution guarantees many fundamental rights, and has as its goal a humane and civil society, according to the U.S. State Department Human Rights Report, the country suffers from human rights abuse including corruption, widespread domestic violence, police abuse of prisoners and detainees, arbitrary arrests, and human trafficking.

A young democracy, many Mongolians remain ignorant of their human rights a legacy of the country's six decades as a satellite of the Soviet Union.

Students in Ulaanbaatar study the Youth for Human Rights curriculum, translated into Mongolian by the National Mongolian Human Rights Commission.

Scientologist and Youth for Human Rights International Ambassador Sandra Lucas became aware of these situations when she traveled to the country on business. But she learned that the government was committed to human rights education and bringing the culture closer to the vision of its constitution.

Lucas presented the Youth for Human Rights (YHR) educational initiative to the Program Director of the National Mongolian Human Rights Commission (NMHRC) who agreed that the program is vital to his country.

Youth under 18 comprise 45 percent of the Mongolian population, making schools the obvious starting point for the initiative. A memorandum of understanding was signed, and the NMHRC Director organized human rights training for 40 teachers and translated all YHR materials into Mongolian. A pilot program provided this human rights education to the students of 20 secondary schools in the capital of Ulaanbaatar.

Teachers incorporated the 30 human rights lessons into their history curricula. And the results were striking. In Secondary School No. 18, students decided to deliver human rights lessons to elementary school pupils and they educated families through door-to-door visits near Sükhbaatar Square. A private school started a human rights club and appointed ten young human advocates to train their peers.

All told, with 4,940 Mongolian students receiving YHR training through the three-year pilot, the program will soon be implemented in all Mongolian schools.

The Church of Scientology and Scientologists support United for Human Rights and its program for young people Youth for Human Rights, inspired by the principles expressed by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, who observed, "It is vital that all thinking men urge upon their governments sweeping reforms in the field of human rights."

Great Mongolian writer's 110^th birth anniversary marked

November 17 (MONTSAME) Today is a birth day of Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj, founder of the Mongolian contemporary literature.

Mongolians are hosting a wide range of cultural events in commemoration of the 110th birth anniversary of our Great Writer. Namely, the "Unset sun", "Genius of the Mongolian people" and "the Story of Stones" games have staged at the Academic theater of drama. The life and works of the great phenomenon can be learnt through a photo exhibition. A scientific conference and a ceremony of laying wreathes at the Monument to Natsagdorj were organized as well.

D.Natsagdorj was born on November 17, 1906 in Gun Galuutai, in present Bayandelger soum of Tuv province in a poor, but noble family and died on July 13, 1937. He had studied in Russia and Germany where he learnt deep the western culture. Natsagdorj is fame for tens of his poems and games as Three sad hills and My homeland and short stories such as White moon and black tears and Dark rock.

This is Natsagdorj who was the first to introduce the Queen of Spades and the Duel by A.S.Pushkin, The Gold Bug by Edgar Allan Poe and many other masterpieces to the Mongolian public by translating them from Russian and German languages into Mongolian.

Works by D.Natsagdorj are available in many foreign languages, and some of them have been published in Russia, India, Germany and many other countries.

In 'The Eagle Huntress,' A Mongolian Girl Sets Out To Prove Her Elders Wrong

November 16 (NPR) NPR's Kelly McEvers talks to Otto Bell, the director of the new documentary, The Eagle Huntress.

KELLY MCEVERS, HOST:

In the mountains of Mongolia, men - well, mostly men - have hunted with golden eagles for centuries. It's a skill passed down from generation to generation, usually from father to son. In the new documentary "The Eagle Huntress" the tradition gets passed down from father to daughter, as 13-year-old Aisholpan Nurgaiv catches, trains and eventually learns to hunt with an eagle of her own.

AISHOLPAN NURGAIV: Woo-cah (ph).

MCEVERS: (Laughter). That's Aisholpan showing me how she calls her eagle when I talked to her the other day. She told me her father encouraged her to do this, even though other male eagle hunters did not like the idea.

NURGAIV: (Foreign language spoken).

MCEVERS: She says the fact that these men opposed her made her try even harder. The director of the film "The Eagle Huntress" is Otto Bell. And he says he met Aisholpan through a photographer who'd already taken pictures of her. He says when he did meet her, he knew he had to make a film about her.

