AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity: ESET warns that the China-aligned Webworm group is using a new backdoor, GraphWorm, to hide command traffic inside normal Microsoft OneDrive activity—making attacks harder to spot in everyday Microsoft 365 use. Belgium & EU logistics: Port of Antwerp-Bruges is pushing autonomous trucks from ports to logistics corridors, teaming up with Rotterdam and North Sea Port to scale pilots. Energy transition: The EIF backs Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ Advanced Bioenergy Fund II with €200m to expand industrial biomethane plants across Europe, including Belgium. Belgian legal spotlight: Belgian prosecutors open an investigation into alleged “sniper safaris” in Bosnia, with claims that participants from multiple countries—including Belgium—paid large sums to shoot civilians. Sports tech & culture: England’s World Cup squad is revealed, while Belgium’s Giro moment comes from Alberto Bettiol’s stage 13 solo win; and poppy sales in the US Legion Auxiliary Unit 483 highlight how Belgium-linked WWI history still shapes today’s remembrance.

Ebola & the World Cup: The DRC Ebola outbreak is already reshaping 2026 World Cup planning, with health experts saying the risk to fans is “very low” but warning that screening and travel restrictions could still complicate logistics. EU Credibility Clash: Kaja Kallas is back in the spotlight after calling China a “cancer,” adding to a run of remarks that critics say are damaging Europe’s diplomatic standing. Belgian Tech Deal: LTIMindtree (LTM) is set to buy Randstad Tech Services’ business across Europe and Australia in a deal up to €160m, aiming to expand AI-led engineering, cybersecurity and IoT delivery. Cybersecurity Watch: Belgian researcher Aikido Security reports Google API keys can keep working for minutes after deletion—an uncomfortable gap attackers could exploit. Mobility & Power: Truecaller launches eSIM services in 29 countries, including Belgium, as it diversifies beyond ads. Aviation Setback: Solar Impulse 2 is destroyed after a power-loss crash in the Gulf of Mexico.

Diplomatic Fallout: A minute-long video of Israel’s Gaza flotilla captives triggered a rare wave of ambassador summons—France, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal—turning a single incident into a wider rupture with Western allies. Public Health Meets Sport: DR Congo’s World Cup preparations are shifting to Belgium after Ebola restrictions, with travel rules now reshaping who can attend and how. Belgium Business: CMB.TECH posted a ninefold jump in quarterly net profit, driven by a hot tanker market and asset sales. AI for Work: ECI Software Solutions launched AI Assist for field technicians inside its GlobalEdge app to speed troubleshooting and cut repeat visits. Food Safety Watch: Nestlé is pushing back on fresh European cereulide claims over its infant formula recall timeline. Cycling Governance: SRAM’s legal win over UCI in Belgium was upheld, with the company arguing the ruling is bigger than a 10-tooth cog. Belgium Tech & Energy: EIF backed Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ Advanced Bioenergy Fund II with EUR 200m to scale biomethane, including projects in Belgium.

AI Hardware Breakthrough: Floadia, NEC and Kyushu Tech report high-precision nonvolatile analog computing-in-memory tech that cuts drift and boosts edge-AI accuracy for ultra-low-power devices. Ebola Response: Stellenbosch scientists are joining efforts to contain a deadly Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda, with WHO calling it a global health emergency and warning vaccines may take months. Dark Matter Hunt: MIT and European teams say one gravitational-wave signal could carry a dark-matter imprint—still a screening lead, not a confirmed detection. Real Income Watch: OECD data shows Poland led Europe in real household income per capita growth in 2025 (4.1%), with Belgium also rising (1.4%). Belgium Security: Police say violent ex-soldiers from Iraq/Afghanistan are massing at small-boat launch sites on the Belgian coast, making enforcement “too dangerous.” EU Finance: Euronext Brussels CEO warns biotech scaling is still blocked by Europe’s lack of deep, integrated capital pools.

