Prisoner-for-sanctions deal: US special envoy John Coale says Belarus will release 25 political prisoners in exchange for Washington lifting sanctions on two Belarusian companies, Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom, with more releases and further sanctions relief promised later. Diplomacy in the spotlight: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s team says she won’t speak at the UN General Assembly podium but will push for meetings in New York, including with US representatives. Military posture: Belarus is running command-and-staff drills near the Suwałki corridor and practicing counter-drone and sabotage response, plus engineering work including building a crossing over the Neman. Border and legal cases: A Polish court postponed the espionage trial of Uladzislau Nadziejka until December after he failed to appear, linked to a recent prisoner exchange. Environment crackdown: Police opened a criminal probe after five Red Book birds were shot dead near Rîșcani; three weapons were seized. Economy update: Belarus reports GDP growth of 1.9% in January–August, with activity affected by harvest timing. Media control: The Information Ministry again updated its extremist materials list, adding multiple social media accounts and a Telegram channel.