OTTO BELL: We were sitting around having tea in their ger, which is their family home. And I was sort of talking about the idea of maybe making a film. And it was at that point that dad, Agalai - he stood up. And he said, oh, well, we're going to go and steal a baby eagle from the mountainside this afternoon for Aisholpan. Is that the sort of thing you'd like to film?

(LAUGHTER)

MCEVERS: You're like, yeah.

BELL: Yeah. Yeah.

MCEVERS: That's something we'd like to do (laughter).

BELL: And we weren't ready. We had to scramble. But...

MCEVERS: You did have equipment, I would imagine.

BELL: Yeah. Yeah. I had a cameraman with me. And the photographer was with me, as well.

MCEVERS: Right. And then from there, you know, the story kind of emerges, right? Because there's all these hurdles that Aisholpan plan has to overcome. You know, first, it's catching the bird, her own eagle. And then what? What are the next hurdles for her?

BELL: Then you have to train that bird over a number of months and sort of imprint your voice upon it, feed it, gain its trust and build that bond. And then, oftentimes, you'll take it to a festival to demonstrate that bond, to show off your skills. It's a big social event in their community. And then, finally, you have to take that eagle out and successfully hunt in winter.

MCEVERS: And Aisholpan's father, from the very beginning, it seems, is supportive of her plan to do this. But other eagle hunters in this community do not believe that a girl can do it. I mean, we should say there have been a few other female eagle hunters before. But these guys are just not buying it, right?

BELL: Yeah, you're right. There have been other occasions in history. But in her part of the world - in her - in Northwest Mongolia, in the Altai Mountains, it's certainly a rarity. And, yeah, like any community, you know, you're going to get a range of opinions.

And the elders were pretty set against it. And then, of course, she's the first woman to attend their annual eagle festival. And she competes. She's pretty successful. I won't give it away.

MCEVERS: Right.

BELL: And at that point, again, they sort of reject this idea that she's been successful. They kind of give a laundry list of excuses as to why she performed so well.

MCEVERS: Right.

BELL: You know, it's a great bird. Her father's an excellent trainer.

MCEVERS: She's a girl.

BELL: Exactly. It's because the tourists are there. You know, they tend to ignore the fact that she smashed the record and performed very well on merit. So they throw down a fresh gauntlet. And they say, well, you know, it's one thing to do well at a festival.

But if she can't hunt in winter, then she's not a real eagle huntress. And she won't be welcome back next year. And, of course, this is what Aisholpan has been building towards. She's always wanted to go out and hunt with her father. And she gets her wish.

MCEVERS: There's a great scene where she is at the eagle-hunting competition. It's evening. She's eating with the men in the room.

BELL: That's right.

MCEVERS: And any other woman in the room is cooking, right? And so the women who are cooking are sort of looking at her sitting with the men, eating. And it's so clear - these gender lines that she's crossed, you know, in that scene. Was she aware of that?

BELL: Yes. Yes, she was. She was. Her father insulated her from it for a long time. But it became quite apparent, I think, at the festival.

MCEVERS: But just - yeah, so she realizes that the men are not psyched about it but also that, like, she should be the one cooking. You know what I mean? Did she...

BELL: Try telling her that.

MCEVERS: (Laughter).

BELL: She is an incredibly determined young woman. I mean, there is a real duality to her character, which we try to bring out in the film, whereby, in many ways, she is a 13-year-old girl. She likes painting her nails. She likes hanging out with her friends.

MCEVERS: Yeah.

BELL: She likes ice skating. But then there is a switch that flicks. And you see this incredible determination. You know, whether she's playing checkers or wrestling or eagle hunting, she wants to be the best. I'm seeing that now in her studies.

Since the film came out, she's got a scholarship to a really good school in Mongolia. It happens to be in her neighborhood. She's learned Turkish. Her English has come on incredibly well. And she is determined to become a surgeon. And, you know, we're putting aside proceeds from the film to make sure that she can do that.

MCEVERS: Well, Otto Bell, thank you so much.

BELL: Thank you. Thank you so much for having me.

MCEVERS: That was Otto Bell, who directed "The Eagle Huntress," talking about a girl named Aisholpan Nurgaiv. The film is in theaters now.

