Biodiversity & Pest Control: Istanbul’s Polonezköy pheasant breeding station is releasing Caucasian pheasants across Türkiye to help curb ticks and brown marmorated stink bugs, while supporting wildlife recovery; hunting is banned in release areas for three years to give the birds a chance to establish. Climate & Heat Risk: A new guide flags Turkey’s 2026 summer heat outlook, with hotter-than-usual conditions expected across the Mediterranean, Aegean, Central Anatolia and Istanbul, and rising wildfire risk along coasts—urging travelers to check MGM warnings. Transport & Regional Development: Türkiye plans to connect 27 provinces by high-speed rail by 2028, aiming for travel across the country within 48 hours by 2053, framing rail as a driver for exports, jobs and sustainable development. Energy & Grid Efficiency: Pakistan’s power reforms—cutting distribution inefficiencies by 45%—were pitched to Turkish investors alongside plans to modernize and digitize metering to reduce losses and theft. Governance & Rights: Ahead of the Ankara NATO summit, Turkish police detained dozens in raids across multiple provinces, including journalists and academics, renewing concerns about pressure on civil society. Education Crackdown: An Official Gazette decree ordered the closure of Istanbul Bilgi University, sparking criticism over the grounds used despite recent accreditation checks.