Far-right AfD could win outright majority in Saxony-Anhalt election

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered a halt to Russian bombardment of Kyiv through at least Monday, coinciding with a planned visit by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to the Ukrainian capital. The temporary ceasefire on strikes against Kyiv is seen as a diplomatic gesture tied directly to the presence of the American officials. Witkoff and Kushner are part of the Trump administration's ongoing diplomatic efforts to broker a peace deal or ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. The reported order signals a potential window of reduced hostilities, though it is limited in scope and duration. It remains unclear whether the pause extends to other regions of Ukraine beyond Kyiv. The visit underscores the active role the Trump administration is playing in attempting to negotiate an end to the conflict. The situation is being closely watched as an indicator of whether broader diplomatic progress is possible.

Willemstad, Curaçao — Two new commanding officers have been officially installed to lead the military units of Aruba and Curaçao following formal change-of-command ceremonies held on both islands. Major Glenn Werleman has been appointed as the new Commander of ARUMIL, the Aruban military unit, while Major Ryan Cabenda has taken command of CURMIL, the Curaçaoan military unit. The installations were marked by official ceremonies, signaling a structured and formal transition of military leadership across both Dutch Caribbean territories. The change of command is a standard military procedure ensuring continuity and accountability within the chain of command. The appointments reflect the ongoing operational structure of the Dutch Caribbean military presence in the region.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense has banned the travel app Polarsteps from all military-issued phones after it was found that soldiers could be tracked through the application. A ministry spokesperson confirmed the decision on Saturday following an investigation by Dutch financial journalism outlet Follow the Money. Polarsteps is a popular Dutch app that allows users to log and share their travel routes in real time, raising serious operational security concerns when used by active military personnel. The ban applies to service phones across the Dutch Defense organization, which includes military personnel stationed in the Caribbean, including Curaçao. The revelation highlights growing concerns about the use of consumer apps on government devices and the potential intelligence risks they pose. Defense officials have not detailed how long the vulnerability went undetected or how many soldiers were affected.