El Niño Alert: Meteorologists say El Niño has formed and could reach historic strength, likely turbocharging extreme heat and storms worldwide. Gaza Ceasefire Strain: Israeli strikes killed three in Gaza as mediators (including Egypt, Qatar and Turkey) pushed talks to reinforce a fragile truce. Energy Security: Turkish FM Hakan Fidan says expanding gas transmission to Bulgaria is strategically vital for Eastern Europe and points to a “Green Energy Transmission and Trade” project with regional partners. COP31 Push: Turkey is set to host COP31 and is backing an electrification-focused agenda, with global targets tied to scaling clean power. Wildlife & Land Use: Türkiye’s cherry export outlook gets a boost from strong harvest expectations, while Istanbul expands wildfire prevention measures with roadside cleanup. Climate Risk for Turkey: EU monitors report May 2026 as the second-warmest May on record, underscoring rising heat pressure across the region. Regional Water Tensions: Pakistan warns India that blocking Indus waters would be an “act of war,” citing the Indus Waters Treaty. Transport & Rail: Türkiye and Saudi Arabia sign railway and transport MoUs, including plans to revive the historic Hejaz Railway.