AGP Executive Report

Belgium Football: Kevin De Bruyne scored twice as Belgium beat Turkey 3-0 in the Nations League, with Romelu Lukaku adding the third; Belgium’s win came despite sloppy possession at times. Belgium-France Nations League: France were held 1-1 by Italy, setting up a tense international window where Belgium also face absences due to suspensions. EU Security & Defence: Germany and Ukraine are expanding long-range weapons cooperation, with Berlin backing Ukraine’s production of long-range strike capabilities and drones. EU Politics Watch: Latvia’s election delivered a pro-European boost for Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and the United List, a result Brussels will track closely given NATO and EU stakes. EU Counterterrorism: A new look at returning terrorist fighters in Europe puts numbers on the ongoing challenge for member states. Belgium-Linked International Mobility: Ghana has started talks with Luxembourg on a possible visa waiver that could also affect travel to Belgium and the Netherlands, though no deal is in place yet. Bosnia Elections: Bosnia and Herzegovina voted for a new presidency and lawmakers, using biometric checks and scanned ballots at thousands of polling sites.

Zidane’s France stumble: Zinedine Zidane’s perfect start as France coach ended with a 1-1 Nations League draw at the Stade de France as Michael Olise’s opener was cancelled out by Alessandro Bastoni, and France finished with 10 men after Dayot Upamecano’s second yellow. Belgium’s Nations League push: Belgium kept pressure on France with a 3-0 win over Türkiye, powered by Kevin De Bruyne’s 200th and 201st career goals, with Romelu Lukaku sealing the result; Belgium now trail France by one point ahead of the next clash at the Stade de France. EU security at sea: EU governments still lack enough warships for the Aspides Red Sea escort mission, with Italy saying it will add ships only if partners match the effort; Belgium is considering a frigate. Tech privacy row: Dutch eyewear chain Hans Anders has suspended sales of Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses in the Netherlands and Belgium amid privacy concerns and reports of people being secretly filmed. Belgian sport in the spotlight: Roos Vanotterdijk set a new Belgian record in the women’s 100m butterfly at the Baku World Cup, winning in 55.29.

Belgium Football: Kevin De Bruyne struck twice as Belgium beat Türkiye 3-0 in the Nations League, moving within one point of France at the top; Romelu Lukaku added the third as Mark van Bommel’s side looked sharper after a tough start. Match Fallout: Belgium will miss De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans for Monday’s clash with France after both picked up suspensions. France vs Italy: Zinedine Zidane’s home debut ended 1-1 as Olise’s free-kick opener was cancelled out by Bastoni; France finished with 10 men after Upamecano’s second yellow. Crime & Justice: Belgian police say suspects in the Overasselt security-guard killing were partly recruited via Signal and Snapchat, with messages allegedly discussing a deadly “job.” EU Politics: Brussels approved another €2.9bn in Ukraine support, tying payments to reform steps on rule of law and anti-corruption. Environment & Food: EU crop monitoring warns beet and potato yields are down across Europe due to drought, with France hit hardest. Border Rules: A report says UK travellers still face inconsistent Schengen entry procedures under the EES, including in Belgium.

Nations League Spotlight: Kevin De Bruyne lit up Liège with two goals as Belgium beat Turkey 3-0, with Romelu Lukaku adding the third, keeping the Red Devils in the mix just behind France. Zidane’s France Test: At the Stade de France, Michael Olise scored for France, but Italy’s Alessandro Bastoni equalised to earn a 1-1 draw and deny Zidane a perfect home start; France finished with 10 men after Dayot Upamecano’s late sending off. Smart Glasses Backlash: Dutch-Belgian eyewear chain Hans Anders suspended sales of Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses in both countries, citing privacy concerns and the ongoing public debate. Brussels Diplomacy: Moldova’s PM Vasile Tofan is set to visit Brussels for EU talks on accession, reforms, and foreign policy, including meetings with EU officials and Belgium’s PM Bart De Wever. Belgium in the Spotlight: King Philippe joined US Embassy staff in Brussels to honour World War II veterans at Henri-Chapelle.

