Stolen €9M Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse art found in Italy

Italian police have recovered three stolen French masterpieces valued at over €9 million (approx. 177 million MDL) following a raid on a suspect's home near Parma. The paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, and Henri Matisse were stolen in March from a private museum in northern Italy.

Moldova moves to ban politically affiliated heads at Gagauz GRT

Candidates applying for the directorship of Gagauzia’s public broadcaster, GRT, must have no recent political affiliation under proposed amendments to Moldova's Media Audiovisual Services Code.

Russia weaponizes anti-terror laws to jail online speech

Russian courts convicted at least 1,234 people under anti-terrorism legislation in the first half of 2026, marking a sharp escalation in judicial prosecutions compared to the same period last year.

Suspected missile strike ignites fire at Samara defense hub

Emergency alerts sounded across Russia’s Samara Region overnight on August 15 following a reported missile threat. Shortly after, eyewitnesses shared photos and videos showing explosions and thick plumes of smoke rising over an industrial zone.

Moldova border police report heavy exit traffic at Leuseni

Heavy outbound traffic involving both passengers and vehicles was reported on Saturday morning at the Leușeni–Albița border crossing on the border between Moldova and Romania.

Dniester water crisis deepens along Moldova border

Persistent drought and declining water inflow from Ukraine have pushed the Dniester River to critical lows, leaving large sections overgrown with vegetation and walkable on foot.

Moldova busts €358k tax evasion scheme in building sector

Moldovan authorities have uncovered a large-scale tax evasion scheme in the construction sector, estimating damages to the state budget at over €358,000 (approx. 7 million MDL) for 2024.

Moldelectrica reconnects key 330 kV grid line following storm

Moldova’s state power grid operator, Moldelectrica, has fully repaired and re-energized the 330 kV Bălți–Dnestrovsk overhead power line following severe storm damage on 6 August.

Soroca: "Petru Rareș" Lyceum undergoes extensive renovation; investment: 165 million lei

More than 1,000 students at the "Petru Rareș" Theoretical Lyceum in Soroca will enjoy modern study conditions thanks to a capital renovation project valued at approximately 165 million lei, funded by the World Bank. The procurement process for the first two blocks has already begun, and the school's administration anticipates that construction will commence by the end of this year.

Georgian citizen, wanted for contract killing, extradited from Moldova to Azerbaijan

A 45-year-old Georgian citizen wanted internationally for contract killing was extradited from the Republic of Moldova. Border guards conducted the operation based on a court order.

Moldovan students won three medals at the International AI Olympiad

The Republic of Moldova achieved significant success at the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) 2026, held in Kazakhstan, winning one silver and two bronze medals. Alin Popescu earned the silver medal, while Ion Pavelescu and Octavian Harcel, students from the "Orizont" Theoretical Lyceum, secured the bronze medals. This marks Moldova's first participation in this prestigious competition, which featured students from over 100 countries.

Chisinau and Kiev agree on Ukrainian goods transport, potentially earning CFM millions of euros

The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine agreed to allow the transportation of Ukrainian goods through the Moldovan Railway (CFM) on the railway section that passes through Moldova. As part of this agreement, Chisinau will offer a 50% discount on rail transit for Ukrainian goods. The Moldovan government estimates that this measure could generate several million euros in revenue for CFM.