Corruption & Land Use: Turkish authorities detained 15 suspects, including Menderes Mayor Ilkay Cicek, in an investigation into alleged bribery, abuse of office and zoning-related offenses tied to building occupancy permits and zoning changes in exchange for illicit benefits. Plastic Pollution: A study shared with The Guardian found microplastics up to 10 times higher downstream of an Adana recycling zone handling British plastic waste, with canals feeding irrigation networks and the Seyhan River—raising concerns for farmers and the Mediterranean. Wildfire Recovery: Muğla’s forests devastated in Türkiye’s 2021 wildfire disaster are largely back, after years of reforestation and maintenance that helped restore burned hillsides into growing woodlands. Zero Waste Policy Push: Zero Waste Foundation unveiled a plastic waste report in Istanbul and launched a campaign to cut plastic consumption, alongside workshops to shape Türkiye’s Plastic Action Plan. Biodiversity Rescue Funding: DiCaprio’s Re:wild and Bezos Earth Fund announced a $200M Phoenix Species Project to revive 100 of the world’s most threatened species, including several endangered animals. Local Governance & Safety: A Bishkek project will add underground pedestrian crossings starting Aug. 5, with temporary vehicle movement restrictions to improve safety.