Industrial X-ray Access: IBA just launched Rhodotron® LITE, a low-power X-ray accelerator aimed at smaller irradiation centres and in-house medical device sterilisation—positioned as a cobalt-60 alternative for about 10,000–20,000 pallets a year. Digital Finance: The euro stablecoin project Qivalis added 25 new bank members, bringing its consortium to 37, with a euro-on-chain launch still targeted for H2 2026. Cyber & Safety: Belgium saw a record jump in child online sexual exploitation cases, with Child Focus blaming the rise of AI-generated “deepnudes.” Maritime Security: Belgium’s navy is deploying a drone from Lombardsijde for North Sea surveillance until mid-July, covering illegal fishing, pollution and migrant movements. Belgium Tech/Industry: Grant Thornton is acquiring MCA Connect to expand Microsoft-led digital transformation for manufacturers and distributors. Chips Watch: ASML’s CEO says AI demand will keep the semiconductor supply chain “tense” for the foreseeable future.

Maritime Security: The Belgian Navy is deploying a Schiebel drone from Lombardsijde for North Sea surveillance until mid-July, aiming to spot illegal fishing, pollution, and migrant activity faster and with more precise coverage for search-and-rescue. Semiconductors: ASML says first chips made with its next-gen High-NA EUV machines should arrive within months, as imec in Antwerp pushes Europe to keep up despite cost concerns. EU Border Tech: Brussels is defending the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) after confusion over biometric collection pauses—no broad exemptions, only short queue-based suspensions. AI Chips Policy: imec’s new CEO calls for home-grown AI chip design firms ahead of Chips Act 2.0, arguing Europe’s edge is design and equipment, not just manufacturing. Belgium in Defence: The US approved up to $236m in AGM-184 JSM sales to Belgium to boost F-35 capabilities. Energy Debate: A new “flexible” gas deal between TotalEnergies and EPH promises backup power, but critics warn it could lock Europe into more fossil fuel reliance. Markets: US stocks slid as tech dragged the Nasdaq, while European indexes were mixed.

Infant Formula Fallout: Nestlé and Danone face fresh scrutiny after French/Belgian/Swiss reports allege delays in notifying authorities and recalling potentially contaminated baby formula linked to cereulide from a Chinese supplier; Nestlé denies “inaccurate and misleading” claims and says it acted transparently. Cybersecurity Alert: Microsoft Exchange on-premises is under active attack via a flaw in Outlook Web Access that lets attackers run malicious scripts—no permanent patch yet, so admins are stuck with mitigations. Belgium Tech & Industry: imec’s CEO Patrick Vandenameele urges Europe to build home-grown AI chip design firms ahead of “Chips Act 2.0,” while ASML expects first High-NA machine products in months. Maritime Money: Belgian tanker CMB.Tech profits surge as Hormuz disruption lifts spot rates, plus it books a $29m gain from selling an older Suezmax. Health Tech: Elixir Medical reports 4-year DynamX results with lower event rates than drug-eluting stents. EU Sanctions: The 20th package targets a rubber loophole, but investigators say circumvention networks still move fast.

Digital Printing Shift: Flint Group Digital Xeikon’s new Ecolyne is pushing label production into a subscription “capacity-on-demand” model, aiming to lower the barrier to digital presses by charging a monthly fee tied to expected output. Cybersecurity Shock: Microsoft disclosed a zero-day in Exchange used in active attacks, but customers still don’t have a patch—raising pressure on Belgian and EU orgs to mitigate fast. EU Trade Tension: The bloc’s “diversified procurement” plan would force firms to split purchases across multiple suppliers to cut China reliance, but experts warn it could be discriminatory and unfair. Belgian Science in Space Weather: Belgium is contributing to ESA’s SMILE mission to map how solar wind disrupts tech on Earth and in space. Business Watch: CMB.TECH posted strong Q1 results and a bigger contract backlog, while Fluence signed supply deals with hyperscale data centers for battery storage. Health/Research: Telix says its IPAX-2 study for TLX101-Tx in glioblastoma has completed enrolment with no dose-limiting toxicities so far.

