Politics
Parliament to Conclude Spring Session on July 3, Taking Up Oil, Excise, Social Insurance and Mining Resolutions
Published: 2026-06-28
The State Great Khural will close its 75-day spring session on July 3 after opening on March 16, meeting the minimum sitting requirement in law. Before adjournment, lawmakers plan first readings of Government-submitted amendments to the Oil Law (tabled June 18, 2026) and the Excise Tax Law (June 18, 2026), and will consider amendments to the General Law on Social Insurance sponsored by the Government and MPs A. Ariunzaya and B. Tuvshin. Parliament will also decide whether to debate a Government resolution introduced June 25, 2026 to bring certain mining projects into economic circulation—potentially advancing stalled assets—and continue consideration of a resolution to establish a temporary oversight committee initiated by MP Ts. Baatarkhuu and 35 MPs (submitted November 7, 2025). The agenda includes appointments and dismissals to the General Election Commission.
Coverage:
Ulaanbaatar Council Revises 2026 Budget; DP Cites Welfare and “Coal Money” in Vote Influence as Court Freezes Copyright Clause
Published: 2026-06-28
Ulaanbaatar’s City Council approved a 2026 budget revision to fund winter preparedness, urgently repair the “Tuul-1 collector” following the new central wastewater plant’s commissioning, and resource planning for the “Agro City” special economic zone. Addressing legality concerns, Mayor and City Governor B. Purevdagva said the amendment complies with national law and cabinet resolutions.
“This budget revision does not violate the law; we are reallocating to meet winter preparations and urgent infrastructure needs under the Budget Law and government resolutions.” - B. Purevdagva (news.mn)
The Democratic Party alleged vote influence through welfare and “coal money” networks.
“Attempts to sway votes using not only ‘coal money’ but also welfare distributions are evident.” - O. Tsogtgerel, DP Chair (news.mn)
Separately, the Constitutional Court suspended a copyright provision on inheritance for joint works. The DP also launched a 15-member election strategy body for 2028, with daily operations led by MP O. Amgalanbaatar, and will collect candidate interest from June 29 for 10 days.
Coverage:
Infrastructure
Planned Power Outage to Hit Three Ulaanbaatar Districts and Two Tuv Province Sums on June 28
Published: 2026-06-28
Electricity will be temporarily cut on June 28 from 09:00 to 18:00 across parts of Khan-Uul, Bayanzurkh, and Sukhbaatar districts in Ulaanbaatar, as well as Batsumber and Erdene sums in Tuv Province, due to maintenance on power lines and equipment. The shutdown will affect apartment complexes, sections of ger areas, government and private offices, and industrial and service facilities. The Ulaanbaatar Electricity Distribution Network JSC advised households and businesses to plan consumption and operations around the outage window. Such scheduled maintenance outages are routine during peak repair periods and can disrupt office workflows, retail activity, and refrigeration-dependent services. Affected entities may need contingency measures—including adjusted operating hours and backup power—to mitigate service interruptions and protect equipment when supply resumes.
Coverage:
Ulaanbaatar to Begin Partial Clearance of Sambalkhundev Cemetery on July 26, 2026
Published: 2026-06-28
Ulaanbaatar city authorities will start a phased clearance of the Sambalkhundev Cemetery from July 26, 2026 to improve public health and safety conditions. The action implements the State Great Khural’s amended general development plan for Ulaanbaatar (to 2020 with trends to 2030), the City Council’s 2021–2025 development priorities, and the Mayor’s 2024–2028 program. Families can review affected grave locations via the online database at www.sambalkhundev.mn. Officials say next-of-kin preferences will be respected during exhumation and relocation. If families do not make contact within the notified timeframe, authorities will perform the requisite rites, conduct cremation, and place ashes in the public stupa at the “Memorial and Honor Park” within Sambalkhundev Cemetery. The measure signals continued urban reorganization in line with long-term planning and may affect residents with relatives interred at the site, who are advised to confirm records and coordinate arrangements in advance.
Coverage:
Society
Huree Tsam–Danshig Festival Showcases 90 Masked Dancers at Khui Doloon Khudag with Enhanced Security
Published: 2026-06-28
The “Huree Tsam–Danshig Naadam 2026” Buddhist and cultural festival is underway at Khui Doloon Khudag in Ulaanbaatar, highlighted by the Tsam ritual dance featuring 90 masked performers in ornate costumes. Revived in 1999 by monks of Gandan Tegchenling Monastery, the ceremony dramatizes the subduing of malevolent forces and includes iconic figures such as Ochirvaan (Vajrapani) and the White Old Man. Alongside the ritual, program elements include ceremonies for Vajrapani and Chinggis Khaan, monastic debates, butter and torma art competitions, and traditional sports such as wrestling, archery, knucklebone shooting, and seer shalgakh. Public order measures are heightened: nine units have deployed 321 officers and 20 student police to manage crowds, prevent incidents, and protect children, with participants urged to follow lawful instructions and safety guidance on the festival grounds.
