Economist Veaceslav Ionita claims that in terms of population, Moldova is at the same level as 57 years ago -- in 1962, when it had 3.1 million citizens. In 1992, Moldova had 4.4 million inhabitants.

America Days have started. Moldovans were able to find out more about American culture, cuisine, sports, but also about the films and projects supported by the USA in Moldova, at America Days, which took place today, September 6, in “Steven the Great and the Holy” Public Garden. The event is organized by the Embassy of the United States of America in the Republic of Moldova, and it will continue in five other cities of the country until September 15.

The National House of Social Insurance informs the beneficiaries who have not yet collected the one-off 600 lei support payment that they can request the funds from post offices, by the end of the year. According to CNAS data, the payments have not yet been collected by 1596 pension beneficiaries and 562 state social allowance beneficiaries.

President Igor Dodon mentioned in Brussels that, in the context of the dispute between Russia and Ukraine, the gas supply in the Republic of Moldova was one of the most important concerns of the Government. Igor Dodon had several meetings during his visit to Brussels: with David McAllister, the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, with Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General at NATO, with Federica Mogherini, High representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, with David-Maria Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, with Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, with Sabine Laruelle, the President of the Belgian Senate.

The Republic of Moldova intends to request an emergency loan for the purchase and storage of nearly 400 million cubic meters of gas in January and February 2020. The Minister of Economy and Infrastructure, Vadim Brînzan, discussed this issue with the Deputy Director-General for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Katarina Mathernová, while accompanying the President of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Dodon, on a visit to Brussels. The parties spoke about the construction of a back-to-back station in Vulcănești, the construction of a 400 kV transmission line between Vulcănești and Chișinău, as well as the extension of the Chișinău-Vulcănești electrical substations.

Prime Minister Maia Sandu says that there is a risk that from January 1, 2020, the Republic of Moldova will remain without Russian gas if Ukraine bans its transit on its territory. "We have solutions as regards the country’s natural gas supply. One of them is to store natural gas in Ukraine, to buy it earlier, at a lower price because it will get higher in winter. We also discuss identifying financial resources because substantial financial resources will be needed to accomplish this,” said Maia Sandu. According to her, there are other options as well, but they depend on whether the other countries, which have to complete certain projects, succeed by the end of the year.

The Chairman of Dignity and Truth Platform Party (PPDA) and the current Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrei Năstase, says that ACUM bloc will stand united in the local elections in Chisinau and is determined to win again the mayor's seat, as it happened in the local elections of 2018. "If the socialists win the capital too, the Republic of Moldova is doomed to failure. That is why everyone must understand that the October 20 elections are vital for the capital and for the Republic of Moldova,” says the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The purpose of the investigation concerning Air Moldova privatization is the return of the assets into state ownership, says Socialist MP Petru Burduja. "Further, the state will decide to either improve the economic activity of this enterprise under state jurisdiction or to privatize if that provides the best outcome. However, this information should be made public so that all investors who can afford to bid on such an asset are informed", said Petru Burduja.

14 people were arrested following 145 searches carried out in a 2-day major anti-drug operation in 26 districts of Moldova. A Capital Police press release states that the operation was carried out on September 5 and 6 and resulted in the seizure of over 7 kg of marijuana, 50 gram of heroin, 10 gram of dry methadone and other drugs.

Rosian Vasiloi, the head of the Border Police, said that, in the two months, since he took over the IGPF leadership, he has detected several irregularities in the Border Police activity at this crossing point. According to Rosian Vasiloi, the Airport Border Police only undertook activities related to the control of the state border crossing point, while it also had to check aircraft and other means of transportation. On July 19, Rosian Vasiloi ordered the re-introduction of border police patrols that ensure the control of the means of transportation, including aircraft. At the same time, it has been agreed with the Customs Service, the Information and Security Service and the economic operator managing the airport that the legislation on state border, civil aeronautics and airport security should be fully implemented and observed, without  third party interference, as it has previously occurred.

The administration of Orizont Theoretical High School mentions, in a message posted on its Facebook page, that "on the morning of September 6, 2018, an unprecedented act took place in the Republic of Moldova - the abduction of people". Five of the seven teachers had an asylum seeker status, therefore, according to the Geneva Convention, they had to be granted the protection of the state, maintains the high school administration. "The Republic of Moldova did not pass this exam, we could not prove that we are a rule of law", was stated in the message. The Orizont team states that "in the morning the asylum seekers were arbitrarily removed from their homes, or held on their way to work and taken directly to the airport, without identity papers, without border control, without explanation, without access to justice and sent to Turkey on a plane without route data, rented and paid out of public money”.

One of the former deputy directors of the Information and Security Service was detained today, September 6, for 72 hours. He was indicted for exceeding service duties with serious consequences in the case of the expulsion, on September 6, 2018, of seven Turkish citizens, teachers at the Orizont High School network in Moldova. The Prosecutor General's Office informs that in the framework of the same criminal case, the director of the Bureau of Migration and Asylum was charged for exceeding service duties with serious consequences, being forbidden to leave the country. Prosecutors have asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to suspend the director from office.

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