Regional Growth Watch: Morocco’s economy grew 4.4% in 2024, with Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra leading at 7.6% on non-market services and maritime fisheries, and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab hitting 7% driven by fishing and construction—while activity remains concentrated in a few regions, with Casablanca-Settat still accounting for 32.3% of GDP. Academic & Human Capital: Ibn Zohr University signed new medical-focused partnership agreements in Laayoune with the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of La Laguna, expanding Morocco-Spain cooperation into applied research, clinical ethics, and student mobility. Energy & Infrastructure: Morocco’s Atlantic push is framed as a new integration and logistics corridor, linking the Dakhla Atlantic port conceptually to wider regional projects like the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline. Renewables Megaprojects: The Tarfaya Wind Farm highlights the scale of Morocco’s desert-to-grid energy buildout, alongside other major renewables such as Ouarzazate Solar. Western Sahara Film Backlash: NGOs and solidarity groups renewed condemnation over filming for Nolan’s “The Odyssey” in occupied Dakhla, calling it a normalization and tourism “whitewash” of the territory’s UN-listed status. Diplomatic Support: Chile backed Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara and endorsed UN Security Council Resolution 2797, positioning Morocco as a gateway between Africa and Latin America.