AGP Executive Report

Crohn’s Care Upgrade: A new meta-analysis finds intestinal ultrasound can detect postoperative Crohn’s recurrence with strong sensitivity (87.6%) and decent specificity (80.2%), using ileocolonoscopy as the reference—good news for less invasive follow-up. Cinema Tech in Belgium: CJ 4DPLEX and Pathé Cinémas expand SCREENX across Europe with four new auditoriums, including two in Belgium opening by end-2026. Energy Shock to Industry: INEOS is idling all three acetyls plants at Hull due to European natural gas costs, with supply links that include storage in Belgium. Digital Diplomacy: Digital@UNGA at the UN General Assembly pushes an inclusive, trusted digital future, with Belgium’s Queen Mathilde among the featured voices. Belgian Business Software: Wolters Kluwer launches its CCH tax-and-accounting brand in Belgium, consolidating multiple solutions under one portfolio. AI Anxiety Poll: A POLITICO poll reports widespread calls to pause AI development across the US, Canada and Europe, cutting across party lines. Belgium at the UN: Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot urges consistent application of international law and protection of civilians across conflicts. Smart Travel Design: Airwheel’s SE3SX rideable cabin suitcase wins a European Product Design Award, blending electric mobility and luggage tech. Belgium Research Funding: Belgium plans about €11.5M yearly for hypersonic and aerospace research.

Belgium in the spotlight: A Belgian startup, ANY Mobility, is pitching its modular electric LUV1 motorcycle/scooter/cargo concept with swappable 6.5 kWh battery units and a ~€8,500 starting price, aiming to make e-mobility more configurable for everyday use. Health & data quality: A University of Geneva/Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp study warns that about 35% of mpox PCR positives in parts of the DRC may reflect contamination rather than real infections, raising stakes for surveillance and diagnosis. Cybersecurity: WatchGuard’s Global Threat Report says attackers are shifting from high-volume scanning to more targeted, AI-assisted malware and victim-specific attacks, even as overall attack volume drops. AI in education: Napster is partnering with GEMS Education to test AI “digital teacher” twins for classroom simulations and after-hours student Q&A. EU policy: EU governments remain deadlocked on renewing Russia sanctions, with Latvia blocking a deal that would delist two businessmen while extending the broader regime. Belgian business abroad: Hub.brussels is sending a Belgian tourism delegation to Morocco (Nov 9–13) for B2B meetings with hotel groups and tourism agencies.

Belgian Telecom Leadership: Orange Belgium reshuffles its Executive Committee: Jeroen Degadt becomes Chief Enterprise Officer from Oct 1, succeeding Werner De Laet after 28+ years. Belgian Research & Health: A University of Liège brain-scan study suggests your attention resources peak in summer and shift across seasons, meaning winter training may need a smarter approach. Cybersecurity & Privacy: Google faces a €400M+ EU fine over location tracking and user movement data practices, while Kaspersky warns of new malware hidden in torrent downloads. Security Operations: Belgium-led Operation ATLAS NEXUS helped dismantle dozens of transnational criminal networks, with 490+ arrests and 156.9 tonnes seized. Tech & Industry: BASF is evaluating a new MDI production complex in India, expanding its polyurethane supply chain. Climate Risk: Research highlights that children in Europe may face nearly double the “fire weather” exposure of earlier generations. Nuclear & Energy: EU approved €678M for Ignalina reactor core dismantling (2028–2034).

Belgium Defense R&D Boost: Belgium will fund the Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics with €10M a year to expand hypersonics and aerospace research, with added work in aeroacoustics, cryogenics and liquid-metal flows. Climate & Health: A VUB study warns children in Europe could face nearly twice the lifetime exposure to extreme “fire weather” versus people born in 1950, with the biggest jump around the Mediterranean. Belgian Biotech Funding: Novadip Biosciences raised €10.4M to back a pivotal clinical trial and unlock an EIB loan tranche. Gene Editing for Crops: Vylor (Corteva spin-off) is partnering with Belgian startup Rainbow Crops to use AI and multiplex gene editing to develop climate-resilient corn. Hydrogen in Antwerp: Power to Hydrogen started commercial green hydrogen production at Port of Antwerp-Bruges using a 500 kW anion exchange membrane electrolyser. EU Health Data Standard: A new international standard aims to unify health data across Europe, supporting more consistent research and care. Cycling Safety: Belgian junior rider Seff Van Kerckhove is out of the Montreal World Championships after a training crash hit by a driver. Startup & VC: NewSchool VC closed its first €10M fund to back early-stage B2B tech startups. Clean Aviation Demo Push: Clean Aviation approved €290M for 19 projects moving hybrid-electric and hydrogen propulsion, airframe optimization and noise reduction toward ground and flight demonstrations.

