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Mongolia’s prime minister resigns following tensions within the ruling party

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — Mongolia ’s Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav resigned Friday after rising tensions within the ruling Mongolian People’s Party and a parliamentary boycott by the opposition.

The parliament accepted Zandanshatar’s resignation.

The opposition Democratic Party earlier this month launched a boycott of parliamentary activity, citing concerns over the concentration of power within the ruling party. There have been months of corruption allegations against Justice Minister Enkhbayar Battumur, a close ally of Zandanshatar, who has not been accused.

In a statement on social media, Zandanshatar, who had been prime minister since June, said the political infighting would end up harming the economy and lead to rising prices.

Upon parliamentary approval, he is set to be replaced by party chairman Nyam-Osoryn Uchral, who is currently serving as parliament speaker.

The turmoil is likely to heighten concerns among foreign investors, who have been wary of Mongolia’s political volatility and the short tenure of successive governments.

The country, heavily dependent on mining exports to neighboring China, has struggled with shifting regulations and corruption concerns.

Beijing bans 4 New Zealand lawmakers from entering China because they visited Taiwan

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Beijing banned four New Zealand lawmakers from traveling to China for a year and demanded they apologize because they visited Taiwan on a parliamentary trip, according to a message from the Chinese embassy conveyed via parliamentary officials and shown to The Associated Press on Thursday. China has hit lawmakers from other countries with sanctions related to contact with Taiwan before, but it's the first time for New Zealand parliamentarians, the government in Wellington said. Beijing has been increasing pressure in recent years on the democratically governed island that it claims as its own territory. Two lawmakers reached by the AP on Thursday rejected the demand for an apology, while the other two could not be immediately reached. New Zealand's government said it would express concern about the travel bans to Beijing. The elected officials visited Taipei in May, as New Zealand parliamentarians have done “for decades,” a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.
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