AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Cooling: Wiwynn and Shinwa Controls say three years of joint engineering have led to production-ready liquid cooling infrastructure for high-density cloud and AI workloads, including low-GWP coolants. Czech Defense: The Czech Armed Forces are sending AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters to Poland for the first time, boosting NATO’s eastern flank against low-altitude threats like drones. Retail AI in Czechia: Ahold Delhaize’s Albert is expanding its partnership with Brain Corp, moving from cleaning robots to AI shelf scanning to fix inventory accuracy gaps caused by staffing and time pressure. EU Policy: The European Commission’s 2026 European Semester Spring Package maps EU resilience, skills, competitiveness, decarbonisation and housing priorities while pushing fiscal sustainability. Health Research: New collaborative work highlights that palliative care nurses engage better with clinical supervision when it’s trusted, psychologically safe, and given protected time. Biotech: SOTIO’s SOT106 gets U.S. FDA Orphan Drug Designation for osteosarcoma, with a first-in-human trial planned for late 2026. Energy & Markets: World Gold Council data shows Czech central bank gold buying continuing (3 tonnes in April, 38th straight month), alongside Poland and China leading purchases. Climate in Czechia: CHMU reports the driest Czech spring since 1961, with below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures.

Biotech & Clinical Trials: SOTIO Biotech (PPF Group) says the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation to SOT106, an LRRC15-targeting antibody-drug conjugate for osteosarcoma, with a first-in-human study planned for the second half of 2026. Space & Industry: A report says SpaceX’s upcoming IPO could enrich Trump administration officials, after disclosures showed holdings in SpaceX or xAI. Environment & Public Safety: The EU launched its largest-ever wildfire response under the Civil Protection Mechanism, pre-positioning 777 firefighters across high-risk regions plus aircraft and helicopters, with Copernicus and EU monitoring support. Healthcare Access: Poland’s “Drug Policy 2.0” aims to cut delays to new medicines, while the Czech Republic is highlighted as a regional benchmark in an Access GAP index. Local Tech & Climate: Czech Hydrometeorological Institute reports the driest spring since 1961, with drought impacts starting early. Czech Science in the Spotlight: A Czech castle in Becov nad Teplou restored 130-year-old Chateau d’Yquem bottles after decades hidden under the floor, with laboratory tests confirming authenticity. Cybersecurity: Coverage flags China-linked cyber operators using cloud evasion and spearphishing tactics targeting Czech organizations.

EU Lobby Transparency: A Bayer pharma executive reportedly met EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at Politico’s Brussels gala, highlighting how “private” social encounters can still shape policy influence outside formal disclosures. Wildfire Readiness: The European Commission launched its biggest-ever wildfire response, pre-positioning 777 firefighters from 14 countries plus 22 aircraft and 5 helicopters, with 24/7 coordination using Copernicus and the EU emergency centre. Czech Cybersecurity: A Chinese-linked spearphishing campaign (“Operation Dragon Weave”) targeted Czech organizations and sectors including government, research, software, and finance, using Czech-themed lures to steal data. Healthcare Access: Poland’s “Drug Policy 2.0” aims to cut long waits for new medicines, while the Access GAP report still shows a multi-year registration-to-reimbursement gap that could affect patients. Czech Tech & Policy: Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka will attend the OECD ministerial in Paris, with a focus on industrial policy, competitiveness, technological innovation, and economic security. EU Health/Research: New reporting on Ebola in DR Congo and vaccine work underscores how fast clinical development is being pushed amid outbreaks. Czech Economy: President Petr Pavel renewed calls for Czechia to adopt the euro, arguing it would help an economy tightly tied to the eurozone.

Ebola Response in Africa: Kenya’s high court extended a halt on an airbase Ebola facility near Nanyuki for another three weeks after deadly protests and shootings, as WHO reports 321 confirmed Ebola cases in DR Congo and 116 suspected, with deaths rising and recoveries low. Czech Diplomacy & Tech Policy: Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka will attend the OECD Ministerial Council in Paris, with industrial policy, competitiveness, technological innovation, and economic security on the agenda. Czech Economy & Euro Debate: President Petr Pavel says Czechia should adopt the euro if the koruna is holding back development, arguing the country should “sit at the table” in eurozone decisions. Czech Cybersecurity: Researchers describe “Operation Dragon Weave,” a China-linked spearphishing campaign targeting Czech and Taiwan government and tech workers, ending in a remote access tool disguised to blend into trusted cloud infrastructure. Smart Manufacturing: A look at automated 3D measurement shows how factories are moving from sampling points to full-surface checks for faster, more precise quality control. Health & Safety Enforcement: Czech authorities ramp up “Korund” inspections, seizing high-risk synthetic cannabinoids and illegally sold kratom amid poisoning concerns. International Tech & Industry: Blik eyes euro-zone expansion with Slovakia as a hub and possible Czech rollout, while Ukraine says it could produce up to 20 million drones annually if partners fund production.