Public Health: West Nile virus keeps spreading in Europe, with the Netherlands reporting its first case in six years and nine deaths linked to 56 infections so far. Climate & Food Security: A record-breaking heatwave and drought are hitting European agriculture hard, with losses estimated at $3.6bn after major grain shortfalls. Belgium Media Funding: Belgium’s Flemish public broadcaster VRT faces deep new cuts, sparking alarm over the impact on public service news and reach. EU Migration & Borders: EU home affairs ministers met in Luxembourg to push tougher border controls, expand Frontex and set up “return hubs,” as activists allege border surveillance data is used to intercept migrants in Libya. Aviation Disruption: Ryanair says more than 1,000 September cancellations were driven by UK air traffic control failures, Belgian ATC strikes and Mount Etna ash. Belgium-Linked Justice/Crime: The EU suspended nearly €18m in aid to Sierra Leone over its alleged sheltering of Dutch cocaine kingpin “Bolle Jos.” Belgium Sports: Belgium coach Van Bommel urged flexibility around Lukaku ahead of the Turkey match.

EU Infringement Watch: Brussels has launched a formal action against Spain for missing the January 2026 deadline to update its electricity blackout risk-preparedness plan, with France also facing similar steps and Belgium receiving an extra notice. Migration & Borders: EU home affairs ministers met in Luxembourg to strengthen border controls, expand Frontex and discuss “return hubs” and faster deportations, with Belgium’s interior minister backing a bigger Frontex role. Cybersecurity: Europol says “Operation KillSwitch” dismantled the KillSec ransomware group, seizing its leak site and securing at least 110 terabytes of stolen data; a 16-year-old is among those targeted. Public Safety & Health: The Netherlands confirmed the euthanasia of a 1-year-old with severe illness, the youngest case since child euthanasia was allowed. Belgium in Focus: Belgium coach Mark van Bommel told fans Romelu Lukaku isn’t guaranteed a start against Turkey, citing limited club minutes. Energy Costs: EU diesel hit a new record average of €2.24 a litre, with Belgium among the countries setting fresh highs. Sports & Culture: Zidane said he has “no regrets” about his 2006 headbutt as France prepare to face Italy again; Brussels also hosts the Artonov Festival celebrating Belgium–Japan arts.

EU-Ukraine Funding Tension: Brussels is telling Kyiv to deliver long-delayed reforms before it unlocks any new money, stressing the bloc’s priority is getting already-approved €90bn support loans flowing—only €15bn of the 2026 tranche has been disbursed so far. Belgium Immigration Powers Delayed: Belgium has pushed back a controversial vote on a bill that would let authorities enter homes to detain certain foreign nationals facing removal, with safeguards including judge authorisation still under debate. NATO Nuclear Warnings: NATO chief Mark Rutte said Russia’s nuclear threats over Kaliningrad aren’t taken seriously, as Russia warned it would use “all its arsenal” if the exclave were isolated. EU Emergency Comms for First Responders: The Commission backed draft rules for a cross-border critical communications system so police, firefighters and civil protection can talk seamlessly when networks fail at borders. Sierra Leone Aid Cut: The EU suspended €18m in aid to Sierra Leone after it refused to arrest and hand over Dutch cocaine kingpin Jos Leijdekkers. Belgian Flu Season Prep: Belgium expects 2.9m flu vaccine doses for 2026–27, with mid-October roll-out focused on older and higher-risk groups. Holguín PhD Boost with Belgian Links: KU Leuven, VUB and Hasselt University back a Cuba doctoral partnership via VLIR-UOS support.

Belgium Defence: Belgium has ordered the Norwegian-made NASAMS air defence system in a €918m deal, with interim capability from 2027, to protect strategic sites from drones, cruise missiles and aircraft. Ukraine Support: President Zelenskyy says Belgium will transfer three operational F-16 jets to Ukraine by 31 December 2026, as part of a wider 2026 allocation. EU Emergency Comms: The European Commission proposes a Critical Communication System so first responders can communicate securely across borders during major crises, with rollout planned from 2030. Security & Crime: Police raids across Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria and the Netherlands targeted an international money-laundering network linked to the Hells Angels, with dozens investigated and assets sought. Russia-NATO Tensions: Russia warns NATO it could use nuclear weapons if Kaliningrad is isolated; NATO says it has replied and condemns the rhetoric. Health Policy: EU Screening Week urges Europeans to “Know Your Numbers” for cardiovascular risk checks. Sports & Culture: Saint Laurent designer Anthony Vaccarello hints at change as FIFA president Gianni Infantino loses Switzerland’s support.

