AGP Executive Report

Belgian Health Research: A Ghent University-led study links overusing reliever inhalers in asthma and COPD to higher cardiovascular disease risk and rising death risk, based on real-world data from 280,000+ patients. EU Digital Regulation: The European Commission says it will keep engaging Meta over Facebook and Instagram violations tied to addictive design features, while Meta also faces a major US settlement for child-safety harms. Climate & Agriculture: The EU’s Joint Research Centre warns heat and drought are stressing summer crops and fodder across western and central Europe, with impacts reported in Benelux and beyond. Advanced Robotics Benchmark: A new index ranks countries on “physical AI readiness” for advanced robots; China, Japan and the US lead, with energy, compute, semiconductors and supply chains key factors. Belgian Tech/Business: CMB.TECH reports Q2 and H1 2026 results, including a stable contract backlog and fleet deliveries, plus a milestone agreement for ammonia-powered Newcastlemax vessels. Space & Security: A Belgian-linked case resurfaces in reporting about a NASA intern stealing Moon rocks—samples were later traced via a Belgian collector contacting the FBI. Science Policy & Ethics: Ghent University-related fallout continues around Jason Arday’s death and the plagiarism dispute, with an inquest classifying his death as “unnatural.” Mobility/EVs: New EU car registrations show battery-electric share at 20.7% in H1 2026, with hybrids still dominant.

Belgium Tech & Research: Ghent University defended its suspension of American researcher Nathan Cofnas in the Jason Arday plagiarism row, with the rector saying academic freedom is supported but the case file can’t be fully discussed. Cybersecurity: Researchers say an Iranian-linked group dubbed Tortoiseshell has expanded its malware with a Windows backdoor and reverse SSH tunnelling, and found infrastructure tied to Belgium plus other European targets. Space in Belgium: At the von Karman Institute in Belgium, teams tested a heat shield for ESA’s Draco mission, designed to survive the brutal re-entry while recording the conditions. Health Tech: A Belgian-linked cultivated meat story points to an “integration phase” as Ever After Foods moves from invention toward scaling by combining capabilities, including via a Belgian cultivated seafood acquisition. Climate & Society: Brussels is moving toward a longer-term plan to tackle drug-related gun violence, adding coordination roles and new measures. Agritech: Belgian marine contractor Jan De Nul entered carbon capture and storage with a North Sea pipeline protection rock-installation contract. Food & Farming: Belgian manufacturer Dewulf unveiled a three-row ZB3 carrot harvester aimed at uneven sowing schedules.

Long COVID & autoimmunity: A new Acta Neuropathologica study suggests some long COVID patients’ circulating antibodies can trigger sensory, pain-like effects in mice, pointing to an autoimmune component for hypersensitivity symptoms—while not reproducing cognitive problems. Heat death toll in Europe: Multiple reports converge on at least ~35,000 excess deaths from back-to-back 2026 heatwaves, with Germany, France and Spain already accounting for over 25,000 as figures remain incomplete. Belgian agriculture hit: Drought and heat are shrinking Belgian Bintje potato harvests, leaving fries-sized tubers and raising fears for yields. Cybersecurity in Belgium-linked targets: Attackers are exploiting a miniOrange SAML SSO flaw in WordPress, with scanning activity reported including Belgium—raising pressure for fast patching. AI ads arrive in Europe: OpenAI says ChatGPT ads have started rolling out in France and 30 European countries, including Belgium, with ads separated from responses. Mobile roaming upgrade: Kyivstar launches a travel eSIM “Travel SIM” for mobile data in roaming, available in Belgium among 38 countries. Local tech & culture: Bruges ranks among Europe’s most beautiful summer cities in an eye-tracking study.

Heat Crisis: Provisional EuroMOMO figures point to at least 32,000 excess deaths from Europe’s back-to-back heatwaves (mid-June to mid-August), with Belgium among the hardest-hit countries in the partial data. Climate & Farming Pressure: The EU Commission warns prolonged heat and low rainfall are stressing crops and fodder across western and central Europe, including reduced maize yields in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Academic Freedom in Belgium: Hundreds of academics urge Ghent University to protect Nathan Cofnas after he accused late Cambridge professor Jason Arday of plagiarism; Ghent says it’s investigating after Cofnas’s suspension. Belgian Biotech Scale-Up: Brussels fermentation startup MAASH secured €12.15m to move mycoprotein production toward industrial scale. Maritime Autonomy (Belgium): GEOxyz (Belgium) is integrating dotOcean’s autonomous control software to expand USV and defence-focused maritime capabilities. Green Industry Deal: Avaada Group signed an MoU with Haryana (India) for a ₹10,000 crore Zero-CBAM green industrial campus, with plans for round-the-clock renewable power and thousands of jobs. Medical Tech (Belgium): UCLouvain researchers report the “Seven-Up score” can reduce overtreatment of early liver rejection after transplant.