Coverage:
Environment
Published: 2026-06-28
Khovd province has confirmed SAT-1 strain foot-and-mouth disease in Bulgan, Uench, and Altai soums, with 13 outbreak sites affecting 168 herder households. Authorities report 1,590 animals infected and 1,403 culled to contain spread. Veterinary services are operating at heightened readiness across nine soums—Bulgan, Uench, Altai, Tsetseg, Most, Munkhkhairkhan, Duut, Khovd, and Erdeneburen—where vaccination and surveillance are underway. As of the latest update, 349,766 head of livestock from 958 households have been vaccinated, achieving 25.8% coverage. Movement of animals is restricted and quarantine measures are in force in outbreak areas. The response aims to protect herds and limit economic disruption in a region where pastoralism is a key livelihood. Continued vaccination scale-up and compliance with movement controls will be critical to halt transmission and reduce culling needs.
Coverage:
Tuul River Swells Near Biocombinat; Roadway Collapses and Evacuation Notices Issued
Published: 2026-06-28
Authorities in Ulaanbaatar’s Khan-Uul District report the Tuul River has risen near the 12th khoroo in the Biocombinat area, collapsing a section of the roadway and creating a flood risk for nearby homes and businesses. The District Emergency Management Department, Police, and khoroo staff have delivered evacuation notices to adjacent households, cleared visitors from riverside leisure areas, and are maintaining safety perimeters. The national weather service forecasts thunderstorms and heavy rain in the coming days, heightening the likelihood of further flooding and travel disruptions. Residents and businesses in low-lying areas are advised to prepare for potential inundation, follow evacuation guidance, avoid riverbanks, and monitor official updates. Drivers should seek alternative routes where subsidence has occurred and expect emergency traffic controls as conditions evolve.
Coverage:
Soil Moisture Shortfalls Reported in Several Key Farming Districts
Published: 2026-06-28
A June 18 assessment shows uneven soil moisture at 0–20 cm and 0–50 cm depths across major crop zones, with implications for yield and irrigation planning. Wheat fields have adequate reserves in Kharkhorin (Uvurkhangai), Selenge (Bulgan), Tsagaannuur and Eruu (Selenge), and Baruunturuun (Uvs). Conditions are moderate in Altangadas, Tsaidam, and 6th Brigade areas of Khongor (Darkhan-Uul), as well as Erdenesant (Tuv) and Khalkhgol (Dornod). Moisture is insufficient in Tarialan (Khuvsgul), Bayangol, Orkhon, Orkhontuul (Selenge), and Ugtaaltsaidam (Tuv). For stubble fields, Kharkhorin is adequate, while Altangadas and Tsaidam are moderate. Potato fields are adequate in Kharkhorin, Mandal (Selenge), Altangadas (Darkhan-Uul), Choibalsan (Dornod), and Baruun-Urt (Sukhbaatar). Moderate levels are noted in Tuvshruulekh (Arkhangai), Bayanchandmani and Jargalant (Tuv), and Bayan-Uul (Dornod), but remain insufficient in Bayangol (Selenge) and Ugtaaltsaidam (Tuv).
Coverage:
Health
Measles Cases Reach 15,491; Daily New Infections Pause While Hospitalizations Continue
Published: 2026-06-28
Mongolia’s measles outbreak has reached 15,491 confirmed cases nationwide, including 12,368 in Ulaanbaatar and 3,121 in the provinces, with 22 deaths reported. The National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) said no new cases were recorded in the latest 24-hour period, following reports earlier that two additional cases had been logged as of June 27. As of the latest update, 38 patients remain hospitalized (30 in Ulaanbaatar, 8 in the provinces), and four are under home monitoring. Infections are highest among 10–14-year-olds (5,498 cases), followed by 0–4 (3,921), 5–9 (2,014), and 15–19 (1,872) age groups. Health authorities continue to emphasize vaccination, noting measles’ high transmissibility and the importance of ensuring records are updated with local family and soum health centers’ electronic registries.
Coverage: