Travel industry groups have called for all remaining Covid restrictions on travellers to be removed in the latest government review.

With data last week suggesting one in 25 people in the UK currently had the virus, airlines say passenger testing is having no real impact.

The government said it continued to "keep all measures under review".

The travel industry said compulsory testing for UK arrivals and departures had held back the sector's recovery.

The prime minister will meet his cabinet later and urge them to back his decision not to impose any further Covid restrictions in England.

On Tuesday, Boris Johnson said he hoped the country could "ride out" the current wave, although he acknowledged parts of the NHS would feel temporarily overwhelmed.

What are the current travel rules?

Currently, all travellers to the UK aged 12 and over have to show proof of a negative test, which can be a PCR or a lateral flow test, and must be taken up to two days before departure for the UK.

They then have to take another test - which this time must be a PCR test - within the first two days after their arrival in the UK.

But at the time that rule was brought in a month ago, the number of new cases reported in the UK each day was running between 40,000 and 50,000 - and was only rising relatively slowly because it was almost entirely made up of the Delta variant of Covid.

But now, the UK has announced more than 200,000 new cases in a day for the first time in the entire pandemic and Omicron is the dominant variant - so airlines can argue that there is no longer any hope of relying on testing to "keep out Omicron".

The only other countries in the world that have topped 200,000 positive tests in a single day this week have been the US and France.

The trade body Airlines UK argued that continuing the current measures would be financially disastrous for the industry. It added that the current limits have depressed demand and dented consumer confidence.

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has sent the government research it commissioned, which it claims shows that pre-departure testing has had little or no impact on the spread of Omicron.

It said that passenger numbers at MAG's airports fell by more than 30% after Omicron measures were introduced.

Last month, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that "very soon", if Omicron became the dominant variant, there would be "less need to have any kind of travel restrictions at all".

As well as travel restrictions, ministers must also consider future plans for domestic testing.

The system has come under pressure in recent weeks as cases have surged, with appointment slots and home test kits periodically being temporarily unavailable.

And on Tuesday, Mr Johnson announced plans for 100,000 critical workers to take daily tests.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that the government is planning to change testing rules so that people who test positive on lateral flow devices do not need to take a confirmatory PCR test.

The government did not comment but pointed to the guidance from the UK Health Security Agency which maintains that people should take a follow-up PCR test if they receive a positive lateral flow result.

"We continue to review PCR availability and continue to make more PCR booking slots available every day," the agency said.

Travellers must pay for private tests rather than using free NHS tests.

Graph showing Covid cases since March 2020

MAG chief executive Charlie Cornish and Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade said the government should press ahead with the "immediate removal" of travel testing requirements which come at "huge cost" to the industry.

"It is therefore vital they do not remain in place a day longer than is necessary," they wrote in a statement.

A government spokesperson said that they keep all measures "under review" and added that the temporary testing requirements were introduced to "prevent additional Omicron cases from entering the UK, stopping people from passing it on to others if they are infected".

The Times has reported that the requirement for people to take a pre-departure test before they arrive in England is likely to be dropped by the government in the update later. But it said the requirement that people take a PCR test within two days of arriving in England is set to remain.

Separately, European airline and tour operator stocks rose on Tuesday amid a rise in investor confidence in the sector.

Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Susannah Streeter told Reuters: "With so many people in the short-term being forced to isolate at home, it's likely many people will be spending the next few weeks browsing travel blogs for inspiration, given there is so much desperation for a holiday."

A recent report by aviation analytics firm Cirium found that the Covid pandemic triggered a 71% drop in international flights in and out of the UK in 2021.

Mongolian men’s U23 team has come first in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA)’s 3x3 Federation Ranking, following an update on January 3, 2022.

The Mongolian team is at the top of the ranking with 1,212,317 points, followed by the Russian team with 1,147,600 points and the Lithuanian team with 1,070,712 points.

KARACHI: Uzbekistan and Mongolia are on the radar of the Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) for traininig of its top fighters ahead of the Commonwealth Games slated to be held in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8 this year.

