Higher Education & Health: Moldova’s Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy will host a welcome ceremony for 1,383 first-year students on Sept 1, featuring the student oath and the symbolic “white coat” handover. Agriculture Modernization: New Agriculture Minister Eugeniu Osmochescu set EU accession and “smart agriculture” as top priorities, pushing irrigation and science-led farming to cope with drought, plus faster, more effective subsidy delivery and agri-food industry development. Moldova–Ukraine Security Ties: President Maia Sandu met Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Chisinau during Ukraine’s Independence Day week, with both sides stressing joint security, energy resilience, and infrastructure cooperation. EU Budget & Defense: European Council President António Costa urged bigger EU investment in defense, security, competitiveness, and innovation for the 2028–2034 budget, explicitly linking support for Ukraine and Moldova to Europe’s stability. Drone & Missile War Spillover: Russia launched a major strike on Kyiv and other Ukrainian targets using missiles and drones, with Ukraine reporting strong air-defense results and highlighting ongoing interceptor shortages. Innovation & IP: Moldova became the 40th member of the European Patent Convention, enabling Moldovan applicants to use the European patent protection system via AGEPI. Education Funding: Teachers’ salaries in Moldova rise 11–25% from Jan 1, 2027, with 1,000 lei monthly net one-off payments starting now until the increase takes effect. EU Enlargement Watch: Iceland’s referendum on restarting EU membership talks could become a new enlargement test for Brussels.