China's rare earths dominance built on research labs, not just refineries — Beijing's passport restrictions keep expertise at home, Reuters investigation finds

Sandstorm blankets Harbin, China, plunging city into darkness as visibility drops to 100 meters. Winds rip off roofs, topple bus stops, down power lines.

A massive sandstorm blanketed China's Harbin city in dust clouds, plunging the city into darkness during daytime, with visibility dropping to 100 meters and fierce winds causing damage including torn roofs, toppled bus stops and downed power lines.