“Foreign training is absolutely necessary. We are considering sending our top fighters to either Uzbekistan, to train in the IJF academy, or Mongolia,” PJF vice-president and media director Masood Ahmed told ‘The News’ in an interview on Tuesday.

“Our fighters need to train with the best lot and we will be able to get some good sparring partners in these countries. It all depends on the state support and we will definitely request the government to back us before the Commonwealth Games where we have solid medal chances,” Masood said.

In the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Japan-based judoka Shah Hussain won silver medal. He was the only judoka from Pakistan who featured in those Games.

Judo was not part of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Masood said that besides Shah they had a few fighters who could do wonders in Birmingham.

“This time we want to send at least four male and two female fighters to Birmingham,” Masood said.

“Besides Shah, we have Qaiser Afridi, who recently won bronze in the Asia-Oceania Junior Championship in Beirut, Hamid Ali and Haseeb from HEC who played outstandingly in the recently held national event in Peshawar,” he said.

Masood also urged the government to help the PJF in holding camp for the Commonwealth Games as soon as possible. “We need a camp at the earliest and I hope the state will back us,” he said.

The PJF plans to keep 16 male and 12 female judokas in the camp.

To a query, Masood said that the federation had interacted with a Russian coach but he did not promise his availability.

“We will look at this matter as a foreign coach is important. There are a handful of major events ahead for us and we will definitely need a good coach,” said Masood, also a former PJF secretary.

The big issue which PJF is facing is Shah Hussain’s weight category. Shah, the two-time Olympian, has played during his entire career in the -100 kilogramme in which he also took part in the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Games. But now he wants to change his weight and come down to 90kg. He is currently 120 kg and he will have to reduce his weight by 30kg.

Masood said that the PJF could only give him advice on his new decision. “We have told him if he comes down to the 90kg weight category then it will be difficult for him to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics as he will have to start from zero there. But he has made up his mind. He is also determined to reduce his weight. Let’s see how it goes,” he said.

His father Hussain Shah told ‘The News’ from Japan on Tuesday that it would not be easy for Shah Hussain to reduce his weight to 90kg.

“Age also counts and I don’t think he will be able to come down to 90kg. I will talk to him and will advise which weight will be good for him. I think he needs to stick to -100kg in which he has done so well so far and can also easily qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics,” said Hussain Shah, the only Pakistani boxer to have won bronze at Olympics — in 1988 in Seoul.

Shah Hussain was part of the national event which concluded in Peshawar on Monday where he won golds in both the open and -100kg weight categories. He was seen in the video, dislodging his opponents with an enviable ease.

The revised Law on Labor comes in force from the beginning of this year. One of the amendments to the law is the creation of the legal condition to resolve labor disputes quickly.

According to the law, every entity and organization that employ 20 or more people, regardless of their form of ownership should establish a permanent commission to resolve labor disputes. Entities with less than 15 employees can apply to the Soum and District Labour Rights Dispute Settlement Committee. The Commission should resolve any labor dispute within 10 days.

Therefore, labor disputes are expected to be resolved quickly and at low cost. Resolving labor disputes at the primary level is found to be more effective, noted Sh,Maya, senior specialist at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

With an aim to address disputes and issues related to labor relation within social partnership, a new chapter on social partnership in labor relations was added to the Labor Law.

The Ministry of Health reported that 585 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the past 24 hours. Specifically, 385 cases were reported in Ulaanbaatar city, with 196 cases in rural aimags and four imported cases.

It was also reported that three COVID-19 related death has been reported, raising the country’s death toll to 1,992. Currently, 2,474 people are receiving hospital treatment for COVID-19 whilst 4,046 people with mild symptoms of COVID-19 are being isolated at home.

As of today, January 4, the coverage of 1st dose is 69.7 percent (2,266,323) and 2nd dose – 66.5 percent (2,164,579) of the total population. Moreover, 922,681 people (28.4 percent) have received 3rd dose or a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines nationwide.

The Mongolian Stock Exchange (MSE) was recently highlighted as the top performing stock market of 2021 by Bloomberg. As of December 5, the MSE Top 20 index grew by 104 percent which served as the core factor for Mongolia’s stock exchange to be considered as one of the leading markets.

