Electricity Reliability: LEC says Lesotho’s short alternating power cuts are temporary and tied to Eskom maintenance on transmission lines, with outages expected to last no more than an hour per affected area while work runs from July 4 to Friday. Energy Expansion: Lesotho broke ground on Phase II of the China-backed Ha-Ramarothole Solar Power Project in Mafeteng, adding 50MW to reach 80MW total and cutting costly electricity imports; the government also reiterated a push for universal household access by 2030. Jobs & Skills: Lesotho faces an urgent job crunch as returning nationals strain the labour market, while the LNDC targets 50,000 new jobs by 2031 through manufacturing and agro-processing; in parallel, LIA and Botho University signed an MoU to make accounting graduates more job-ready. Apparel Trade Certainty: AGOA’s short extension leaves Lesotho’s apparel exporters with less than six months of certainty, limiting longer-term factory upgrades. Migration Pressure: A Basotho migrant rights group alleges South Africans are turning away Basotho at border posts without clear reasons, and South Africa’s deportation figures show Lesotho among repatriated nationals. Local Enterprise: Bicycle delivery is creating youth livelihoods in Lesotho despite poor roads and reckless motorists. Regional Industry Context: South Africa’s anti-migrant protests and crackdowns raise fears of labour shortages in sectors that rely on foreign workers. Public Health: Lesotho launched a national multi-sectoral mechanism to coordinate action on non-communicable diseases and injuries. Agriculture Training: Earthworm farming training in Berea is promoting organic fertiliser production to reduce chemical inputs. Consumer/Transport Recall: Ford recalls 2026 Transit and related models in the region over a transmission fault, with repairs to be done at no cost.