Mongolia Online / Tamir / Voted News

Teen wins award for Mongolian adventure

Tamir — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:34:55 -0400

When Angus Paradice was 11, he went to the Nadaam festival in Mongolia two years ago on a family holiday and watched the traditional horse racing for children, thinking: ''I could do that.''

Back at home in Scone, north-west of Newcastle, he trained for nine months, riding his horse 22 kilometres home from school if it was fine and jogging if it rained. He did 40 push-ups and sit-ups a day.

The following year he returned and became the first foreigner to compete in the cross-country races.

2 Vote(s)

Mongolia Formulate State Policy on Uranium Reserve

Tamir — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:12:02 -0400

Mongolia has formulated its state policy over exploration and exploitation of its uranium reserve, which is believed to shelter six percent of world’s total, S.Enkhbat, Chief of the Mongolian Nuclear Energy Authority, briefed at the 53rd IAEA General Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland on September 16.

3 Vote(s)

MONGOLIA: HERDERS MOVE WITH THE SEASONS

Tamir — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:05:24 -0400

At this time of year the summer pastures in the Altay Mountains in western Mongolia are strewn with belongings, and there’s a steady trickle of baggage-laden camels, yaks and horses down the slopes. Fall is fast approaching, and the Mongol and Kazakh herders who inhabit this land of craggy peaks, wide valleys and silver blue lakes are on the move, heading for lower pastures until winter sets in. Then they’ll be migrating again: these herders move four times a year, each season shifting to the places their nomadic forefathers have inhabited for generations.

2 Vote(s)

Mongolia stages 'world's longest horse race'

Tamir — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:17:50 -0400

The international group of riders pounded 860 kilometres (530 miles) across the Asian country's vast grasslands in the 10-day Mongol Derby, which organisers call the world's longest horse race.

The Adventurists, a Britain-based organisation that dreamed up the derby, designed the race as a way to promote Mongolian tradition and culture -- while raising money for charity.

3 Vote(s)

Journalist hunts for acid-spitting Mongolian death worm

MATAP — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 23:48:44 -0400

Armed with explosives, two men are heading to Mongolia's Gobi Desert to find the fabled acid-spitting and lightning-throwing Mongolian death worm.

The worm has never been documented but some Mongolians are convinced it exists. They call it Allghoi Khorkhoi, or "intestine worm" because it resembles a cow's intestine and is about 1.5m long.

The worm apparently jumps out of the sand and kills people by spitting concentrated acid or shooting lightning from its rectum over long distances, NZPA reports. (Seriously.)

5 Vote(s)

Zoo's quarters add up in helping Mongolia's snow leopards

Tamir — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:25:07 -0400

Funds raised one quarter at a time in Colorado Springs are helping to protect endangered snow leopards in distant Mongolia.

Under the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's Quarters for Conservation program, which is in its second year, a quarter from each admission- or $2.50 from each family membership - goes to wildlife conservation. Visitors receive a token to vote for their favorite program among those represented in a display in the zoo's entry plaza, thus determining the percentage of funding each gets. The top vote-getter in the first year: the snow leopard, with more than $14,000 raised.

4 Vote(s)

A giant leap for Mongolia, but where to?

administrator — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:57:49 -0400

- Mongolian parliament uncorks foreign investment bottleneck
- Copper, gold, coal, uranium seen ripe for development
- Third of population likely to remain in poverty for years
- Govt could use revenue to set up budget stabilisation fund

7 Vote(s)

Mongolian Dukha Reindeer Herders Face Threat to Existence - ABC News

Tamir — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:21:53 -0400

Deep in the Larch Forests of Northern Mongolia lives a tiny tribe of people known as the Dukha. For more than 3,000 years they have survived as nomads, moving camp 10 times a year across the mountains. Their existence is pinned on one animal: the reindeer. But their unique way of life now hangs in the balance.

4 Vote(s)

Russia and Mongolia sign uranium deal, settle debt

Tamir — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:26:47 -0400

Russia and Mongolia agreed on Tuesday to launch a uranium mining venture after settling a $150 million debt that will allow the Soviet-era allies to proceed with other projects in infrastructure and farming.

State-owned firms from both countries formed a joint venture to develop the Dornod uranium field in Mongolia's northeast.

