LND topic: earth page 1

earth

How the U. S. plans to break free from China’s grip on rare earth minerals

June 13, 2026

For years, the United States has relied on China to process most of the world’s rare earth minerals—metals like neodymium and dysprosium that power everything from smartphones to fighter jets. China controls about 90% of this market, giving it a powerful tool to influence global politics. The U. S.

science

Earth’s Hidden Layer: How Tiny Particles Tell a Big Story

May 20, 2026

The Sanjiang Plain was explored through 287 cores taken from nine deep holes. Scientists measured rare earth metals, common rock elements, acidity and plant leftovers in each layer. Their goal was to see how these metals stack up from the surface down and what shapes that pattern. The metal story i

politics

Why Rare Earth Metals in Central Asia Are Sparking Tension

May 20, 2026

Central Asia’s underground holds some of the world’s most valuable metals. Five countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—sit on vast deposits of rare earths, the minerals needed for phones, wind turbines, and fighter jets. For years, China has been the main supplier

weather

Southwest China Shakeup Forces Thousands to Leave Homes

May 18, 2026

A sudden tremor rattled the Guangxi province early Monday, sending shockwaves through Liuzhou and its surroundings. The quake registered a magnitude of 5. 2 on the Richter scale, enough to trigger panic and prompt emergency response teams to spring into action. Two people lost their lives in the bl

lifestyle

How a small Taiwanese town uses slow snail races to bounce back

May 6, 2026

Fenglin, a quiet town in Taiwan, has found an unusual way to draw visitors back after a damaging earthquake in 2024. Instead of flashy attractions, it leans into its reputation as a "slow city" with snail races. The idea isn’t to go fast, but to go slow—literally. Since joining the Cittaslow network

environment

Earth’s Temperature Stayed Pretty Steady for 540 Million Years

May 5, 2026

Scientists have long tried to figure out how warm the planet was in the deep past. Most earlier work used oxygen isotopes found in fossils, which suggested that Earth has cooled steadily over the last 539 million years. However, those studies left a lot of questions unanswered. A new approach

environment

Earth Day Ideas From Vermont’s Young Writers

May 2, 2026

Vermont teachers and students joined forces to celebrate Earth Day by writing essays, poems, and short stories about the state’s natural beauty. The contest ran from February to mid‑April and welcomed fourth, fifth, and sixth graders from towns like Bennington, Burlington, and Windsor. More than

environment

River Runoff: How Mining Threatens Thailand’s Food and Fish

April 30, 2026

The Mekong River, a lifeline for 70 million people across Southeast Asia, is facing a new danger that could endanger the region’s food supply. Rare‑earth mining, driven by global demand for electronics and military equipment, is creating toxic runoff that flows into the river’s tributaries. Th

environment

Students Help Earth and Get a Prom Boost

April 30, 2026

Lake City High School students set up a week‑long Earth celebration in the school hallway. The event ran while exams and student government elections were happening, giving everyone a break from studying. A committee led by senior Asa Sutton ran the booths. She sold zinnia flowers in composta

politics

China Tightens Tech Rules While Trading Off Tariffs

April 27, 2026

China has quietly broadened its economic tools during a temporary pause in the U. S. trade dispute, setting up new limits on technology and supply chains before a summit next month. After leaders Xi Jinping and Donald Trump agreed in Busan to ease tensions, Beijing moved quickly to tighten controls