Atom-by-atom materials control: MIT and partners report moving tens of thousands of individual atoms inside a material in minutes at room temperature, opening the door to “reprogrammed” 3D lattices for new quantum states. Quantum computing in Europe: EuroHPC JU inaugurated EuroQCS-Spain in Barcelona, an analogue quantum annealer integrated with MareNostrum 5 for hybrid classical–quantum access. AI infrastructure push (Czech link): Hon Hai/Foxconn and Bull plan to build AI systems for Europe, with component work and initial testing in Pardubice, Czechia, and final integration in Angers, France. Cybersecurity: A campaign dubbed Operation Dragon Weave targeted Czech Republic and Taiwan with spear-phishing and a multi-stage malware chain aimed at data exfiltration and remote control. Rail modernisation in Czechia: The Transport Ministry and Správa železnic outline electrifying about 600 km of lines by the early 2030s and expanding ETCS on key routes. Healthcare tech: Czech scientists developed an app to detect early memory problems, aiming to spot potential Alzheimer’s earlier. Energy & industry watch: A digest highlights major M&A and restructuring moves in the electric power sector, including CEZ considering a government-control shift. Cybercrime cooperation: Vietnam urged broader UN Convention against Cybercrime participation, stressing practical implementation. Sports integrity: A report warns the World Cup could be vulnerable to spot fixing as betting markets expand.

Czech Rail Modernisation: Czechia is pushing ahead with rail electrification and safety upgrades, targeting about 600 km of lines equipped with overhead wires by 2031–2033 and expanding ETCS on key routes. AI Hardware Supply Chain: Bull and Foxconn (Hon Hai) are partnering to build AI and cloud infrastructure for Europe, with component work at Foxconn’s Pardubice site and final integration at Bull in Angers, backed by an initial €120m+ investment. Cybersecurity Threat: A new cyber espionage campaign, “Operation Dragon Weave,” is targeting Czech Republic and Taiwan with spear-phishing ZIP attachments that lead to malware deployment and remote control. Health Tech in Czechia: Czech scientists unveiled an app that uses spoken tasks to spot early memory and cognitive problems, training models on speech from healthy people and patients at memory clinics. Biotech Leadership Change: Immunic has appointed Erik Lundgren as its new CEO, bringing long experience in multiple sclerosis and commercial strategy from Roche/Genentech. Space for Science Materials: Researchers in Prague and Singapore report a breakthrough optical mapping of MoOCl2, a layered crystal that can bend light extremely strongly—useful for future ultra-thin wearable and AR optics. Ebola Watch: WHO updates continue as Ebola cases and suspected cases rise in Congo and Uganda, while Kenya faces legal and public pushback over an Ebola quarantine plan for exposed Americans.

Czech Energy Tech: Electree is testing a “computing-based boiler room” in Brno that reuses server waste heat for apartment heating and hot water, with early results pointing to ~20–25% lower energy costs and potential up to ~35% in future builds. Nuclear Supply Chain: Doosan Enerbility landed key work in Europe’s Rolls-Royce SMR push, supporting long-lead reactor components for projects including Temelín in the Czech Republic. Public Safety Aviation: The Czech Ministry of Interior ordered 11 Airbus H145 helicopters for the Police Aviation Service, adding training, logistics and mission integration for law enforcement, rescue and medevac. Space & Science Policy: NASA’s head reignited the “Make Pluto a planet again” debate, saying the agency is preparing papers to revisit the classification discussion. Defense & Tech Perception: A Czech STEM agency poll found 62% of Czechs think Trump is weakening NATO, including 63% among ANO supporters. International Links: Czech Senate president Miloš Vystrčil is set to visit Taiwan to deepen cooperation, including events tied to Václav Havel’s legacy. Health Watch: WHO reported Ebola recoveries in DR Congo and Uganda while Kenya’s court temporarily suspended plans for a quarantine center for foreigners.

Ebola Response: WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus says the first documented recovery of a confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola patient in the current Congo outbreak is underway, with more discharges expected; WHO reports 134 confirmed cases and 18 deaths as of May 29, alongside hundreds of suspected cases. Czech Aviation & Public Safety: The Czech Ministry of Interior ordered 11 Airbus H145 helicopters for the Police Aviation Service, adding training and support to boost law enforcement, rescue and EMS capacity. Energy Tech (Czech Startup): Electree is piloting a “computing-based boiler room” in Brno that captures waste heat from servers to cut apartment heating and hot-water costs by ~20–25%, aiming for up to ~35%. AI & Engineering M&A: Cyient agreed to buy US-based Tao Digital Solutions for $218M to expand AI, data engineering and digital product capabilities, including a Czech presence. Czech–Taiwan Links: Senate president Miloš Vystrčil heads to Taiwan to strengthen cooperation and highlight shared democratic values. Space Science: NASA’s chief reignited the “make Pluto a planet again” debate, saying Pluto “rightfully deserves” full status. Defense Tech Policy: Malaysia says it will consider arms deals only with partners willing to transfer technology—relevant as EU and NATO procurement models evolve.