(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "THE EAGLE HUNTRESS")

Link to audio

Foreign falconers flock to Kerry village for worldwide conference on birds of prey

November 17 (Irish Examiner) Hawkers and falconers from around the world have gathered in the village of Sneem, Co Kerry, for a worldwide conference on birds of prey and the ancient art of falconry.

World Falconry Day yesterday saw dozens of the 200 delegates don traditional costume before heading off for a day's hawking. Today will see a display for locals and for children on the village green.

Some 80 countries from Mongolia to Qatar to Japan are represented and the AGM of the International Association of Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey was secured for Ireland two years ago, spokesman Hilary White said.

There are around 100 licensed falconers in Ireland, said Mr White who works with sparrow hawks.

Falconry is an ancient art, at least 5,000 years old as recorded in Persia and was originally for hunting food.

Birds were used to hunt small animals as well as other birds in the way that dogs are and were used. But the skill of falconry is very much an art form these days.

"Today it's about seeking dramatic chases. Many a day the chase will yield nothing," Mr White said.

Falconry birds are never pets, he said, "and only a racehorse would take more management".

Birds were not like pet dogs, for instance. "You can earn their trust, but not affection. It is a very elusive, very special and very magical thing to earn their trust," he said.

Around 50 birds from owls to eagles have been transported to Sneem with their owners. An African crowned eagle brought from Scotland was getting much attention yesterday.

Today, falconers, from the Steppes of Mongolia to the pampas of Brazil, will assemble and display their birds while engaging with children and the community of Sneem and the surrounds.

Ireland does not have a good history when it comes to raptors and birds of prey, with the extinction of eagles and other birds 100 years ago, although sparrow hawks are much more common than realised.

The reintroduction of the Golden eagle in Co Donegal, the sea-eagle in Killarney, the red kite in Co Wicklow was helping to right the wrongs of that history. The association sought to conserve not just its own bird species, but also the species it hunted and the habitats all depended on. Society is becoming increasingly urbanised and there is "a disconnect" with the natural world, particularly with young people. Falconry offered a very rich interconnection with the natural world, Mr White said.

ACMS Speaker Series: William Taylor – Origins of Horse Herding

November 21 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, American Corner, Ulaanbaatar Public Library

The Origins of Horse Herding and Transport in the Eastern Steppe

In the dry steppes of eastern Eurasia, domestic horses (E. caballus) provide the economic and cultural foundations of nomadic life. With no written records and sparse archaeological data, the ecological context of the first horse herding and transport – and its role in the formation of nomadic pastoral societies – is poorly understood. Some of the earliest evidence for domestic horses in the region come from small ritual horse burials found at stone monuments and burials known as deer stones and khirigsuurs, which date to the late second millennium BCE. Archaeozoological investigations reveal that these people selectively bred horses, practicing sophisticated herd management and equine dentistry. Analysis of anthropogenic changes to the equine skull indicate that these animals were bridled and used for transport, and may have engaged in early mounted horseback riding. Finally, a precision radiocarbon model suggests a rapid expansion of domestic horse use across Mongolia around ca. 1200 BCE. This expansion occurred in the context of climate amelioration, concurrent with both major changes in ritual practice and the spread of horses to new parts of the continent. These results provide compelling links between the adoption of horseback riding, new ecological opportunities, and the development of mobile pastoralism in the Mongolian steppe. Future research will explore the subject of when and why other domestic animals were adopted in Mongolia, and investigate the effects of horse riding on mobility and interaction across eastern Eurasia.

Link to event

Nature & Environment

A Wild Horse on the Comeback Trail

Claudia Feh has reintroduced the Przewalski horse, long extinct in the wild, to Mongolia, where it once thrived.

November 17 (National Geographic) The last surviving subspecies of undomesticated horse, extinct in the wild for nearly 50 years, is making a slow recovery in Mongolia.

The comeback of the Przewalski—regarded as the last of the truly wild horse species—is due largely to the dogged determination of Claudia Feh. For the past quarter-century, the Swiss environmentalist has led efforts to reestablish Przewalskis on the Mongolian steppe, where they once thrived.

The Przewalski (pronounced shuh-Val-skee) has been around for more than 100,000 years. But the squat, stubby-legged horse was little known outside of Eurasia until the 15th century and wasn't widely known by its current name until it was popularized in the 1880s by Russian explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky.