On top of this, the domestic stock market was added to the Watch List for ‘Frontier Market’ status by the FTSE Russell Group of the U.K in September 2021. This will promote the Mongolian market internationally, and provide significant support in bringing professional investors to the market, highlighted Executive DIrector of MSE Kh.Altai.

Furthermore, works are being carried out to increase active participation in the market and accelerate its development. In 2021, securities worth a total of MNT 1.4 trillion were traded which set a new record. Nine new securities such as ‘Erdenes Tavantolgoi’, ‘Invescore’, ‘LendMN’, ‘Central Express CVS’, and ‘Mandal Future Growth Fund’ were also registered.

As of currently, the total market capitalization of MSE stands at MNT 5.8 trillion - 12 percent of the country’s GDP. Experts believe that the stock market will further expand once large-scale companies running operations in Mongolia begin to be more involved in the market by introducing their own products.

Following the new amendments made to the Banking Law of Mongolia, Bogd Bank became the first bank to issue its stocks.

In the current time of technological advancements, the cryptocurrency market is rapidly developing - and as such, exchange of cryptocurrencies and coins are becoming active in Mongolia. In order to regulate the legal environment, a law on virtual asset service providers will soon be ready along with corresponding rules and regulations. Thus, in 2022, the Mongolian Stock Exchange plans to conduct tests on the exchange of virtual assets.

In the new year, the growth of the domestic stock market is expected to continue as banks are currently preparing their IPO alongside IPOs by state-owned companies in the framework of the ‘New Revival Policy’ of the Government, and dual listing of companies that are currently listed in stock markets abroad.

According to the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, Mongolia has had the right to export flour to China.

"Ensuring relevant requirements of quarantine, risk assessment and inspections, 13 flour mills of Mongolia will export flour to China. Assessments and successful meetings with the Chinese side made in 2021 has opened up an opportunity for Mongolia to export surplus wheat to its southern neighbor. In Mongolia, there are more than 50 flour manufacturers with an annual wheat processing capacity of 943 thousand tons. The introduction of the first export of wheat flour to China during the pandemic will have a positive impact on the economy, boosting the two countries' foreign trade turnover, expanding the market for companies to become exporters and increasing incomes,” said Z. Mendsaikhan, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry.

In 2021, Mongolia harvested a total of 571.1 thousand tons of crops, which was the highest yield that has not been in the last 30 years. Mongolia’s annual wheat demand is about 310 thousand tons.

Canada’s Centerra Gold on Monday confirmed it was in talks with the Kyrgyzstan government for an out-of-court settlement over a dispute in which the state seized the company’s Kumtor mine.

In May 2021, Centerra kicked off arbitration against the former Soviet republic after it took over the country’s biggest mine for allegedly posing danger to human lives or the environment. The company has denied all the allegations.

The company also froze the government’s stake when it seized the mine, meaning it does not have voting rights, nor is it entitled to dividends.

Centerra on Monday laid out a framework for any resolution of the dispute, saying it should receive around 26.1% of its common stock held by state-owned Kyrgyzaltyn JSC.

It also said the state should assume all responsibility for the company’s two Kyrgyz subsidiaries as well as the Kumtor mine.

“At present, the parties are finalizing the discussion of an amicable agreement, including, among other things, the condition for the full transfer of the Kumtor Gold Company to the Kyrgyz Republic,” Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Zhaparov said in a statement dated Jan. 2.

In December, a source close to the government told Reuters that Kyrgyzstan was pushing for an out-of-court settlement over the dispute.

Centerra and Kyrgyzstan have a long history of disputes over how to share profit from the 550,000-ounce gold mine.

(By Rithika Krishna; Editing by Ramakrishnan M.)

Throughout the year, city authorities always made efforts to reduce traffic congestion. In the past, three bridges (Narnii Bridge, Nairamdliin Bridge, Yarmag Bridge), roads, and more tunnels have been built – yet, congestion has not decreased. Instead, due to the annual import of 80 thousand vehicles on average, the issue became even worse. Eventually, there was no more space to further widen the road, and not enough budget for large-scale construction (about MNT 50 billion per year), so restrictions and fines were imposed.

