Independence Day in Chisinau: Moldova marks 35 years since independence with a packed official program, including flower-laying at the Eternity Memorial and Stephen the Great monument, a military parade on Great National Assembly Square, and evening addresses by President Maia Sandu alongside Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Airspace & drones: Moldova reported another unauthorized overflight after a UAV entered from Palanca and exited toward Ukraine; Chisinau also imposed a citywide drone ban for Aug. 27, with traffic restrictions around Independence Day events. NATO ties: Sandu met NATO’s Political Committee to discuss deepening cooperation on resilience, cybersecurity, anti-drone defense, and responding to Russian drone and missile violations. EU enlargement politics: EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said the EU will prepare for an October discussion but did not include Georgia among advancing candidates, drawing sharp reaction from Georgian opposition figures. Gagauzia elections: New rules on postal voting and Gagauzia election organization entered into force, and the CEC set the election calendar for Nov. 15, 2026. Education: Teachers’ salaries will rise 11–25% from Jan. 1, 2027, with 1,000 lei monthly net payments as a bridge until then.