AI & Biodefense: Belgian Defense Laboratories and partners trained AI models on mass spectrometry fingerprints to spot microbes—perfect in one dataset, but performance dropped sharply on outside data, a reminder that lab-ready AI can struggle in the real world. Medical Tech: Erasmus MC researchers describe rapid genetic screening for a newborn mitochondrial mutation that makes gentamicin risky for hearing—aiming to guide treatment in under an hour. Health & Pharma (Belgium): Lakefront Biotherapeutics got U.S. FDA orphan drug designation for gamgertamig in pemphigus, building on earlier designations for other autoimmune diseases. Mobility & Industry: Volvo Cars named a new CTO and chief manufacturing officer, with Magnus Nilsson moving from its Ghent plant leadership into the executive team. AI in Travel (Belgium): Eurostar launched its app inside ChatGPT for route planning across the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands, though ticketing still redirects to eurostar.com. Cybersecurity: A reported Iranian-linked attack shut down a small UK power plant for four days, while Belgium’s eID ecosystem is also flagged for a vulnerability in surrounding authentication software. Climate Impact: New estimates put Europe’s heatwave excess deaths at at least 35,000, with Germany, France and Spain already accounting for most of the toll. Materials & Circularity: University of Surrey unveiled a polymer that breaks down into a gas when heated and reforms when cooled, enabling reversible waterproof coatings.

Belgian Industry & Jobs: Volvo Cars will strengthen its leadership from Sept. 1 by naming Alexander Petrofski as CTO and Magnus Nilsson as chief manufacturing officer, with Anders Bell moving to a strategic startup role. Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak linked by European investigations to chicken meat is being discussed as a possible source, with Belgium among affected countries. Space Weather Research (KU Leuven): New work traces how ten solar eruptions merged on the way to Earth, driving the May 2024 geomagnetic storm and auroras. Medical Innovation (EU approval): The European Commission authorized sacituzumab govitecan plus pembrolizumab for frontline PD-L1+ triple-negative breast cancer. EV Market Watch (Belgium included): Fresh data shows EVs are now about one in four new cars in key European markets, with Belgium among the top registrant countries. Cybersecurity: Operation QUICSILVER targets Myanmar government and IT using “graduation ceremony” lures to deliver a Go backdoor. Circular Materials (Belgium): ReHubs and Purfi push textile-to-textile recycling, with Purfi reporting a sold-out pilot line in Waregem. Aviation Manufacturing (Belgium): Materialise produced a certified titanium 3D-printed latch for Lufthansa Technik, replacing a failure-prone polymer part on Airbus roller shutter assemblies. Crypto Regulation: Germany extended its MiCA lead as ESMA added six more licensed crypto service providers, bringing Germany to 79.

Climate & Safety: Europe’s wildfires are exposing buried WWI/WWII bombs and mines, with heat and drought helping old ordnance detonate—Belgium is among the places where bomb-disposal teams have been sent to assess threats. Public Health: Heatwaves and drought have already driven tens of thousands of excess deaths across Europe this summer, with Belgium counted among the hardest-hit countries in early tallies. Belgium–US Academic Row: The US ambassador to Belgium says Washington may cut support for Ghent University after it suspended Nathan Cofnas in the Jason Arday plagiarism scandal, escalating a diplomatic fight over academic freedom and alleged “scapegoating.” Cross-Border Tech/Policy: Belgium’s justice data shows Dutch drivers pay Belgian traffic fines more reliably than most other nationalities, helped by the EU’s automated license-data system. Energy Transition (Ireland, lesson for BE): A debate in Ireland warns that temporary petrol excise tax cuts blunt the push toward EVs—suggesting revenue should be redirected to energy-poverty relief instead.

Wildfires & UXO Risk: Europe’s 2026 heat and drought are unearthing rusty World War I/II bombs and mines; in Belgium’s High Fens (Elsenborn/Bütgenbach) peat fires have driven underground burning and sporadic blasts, forcing bomb-disposal teams to respond as climate change “unburies” old ordnance. Heat’s Human Toll: Provisional monitoring links the summer’s extreme weather to tens of thousands of excess deaths across Europe, with Belgium among the hardest-hit in early figures. Belgium-US Academic Row: The Nathan Cofnas suspension tied to the Jason Arday plagiarism scandal escalates: the US ambassador to Belgium says Ghent University is retaliating against a whistleblower and threatens to review support. Cross-border Traffic Fines: Belgium’s justice data shows Dutch drivers pay Belgian traffic fines more reliably than other EU nationalities, helped by EU systems that speed up ticket delivery. Security in Brussels: Masked gunmen fired at a police station in Anderlecht, damaging the building but causing no injuries; investigators are working with ballistics analysis.

