Desalination & Water Security (Laayoune): Morocco’s ONEE is studying a major expansion of Laayoune’s seawater desalination plant, adding a third reverse-osmosis unit to raise capacity by about 50% (from 600 to ~900 liters per second), with new pipelines, pumping, storage, power work and remote monitoring. Higher-Education Cooperation (Western Sahara): The University of Tifariti signed a cooperation agreement with Madrid public universities, with the Autonomous University of Madrid marking 20 years of solidarity projects in Sahrawi camps across humanitarian, education, health and cultural support. Biodiversity & the Berm (Research): A University of Porto project is examining the Western Sahara Berm’s political and ecological risks, including the long barrier and the minefield running alongside it. Environment & Resource Exploitation (Sahrawi research): A Sahrawi Observatory report launch highlighted how climate vulnerability in Western Sahara is worsened by military infrastructure and ongoing natural-resource exploitation, warning against “green economy” plans that repeat extraction patterns. Governance & Elections (Morocco): Morocco’s PAM won the parliamentary vote with 97 seats; turnout fell to 38%, while the Islamist PJD surged back to lead the opposition—coalition talks begin amid low participation concerns. Regional Tech/Defense (Aerospace): Israeli defense firms are set to showcase drones, air-defense and satellite-related tech at Morocco’s Marrakech Airshow, signaling deeper defense-industrial ties.