"Debate Erupts Over Ownership of Rare Earth Mineral-Rich Sunken Island Off Brazil's Coast"

A sunken island off the coast of Brazil, known as the Rio Grande Rise, has been discovered to contain rich deposits of rare earth minerals, sparking a debate over ownership of the natural resources. Brazil has staked a claim, arguing that the area shares geological similarities with its coastal shelf, but the site lies outside its jurisdiction in international waters. The potential extraction of these minerals has raised concerns about the environmental impact on the ocean ecosystem, prompting the need for detailed sustainability and impact assessments.