Markets Watch: U.S. stocks kicked off the new week mixed: the Dow hit another record high while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped as tech stocks weighed on sentiment. EV Reality Check: EV growth faces a cost squeeze as insurance premiums and repairs rise faster than incomes, and charging rollout still lags EU targets. Online Safety: A new study finds online abuse is now routine for many European teenage girls, with AI fake images and grooming increasingly reported. Belgium Tech & Chips: imec’s IC-Link joined TSMC’s 3DFabric Alliance to push advanced 3D chip packaging. Data Centers & Power: Fluence signed supply deals with two hyperscale data centers, betting on battery storage to handle power swings. Streaming in Belgium: Netflix is expanding its ad-supported tier to Belgium and 14 other countries, starting next year in Ireland. Border Tech: Europe’s biometric Entry/Exit System rolls out just as summer migration peaks, raising fresh friction at crossings. Security & Disinfo: Estonia’s Narva separatism claims are being challenged as a hybrid-warfare-style media hoax.

Streaming Ads Rollout: Netflix says it will start showing ads in Ireland next year, expanding its ad-supported tier to 15 new markets—explicitly including Belgium—while pricing stays ad-free for higher tiers. Belgium Industry Watch: A Belgian food packaging firm is investing in a Bobst die-cutter to boost quality and reduce production disruption. Autonomous Driving: WeRide notched a record fifth straight win at China’s urban intelligent driving competition, pushing its L2++ stack further toward wider deployment. Trade Tensions: The EU’s trade-and-investment moves against China are drawing a sharp pushback from Beijing, with China calling parts of the EU approach improper. Retail Footprint: Dutch chains are gaining ground in Belgian shopping streets, with more outlets despite an overall decline in store numbers. Public Health Alert: Belgium’s Institute of Tropical Medicine warns conditions are ripe for a major Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda. Other Notables: Kenya faces a growing illegal trade in giant harvester ant queens; and a French court case continues as Patrick Bruel denies rape and assault allegations.

EU–China Trade Clash: China’s Ministry of Justice says the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation cross-border probes are “improper extraterritorial” moves—its first big counter using countermeasures language, as Brussels keeps tightening tools aimed at Chinese firms. Middle East: Israel struck Lebanon again after talks extended a ceasefire by 45 days; Iran’s top line is that it “cannot trust the Americans,” while the IDF reports injuries from an explosive device. Eurovision Politics: Bulgaria’s Dara won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with “Bangaranga,” beating Israel in second as a five-country boycott and protests over Israel’s participation shaped the week. Belgium Tech/AI: Belgian AI firm Kantify is part of an EU-backed push using AI plus stem-cell models to speed up rare-disease drug discovery. Belgium Business: Tesla is now allowed to test supervised self-driving software in Belgium, adding momentum to the country’s push for real-world trials. Food Industry: An international dairy/ice-cream/milk-tea expo series is set for Hanoi with 250 booths, including Belgian participation.

Road Safety Breakthrough: Croatia says alcohol-related road deaths fell 66% from 2011 to 2021, with Belgium down 64%—a reminder that enforcement and social attitudes both drive results. Rare-Disease Drug Hunt: Belgian AI firm Kantify is helping an EU project (DREAMS) use AI plus stem-cell models to speed up treatments for rare neuromuscular disorders. Eurovision Shockwave: Bulgaria won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with “Bangaranga,” while Israel and Romania took second and third; the contest also sparked major boycotts and political backlash. Belgium Tech in Motion: Tesla is now permitted to test supervised self-driving in Belgium, and the country is moving toward public trials. Security & Hybrid Threats: A new focus on hybrid tactics highlights how hostile states use proxies and online recruits to destabilise Europe below the threshold of war. NATO Reinforcement: U.S. CH-47 Chinooks and British paratroopers trained in Finland, underscoring rapid reinforcement near Russia.

