Russia–China Summit: Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin met in Beijing with big ceremony and dozens of deals, but the headline energy prize—Power of Siberia-2—still isn’t approved, with only a “general understanding” on route and principles and no pricing or timeline locked in. Energy & Mongolia Link: The stalled pipeline remains the key commercial question for Russia and China, with Mongolia positioned as the transit corridor—yet domestic planning and public sentiment keep it politically sensitive. Mongolia Business & Markets: Mongolia’s stock market saw softer trading—24.18 million securities worth MNT 13.64 billion—while indices slipped and volume cooled. PPP Power Project: The government approved Baidrag Hydropower under a PPP build-operate-transfer plan, targeting construction in 2026–2030 and operations from 2030 to 2055. Digital Access: Remote Zavkhan baghs are getting 4G coverage via Mobicom, expanding access to government and services. UN Forests Leadership: Mongolia was elected to chair UN Forum on Forests sessions, boosting its reforestation and desertification agenda. Visa Policy Watch: Thailand cut visa-free stays for 90+ countries to 30 days, citing overstays and security concerns. Culture Spotlight: BBC’s Race Across the World 2026 crowned Jo and Kush as winners after a final sprint to Hatgal, Mongolia.