Narrow Water Bridge Project: A multi-million-euro bridge linking Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is back on track, with construction started in May 2024 and a late-2027 completion target—an example of how long-running cross-border infrastructure plans can finally move from politics to delivery. Heat & Health: Europe’s extreme summer is linked to over 30,000 excess deaths, with provisional figures from EuroMomo and national tallies pointing to a deadly mix of heatwaves, drought and wildfire smoke. Wildfires & WWI/WWII UXO: Fires in Belgium’s High Fens and across Europe are exposing and sometimes detonating buried WWI/WWII bombs and mines, forcing emergency services to adapt to a new kind of hazard under climate pressure. Academic Freedom Row: US Ambassador Bill White condemned Ghent University’s suspension of Nathan Cofnas in the Jason Arday plagiarism fallout, saying Washington may review ties with the university. Brussels Security: Masked gunmen fired on a Brussels police station in Anderlecht, damaging the building but causing no injuries; a ballistics expert and lab are investigating. Cycling (Belgium): Jasper Philipsen won Renewi Tour stage 4 in a tyre-width sprint, reclaiming the yellow jersey.

Belgium Security: Two masked gunmen opened fire on a Brussels police station in Anderlecht, damaging the facade with at least 12 bullet holes; no injuries were reported and a ballistics expert is assisting the investigation. Academic Freedom Clash: US Ambassador Bill White says the Trump administration is “reviewing” ties with Ghent University after it suspended Nathan Cofnas over his role in the Jason Arday plagiarism row, escalating a debate about academic freedom and disciplinary limits. Wildfire Safety in Belgium: Europe’s heat and drought are exposing buried WWI/WWII bombs and mines; in Belgium and elsewhere, fires have triggered detonations, forcing bomb-disposal teams to respond. Defense & Drones: The US approved a $364M sale of air-to-air APKWS II guidance for Italy’s counter-drone needs, while Japan scrambled jets after China flew a Y-9 with a TB-001 drone near Okinawa. Climate Pressure on Food: Heatwaves and drought are hitting European agriculture hard, with reports of crop losses and earlier harvests. Belgian Research & Tech: University of Idaho named a nematology chair (not Belgium-based) as part of broader science hiring momentum.

Heat & Health: Europe has logged over 30,000 excess summer deaths in provisional figures, with EuroMomo pointing to the deadliest weeks in late June and early July as heatwaves and drought fuel wildfires. Belgium-US Academic Row: The US ambassador to Belgium says Washington is reviewing ties with Ghent University after it suspended American scholar Nathan Cofnas over his role in the Jason Arday plagiarism controversy. Semiconductors in Belgium’s orbit: Fujifilm says it has completed a new post-CMP cleaner plant in Oita, boosting capacity for advanced chip manufacturing as AI demand grows. AI & Health Tech: Eyedentity secured €1.3m to use AI to detect deadly eye cancer earlier. Climate & Shipping: Studies suggest ice-strengthened ships could extend the Port of Churchill shipping season from months to seven months by 2100, though approaches remain tricky. Belgian Science/Fieldwork: Swiss glacier melt has revealed the bodies of two Belgian climbers missing since 1992, confirmed by DNA.

Academic Integrity in Focus: Ghent University suspended Nathan Cofnas, the postdoctoral researcher who accused late Cambridge professor Jason Arday of plagiarism, saying it’s a precaution while it assesses whether there are grounds for disciplinary action after Cofnas’ public statements. Sports & Tech Crossover: Belgium’s Magics Technologies will open a U.S. headquarters at Osceola County’s NeoCity in Florida, aiming to grow its radiation-hardened microchip business with up to 12 jobs. Digital Safety: A scan of 1,186 EU websites found many trackers contact third parties before any user interaction, with Belgium among the higher-rate countries. Health Tech: MedPharm became an Olink Certified Service Provider, expanding proteomic analysis services across multiple sample types. AI & Games Consumer Impact: A study warns free-to-play games can mirror gambling spending patterns, with most revenue concentrated among a small group of heavy spenders. Climate Reality Check: Two Belgian hikers missing since 1992 were found after a Swiss glacier melt exposed their bodies.

