Mongolia-China Payments: Golomt Bank says CIPS is now the main settlement channel in Mongolia, with 96% of yuan transactions switched within six months, cutting settlement from 1–2 days to near-instant and reducing reliance on correspondent banks. Energy Storage in Inner Mongolia: Ulanqab selected five developers for 1.1GW/4.4GWh of independent grid-forming storage, with projects tied to multiple 500kV substations and commissioning targeted across 4-hour blocks. Mining & Copper Outlook: Azzuro Resources reports gravity survey results at its Red Hill copper-gold project in Mongolia, pointing to depth extensions and new drill targets starting in August. Local Governance & Resilience: Mongolia’s State Emergency Commission chief visited Khentii to oversee winter readiness, while officials discussed fines from mining inspections and funding needs for roads and firefighting/rescue capacity. US Visa Policy: The US made its refundable visa bond program permanent for B1/B2 applicants from 50 countries, raising the ceiling to $20,000; Mongolia is listed among affected nations. UNESCO Recognition: UNESCO added 25 new World Heritage sites in 2026, including Mongolia’s Cemetery Complexes of the Xiongnu Nobility.