Belgium-Linked Research & Health: Ghent University researcher Chris Callewaert explains bromhidrosis (chronic body odour) and why extra hygiene often doesn’t fix it, pointing to skin bacteria and apocrine glands. AI & Work: Zoom CEO Eric Yuan predicts many firms will shift to three-day workweeks as AI agents handle routine tasks. Semiconductors & Industry: TSMC plans an advanced CoWoS packaging validation line in Kaohsiung, inviting suppliers to co-develop and validate products on-site. Belgium in Global Policy: India and the EU discussed inter-parliamentary cooperation and priorities under their Strategic Partnership in Brussels, including trade and technology. Belgium in Sports Tech Spotlight: Remco Evenepoel makes history by winning four straight elite men’s time trials at the UCI Road World Championships in Montréal. Energy & Water Tech: HydroVolta and Belgium’s electricity minister discuss desalination cooperation, including SonixED tech to cut salt buildup and recover chemicals. Cybersecurity: DeepZero highlights open-source automated hunting for vulnerable Windows drivers. Transport Disruption: Eurostar cancels multiple London–Paris services and warns of further delays affecting routes including Belgium.

Belgium Tech & Research: Belgian archaeologists uncovered a medieval estate near Damme by digging through 814 molehills, finding 2,810 fragments including a 13th–14th century brick gate. EU–India Diplomacy: India and the EU met in Brussels to discuss inter-parliamentary engagement and how to implement priorities under their Strategic Partnership, spanning trade, technology and innovation. Automotive Leadership: Volvo Cars named Klaus Zellmer (ex-Škoda CEO) as its next president and CEO, aiming to revive sales amid tariffs, weaker EV demand and high development costs. Cyber & Security: A landmark US criminal trial opened against Huawei, with prosecutors alleging a decades-long scheme involving stolen technology, fraud and sanctions violations. Health Watch: West Nile virus is spreading further in Europe as warmer seasons extend mosquito transmission; Italy reports 650+ infections this year. Belgian Industry in Focus: Corteva and Belgium’s Globachem agreed a 50/50 joint venture to develop and commercialize crop protection products for Europe and the Americas. Water Tech: Belgian firm HydroVolta discussed desalination cooperation with Egypt, pitching its SonixED tech to cut salt buildup and recover chemicals from waste. Local Life & Heritage: Brussels Heritage Days runs its final day with 270+ activities across all 19 municipalities, including the Sewer Museum and Coudenberg Palace.

Malaria at Frankfurt Airport: Germany reported a third death tied to an “airport malaria” cluster after an infected mosquito was transported via Frankfurt Airport, prompting traps and investigations. West Nile Virus Watch: Italy says warmer seasons are extending mosquito activity; Belgium researchers are studying Italy’s response as European cases rise. Belgian Consumer Protection: Brussels will require paid phone directory services (like 1307/1207) to announce the highest possible call price before charging, with an audible stop option. Crop Protection Deal: Corteva and Belgium’s Globachem will form a 50/50 joint venture to develop and sell new crop protection products across Europe and the Americas. EU Digital Travel Delays: Nine Schengen countries, including Belgium, can pause full rollout of the entry/exit system (EES) until tech for facial and fingerprint checks is ready. AI Cybersecurity: Google says Gemini accessed real companies during a May test due to unintended internet access, though it stopped and no harm was found. Belgium in Semiconductors: SEMICON India 2026 highlights growing global interest, with European participation including Belgium. Belgian Health Research: A study explores how cervical cancer survivors perceive sexual health and care, pointing to gaps in patient-centered communication.

Belgium Consumer Protection: Brussels tightens paid directory call rules: services like 1307/1207 and 1313/1212 must announce the highest possible per-minute price up front and only start charging after an audible signal, after ministers warned costs can jump from €0.30 to €3 per minute. Belgian Health Research: Sciensano researchers study Italy’s West Nile virus surveillance and response after Belgium recorded its first locally acquired human infections, aiming to improve Belgium’s preparedness planning. EU Border Tech: Nine EU countries, including Belgium, can pause full rollout of the entry/exit system (EES) until tech for facial and fingerprint checks is ready, amid ongoing airport queue complaints. Water Tech in the Middle East: Belgian firm Hydrovolta discusses a planned 10-million-cubic-metre/day desalination project in Egypt, highlighting its SonixED electrodialysis-plus-ultrasound approach to reduce scaling and chemical use. AI Cybersecurity: Google says Gemini accessed real companies’ systems during a May cybersecurity test due to unintended internet access, but it stopped and found no harm. Semiconductors: Belgium is among European participants at SEMICON India 2026, where 25 deals were announced across the chip value chain. Transport Disruption: Eurostar cancels five trains and reports delays affecting routes through Brussels, Paris and Germany.

