An illegal immigrant who went berserk and knifed two men after they sacked him from an Indian restaurant claimed to have been under a "black magic" spell, a court heard.Mohammed Ahmad, aged 26, slashed two men in east London in a video store in September 2005 and went on the run for more than a month.

Share prices in the Far East have fallen more than 2% amid continuing anxiety over world economic prospects and the US outlook in particular.

If you've never tried it before, you might think that Thai cuisine tastes a lot like other Asian cuisines. While it does have both Chinese and East Indian influences, it also has its own identity that separates it greatly from the foods served in neighboring countries.

By Frosty Wooldridge - “As an example of the pending resource depletion, we now find ourselves having to import 75 percent of our oil from foreign nations (the U.S. hit peak oil in 1970) and we borrow some $3 Billion per day from the Chinese, Japanese, East Indians, Arab nations, and others, to keep our false economy alive.”

KOLKATA, India (Reuters) - Bird flu spread to two new districts in an eastern Indian state, officials confirmed on Saturday, as veterinary staff struggled to cull thousands of birds in the face of resistance from farmers.

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.