Daily News Summary – 2026-06-12 – en

The Brussels-Capital Region has announced a complete ban on shared electric scooters, set to take effect in 2027, following a 25% rise in accidents and their use in 25 shootings in 2025. The ban affects operators Bolt and Dott, whose permits expire at the end of 2026. Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt cited rising injury rates and criminal misuse as key factors.

A Canadian court ordered the release of Harris Mohamed, the fifth inmate freed from Maplehurst Correctional Complex due to systemic abuse by guards in December 2023. The judge ruled that collective punishment amounting to torture violated Charter rights, and dismissed all charges. The scandal has led to firings and a class action lawsuit.

Pop superstar Ariana Grande publicly denounced the White House for using her song 'Bye' in a TikTok video promoting ICE enforcement actions, calling it 'barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.' The White House fired back, defending the Secure America Act. The audio was later muted. Grande has a history of opposing Trump policies.

NASA's announcement of an all-male crew for Artemis III, a test flight preparing for lunar landing, has drawn sharp criticism. Despite women making up 40% of active astronauts, the crew includes four men. Administrator Jared Isaacman defended the selection based on expertise and availability, promising diversity on future missions.

Seoul Central District Court sentenced former President Yoon Suk-yeol to an additional 30 years for orchestrating a covert drone operation over North Korea in October 2024. The court found he intended to provoke a military response to justify martial law. This adds to his life sentence for insurrection.

Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha, 47, died after nearly four years in a coma due to complications from a bacterial infection. She was a UN Goodwill Ambassador known for advocating female prisoner rights and the Bangkok Rules. Her death reshapes royal succession, with Prince Dipangkorn as presumptive heir.

As the 2026 World Cup kicks off, Canada positions itself as inclusive, with a star-studded opening ceremony, while the US faces criticism over travel bans and ICE enforcement. Coach Jesse Marsch criticized Trump's rhetoric. Canada seeks its first World Cup win against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

UFC Freedom 250, held on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, marks the first professional sporting event on presidential grounds. The event, coinciding with President Trump's 80th birthday, features championship fights and has drawn criticism over ethics and use of public land.

A Belgian assisen court convicted Paolo F. of seven counts of intentional manslaughter for driving at 174 km/h into a carnival crowd in 2022, killing seven. He was holding a phone to record a video. Sentencing is set for the following week. The case has sparked debate on road safety.

A Spanish lottery vendor, Manuel Eugenio Reija, was sentenced to 3.5 years for defrauding a customer out of a €4.7 million La Primitiva jackpot in 2012. He lied to the winner, kept the ticket, and tried to claim it with his brother's help. The rightful winner died in 2014 unaware.

In early 2026, China's export controls on rare earths, tungsten, and antimony have caused price spikes up to sixfold and cut European licensing approvals below 25%. The US launched FORGE (54 nations, $30B) and Project Vault ($10B reserve), but independent processing is 5-7 years away. Analysts warn of a 12-18 month window.

European NATO members are on track to spend €800 billion annually by 2030, but face labor shortages, supply-chain bottlenecks, and industrial fragmentation. The EU's SAFE program provides €150B in loans, but 25% of defense engineers near retirement. The IMF warns multipliers may fall below historical estimates.

China's 2026 export controls on rare earths, tungsten, and antimony have created a dual-price system with European prices surging. Licensing approval rates for EU firms are below 25%. The controls target seven heavy rare earths and processing technology, weaponizing Beijing's 90% control of global refining.

The US launched FORGE, a 54-nation coalition, and Project Vault, a $10B strategic reserve, to counter China's critical mineral dominance. The initiatives aim to build alternative supply chains and stabilize prices. However, independent processing is 5-7 years away with 2-4x cost disadvantages.

The US Supreme Court struck down presidential tariff authority under IEEPA in a 6-3 decision, invalidating nine executive orders. The ruling accelerated US-China trade decline by 30% and triggered a pivot to Section 122, which was later ruled unlawful. Supply chains are restructuring around geopolitical logic.

Europe's €800 billion defense buildup, driven by Russia's war and US pressure, faces industrial fragmentation and a talent crisis. Germany's €108B budget leads, but 25% of engineers near retirement. The EU's SAFE program provides €150B in loans, but bottlenecks threaten real capability.

The Pentagon's Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG) requested $54.6 billion for FY2027, a 24,000% increase from the failed Replicator Initiative. The new command focuses on software orchestration for drone swarms, drawing lessons from Ukraine. Lawmakers warn that AI rules of engagement lag behind spending.

The global critical minerals crisis deepened in 2026 as China's export controls and lithium price surges exposed Western vulnerabilities. The US launched FORGE and Project Vault, while Zimbabwe banned raw mineral exports. Analysts warn of a 12-18 month window to secure alternative supply chains.

China's 2026 export controls on rare earths, tungsten, and antimony have created a global supply chain crisis, with prices surging up to sixfold and European licensing approval rates below 25%. The controls target heavy rare earths essential for defense, EVs, and renewable energy. The West's response through FORGE and Project Vault faces significant hurdles, with independent processing 5-7 years away. Analysts warn of a narrow 12-18 month window for decisive action before Chinese leverage becomes entrenched.

The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism entered its definitive phase on January 1, 2026, with certificates priced at €75.36 per tonne CO₂. The mechanism disproportionately impacts developing economies like Mozambique and Ukraine, while cleaner producers gain advantage. China and India have raised WTO challenges.

The global scramble for critical minerals intensified in 2026, with China's rare earth export controls and a lithium price surge of 95%. The US launched FORGE and Project Vault, while the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act remains behind schedule. Zimbabwe's export ban on raw lithium added pressure.

China's 2026 export controls on rare earths have matured into a permanent structure, with a dual-price system and licensing approvals below 25% for European firms. The controls cover seven heavy rare earths and processing tech, threatening defense, EV, and renewable energy supply chains. The West's 12-18 month window is narrowing.