Indonesia's foreign minister arrived in Myanmar's capital on

Indonesia's foreign minister arrived in Myanmar's capital on Thursday on an unannounced visit, the first by a senior Southeast Asian official since the nation's moderate prime minister was forced out of office by the ruling junta last month. The reason for Hassan Wirayuda's visit was not announced, but an official in Yangon, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Hassan was seeking a meeting with the head of Myanmar's ruling junta, Senior Gen. Than Shwe. The trip comes three weeks after Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt was removed from office and replaced by another senior army officer, Lt. Gen. Soe Win. --AP

India announces troop reduction in Kashmir

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced on Thursday a troop reduction in disputed Kashmir this winter, a move welcomed by regional rival Pakistan as a boost to peace efforts. The announcement, which did not give the number of troops being withdrawn, comes days before Singh is due to make his first visit to the insurgency-hit Himalayan state since becoming prime minister in May. "During the past several months, the Indian army and other security forces deployed in the state of Kashmir have achieved success in bringing about an improvement in the security situation in the state," said a statement issued by the prime minister's office. "In recognition of the improvement in the situation in the state, the government has decided to reduce the deployment of troops this winter." --AFP

China mine blast kills 27 people

Twenty-seven people died in a gas explosion at a coal mine in central China on Thursday, state media said. The blast happened at the Xinsheng Coal Mine in Pingdingshan, a city in central China's Henan province, Xinhua news agency reported. Rescuers were trying to determine the exact number of miners who were underground at the time of the incident, the report said. Fatalities are an almost daily occurrence in China's often dangerous coal mines, many of which are criticized for poor safety standards. --AFP