EU-Canada Deal Shock: In the EU’s State of the Union, Ursula von der Leyen floated a “first associate member” path for Canada, but member states and lawmakers are still scrambling over what it means and how much approval it would need. Belgium Human Rights Watch: Belgium received 300 recommendations in its latest UN Universal Periodic Review, with focus on prisons, discrimination, asylum reception, policing and freedom of religion. Predictive Maintenance Upgrade: Belgian firm I-care bought French Amiral Technologies’ DiagFit to spot equipment anomalies without needing lots of past failure data—aimed at sectors like defense and nuclear. Semiconductor Momentum: SEMICON India 2026’s Day 2 brought 25 new partnerships across chips, materials, logistics, advanced packaging, power electronics and skills, with European firms including Belgium in the mix. MiCA Banking Push: EU banks doubled their MiCA register presence to about 80 institutions, boosting their share of listed crypto-asset service providers to nearly 23%. Space Safety Signals: EU space tracking participation is growing, with Belgium among new members, as officials discuss how EU standards may fill gaps left by US traffic-coordination uncertainty. Belgian Science Spotlight: University of Antwerp researchers helped identify Bolivia’s Leopardus tilcayo, the first newly named living cat species in over 100 years.

Belgium & EU Tech Policy: The EU is pushing the EU KIDS Act to force tech platforms to take more responsibility for children’s online safety, with age-based limits and stronger requirements aimed at addictive design. EU-Canada Strategic Tech: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposes Canada become the EU’s first associate member, with talks spanning AI, climate, defense, raw materials and digital trade. Belgian Energy Tech: GIGA Storage has started work on “Green Turtle” in Dilsen-Stokkem: a 700 MW / 2,800 MWh grid-scale battery project using Tesla Megapack 3, targeting commissioning in 2028. Belgian Research & Health: AAHRPP accredits a second Mexican human-research organization, INCMNSZ, highlighting growing global standards for clinical studies. Belgian Science Link: A University of Antwerp co-led study formally names a new Bolivian cloud-forest wild cat, Leopardus tilcayo, the first new living cat species described in over a century. AI & Biotech: Anthropic sets up a wet lab in the San Francisco Bay Area to connect AI-assisted biology with real lab experiments.

EU Kids Act: The European Commission has proposed a continent-wide ban on social media for children under 13, with stricter rules for ages 13–15, plus safety-by-design duties and age checks for platforms. Air Quality & Mental Health: A new review links short- and long-term exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10 with higher suicide risk, including suicidal thoughts and attempts. Biodiversity Breakthrough: Scientists have formally named a new Bolivian wild cat, Leopardus tilcayo, the first new feline species described in over a century. Belgium in Space Science: The Belgium-based International Meteor Organization says a cyberattack hit its website, disrupting meteor reporting while it works to restore services. Health in the Region: Frankfurt is dealing with a rare malaria cluster tied to airport-linked mosquito exposure, with a third death reported. Climate Pressure on Food: Extreme heat and drought are expected to cut potato harvests across Belgium and nearby countries, with losses running into hundreds of millions of euros. Tech & Research Mobility: UT Austin Portugal is bringing nine PhD students from Portuguese universities to Austin for longer research stays, boosting cross-border science links.

Drought Watch (Belgium & neighbours): An AFP analysis using the EU Drought Observatory says nine European countries—including Belgium—recorded their driest August on record, with climate change making severe dry spells about three times more likely. Aviation Safety (Brussels): Brussels Airport briefly suspended landings and departures after an unauthorised drone was spotted near active flight paths, triggering a formal investigation. Public Health (Frankfurt, linked to airport): Reuters reports a third malaria death near Frankfurt Airport, with officials describing an extremely rare outbreak tied to air travel; mosquitoes were trapped and sent to a lab in Antwerp. Space & Earth Observation (Belgium): Simera Sense and IDOM will develop and produce the optical system for Simera Sense’s next-generation MultiScape350 very high-resolution Earth observation imager. Biodiversity (Belgium-linked research): Scientists named a new wild cat species in Bolivia, Leopardus tilcayo, with lead author work tied to the University of Antwerp. AI & Media Literacy (Belgium): GlobalFact 2027 will be held in Antwerp, bringing international fact-checkers together to tackle AI-driven misinformation and cross-border scams. Vertical Farming (Hasselt): BK Conveyor Culture (BKCC) made its European debut in Hasselt, showcasing a moving-tray approach aimed at simplifying indoor farm operations. EU Policy (online safety): The EU’s push for stricter social media rules for children continues, with proposals for supervised access and age limits.

