Belarus Education & Skills: Lukashenka is pushing the creation of an “Academy of Intellectual Technologies,” while also warning it should stay applied and useful, not a second track for pure research; the plan includes engineering, natural sciences and digital tech, with students assigned to companies and a goal of spawning small businesses around big employers. Agribusiness Procurement Rules: Belkaapsayuz tightened purchases of agricultural produce from the public, requiring sellers to show an ID and proof they own a household plot for lots over one tonne—aimed at blocking small-scale resellers. Training for Industry: NADF launched mechanisation training for 4,000 tractor operators and mechanics (10 days, with John Deere involvement), building a certified workforce for farm modernization. Logistics & Transport: Belarusian Railways will adjust schedules on the Minsk–Orsha line in two repair phases (Aug 10–13 and Aug 17–20), with some services suspended or shortened. Cross-border Business Risk: Belarusian entrepreneurs are urging the Economy Ministry to respond to Wildberries warehouse strikes in Russia, saying up to 22,000 Belarusian entities’ goods are stored there and sellers lack direct control over safekeeping. Regional Energy Pressure: Europe’s drought is hitting hydropower and river transport; the Rhine is at record-low levels, threatening barge freight capacity that matters for Belarus-linked trade corridors. Defense Posture: Belarus is expanding the 37th Air Assault Brigade near Ukraine with added maneuver, artillery, air defense and support units, aiming for a more self-sufficient mobile reserve.