Havoc from monsoon rains killed another 12 people in India, including two children swept away by floods and a man attacked by a rhinoceros forced out of its inundated habitat, officials said Saturday. Helicopters dropped food to hundreds of thousands of frightened villagers perched on rooftops.

Harsh winter weather is threatening to cut off more than 300,000 survivors of last year's killer South Asian earthquake from critical food supplies, the United Nations warned Monday, as the season's first snows began to fall.

Thailand has been found to be the most dangerous holiday destination for British travellers, according to a recent survey. The research, which was conducted by insurer Norwich Union Direct, found that visitors heading to the south-east Asian kingdom of Thailand face the highest risk of suffering theft, food poisoning or being caught

Cuisine of India is characterized by its sophisticated and subtle use of many spices and herbs. Considered by some to be the world's most diverse cuisine, each family of this cuisine is characterized by a wide assortment of dishes and cooking techniques. Though a significant portion of Indian food is vegetarian, many traditional Indian dishes also include chicken, goat, lamb, fish, and other meats. Beef is not eaten by most Hindus.Food is an important part of Indian culture, playing a role in everyday life as well as in festivals. In many families, everyday meals are usually sit-down affairs consisting of two to three main course dishes, varied accompaniments such as chutneys and pickles, carbohydrate staples such as rice and roti (bread), as well as desserts.Diversity is a defining feature of India's geography, culture, and food. Indian cuisine varies from region to region, reflecting the varied demographics of the ethnically diverse subcontinent. Generally, Indian cuisine can be split into four categories: North Indian, South Indian, East Indian, and West Indian. Despite this diversity, some unifying threads emerge in the art of Indian cuisine. Varied uses of spices are an integral part of food preparation, and are used to enhance the flavor of a dish and create unique flavors and aromas. Cuisine across India has also been influenced by various cultural groups that entered India throughout history, from regions as diverse as West Asia, Central Asia and Europe.