The Russian-Mongolian joint venture comes during a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

4 Vote(s)

Austrian has Indiana Jones moment in Mongolia - Yahoo! News

administrator — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:06:54 -0400

Digging for buried treasure in the Gobi Desert sounds like the opening scene of an Indiana Jones film. For Austrian-born Michael Eisenriegler, it was a real-life adventure.

The 40-year-old amateur archaeologist was in the Gobi over the weekend, helping to unearth Buddhist relics that had been buried for more than seven decades in a remote part of Mongolia.

Less than an hour of digging revealed two crates filled with priceless treasure, including rare manuscripts, Buddhist statues and clothing.

3 Vote(s)

Riding high on Mongolian tradition

Tamir — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:17:42 -0400

A story about the horse training and preparations for the annual Naadam festival that appeared in the Washington Times, gives a glimpse at centuries-old tradition of nomadic Mongolians.

2 Vote(s)

Importance of Mongolia Public Private Partnership | Mongolia Web News

mongoliaonline — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:38:39 -0400

An interesting piece on Public Private Partnership - cooperation between government and the private sector - in Mongolia.
Mr. S.Demberel, Chairman of the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry says areas of Public Private Partnership must be expanded.

3 Vote(s)

Perspectives on the Mining deal by international economist D.Davaasambuu

hidodorj — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:16:54 -0400

Former UK ambassador Davaasambuu has some interesting perspectives on the current agreement: "It is not that we are procrastinating and they are in a hurry"

3 Vote(s)

Mercy Corps' Mongolian horse race draws opposition from equestrian groups

Tamir — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:51:38 -0400

The article sheds light on the controversy that surrounds the much hyped event of the year, so called "longest horse race in the world" and Mercy Corp's involvement in it.

Check the comments, especially the one that is posted by a reader signed in as Genk on 06/30/09 at 7:09AM

Again, didn't realise, how controversial the whole event was till I read the article.

3 Vote(s)

ICBL Ambassador Singh visit to Mongolia

danyasterling — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:11:46 -0400

This article outlines the purpose of International Campaign to Ban Landmines Ambassador Satnam Singh's visit to Mongolia. It provides a brief overview of the issues involved in Mongolia's accession to the international Mine Ban Treaty.

3 Vote(s)

Charity rider saddled up for Mongolia's vast land

Tamir — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:09:04 -0400

Eastbourne rider Jeannine Williamson has completed her fourth overseas charity ride to raise money for the Brooke Hospital for Animals.

She was one of 27 riders from around the UK who followed in the hoof prints of Genghis Khan on the charity's 200km trek and camping trip across the vast plains and remote valleys of the Khangai Mountains in Mongolia.

2 Vote(s)

To Mongolia: Calendar of events

mongoliaonline — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:07:30 -0400

An overview of events in Mongolia this summer.

2 Vote(s)

Sino-Mongolian peacekeeping drill starts in Beijing

mongoliaonline — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:31:15 -0400

The first peacekeeping joint military exercise between neighbors China and Mongolia was launched Sunday morning in a training base in north Beijing.

China Daily publishes photos from the drill.

2 Vote(s)

Senior Chinese party official: No unsettled major issues in China-Mongolia ties

administrator — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:53:31 -0400

ULAN BATOR, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) says China-Mongolia ties have reached an all-time high with no unsettled major issues remaining.

"My visit here aims at laying a solid foundation for the sustained growth of China-Mongolia relations by reviewing the past, summing up experience and looking into the future," He Guoqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, told Mongolian Prime Minister Sanj Bayar on Thursday.

China and Mongolia have enjoyed numerous exchanges and cooperation in various fields in recent years with the support of leaders from both nations, He said.

He's three-day visit came as China and Mongolia this year celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

3 Vote(s)

Seoul City, Ulaanbaatar Agree on Economic Exchanges

administrator — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:35:38 -0400

The Seoul Metropolitan Government says it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mongolian capital city Ulaanbaatar. It is mentioned that "the two cities will cooperate in combating Mongolia's desertification and other effects of global warming."

But the essence of the MoU is that the "agreement will enable Seoul-based companies to take part in Ulaanbaatar's urban planning, development, industrial, trade and tourism projects." Whole lot to do with fighting the "effects of global warming."

Also, "The mayor of Ulaanbaatar asked Seoul to consider building a hospital in his country..." There are at least two major Korean hospitals in Ulaanbaatar, why build another one?

