Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade is under pressure from local officials to clarify his ties to Derrick Bernard, who was indicted for staging a hate crime during Mobolade’s mayoral campaign.

Bernard, who is black, scrawled a racial slur on a campaign sign and set a cross on fire in an incident described as a hoax to boost Mobolade’s candidacy.

The indictment revealed Bernard communicated with Mobolade about the hoax, including a message on the day of the incident promising his victory.

Despite initially denying contact with Bernard in two FBI interviews, Mobolade later stated he could not recall specifics.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to prosecute him, citing political and racial considerations.

In a statement to the Colorado Springs Gazette, Mobolade rejected the allegations without directly disputing the details. “My family and I are victims of a hate crime… I had no knowledge, warning, or involvement in this reprehensible act,” he said, adding that politically motivated websites spread misinformation.

City Councilman Dave Donelson and County Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez Jr. have called for transparency. Donelson asked, “Did he lie to the FBI in those two interviews?” Mobolade’s office dismissed the claims as “unfounded,” emphasizing respect for the ongoing investigation.

Former prosecutor George Brauchler criticized Mobolade in a Gazette op-ed, saying, “Lying to the FBI is a serious, go-to-prison crime.” He questioned Mobolade’s refusal to provide a clear denial, suggesting it raises further suspicion. Brauchler argued that the DOJ’s handling of the case undermines public trust.

The controversy deepened when reports revealed Bernard messaged Mobolade on election night to take credit for the win and later sought favors in return.

Calls for the mayor to address these allegations continue to mount, as local leaders and residents demand accountability.

Namibia has elected Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its first female president following a disputed election.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, would become the first woman to rule the southern African country governed by the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) since independence in 1990.

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) announced that she won with over 57 percent of ballots cast.

Panduleni Itula, candidate for the main opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), polled second with 25.5 percent of the votes.

The presidential election was extended twice because of logistical and technical challenges which led to a shortage of ballot papers and long queues.

Some voters gave up on the first day of voting after waiting for up to 12 hours.

The IPC said the extension of voting was a deliberate attempt to frustrate voters, adding that it would not accept the results of the poll.

Itula said there was a “multitude of irregularities”, adding that “the IPC shall not recognise the outcome of that election”.

He added that the IPC would “fight to nullify the elections through the processes that are established within our electoral process”.

An organisation of southern African human rights lawyers serving as election monitors said the delays at polling units were intentional and widespread.

The electoral authority admitted to failures in the conduct of the election, including a shortage of ballot papers and the overheating of electronic tablets used to register voters.

Belgium has passed a landmark law granting sex workers the same rights to maternity pay, pensions, and employment protections as other workers.

On Sunday, the country’s lawmakers signed into law that ensures sex workers are treated as employees, entitling them to benefits such as maternity leave, pension contributions, and legal safeguards against exploitation.

The decision is a result of months of protests in 2022, prompted by the lack of state support for sex workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The historic change aims to offer sex workers greater legal recognition and workplace protections, marking a first for any country worldwide.

The law also extends significant protections to sex workers, guaranteeing the right to refuse sexual partners, specific acts, or to stop an act at any time.

In addition, employers of sex workers must meet rigorous standards, including having a business address in Belgium, maintaining a good character, and ensuring premises are equipped with panic buttons, clean linen, showers, and condoms.

The Belgian Union of Sex Workers said the law is “a huge step forward, ending legal discrimination against sex workers”.

Sophie, a sex worker in Belgium, told the BBC that the new law is an “opportunity for us to exist as people”.

Erin Kilbride, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the law should be emulated by every country in the world.

“This is radical, and it’s the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far. We need every country to be moving in that direction.”