Education & Youth: University of Makeni has opened online admissions for the 2026/2027 academic year, with forms priced at NLe850 (undergraduate), NLe1,500 (Master’s) and NLe2,500 (PhD), and support available at the Fatima Campus. Health & Skills: The Ministry of Health has started construction of a US$3.5m COMAHS faculty building in Kossoh Town, set to host up to 1,500 students per session and complete by March 2026. Child Protection: MoGCA and UNICEF have completed regional validation of Sierra Leone’s Draft Child Safeguarding Policy to better protect children in homes, schools, communities and online spaces. Energy & Women Entrepreneurs: Geres launched its four-year Energy for Business (E4B) project to expand clean power for rural small businesses and cooperatives, targeting women and youth entrepreneurs. Identity & Migration: Sierra Leone is set to begin a nationwide biometric verification exercise for foreign nationals on June 1, as part of stricter compliance on residence and work permits. Public Safety: NPRA reaffirmed a moratorium on new fuel filling and gas station construction, warning that any illegal operations will face sanctions. Culture & Media: The Witness Newspaper’s MD Enyeh Julius Akpovire will be honoured in London at the Voice Achievers Awards on August 21, 2026. Community Wellbeing: A CHRDI poll says 66% of Sierra Leoneans are struggling daily with either rising cost of living or unreliable electricity and water.