WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- While the Western press has largely fixated on the intense international struggle over the Caspian's hydrocarbon riches, farther east in Mongolia another rivalry is brewing between Russia and competitors for another valuable energy source -- uranium. Moscow has established a commanding lead to develop the country's energy reserves, and its dominance seems likely only to grow with time.

BEIJING, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao greeted foreign leaders in separate meetings on the eve of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games.

WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- Mongolia's June 29 parliamentary election erupted into violent demonstrations two days later in the capital Ulaan Baatar, with five dead, 300 inured and 700 arrested. The opposition claimed that the election was rigged. The economy was a major campaign issue, particularly the issue of developing the country's vast mineral and energy reserves.

WASHINGTON, March 7 (UPI) -- While Russia's Gazprom dominates Central Asian natural gas exports through its pipeline monopoly, the leaders of the "stans" are unhappy about the arrangement, as Gazprom buys cheap and sells dear to European consumers.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The United States has strengthened ties with Mongolia by awarding it a $285 million aid package, The Washington Times reported Tuesday.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush and Mongolian leader Nambaryn Enkhbayar traded praise during a White House signing ceremony Monday.

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia, July 11 (UPI) -- A statue of Mongolian leader Genghis Khan has been erected in Ulan Bator as part of festivities celebrating the anniversary of the nation's unification.

ULAANBAATOR, Mongolia, May 8 (UPI) -- The presidents of South Korea and Mongolia agreed Monday in Ulaanbaatar to jointly develop Mongolia's natural resources including copper, oil and coal.

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Hundreds of Mongolians lined the streets of their capital, Ulaanbaatar, Monday to welcome President Bush, the first U.S. president to visit their country. The president arrived in Mongolia on the final, four-hour stop of his weeklong Asian tour to thank t