Suicide data shock: A new global snapshot puts South Korea at the top with 28.1 suicides per 100,000, followed by Lithuania and Russia, while experts warn many countries undercount due to stigma and reporting barriers. EU–Malaysia ties: Malaysia ratified the MEUPCA framework agreement signed in Brussels in 2022, expanding cooperation across trade, security, science, and green tech. NATO reinforcement near Russia: The U.S. CH-47 Chinook carried British paratroopers in Finland’s Saber Strike exercise, underscoring rapid allied air mobility in the High North. Belgium tech angle: Tesla’s supervised Full Self-Driving is now allowed for limited testing in Flanders after approvals in the Netherlands. Defense autonomy: Anduril UK was down-selected for the UK Army’s Project NYX to build autonomous “wingman” drones for the AH-64E Apache. Energy security: A report flags North Sea offshore wind as a hybrid-warfare target, with unclear responsibility when drones hover offshore. Eurovision politics: The 2026 contest in Vienna is still overshadowed by a boycott over Israel’s participation, while host broadcaster ORF faces its own governance crisis.

Belgium Tech & Mobility: Tesla has been allowed to run supervised Full Self-Driving trials on public roads in Flanders, with a 5,000-kilometre test to compare Belgian conditions against the Netherlands—an early step toward broader EU approvals. AI & Software: Nous Research’s Hermes Agent has overtaken OpenClaw on OpenRouter’s global daily rankings after a major Hermes update, signaling faster momentum for agents that improve through experience. Defense & Industry: Türkiye is pitching itself as a co-production “defense ecosystem” for partners, while Brussels is still pushing to fix Europe’s defense industry’s slow takeoff. Energy Security: A new focus is emerging on protecting offshore wind in the North Sea from hybrid threats—yet responsibility is still murky across states and operators. Public Sector Digital Sovereignty: France is phasing out US video tools in government and shifting toward European alternatives, alongside a broader move to Linux. Culture & Media: Austria’s public broadcaster ORF is in crisis ahead of Eurovision, with fresh warnings about political interference.

Self-Driving Rollout: Belgium has greenlit Tesla to run supervised Full Self-Driving public road trials in Flanders, starting a 5,000-kilometre test that could speed up broader EU approval. Sovereign Cloud Push: Red Hat is deepening its “sovereign” credentials via a Telenet Business deal to modernise Belgium’s private cloud using OpenShift and unified cluster management. Defense & Deterrence: NATO’s precision-strike posture gets a boost as the U.S. conducts its first GPS-guided GMLRS launch from the M270A2 in Poland, while BAE unveils MDACS—155mm rapid-fire artillery aimed at countering drone and cruise missile saturation. Health Breakthrough: A new Countdown grant backs research into how cells clear damaged mitochondria, targeting therapies for Parkinson’s and other chronic and rare diseases. Belgium in the Wider Tech Orbit: Economy Ball Mill’s international sales spotlight Belgium-linked industrial reach, while Icelandair cargo disruptions to Liège underline ongoing staffing strain.

Energy Security: Israel says it will supply jet fuel to Germany as the Hormuz crisis disrupts aviation fuel flows into Europe, with volumes and timing tied to how the conflict and shipping/refining hold up. Belgium Industry & Decarbonisation: LanzaTech is investing in Ghent for Europe’s first commercial alcohol-to-jet SAF plant, targeting 79,000 tonnes per year of sustainable aviation fuel plus 9,000 tonnes of renewable diesel, with an environmental impact assessment due soon. Tech Research (Belgium): imec unveiled a NAND-DRAM hybrid memory concept using a 3D charge-coupled device approach, aiming to ease the “memory wall” that slows AI systems. Local Culture: Bruges opened BRUSK, a new museum venue mixing medieval art with AI works, drawing about 73,000 visitors at launch. Business Moves: DOMO Chemicals is selling its Engineered Materials business to Lone Star, including multiple European sites and the TECHNYL® IP portfolio. Elsewhere: WeRide reported Q1 revenue up 58% as robotaxi orders and fleet activity accelerate.