Too wild to be domesticated—in captivity, Przewalski stallions were aggressive, often fought each other, and killed foals—their numbers were decimated by habitat loss and hunters by the early 1900s. By 1950, they were mostly found in zoos. Scientists believe the last Przewalski in the wild was gone by the 1960s.

Feh, a Rolex Laureate, began plotting their comeback in the wild in the early 1990s, building a small herd in southern France using 11 genetically compatible Przewalskis acquired from European zoos. Contrary to expert opinion, she allowed them to live together freely, mate naturally, and form their own social groupings.

By September 2004, Feh felt comfortable enough with their social and free-range behavior to begin airlifting them to Mongolia. They were settled in Khomyn Tal, a remote region of western Mongolia near Khar Us Nuur National Park that's bounded by lakes, rivers, and sand dunes.

Feh was inspired to study wild horses as a teen, when she saw 17,000-year-old paintings of Przewalski's horses in France's Lascaux Caves. She eventually became an expert on free-roaming breeds. "I wasn't just impressed with the beauty of the horses but [also with] all the other animals that existed at the same time in our world that have now disappeared,'' Feh says. "That just touched me."

She hopes the project will lead to sustainable, independent herds. Her efforts and those of two other programs that have reintroduced the Przewalski to Mongola—the Foundation for the Preservation of the Przewalski Horse and the International Takhi Group—have helped upgrade its status from extinct in the wild to endangered.

"What we're trying to do is save a species,'' Feh says. "This is a start, not the end, of the project."

National Geographic produced this content as part of a partnership with the Rolex Awards for Enterprise. Feh and other explorers will be featured on the Rolex Awards for Enterprise 40th Anniversary program airing on the National Geographic Channel on Friday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 CT.

The Avimimus found in the Gobi was a real social animal, study says

November 16 (The Gateway) Researchers from the University of Alberta have found that a fossil assemblage of small dinosaurs in the Mongolian Gobi Desert indicates that dinosaurs may have been more social than previously thought.

Greg Funston, a U of A paleontology PhD candidate and Vanier Scholar, has found that Avimimus dinosaurs (beaked, metre-long, feathered dinosaurs that lived between 68 and 70 million years ago in the late-Cretaceous period), may have been social.

"It's really weird in a lot of ways," Funston said. "Its skeleton looks a lot like a bird. So that's one of the most interesting features of the Avimimus."

The excavation of these fossils began in 2006, when an Avimimus bonebed was discovered in the Nemegt formation of southern Mongolia. The project includes paleontologists from Mongolia, Japan, America, The United Kingdom, and Canada.

Funston said an important feature of the fossils is their quantity: 18. One of the implications of such a large group of fossils is that the Avimimus was social creature that may have fed in groups or participated in group mating behaviours.

"With a lot of dinosaurs right now, our perception is changing from lone wolf to things that are grouping together in, say a flock," Funston said. "This is probably more akin to a flock of birds than it is to what we would imagine of dinosaurs going out hunting alone."

The extent of the Avimumus' sociality cannot be determined because they didn't die where they were buried — Funston said they died and were transported by a river to their current location.

Even though these fossils were transported post mortem, Funston and his colleagues are still able to learn about how the Avivmimus lived, as most of the fossils he found were of adults. This composition could suggest mating patterns, for example.

"That is consistent with a mating group for instance," he said. "In modern birds, especially sage grouse here in Alberta, you have these big assemblages where you'll have up to a hundred individuals come together for mating displays, and the female will go through and choose which male she wants to mate with."

Funston suggested that the Avimimus could have also fed as a flock, which is consistent with many modern animals.

Funston said one of the greatest challenges while working on the Avimimus site was fossil poaching. Poachers had left behind shards of bone where they had hacked away at the fossils in an attempt to find anything they could sell, he said.

"(One day) I visited about 25 to 30 sites and each of which had a skeleton, each of which had been poached," Funston said. "In some areas of Mongolia, you have almost 100 per cent poaching of the sites, which really limits what we're able to do scientifically."

Today, paleontologists have to contend with samples being stolen in the form of fossil poaching, which is a worldwide phenomenon.

