Education & Youth: Mongolia kicked off its nationwide college entrance examination, with 49,014 students taking tests over four days at 55 centers, supported by medical staff, psychologists, and police. Military & Peacekeeping: Khaan Quest 2026 is underway in Mongolia, with an Indian Army contingent joining 18 countries for joint peacekeeping drills, including a Women, Peace and Security segment. Culture & Arts: “Where Splendid Horses Run,” a Marco Polo-themed exhibition linked to the Venice Biennale, opened at the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts, spotlighting Mongolian artists and East-West cultural dialogue. Environment & Heritage: Mongolia approved its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan through 2030, setting targets tied to water, forests, pastures, soil, and sustainable development. Buddhism & Global Culture: Robert Thurman, the first Westerner ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk and a major Buddhism scholar in America, has died at 84. International Spotlight on Mongolia: Scholars from 10 countries, including Mongolia, will gather in South Korea to study BTS’ cultural influence after military service. Diplomacy & People-to-People: India’s Jaishankar wrapped up talks in Mongolia and reviewed cooperation across development, trade, education, culture, mining, clean energy, defense, and air connectivity.