Belgium Defence & Security: Belgium has signed a NOK10 billion NASAMS ground-based air defence contract, with the Netherlands procuring on Belgium’s behalf, as part of a push to rebuild national air defence capacity; the Belgian Air Force will be the end user and the deal draws on a wider industrial network for sensors, command, launchers and missile stocks. EU Politics & Migration: The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is now affecting many UK travellers heading to Schengen, with biometric checks in participating countries including Belgium, bringing fresh pressure on airports after earlier queue problems. International Relations: Belgium’s defence minister Theo Francken warns of a “dark winter for Europe”, citing Russia’s growing use of hybrid tactics and jet-powered drones. Environment: A Copernicus analysis says ozone pollution linked to heat, fires and dust has pushed about 40% of the world’s population into extremely high ground-level ozone levels in early 2026, with major fire events including in Belgium. Business & Tech: Opengear has secured its first European distribution deal with Ingram Micro, expanding access to its network resilience services across markets including Belgium. Sports (Belgium-linked): France beat Belgium 1-0 in Nations League action as Michael Olise scored late, while Belgium’s defence minister and air-defence deals dominate the wider news cycle.

Belgium–Ukraine Defence: President Zelenskyy says Belgium will transfer three F-16 jets to Ukraine by year-end, with “urgent” F-16 ammunition already delivered and more air-defence support in the pipeline as Russia steps up jet-powered drone attacks. Ukraine War Updates: Russia hit a school in Sumy with glide bombs, killing two and injuring six, while Zelenskyy says interception rates must improve week by week. EU–China Culture: CGTN documentaries won awards at the EU–China Film Festival in Brussels, including a Light & Shadow Communication Award for “Foreigners but not Outsiders.” Belgian Economy: Belgium’s wealth gap widens, with the top 10% holding over half of national wealth, according to the NBB. Sports (Belgium in focus): Nations League drama in Brussels: France beat Belgium 1-0 with a late Michael Olise solo goal as Mbappé sat out injured. Tech & Finance: Belgian fintech Venly wins the Mastercard For Fintechs Belux trophy for stablecoin payment infrastructure. Business/Markets: Barry Callebaut outlines a shift toward gourmet operations to tackle cocoa industry pressures.

Nations League Shock in Brussels: France, missing Mbappé, snatched a 1-0 win over Belgium as substitute Michael Olise produced a late solo strike in the 88th minute, sparking wild Zidane celebrations. Italy’s Bounce-Back: Italy thrashed Türkiye 4-1 in Bursa to get back on track in Group A1, with the Esposito brothers making history by starting together for the first time in over a century. Brussels Politics Under Scrutiny: A Brussels MP allegedly contacted King’s Prosecutor Julien Moinil to seek a prisoner release; the prosecutor refused, but the lack of identification has triggered calls for clarity in parliament. EU Tech Clash: Google filed legal challenges in Luxembourg against two EU Commission orders under the Digital Markets Act, including opening Android AI features and sharing anonymised search data. Tesla Safety Debate: A European safety group urged EU states to reject Tesla’s Full Self-Driving rollout over concerns it can exceed speed limits. Fraud Crackdown: EPPO raids across 19 countries targeted a phone fraud scheme selling used devices as new, with damages put around €300m.

UE Nations League (Brussels): France edged Belgium 1-0 at the King Baudouin Stadium as substitute Michael Olise struck in the 88th minute, giving Zinedine Zidane a second win in as many games and moving Les Bleus to the top of Group A1 on 6 points; Belgium suffered their first defeat under Mark van Bommel, with Kylian Mbappé missing through injury. UE Nations League (Italy-Turkey): In Bursa, Italy crushed Turkey 4-1, with Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi, Michael Kayode and Francesco Pio Esposito on target as Turkey’s fans demanded coach Vincenzo Montella’s exit. Local culture & community: Brussels hosted the Brussels Tea Festival 2026, with Azerbaijani tea traditions and ceremonies drawing visitors. Tech & safety (Belgium): A Belgian mobility NGO says Tesla’s Full Self-Driving repeatedly broke speed limits and even tried to overtake cyclists on Belgian bicycle streets during tests in Brussels and beyond. Business/health: Nyxoah appointed Liam Kelly as CEO, effective 1 October, as the company strengthens its U.S. presence.