Recently, however, this imbalance has slightly lessened, allowing the capital city authorities to do significant work. During the extended meeting on May 19, 2021, for the first time, the Government of Mongolia discussed the pressing issues of Ulaanbaatar and made the decision to annually allocate MNT 420 billion to solve traffic congestion. Prior to this, the capital city authorities have been implementing several policies on reducing traffic congestion and all possible solutions that could be thought of except for those that required a large budget, such as subways, overhead roads, and bridges, and a unified traffic management system. This historic decision was made when Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar Sumiyabazar Dolgorsuren and the city authorities cooperated with the Government to raise issues at a time when there was an urgent need for a comprehensive solution for the issue concerning decentralization.

Reducing traffic congestion in Ulaanbaatar is an issue that requires to be dealt with comprehensively. Thus, the government has established the National Committee on ensuring balance between urban and rural development, decentralizing, and reducing traffic congestion, and Prime Minister of Mongolia Mr. Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai is chairing the committee, indicating the importance of tackling the issue.

Decentralization: A public effort

The public perception and participation have begun to be considered a crucial part of new technological advancements, government policies, decisions, and plans. Congestion can be reduced in a relatively short time with proper budget, technological solutions, and cooperation between the government, NGOs, and citizens.

The newly established National Committee on ensuring balance between urban and rural development, decentralizing, and reducing traffic congestion concluded that 149 measures with a total of 27 objectives should be implemented to reduce urban traffic congestion, which also includes creating a comfortable living environment in rural areas. Of the above solutions and measures, the most innovative solution to reduce traffic congestion is the introduction of a smart transport system.

A smart transport system

Within the framework of the objective to fully implement a project on introducing a smart transport system in the capital city that is reflected in the 2020-2024 action plan of the Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, corresponding relevant officials are carrying out works per the decision of the national committee. The system meets the requirements of all those that are participating in traffic, and is able to make certain calculations with the help of modern AI. It is currently planned to consist of the following subsystems:

1. RFID-based traffic system

2. Integrated smart system for camera surveillance

3. Traffic light control system

4. Integrated management system for car parks

5. Smart public transportation system

6. Management system for Taxis and Special Transport

The RFID-based traffic system will enable traffic monitoring and planning in Ulaanbaatar. However, with the introduction of an integrated smart system for camera surveillance, it will be possible to set traffic safety rules in the AI database, prevent crimes, and improve traffic management and monitoring.

Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai: The government will “green light” the decision

Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsrannamsrai

- Ulaanbaatar city must have a standard. Let's set standards that need to be implemented in the capital city. Let's inform the public about the reality of the current state. There is no truth more than reality, after all.

To resolve all these issues, the support, assistance, resolutions, and decisions that are necessary to be made by the Government and the Parliament needs to be introduced.

The government will create the conditions for making certain decisions at the legal level. We will “green light” the decision.

B.Odsuren: Incentives will be used to promote the use of public transportation

Capital City Road and Transport Projects Manager Odsuren Badarch:

- According to studies, schools, offices, shopping malls, and business organizations in Ulaanbaatar open and close at the same time, causing heavy traffic congestion. From 07:00 to 10:00 in the morning and from 17:00 to 20:00 in the evening, there is often very heavy traffic. Therefore, it is necessary to implement regulations for flexible time management. A lot of people tend to go to shopping centers on Mondays and Fridays. Fifty percent of the people participating in road traffic drive their cars in the morning and leave it parked all day. Therefore, incentives will be used to promote the use of public transportation.

