Sierra Leone

US to sanction visas for citizens of four countries

The new policies, laid out in US State Department cables sent on Tuesday, are the latest example of President Donald Trump's effort to crack down on immigrants who are in the country illegally.

In each case, there are exceptions for those who apply for visas from outside their countries, as well as exceptions on humanitarian grounds or for travel "deemed in the interest of the United States".

The new rules, which go into effect on Wednesday, do not affect visas that have already been granted.

Sierra Leone enters Miss Universe competition for the first time

Blood diamonds, civil war and then an Ebola crisis have all held the West African nation of 6.1 million people back in recent decades, but Sierra Leone is now experiencing economic growth and ready to show the world it's open for business.

Kamara, who was crowned Miss West Africa in 2013, was born in Kono, famous for its diamond supply, and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital.

CNN caught up with Kamara as she prepared for the contest which took place today in Manila, Philippines.

UN Ebola response now planned to continue into 2016

The news comes as health officials struggle to contain a resurgence of cases in both Sierra Leone and Guinea largely because of problems tracing patients.

The World Health Organization and its humanitarian partners indicated Wednesday that Phase Three of their Ebola response would continue into 2016. Those activities include stopping transmission of Ebola, indicating more cases are anticipated.

New Ebola death reported in northern Sierra Leone

The announcement marked another setback in ending Ebola transmission in Sierra Leone, which has totaled nearly 4,000 Ebola deaths during the worst outbreak ever recorded.

In August, Sierra Leone's last known Ebola patient was released from a hospital after recovering, a milestone that allowed the West African nation to begin a 42-day countdown toward being declared free of Ebola transmission.

Sierra Leone officials confirm 3 new cases of Ebola

Alfred Palo Conteh said Tuesday that three new cases were confirmed Monday. He said now four people are in treatment after another case was confirmed Sept. 5.

Palo Conteh said the new cases were in contact with the woman who died in the northern Kambia district on Aug. 28. Samples from her body came back positive less than a week after the country's last known patient was discharged from the hospital.

Samoa PM says athletes safety from Ebola a priority

The Commonwealth Games Federation rejected a proposal by Ghana to issue sanctions against Samoa, for denying Sierra Leone entry, at this weeks General Assembly in Auckland.

Tuila'epa says it's the responsibility of his government to put safety first for the up to 2,000 athletes participating in the fifth Commonwealth Youth games.

He says he supports the decision because his country was the worst affected by the Spanish flu, which had killed 25 percent of Samoa's population back in 1918.