EU AI Push: The European Commission backed a first EU-wide AI IPCEI designed by 19 Member States, including Belgium, aiming to build decentralised, commonly accessible AI services across the full AI stack. EU Kids Act: In her State of the EU address, Ursula von der Leyen proposed a social media ban for under-13s, “mini accounts” for 13–14 with strict limits, and safer services from 15—plus penalties for non-compliance. AI Security & Democracy: Centre-right MEPs want a stronger “Democracy Shield” with real operational power to counter foreign interference and disinformation. Space & Connectivity: Belgian startup Aerospacelab is set to build 264 of 330 planned IRIS2 low-Earth satellites, challenging the usual Airbus expectation. Cyber in Space Science: The Belgium-based International Meteor Organization says a cyberattack hit its site, with partial downtime expected while it restores services. Belgium in the Spotlight: Hankook Tire named official tire supplier for the Belgian Rally Championship (2027–2029). Health Tech: A Belgian-linked EU heatwave response plan is proposed after deadly summer conditions, including a future firefighting aircraft fleet.

EU Defense: EU ambassadors backed five major defence projects worth up to €281bn, with Ukraine in four of them and a drone/counter-drone plan among the priorities. AI Policy: The Commission welcomed the first AI IPCEI pre-notified by 19 Member States (including Belgium) to build decentralised, commonly accessible AI services across the full stack. Kids Online Safety: Von der Leyen outlined an EU Kids Act banning social media under 13 and allowing only supervised, limited accounts until 15, with “safe by design” duties for platforms. Belgium Tech & Culture: Jette’s Withuis restoration reopens for guided visits, while Ghent-hosted conservation work in Ghent highlights a hidden portrait discovered under a Dubrovnik painting. Robotics & Industry: A humanoid robot production ramp is expected to drive cobot shipments sharply higher, boosting demand for ready-made cobot arms. Belgian Business/AI: InSpace opened a San Francisco office to accelerate its AI growth, building on expansion already including Belgium. Health & Research: Pakistan researchers presented cancer work in Brussels, including AI-driven precision pharmacology and H. pylori risk research. Security Tech: Customs experts at the WCO canine forum say trained detection dogs still can’t be replaced by AI.

Belgium in the spotlight: Students in Gaza say they’re devastated after Belgium’s coalition deadlocked on an evacuation plan for 13 scholarship holders, including a doctor with a master’s place at Antwerp’s Institute of Tropical Medicine. Space & telecom: ESA has picked neXat to lead CableShield, a €1.5m project with Telesat and Colt Technology Services Belgium to automate backup connectivity when submarine fiber links fail. Health & biotech: Bausch Health is expanding its probiotic skincare partnership with Belgian firm YUN into Mexico plus six new markets across Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Climate science: Satellites suggest the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption’s cloud helped destroy some of the volcano’s own methane, using formaldehyde as a chemical “fingerprint.” Security & borders: Italy and Spain extended reciprocal Schengen border checks for 15 days, deepening the passport-free travel dispute. Tech & industry: Ziggo Group has set its management team as it starts operations ahead of a planned Euronext Amsterdam IPO in mid-2027.

Belgium in the spotlight: Brussels opened the Democracy Forward Inspiration Festival, with panels and a public consultation on citizen engagement, trust in information and the impact of AI on independent media. Digital identity & privacy: China expanded exit-entry rules, letting officials demand electronic data for identity checks and adding licensing for intermediaries. Cybersecurity: Researchers disclosed a mass-scanning campaign targeting Vite development servers to steal cloud credentials and sensitive files via a high-severity flaw. Space & connectivity: ESA picked Belgian firm Nexat to lead CableShield, automating satellite backup for submarine fibre networks after cable breaks. Health & research: A new study suggests B-cell depleting MS therapies may cut relapses and brain lesion volume versus oral options, with better adherence. Belgian telecoms: Operators blocked 103M suspicious calls in H1 2026, alongside millions of fraudulent SMS and emails. Tech in music: Antares launched AutoTune Go as a free FL Cloud plug-in for FL Studio. Climate science: After the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption, satellites show the volcanic cloud may have accelerated methane destruction.