Academic Governance & Ethics: Ghent University has suspended Nathan Cofnas, the researcher who first accused late Cambridge professor Jason Arday of plagiarism, while it runs a preliminary disciplinary probe into claims of discrimination; the university says the suspension is precautionary and stresses academic freedom comes with responsibility. Climate Impact: Record-breaking European heatwaves pushed temperatures above 40°C for about 80 million people, with many areas unprepared for extreme heat and linked to droughts, wildfires, crop losses and over 25,000 excess deaths. Sports Science & Collaboration: The Global Alliance for Female Athletes (GAFA) expands from four to nine nations, adding Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Switzerland, with Belgium and Ireland as supporting partners to close women’s sport research gaps. AI for Sensing: Monell researchers use machine learning to build a validated way to compare complex odors, aiming to support “digital olfaction” and better mapping of scent mixtures. Security & NATO: A Canadian intern accused of spying at SHAPE in Mons is at the centre of allegations involving a third country and possible criminal-network support, highlighting hybrid-warfare risks. Belgium in the Spotlight: Brussels’ “play street” push for children is underperforming, with residents able to request car-free hours but uptake not matching the ambition.

AI & Advertising: OpenAI is rolling out ads inside ChatGPT across 31 European countries, including Belgium, starting next week—initially via its sales team, with a self-serve Ads Manager later; ads will show only to users on Free and Go plans. Climate & Wildfires: A new study warns Europe’s wildfire-affected area could nearly triple by 2100, with fire management investment helping only up to a point—underlining the scale of the heat-and-drought crisis hitting Belgium and neighbours. Glacier Science: Melting Swiss glaciers have revealed the bodies of two Belgian climbers missing since 1992, confirmed by DNA tests—another stark reminder of how fast ice loss is accelerating. Health Research: KU Leuven researchers report that cell-free DNA in maternal blood can flag pregnancy risk in immune diseases using routine prenatal screening data. Rail Tech: Eurostar has fitted its first e300 trainset with ETCS, extending interoperability and life for the cross-Channel fleet, with Belgian SNCB involved in the authorisation testing. Belgium Policy Debate: Economist Walter Van Dyck argues Belgium’s medicine price cuts may protect budgets today but risk future innovation, proposing reforms to clawbacks and funding for advanced therapies. Belgian Startup: Antwerp’s Artwod raised €1.1m to launch a creators’ marketplace and strengthen community around visual artists. Cyber/Tech Governance: Ghent University suspended Nathan Cofnas after Jason Arday’s death, as the plagiarism and discrimination controversy continues to spill into institutional action.

Belgium Food Safety: Belgium’s egg-linked Salmonella outbreak has reached 300 confirmed illnesses, with cases spanning from Feb 2025 to late July 2026, and investigators still working to pinpoint the exact supply chain. Climate Science: A new international study links a rare Antarctic ice-sheet mass-gain episode (2021–2023) to warming in the tropical warm pool that shifted atmospheric patterns and triggered heavy snowfall over East Antarctica. EU Industrial Policy: Member states remain split over Brussels’s “Buy European” procurement push, including “Made in EU” preferences and conditions for major foreign investments in batteries and net-zero tech. AI & Consumer Tech: A report warns that AI-assisted translations are flooding online book markets, often without clear disclosure, raising quality and bias concerns. Health Research (Belgium): Researchers at ULiège are exploring whether subtle sleep changes could signal Alzheimer’s risk years before memory symptoms appear. Cybersecurity: ThreatDown flags “Kriminal,” an AI platform marketed openly online and sold via crypto, as a growing tool in the criminal AI market. Belgium & Environment: Swiss authorities say melting glaciers have revealed the remains of two Belgian climbers missing since 1992, underscoring how climate change is exposing long-buried cases.

Belgium Wildfire Readiness: Belgium’s record High Fens blaze has reignited debate over whether the country has enough specialist crews and training for peatland, heath and woodland fires, with the operation relying on hundreds of responders plus European aerial help as smouldering peat keeps the threat alive. Food Safety & Public Health: Belgium is dealing with a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to contaminated eggs from poultry firm Laerco BV, with up to 300 infections reported and recalls spreading to nine other countries. EV Charging Efficiency: Blink Charging launched EnergyConnect, an AI system that dynamically allocates power across EV chargers to expand capacity without immediate grid upgrades, with plans to roll out in Belgium. Telecom Reshuffle: Nokia is shutting down virtually all remaining mainland China operations, completing a 42-year exit ahead of the 6G era. Local Tech & Connectivity: Proximus is partnering with Bango to streamline and expand subscription bundles, while Orange Belgium is rebranding broadband packages under the Livebox name and rolling out AI-powered cyber protection for SMEs. Space Science: Researchers reported a newly detected star (S301) orbiting the Milky Way’s central black hole Sagittarius A* closer and faster than any known star, using observations to map extreme orbital motion.