It was earthquakes earlier this year, now, Northwest China has been hit with severe landslides triggered by heavy rain.

BBC: Travel in Asia during monsoon season

As described by ice sculptor Joseph Amendola in his book Ice Carving Made Easy, written records dating back to 600 BC reveal that in the highlands of northwest China, farmers would flood their fields with water, wait for it to freeze, harvest blocks of ice and then store them in insulated facilities to help preserve perishables like seafood.

BBC: The origins of ice sculpting

As the only U.S. passenger outfits permitted to fly into China, United and Northwest will lose serious pricing leverage on lucrative flights if United-nemesis American Airlines and others squeeze into the arena.

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