Fossil finds such as that the Avimimus give paleontologists insight into the social lives of dinosaurs, Funston said. He and his colleagues have now uncovered about a quarter of the Avimimus site and plan to continue searching for new samples in the area to learn more about how this dinosaur lived.

"The science is much more exciting than just big predators and huge, long-necked plant eaters," Funston said. "There's a lot more going on than I think most people appreciate."

Sports

Yokozuna Harumafuji impressive in win

November 17 (The Japan News) Four makuuchi-division wrestlers kept their records perfect on Thursday, but one-loss yokozuna Harumafuji had one of the more impressive victories on the fifth day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

The light-footed Mongolian went literally straight for the jugular of No. 3 maegashira Endo (3-2), getting his opponent by the throat to shove him toward — and over — the bales.

Earlier, ozeki Goeido (5-0) kept his hopes of ascending to yokozuna alive by shoving out Bulgarian No. 1 mageashira Aoiyama, whose winless start continued.

It was business as usual for yokozuna Hakuho (5-0) in the penultimate bout. The Mongolian easily rolled No.1 maegashira Tochiozan (0-5) onto the surface of the dohyo right after the jump-off.

In the day's finale, yokozuna Kakuryu (5-0) forced newly promoted sekiwake Okinoumi (1-4) over the bales from behind after getting an early hold of his opponent's mawashi.

The other wrestler with five wins is No. 14 maegashira Sokokurai.

Meanwhile, ozeki Kisenosato (4-1) used a firm neck grip to make it 11 wins out of as many matches against No. 2 Brazilian maegashira Kaisei (0-5).

Heavily wrapped ozeki Kotoshogiku (2-3) slammed hard into No. 2 maegashira Yoshikaze (1-4), whose flailing upper-body thrusts proved unfruitful.

Ozeki Terunofuji (3-2) earned his third win of the tourney. The Mongolian made light work of struggling komusubi Mitakeumi (1-4), forcing his opponent over the bales just after the jump-off.

Self-immolation threat by Mongolian stripper coach over ban

November 17 (news.mn) Tension have soared between coaches and the administration of the Mongolian Freestyle Wrestling Association (MFWA). Ts.Tsogbayar, who is an Honoured Athlete of Mongolia and one of the two coaches who stripped at the Rio Olympics in protest of a decision by the judges, announced that on 19^th of November he will set himself on fire in protest of a decision by the MFWA. On that day, the MFWA, which meets once every four years, will choose its new leader. The extreme threat by the coach Ts.Tsogbayar is to protest against the MFWA banning him from participating in the meeting.

-Ts.Tsogbayar

'It is shocking move, however I don't have any other choice. They have banned me from participating in the MFWA meeting. They are not allowing me to participate in the meeting because of the decision to suspend me as a coach. But I begged them to let me participate as a honoured athlete of Mongolia. Unfortunately, they turned down my request. I will fight to them till the end. I don't have any other choice. What else can I do? I live for Mongolian freestyle wrestling and have never done anything bad to them. I have spent my life helping children other than my own. Why have national wrestling champions A.Sukhbat and D.Sumyabazar treated us so harshly? I worked and trained them as an athlete and cared for them as a brother. I don't mind giving my life and health for the sport which I have lived.'

Along with coach B.Bayaraa, Ts Tsogbayar have been suspended for three years by the Mongolian Freestyle Wrestling Association (MFWA) and United World Wrestling (UWW) for their stripping and throwing their shoes at the judges at the Rio Olympics. The two have been banned from all international competitions until August 2019.

So who can participate in the meeting of MFWA?

The disputed meeting will take place at Government House. The MFWA president, honorary president, secretary, board members from the provinces and districts of Ulaanbaatar, members of the apparatus and honoured athletes of Mongolia are allowed to attend. Sumo champion 'Asashyoru' D.Dagvadorj is president and O.Bayanmunk is secretary of MFWA.

Candidates for the post of president of the MFWA have to register in person or by e-mail until 16th of November. A well respected individual, who has the ability to develop freestyle wrestling, a knowledge of foreign languages and finance and recognised skills can be president of the MFWA.

N.Tugstsogt to fight Mexican boxer next for 7 out of 7

November 17 (UB Post) Olympic and world silver medalist N.Tugstsogt will fight his seventh professional boxing match against Mexican boxer German Meraz on December 8 in California, USA.