3 Vote(s)

China, Mongolia to hold joint peacekeeping exercise

Tamir — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:47:04 -0400

The military forces of China and Mongolia are to launch a joint peacekeeping exercise Friday in the Beijing area, the Information Office of China's Defense Ministry said in a press release.

Coded "Peacekeeping Mission-2009", the exercise will be the first joint peacekeeping exercise China has held with another country, as well as the first joint military training between China and Mongolia.

4 Vote(s)

Mongolia to Get Economic Crisis Funding Support from ADB, Japan

administrator — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:20:30 -0400

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Government of Japan will fund a social sectors support program in Mongolia to help cushion the impacts of the global economic crisis on the country's poor, who make up a third of the total population.

ADB's Board of Directors approved a loan equivalent to $43.1 million and a grant of up to $16.9 million from its concessional Asian Development Fund for the Mongolia Social Sectors Support Program. The Japan International Cooperation Agency, funded by the Japanese government, will provide cofinance of up to $50 million.

A technical assistance grant of $700,000 to provide strategic capacity development with the Mongolian government is also being extended by ADB, with the Mongolian government providing a further $100,000 equivalent.

4 Vote(s)

IMF approves $39.4 mln disbursement to Mongolia

Tamir — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:33:28 -0400

The International Monetary Fund approved a $39.4 million disbursement to Mongolia and said implementation of the IMF-backed economic program had helped stabilize the economy.

4 Vote(s)

DEAL OR NO DEAL?

diplobrat — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:29:57 -0400

The Mongolian Gamble, is it time to bet it all on OT?

4 Vote(s)

Mind the Mines. Mongolia’s Chess on a Golden Board

enkhee — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:52:28 -0400

What will the effect of the new president Elbegdorj be? Can he still turn the Oyu Tolgoi deal around?

5 Vote(s)

New Mongolian president could open mining - UPI.com

hidodorj — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:02:21 -0400

A positive though bit naive article on Elbegdorj as the new president and what it will bring Mongolia.

4 Vote(s)

World Bank Boss Urges Transparency to Attract Private Investment | Mongolia Web News

hidodorj — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:06:22 -0400

In a public address in Ulaanbaatar last week, Dr. Juan Jose Daboub, the World Bank's managing director for operations in 74 countries, said, "Mongolia has managed the transition of its economy and politics since 1991 very well, but the impact on the country of the present global economic crisis has revealed the need for continued reforms." During a three-day visit to Mongolia Mr. Daboub met Government officials, parliamentarians, members of the business community, civil society, and other development partners, in addition to seeing first-hand how the crisis has hit the most vulnerable in Ulaanbaatar as well as in Mongolia's outlying rural communities.

5 Vote(s)

Ivanhoe Continues Talks With Mongolia on Mining Deal

Tamir — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:01:14 -0400

Representatives of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.'s $3 billion Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia have held talks with the government there for the past two weeks to forge an investment agreement, but there is no clear timetable for progress.

Resources companies have been awaiting a solid investment framework for years to mine Mongolia's copper, gold, coal and uranium riches. Talks to forge an investment deal dragged particularly after Mongolia's government in 2006 announced it would seek a stake of up to 50% in strategic mining projects, as well as imposing a windfall tax on company profits from copper and gold production.

4 Vote(s)

Mongolian president elect sworn in

administrator — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:33:29 -0400

Elbegdorj Tsakhia was sworn in as Mongolia's president after winning an election May 24th on promises to distribute its mining wealth more fairly and crack down on graft.

4 Vote(s)

Centerra Gold's Boroo Mine operating licence in Mongolia suspended for up to three months

Tamir — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:10:24 -0400

Centerra Gold Inc. (TSX:CG) says its operating licence for the Boroo Mine in Mongolia has been suspended for up to three months after a report from a government inspection agency that visited the Boroo minesite.

The suspension comes a few weeks after unionized workers at the mine stopped work and demanded more money. Centerra said Friday the three-month suspension is related to operating issues such as record keeping, incorrect land use, and improper operating procedures.

"The company is working closely with the authorities to understand the issues and to resolve these issues in a timely manner," the Toronto gold miner said in a release.

3 Vote(s)

Crisis reverberates deep into Mongolian steppe

hidodorj — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:46:21 -0400

Mongolians abroad are sending less money back, cashmere price has dropped and so have all the metals. This is the grimm pictures Reuters paints.