Belgium-France Football: Belgium kick off UEFA Nations League Group A1 at the King Baudouin Stadium with Mark van Bommel promising they won’t “dial down intensity” despite Kylian Mbappé being ruled out with a knee injury; Zidane is expected to rotate as both sides chase early points. Streaming & Telecom: Telenet has started selling HBO Max subscriptions, billing customers through their monthly Telenet invoice, while Netflix will launch an ad-supported tier in Belgium on 1 March 2027. Energy Transition: A Transport & Environment analysis says higher diesel prices linked to the Iran war are making electric heavy trucks cheaper than diesel in Belgium and several EU markets, with operators recouping the upfront cost in about two years. Brussels Policy & Economy: Brussels faces fresh scrutiny over security spending as a €55m fund heads for parliamentary review, while new worksite time registration rules are set to expand from April 2027. Public Safety Tragedy: A baby girl in Flemish Brabant died after allegedly being left trapped in a car all day when parents forgot to drop her at nursery. Diplomacy: Belgium and Rwanda have restored diplomatic ties after an 18-month rift, with Qatar brokering the reset.

Belgium–France Football: France coach Zinedine Zidane says he’ll rotate after Kylian Mbappé’s left-knee hyperextension rules him out, with Ousmane Dembélé tipped as a key leader as Les Bleus prepare to face Belgium in Brussels. Belgian Security: Belgium’s threat analysis chief OCAM links Iran to coordinated attacks on Jewish targets in Liège and Antwerp, with arrests across Europe and no new incidents reported since. EU Energy & Industry: The European Commission set final terms for a €1bn industrial heat auction (IF26) to cut factory emissions, with electrification, renewables and nuclear tech eligible. Flemish Budget: The Flemish government resumes talks aiming for €1.6–€1.9bn in savings for the 2027 budget, with coalition partners still divided. Drought & Water: Belgium faces its worst drought in decades as water levels fall, raising supply concerns. EES Border Chaos: The EU’s new entry-exit system is blamed for glitches that can trigger false overstay accusations, including a case where a traveller was detained and sent back.

Unemployment & Social Welfare: Brussels unemployment benefit changes are pushing thousands toward CPAS: Actiris says 47.6% of people who lost entitlement in early 2026’s first two waves became CPAS beneficiaries within three months, with employment outcomes much lower. Budget Tensions in Brussels-Wallonia: Federation Wallonia-Brussels budget cuts are sparking fresh backlash as Minister-President Elisabeth Degryse admits anger but defends nearly €500m in net savings by 2029. Food Insecurity Protest: A “Line of Empty Plates” demonstration in central Brussels drew about 200 people, warning that food aid demand is rising while federal funding for essentials fell from €27m (2025) to €15m (2026). Grand Place Rules: Brussels is preparing tighter limits around UNESCO Grand Place—cutting souvenir shops from ~40 to ~20 over time and capping cafés/restaurants at one-third of premises in many nearby streets. Travel Disruption: Mount Etna ash stranded around 140 Brussels Airlines passengers in Catania, with airport restrictions delaying returns until Sunday or Monday. Sports (Belgium-linked): Jan Boskamp calls Mika Godts’ Nations League form “world-class” and says it’s a “disgrace” he missed the World Cup.

Belgium in the spotlight: Belgium kicked off the UEFA Nations League with a 2-0 win over Italy in Rome, with Mika Godts scoring early and Dodi Lukebakio sealing it after the break, handing Mark van Bommel a winning start and spoiling Roberto Mancini’s return. France–Belgium Nations League build-up: France also won, but Kylian Mbappé’s knee injury has dominated headlines; Real Madrid says he has a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee and he’s set to miss France’s matches including the trip to Belgium. Diplomacy reset: Rwanda and Belgium agreed to restore diplomatic relations after an 18-month rupture, paving the way for embassies to reopen in Kigali and Brussels. Humanitarian pressure in Brussels: Two Palestinian men on hunger strike in central Brussels have been hospitalised, as activists demand evacuation of families stranded in Gaza. Tennis with a Brussels link: Elina Svitolina helped Ukraine reach the Billie Jean King Cup final for the first time, beating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 2-0.