As of 2020, there are:

o 1.1 million vehicles nationwide

o 715,309 passenger cars,

o 241,268 trucks,

o 36,084 buses,

o 20,672 vehicles being used for special purposes,

o 40,616 locomotives,

o 54 percent of total vehicles are in Ulaanbaatar - 615,622

o 46 percent are in rural areas – 521,112

MEDIA RELATIONS DEPARTMENT OF

THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF THE CAPITAL CITY

Go to the remote Asian country of Mongolia and will be confronted with many things. The capital Ulaanbaatar is the coldest capital city in the world, one will see the unending Asian steppe and the nomadic Mongolians living like they always have, the vast expanses (Mongolia is the least densely populated country in the world), and a massive new equestrian statue of Genghis Khan.

Mongolia is an exotic country to visit and one that is full of surprises. One of the most adventurous things to do while in this sparse country is to go on a multiday horse riding expedition through some of the most remote parts of Mongolia.

About Genghis Khan And His Massive Empire

The most famous Mongolian to ever live was Genghis Khan, he was the first Great Khan (or Emperor) of the Mongol Empire. He made the world tremble as he defeated innumerable armies, raised cities, and established the largest contiguous empire the world as ever known (only the British Empire was larger).

Largest: The Mongolian Empire Was the Largest Contiguous Empire

Genghis Khan lived from around 1158 to August 18, 1227. His birth name was Temüjin and had to flee from other Mongolian tribes as a boy. But eventually, he was able to defeat the other tribes, then unite them, and then attack and invade ancient China and beyond.

Birthname: Temüjin

Lived: From Around 1158 to 1227

The Mongolian invasions would go on penetrate as far we as Poland and as far south as Egypt. For hundreds of years, Russia was ruled by the Golden Horde - a Mongolian splinter empire.

Through much of the world that he conquered, he and the Mongolians were feared. History describes much of the conquest as wholesale destruction on an unprecedented scale that resulted in major demographic changes and drastic declines in population.

Fun Fact: The Mongols Are The Inspiration For The Dothraki of Game of Thrones

If one visits the reclusive country of Turkmenistan, one will find the ruins of the once-great city of Merv. At one time it may have been the largest city on earth but when the Mongols took it, it is recorded the city was utterly destroyed including the wholesale massive of 1 million inhabitants.

How Genghis Khan Is Seen In Mongolia

Given how the world remembers Genghis Khan it may seem odd to build such a large monument to honor him. But The Mongolians do not see him in the same way as much of the rest of the world.

National Hero: To The Mongolians, Genghis Khan Is A National Hero

They see him as a national hero that put their country on the map. As a military genius who defeated the most advanced armies and empires all around the world. It was during this period and because of him that their tribes were known and respected in the world - instead of being insignificant to the world like they were before Ghengis Khan.

He united them behind a common cause. Before they we were united and warring amongst ourselves.

Trade: Under The Mongolian Empire Trade Flourished

Genghis Khan did more than conquer, he also brought learning and trade and opened the world up like never before. For the first time in history, one could travel (more or less safely) from Europe to China.

The Genghis Khan Equestian Statue

The impressive statue is part of a larger complex and rises 40 meters or 130 feet tall. It is constructed out of stainless steel and depicts the Great Khan on horseback. Today it is the world's tallest equestrian statue and is around 54 kilometers or 33 miles east of the capital city of Ulaanbaatar.

Height: 40 Meters or 130 Feet

Built: In 2008

Designed: By Sculptor D. Erdenebileg and Architect J. Enkhjargal

It is built at the location where according to one legend Genghis Khan found a golden whip.

The statue is built on the Genghis Khan Statue Complex - a visitor center. The visitor center itself is full of symbolism with 36 columns representing the 36 khans from Genghis Khan to Ligdan Khan.

Museum: There Is Also A Museum At The Complex

The attached museum delves into Mongolian history with exhibitions from the Bronze Age and the Xiongnu archeological cultures of Mongolia. One will see various everyday objects from the people of the past and gain an idea of how they lived. See belt buckles, knives, everyday utensils, sacred animals, and more.

A second exhibition on the period of the Great Khans of the 13th and 14th centuries displays ancient tools, goldsmith subjects, and some Christain objects brought to Mongolia like Nestorian crosses and rosaries.

Visitors can walk to the head of the horse through its chest and neck. From here one can have panoramic views of the surrounding steppe.