Ebola Response in Focus: WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus visited Bunia in the DRC as the outbreak response ramps up, with the WHO reporting 134 confirmed Ebola cases and 18 deaths in DRC and Uganda, while Kenya’s court temporarily suspended a planned Ebola quarantine center for foreigners. Czech Tech & AI M&A: Cyient agreed to buy US-based TAO Digital Solutions for $218M, adding AI, data engineering, and digital product engineering, with TAO’s footprint including the Czech Republic. Crypto Regulation in Practice: A new MiCA explainer highlights how exchanges are structuring across jurisdictions to stay compliant, including Czechia via a VASP license example. Czech–Taiwan Cooperation: Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil is set to visit Taiwan to deepen bilateral ties, with events tied to Václav Havel. Space Science Debate: NASA’s head reignited the “Make Pluto a planet again” push, citing New Horizons data and plans to revisit the scientific criteria. Climate Resilience: Stockholm topped a COOLCITY Index ranking using satellite and AI methods, while several southern capitals underperformed.

EU Budget Chessboard: EU leaders are racing toward June talks on the next Multiannual Financial Framework, with some states pushing for a more expansive funding model while others want spending restraint and a modernization focus. Export Controls Shift: The EU’s dual-use export controls are getting more decentralized, with Member States increasingly shaping rules around transaction context and end-use rather than only list-based classification. Ebola Response in Focus: A US plan to quarantine Ebola-exposed Americans in Kenya is being challenged in court and faces criticism over public health and humanitarian access, while WHO and local authorities continue to track the DRC outbreak. Czech Tech & Health: An EU-backed Czech cancer hub is betting on AI for oncology prevention and care, aiming to improve access as waits for innovative drugs grow. Quantum in Europe: Spain unveiled its third quantum supercomputer to accelerate AI and science, adding to the region’s push for advanced computing. Czechia Connectivity: Czechia opened the 26 GHz band for wireless networks, a move aimed at boosting next-gen connectivity. Cultivated Meat Trial: A Czech food tech startup BeneMeat reports a cat feeding trial where cultivated hamster meat was well accepted and left fewer leftovers than conventional chicken.

Ebola Response Clash: The US plans to quarantine Americans exposed to Congo’s Ebola outbreak at a newly built Kenya facility, but the approach is sparking fierce pushback from experts and humanitarian groups, while a Kenyan court temporarily froze the center’s rollout. EU Health & Consumer Rules: The European Commission has launched infringement procedures against 20 EU states, including Czechia, for failing to fully transpose the “Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition” directive on green claims and sustainability labels. Czech Healthcare Access: Czech patients are facing longer waits for innovative medicines—up to ~659 days after EU approval—with fewer new therapies reaching people, according to EFPIA’s Patients W.A.I.T. indicator. Defense Tech & Integration: Czech-linked funding news highlights Picogrid raising $45M for an “open integration layer” to connect modern defense sensors and platforms. Aviation to Prague: Vietjet announced a new Hanoi–Prague route starting October 10, 2026, boosting Asia–Europe connectivity. Czech Tech & AI in Sustainability: Adastra partnered with osapiens to bring an AI-powered sustainability reporting cockpit to Central and Eastern Europe. Space/Robotics Culture: Oxford’s ROBOTA production reimagines Karel Čapek’s robot play for the AI era, underscoring Czech sci-fi’s ongoing influence.

Healthcare Access: Czech patients are facing longer waits for innovative EU-approved medicines, with average access time rising to 659 days and availability of new therapies dropping to 50% of monitored molecules. EU Rulemaking: The European Commission has launched infringement steps against Czechia and 19 other states for failing to fully transpose EU consumer, health and worker-safety rules, including the green-claims directive. Aviation & Mobility: Vietjet will start Hanoi–Prague flights from 10 October 2026, adding a new direct link between Vietnam and the Czech Republic. Public Safety Tech: Czech Interior Ministry signed for 11 Airbus H145 helicopters to upgrade police aviation for law enforcement, rescue and medical missions. Space/Science: A major SETI effort targeting exoplanet K2-18b found no likely artificial narrowband radio signals, but improved tools for future searches. Climate Impact: Heat at Roland Garros is affecting players, with scientists linking the extreme conditions to climate change. Ebola Response: Reports say the US plans to quarantine Ebola-exposed Americans in Kenya, while WHO urges a ceasefire in Congo to enable response.

