Trending on X, 2 PM: Garage tax, Nomrog fire, "Natur canyon", Nyambaatar, Ontre, Zelensky, Ryu Murakami, Finland

This roundup ranks the topics Mongolian users discussed most on X between 10:20 and 14:20 on October 24, by engagement. Eight topics checked against news sites made the list, so it was not padded to 10. Posts about a dispute over journalists' housing and unverified accusations against individuals could not be checked against reporting and were left out. Post metrics were taken at 14:31.

1. Petition to scrap the garage tax passes 86,500 signatures (new development)

The garage tax, featured in earlier roundups, was again the most engaged topic. Mpress.mn reported that more than 86,500 people have signed an online petition demanding the repeal of the property tax levied on apartment garages, nearly double the 45,000 reached earlier and up from about 27,500 a week ago. Users said the tax authority had stepped up text-message reminders to pay and urged others to keep signing.

2. Nomrog fire: debate over the responsibility of Mobicom and its parent company continues (new development)

Responsibility for the fire that broke out on October 8 in the Nomrog Strictly Protected Area in Khalkh Gol soum, Dornod province, was again in focus. Tug.mn reported that KDDI, the Japanese parent of Mobicom, acknowledged in a statement that Mobicom's Japanese executives were inside the protected area to test 4G coverage when the fire started, and said it took the environmental damage "extremely seriously". Mobicom said its staff had obtained permission from the border authority; some outlets reported that they may have entered for other purposes, which has not been officially established, and the relevant agencies are investigating. On October 23 the Embassy of Japan expressed regret and said it would work with Mobicom on ways to restore the area. Users shared Mobicom's October 23 statement and asked how the damage will be compensated and who will be held accountable. Mobicom CEO Yasuhiro Ochi earlier apologised and said the company would not evade responsibility.

3. "Natur canyon": criticism of Ulaanbaatar's urban planning

An aerial video of tightly packed high-rise apartment blocks around Natur in Ulaanbaatar was among the most shared posts of the window. Its author called the area "Natur canyon" and "a huge urban planning disaster", and other users raised concerns about lack of sunlight, poor ventilation and overly dense construction. These are users' views; no official response has been reported.

4. Interpol search request filed for Kh. Nyambaatar, who criticised the President in a livestream (new development)

Prosecutors approved a proposal to seek an international search for former Ulaanbaatar mayor Kh. Nyambaatar, and the request was sent through Interpol's National Central Bureau in Mongolia, iSee.mn and LiveTV.mn reported. He is being investigated as a possible accomplice and organiser in the "Tuul expressway" case; reports said he left the country days before the indictment decision and his whereabouts are unknown. In a livestream today Nyambaatar sharply criticised President U. Khurelsukh and, as quoted by UBN.mn, said he would return the day the President explains his assets and income. These are Nyambaatar's own claims and have not been substantiated.

5. Prime Minister N. Uchral meets residents, speaks on the savings fund and Ontre

According to the government, Prime Minister N. Uchral continued his "Ask the Prime Minister directly" meetings with residents of Sukhbaatar district and said pensions will rise from November 1 with the introduction of a "basic pension". The government said pensioners now receiving 769,000 togrog will receive more than 1 million togrog from next month. UBN.mn reported that he said citizens will be asked in 2027 how assets in the savings fund should be spent, and that he told MP O. Batnairamdal to "say yourself that there is no issue related to Ontre". The topic follows the government's decision to withdraw the Oyu Tolgoi dividend bill. Some users demanded an explanation from the government about a licence-transfer arrangement mentioned in Rio Tinto and Ontre reports; this is a question raised by users.

6. Zelensky: Russia produces 140 ballistic missiles a month

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia produces about 140 ballistic missiles a month and has about 700 in stock, APA reported. He said around 70% of each missile's components come from countries in Asia, the United States and Europe, so the supply can be stopped. Zelensky also said Ukraine had asked the US to activate Starlink in Russian areas from which ballistic missiles are launched.

7. Japanese novelist Ryu Murakami dies at 74

Japanese novelist and film-maker Ryu Murakami died at home on October 17 at the age of 74, his publisher Gentosha announced on October 23, The Guardian and The Straits Times reported. His 1976 debut "Almost Transparent Blue" won the Akutagawa prize, Japan's most prestigious literary award, and he went on to write more than 40 works, including "Coin Locker Babies", "In the Miso Soup" and "Audition".

8. Ten documents signed during the President's state visit to Finland (new development)

According to the Office of the President and iSee.mn, 10 documents covering education, sport, science, culture, regional development, trade, construction and energy were signed on October 23 during President U. Khurelsukh's state visit to Finland. Under them, the University of Eastern Finland will admit up to five Mongolian students a year to bachelor's and master's programmes, and the "KiVa" anti-bullying programme will be introduced in Mongolian schools. The President also laid wreaths at the Heroes' Cross and Marshal C.G.E. Mannerheim's tomb at Hietaniemi cemetery in Helsinki.

Methodology: We ranked posts from about 200 major news and influential accounts found through X search, plus more than 50 keyword searches, by an engagement score (likes + 2× reposts + views/100), and checked the facts against news sites. Posts that could not be verified or that carried a risk of defamation were left out. Views expressed by individuals on X do not represent the position of egov.mn.