Critical raw materials like lithium, rare earths and graphite are in high demand, but in most places they're not readily available. A team of geologists is working to find them in northern Europe to make the EU less dependent on China.

There is a housing crisis taking place across many parts of Africa. A joint venture involving CDC Group – the UK government’s development finance institution – and the European building materials multinational LafargeHolcim, is 3D-printing houses and schools in a fraction of the time it would normally take.

A train derailment and subsequent fire prompted evacuations in northwest Iowa on Sunday, due to concerns over the train’s cargo of ammonium nitrate. An 8-kilometre radius around the derailment site of 47 train cars was evacuated and a community hall was made available for evacuees.

Here is why you should pick up a copy of The Guardian on Tuesday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on the newsstands on Tuesday

Investors are increasingly attracted to synthetic biology's market potential, with record sums moving into a field that could deliver novel drugs, materials, chemicals and even perfumes.