Ebola Response in Congo: WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus urged a ceasefire in eastern DRC so health workers can reach communities as suspected cases near 1,000 and deaths rise. US–Kenya Public Health: Multiple reports say the US plans to quarantine and treat Ebola-exposed Americans in Kenya, while Kenya’s health ministry stresses preparedness talks and compliance with biosafety rules. Czech Tech & Security: Czech telecom regulator CTU opened the 26 GHz band from 1 July for wireless, 5G, fixed wireless access and local/industrial networks. Nuclear Supply Chain: Škoda JS was picked to supply key Rolls-Royce SMR nuclear island components for Temelín, alongside Doosan Enerbility in a dual-source plan. Automotive Testing in Kolín: SGS expanded in the Czech Republic with a new lab focused on interior air quality and flammability testing. Cyber/IT Ops: A Czech startup, Passwd, is automating access management for Google Workspace teams. Defense Industry Watch: Czech Army demand for voluntary military training (DVC) exceeded targets, reaching 1,060 trainees.

Ebola Response: The US is reportedly planning to quarantine and treat Americans exposed to Ebola in a newly built facility in Kenya, while Uganda has ordered a border closure with Congo as the outbreak (including the Bundibugyo strain) accelerates and WHO warns of a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict.” Czech Health & AI: Czechia opened a major new Cancer Prevention Centre in Brno (EU-backed), combining screening, genetic counselling and AI-assisted imaging to speed early detection and personalised prevention. Nuclear Supply Chain: Doosan Enerbility will support Rolls-Royce SMR component manufacturing for the Temelin SMR project in the Czech Republic, via manufacturability reviews and supply-chain work. Energy Tech Startup: Czech grid-balancing startup Delta Green is piloting a platform that helps households shift consumption to manage volatility, with local partners in Romania. Biotech Leadership: Immunic Therapeutics appointed Erik Lundgren as CEO as it advances late-stage oral MS therapy programs. Robotics Research: A self-learning robotic hand that can play piano by ear points to faster, less data-hungry learning for future machines. Tech & Business: Groupon cuts up to 400 jobs in an AI shift; Webout is expanding from Czechia to the US with real-time personalised video. Aviation Note: Smaller airports are growing faster than megahubs, with Prague among the examples of route expansion and passenger recovery. Culture: A contemporary Czech comics exhibition opened in Taiwan, co-curated with Czech Academy of Sciences and Moravian Museum scholars.

Public Health Crisis: Uganda plans to close its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo as Ebola spreads across both countries, while WHO warns the outbreak is colliding with conflict and calls for an immediate ceasefire. US–Africa Health Policy: Reports say the US wants to send Ebola-exposed Americans to Kenya for monitoring and treatment instead of bringing them home, as Kenya insists any cooperation will follow its own biosafety and public health rules. Czech Health & AI in Medicine: Brno’s Masaryk Oncological Institute opened a new Oncological Prevention Centre (CZK 739m) with seven specialised units and AI-assisted tumour detection. Industry & Climate Policy: Czechia and five EU states urge Brussels to protect heavy industry from carbon-cost pressures, including keeping free emissions allowance levels in the ETS. Space & Navigation Markets: EUSPA published an updated Market Report covering GNSS, Earth Observation, secure satellite communications and space situational awareness, highlighting growth and tighter synergies. Tech & Startups: Brno video-personalisation startup Webout secured US expansion backing from JIC Ventures, while ProdPro appointed Christina Nowak to lead European research. Cyber & Fraud: A UK-focused study flags a surge in scam finance ads on social media, including AI trading-bot promotions. ICT Workforce: Eurostat data shows ICT specialists are 5% of the EU workforce, with Italy among the lowest shares and Cyprus slightly down.

Hybrid-Warfare Claims: AnewZ released “TARGET: Yerevan,” alleging secret recordings tied to Russian-Armenian oligarchs and a coordinated social media push aimed at toppling Armenia’s PM Nikol Pashinyan—framing it as part of Russia’s hybrid strategy in the South Caucasus. Space Economy: EUSPA published its new Market Report 2026, bundling GNSS, Earth Observation, Secure SATCOM and Space Situational Awareness for the first time, signaling tighter links between Europe’s downstream space markets. Ebola Policy Shock: The NYT reports Trump officials want Ebola-exposed Americans sent to Kenya for monitoring and treatment instead of bringing them home, as the outbreak in DR Congo keeps escalating. Czech Tech & Mobility: Volvo says Czech EV drivers will get access to Tesla Superchargers via the Volvo app across Europe from Q4 2026. Czech Diplomacy: Czech police released a Russian Orthodox bishop after a drug-possession arrest, while Russia summoned a Czech diplomat over the case. EU Crypto Rules: MiCA is now live, with ESMA’s register showing 204 authorized crypto firms—ending the “which country is best” guessing game.