N.Tugstsogt wrote on his Facebook, "Hello everyone. My next fight is scheduled next month. See you."

State Honored Athlete N.Tugtsogt has won all six of his fights since he started his professional fighting career last year.

He is currently ranked 70th in the featherweight division of the World Professional Boxing Ranking out of 1,497 boxers.

N.Tugstsogt's next opponent, German Meraz, is 30 years old and currently ranks 278th in the featherweight division. He has had 95 fights in his professional career with 55 wins, 39 loses and one draw.

Mongolian judoka becomes twice champion of Kazakhstan

November 17 (news.mn) On Tuesday (16^th of November), Olympic bronze medalist judoka G.Otgontsetseg became the champion of the National Judo Cup of Kazakhstan for the second time. The young Mongolian defeated all her rivals clearly in the women's 48kg category.

G.Otgontsetseg took the first medal for Kazakhstan at the Rio-2016 Olympic Games in August. She has been representing the Central Asian country since 2015, during which time, she has taken five gold, two silver and three bronze in international 10 competitions including the Olympics, the Asian Judo Championship and the Grand Slam. The International Judo Federation has named her best judoka of the year. G.Otgontsetseg will compete at the Grand Slam to be held in Tokyo from 2^nd to 4^thof December.

Her coach, fellow Mongolian, D.Enkhbaatar signed an agreement to train the Kazakh team until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He starts work in November.

Government to budget ₮6 billion for organizing of Int'l Children's Games 2020

Ulaanbaatar, November 17 (MONTSAME) Ulaanbaatar is hosting the 2020 International Children's Games, which will draw more than 3,000 athletes, 500 coaches and 90 judges, along with some 120 official delegates from 45-50 countries.

On Wednesday, the Cabinet discussed the expenditure on the international sports event. The total cost was estimated at MNT 6.0 billion, 60 percent of which will be funded from the Government and local budgets and 40 percent – to be financed by donors and international organizations.

The preparations for the prestigious event was assigned to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sciences and Sports, Mr J.Batsuuri.

Art & Entertainment

A.Bayartsetseg – Mongolia's contestant to Miss World 2016

November 17 (MONTSAME) The beauty, named Bayartsetseg Altangerel has been chosen to represent her country at the Miss World 2016. This year's Miss World contest will take place in Washington D.C., the USA, between 29th of November and 18th of December.

Bayartsetseg became the first runner-up of Miss Mongolia 2015 and won the "Beauty with a Purpose". She also made it to the final 16 of the Miss Earth 2015, which took place in Austria, competing with the beauties from over 90 countries. Her "eco" video, promoting Mongolia's pristine nature to the world, has become one the best four and was watched on Youtube 210 thousand times. She was selected as the best photo model, the best beauty in night dress and the best lector. A.Bayartsetseg, 26 years old this year, has graduated from the Mongolian University of Science and Technology majoring in marketing management and Mancosa Management College of Durban city of South Africa majoring in business administration. She speaks Mongolian, English and Spanish. She played in leading roles of four short films and motion pictures of Mongolia and the US, such as the "Deadbeats". She was also cast as supporting characters in nine movies, including "My wife –Spy", My Sacred Blood and White on Rice. Bayartsetseg is starring in the leading role of the Brave Princess Khotolun film, to be shot next year.

Art Exhibition: 'The Lockless Door'

November 17 (UB Post) ART Mongolia Artist Studio and Gallery Center inaugurated its first group exhibition, "The Lockless Door", on November 10. The exhibition organized by the artists of ART Mongolia includes a collection of paintings, collage, mixed media, and sculpture, offering viewers a bustling and insightful visual feast until Friday, November 18, 2016.

Here, eighteen emerging artists display their talents, their works, and their love of vastly differing medium in an extraordinary collection. With openness to new horizons and the coexistence of diverse means of expression, "The Lockless Door" provides a platform for the budding artists to showcase their latest works. Through their varied practices that span various styles and mediums, the artists represent the bourgeoning creativity that is well and alive in Mongolia's young artists.

In "Lifeless Life" and "Watchman", J.Munkhjargal experiments with the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and multimedia to employ appropriation in combination with explicit symbolism and the creation of spectacular spaces. Viewers are invited to appreciate the highly expressive work in a search for inner truth and the quintessence of situational history and motivational emotion.

