Ceuta Migration Shock: Portugal refused to back an Italy-led EU letter criticizing Spain over the Ceuta crisis, as Spain tries to return to normal after an estimated 50,000–60,000 people crossed from Morocco; officials say many have returned, but deaths keep rising and the trigger remains disputed. Ceuta Claims vs. Reality: Spain and migration experts clash over what sparked the surge—Spanish officials point to human trafficking misinformation tied to a narrow Supreme Court ruling on deportations, while critics warn the legal interpretation was exaggerated. U.S.-Morocco Western Sahara Pivot: On Throne Day, Trump reaffirmed U.S. recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and backed Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only path forward, with Rabat framing it as a new era for cooperation. Laayoune Infrastructure Push: Work on the Sakia El Hamra Bridge in Laayoune has passed the halfway mark, part of the Tiznit–Dakhla Expressway, aimed at easing traffic and boosting connectivity in Morocco’s southern provinces. Green Tech Funding: The U.S. Trade and Development Agency approved early support for an ORNX green ammonia project in Morocco’s southern provinces, signaling deeper energy and innovation ties. Regional Water Science: Libya and Algeria agreed a roadmap to strengthen cooperation on irrigation and water resources, including joint technical teams and research capacity-building.