4 Vote(s)

Mongolia offers to help U.S. with N. Korea

Tamir — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:59:12 -0400

Mongolia has offered to mediate between the United States and North Korea because of its good ties with both countries, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has expressed interest, Mongolian Foreign Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold said.

4 Vote(s)

Moody's ends Mongolia review for possible rating cut

hidodorj — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:42:16 -0400

Moody's Investors Service is so influential that non-news turns into news. They are NOT downgrading Mongolia's sovereign B1 rating. Go read all about it.

2 Vote(s)

Hillary Clinton Meets Foreign Minister Batbold

mongoliaonline — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:42:22 -0400

Clinton and Batbold exchange formalities and the journalists seem only interested in North Korea. But somehow still interesting to see the icon Clinton devote some time to Mongolia. She mentions she actually visited once.

2 Vote(s)

MONGOLIA: RUSSIA NIXES US DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR ULAANBAATAR

Tamir — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:34:13 -0400

Mongolia is accepting Russian demands to refuse US government funding for a railroad project and will ask the United States to redirect the funding to another project, the country's foreign minister said during a visit to Washington.

Under the Millennium Challenge Corporation aid program, which rewards countries that liberalize their political and economic systems, Mongolia is set to receive $188 million in US funding to modernize its aging rail infrastructure. Russia, however, has objected to Mongolia taking the funding.

3 Vote(s)

Mongolia, US talk on redirecting aid

Tamir — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:30:06 -0400

Mongolia's foreign minister met with top US officials Tuesday on redirecting nearly 200 million dollars in aid after Russia vetoed US help to improve the rail network.

Foreign Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold held talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who offered full support to the young democracy which shook off communism in a peaceful 1990 revolution.

3 Vote(s)

UN envoy to Liberia honours Mongolian peacekeepers in Sierra Leone

Tamir — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:49:51 -0400

8 June 2009 - The top United Nations envoy to Liberia today paid tribute to the Mongolian blue helmets, tasked with protecting the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), for their efforts to promote peacebuilding in West Africa.

"Mongolian peacekeepers have acquired a reputation for bringing exceptional discipline to peacekeeping operations, an international outlook and an ever-ready approach to their tasks, regardless of the environment they find themselves in," said Ellen Margrethe Løj, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

3 Vote(s)

Kiwi will risk life and limb in world's toughest horse race to provide homes for Mongolian kids

Tamir — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 02:30:50 -0400

A New Zealander living in Perth who says he is not a good rider will hop on different horses to compete in the world's longest and toughest horse race, over 1000km across Mongolia later this year in the inaugural Mongol Derby.

Dave Murray, formerly of Tekapo, will be one of 25 riders from nine countries to race across the Mongolian plains from August 22, each of them changing horses every 40km.

Murray, 29, will raise funds to go toward the official charity Mercy Corps to support nomadic families and herders across Mongolia.

3 Vote(s)

Mongolia fiscal target on track

Tamir — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:52:03 -0400

Mongolia is on track to meet its end of year fiscal target but the authorities will need to maintain expenditure controls, the International Monetary Fund said on Friday.

In a statement, the IMF said Mongolia had so far successfully implemented its $229.2 million IMF program since April and a staff mission would recommend disbursement of the next tranche of $40 million under the loan.

3 Vote(s)

Medvedev’s congratulation address to new Mongolian president

Tamir — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:37:30 -0400

MOSCOW, June 5 (Itar-Tass) - President Dmitry Medvedev hopes that his first meeting with the newly elected President of Mongolia, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, will be held in Yekaterinburg this June. He expressed this hope in his congratulation address to the new Mongolian head of state, the Kremlin press service reported on Friday.

The document says in part: "I am sure that Mongolia's policy to consolidate its strategic partnership and good-neighbour relations with Russia will be further promoted under your leadership.

"I am prepared to establish working business contacts with you. I invite you to take part in the meeting of the SCO heads of state and of observer nations, and also in the plenary meeting of the Organisation, which is to be held within the framework of the SCO Summit (at Yekaterinburg from June 15-16, 2009). I believe we shall have an opportunity to arrange our first personal meeting at Yekaterinburg.

"We are attaching great importance to the forthcoming 70th anniversary of our joint victory at Khalkin-Gol. I am sure that we shall befittingly mark this memorable date in the history of the relations between our two countries," the document says.

4 Vote(s)