Through his vibrant and colorful style of painting, D.Ganbold portrays Mongolian feminine beauty. His artistic vision and his art merge to offer an emotional, sensual experience in "Khuree Woman". Also using a vivid, expressionist style of painting, S.Shurentsetseg depicts women in paradisiacal nudity in her paintings "Eye" and "Mother Nature", as if they were to represent a respect for nature and the Earth.

Influenced by nature and the Mongolian way of life, artist Ts.Tuvshinjargal delivers a new narration of contemporary expression, figurative tradition, and hopes for the future of Mongolia, as illustrated in his oil painting "Door/Homeland Gates". Also combining modern and traditional techniques and themes, artist Z.Tumenjargal explores the relationship between humans and nature in "Ulaan Amin".

For artist B.Ankhbayar, visual harmony and composition comes naturally when painting in an abstract or non-objective way. In "Composition", B.Ankhbayar appears to have traced a landscape's scenery to its most obvious objects in a way that insures matching visual literacy basics to reach a complete composition, all while considering eye movement and the golden proportions.

Through the creativity of its artists, both established and young, emerging talents, ART Mongolia's "The Lockless Door" represents the flourishing art in Mongolia that is not tied to folkloristic visions, nor aligned with the impositions of the socialist regime. A great opportunity to look at cross-generational approaches, the group exhibition can help us to better understand a country that aspires to modernity yet maintains solid roots in its past.

"The Lockless Door" is just another glimpse into a new generation that is open to the world of conceptual art and new media, with the common aim of striving to understand what the future holds.

Family Reunion for Mongolian Contortionist Sisters

International cast celebrates the Holidaze at the Fox

November 16 (The Detroit News) When director Neil Goldberg set out to create a Cirque du Soleil-style stage show celebrating the holiday season, he brought together a globe-spanning cast with wildly diverse holiday traditions of their own.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze, which returns to the Fox Theatre on Nov. 22-26, is an elaborately designed holiday variety show, featuring dancers, singers, acrobats and circus performers in 20 different holiday-themed acts. The show features 30 performers from 12 different countries.

"These artists start these hobbies where they're becoming a contortionist or a ballet dancer or a musician at an early age," Goldberg says. "That's what they do every single day for their entire life until they realize ... that they're doing it better than anyone else in the world."

And when they come to the Holidaze show, they bring some of their own cultural holiday traditions to the table while also participating in American Christmas traditions. Goldberg, who was raised an Orthodox Jew, knows a thing or two about that. In addition to spending much of the year at the company's Pompano Beach, Florida-based offices preparing for the show, Goldberg spends November and December hop-scotching between Hanukkah and Christmas celebrations with family and the casts of his three different touring companies nationwide.

"I just celebrate the holiday season," he says. "I don't know that I celebrate any one in particular. The holidays for me, you have to realize, is a year-round celebration."

Here's a look at how some of the cast members celebrates their native holidays while on the road:

Family Reunion

Sisters Erdensuvd and Buyankishig Ganbaatar will be on the road with Cirque Dreams Holidaze straight through the holiday season, performing contortionist and aerialist acts in the show. But fortunately for the Ganbaatars, the holiday season in their home country of Mongolia won't roll around until February. The Mongolian Lunar New Year, or Tsagaan Sar, falls on Feb. 26.

Although the Ganbaatar sisters have lived in America since 2002, they return home for Tsagaan Sar every year. Erdensuvd Ganbaatar says Tsagaan Sar festivities will carry on for a full week, but the first three days are generally considered the most important. Families exchange gifts and make food together; Erdensuvd Ganbaatar says she particularly enjoys making dumplings from scratch with her mother. Four generations of her family will be present for this year's celebrations.

"In Mongolia, that's the family reunion every year, no matter who (you are)," Erdensuvd Ganbaatar says. "They come from the countryside, no matter how far they have to come, to be close to family."

The Ganbaatars have also cottoned to some American Christmas traditions while on the road. Buyankishig Ganbaatar doesn't hesitate when asked what her favorite part of the holiday season is.

"On Christmas Day, when we find out who's our Secret Santa," she laughs.

…