World News Briefs -- September 29, 2017

A still image taken from a video footage shows members of the North Korean delegation, who arrived for talks in Moscow, on September 29, 2017 / RT

RT: Behind closed doors: Top N. Korean diplomat arrives in Moscow for talks (VIDEO)

Senior Russian and North Korean diplomats have met in Moscow to discuss the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. It comes as Pyongyang’s war of words with Washington threatens to escalate into all-out conflict.

Oleg Burmistrov, Russia’s ambassador-at-large, met Choe Son-hui, director-general of the North American Department of North Korea’s Foreign Ministry in the Russian capital on Friday. They met behind closed doors.

The talks lasted for almost five hours, RIA Novosti’s correspondent reported from the scene.

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MIDDLE EAST

Dozens of Islamic State militants uncovered in mass grave in Iraq.

Syrian army battles IS attack in Deir al-Zor. 73 Syria government fighters killed in IS attacks: monitor.

'Cautious' State Department asks Iran, Iraq to avoid 'violence' with Kurds.

Vladmir Putin meets Erdogan to secure Syria de-escalation zone.

Turkey raises oil threat after Iraqi Kurds' referendum.

Iraqi ban on flights to Kurdish cities begins Friday.

Turkish military kills three PKK militants in north Iraq near border: sources.

Yemen experiences worst cholera outbreak ever.

ASIA

New Taliban propaganda video features Trump calling Afghanistan a ‘complete disaster’.

Report: North Korea, ex-U.S. officials to meet for informal talks.

Japan's defence chief warns of possible N.Korea provocation on Oct. 10.

UN chief urges Myanmar to end military operations in Rohingya crisis.

Up to 63 Rohingya people dead as vessel carrying refugees shipwrecks.

Fear as Myanmar violence hits Bengali Hindus.

Muslims in China say they are being told to hand over Qurans or face 'harsh punishments'.

Bali: Fear of volcanic eruption forces 130,000 to flee.

AFRICA

Somalia extremists attack military base, kill 10, says army.

Car bomb blast kills seven in Somalia's Mogadishu.

African security officials tackle regional threats.

Cameroon bans pro-independence rallies in Anglophone area.

Libya strongman asks Europe for helicopters to fight migration.

S.Africa court says cannot compel Zuma to set up influence-peddling inquiry.

More than half of Borno schools closed over Boko Haram.

UN rights council extends Burundi abuses probe.

EUROPE

'Miracles' needed to advance Brexit talks by October deadline.

Catalan students rally to defend independence vote.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny detained ahead of rally.

Lavrov: Moscow won’t tolerate crusade to blame Russia for everything under the sun in US.

Surge in migration to Greece fuels misery in refugee camps.

Macron’s counter-terror bill risks France’s human rights record, say UN experts .

EU leaders gather in Estonia to discuss Europe's digital future.

AMERICAS

Crowds jam Puerto Rico dock hoping for place on cruise ship.

US 'to pull staff from Cuba over attacks'.

Trump vows to tackle N Korea on Asia trip.

Trump's tax plan is ALREADY in trouble with his own party as plan to axe state and local tax deduction comes under fire from Republicans.

Twitter's Russia briefings 'inadequate' - US senators.

Americans blame Facebook for fake news, new poll finds.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says his country should be getting ready to fight the US.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pentagon: Airstrikes killed 3 Islamic State drone experts.

US conducts more air strikes against Islamic State in Libya.

IS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi 'resurfaces' in audio clip.

FBI investigating as many cases of domestic extremism as foreign terrorism.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

OPEC oil output edges higher in Sept as Iraq, Libya pump more.

Volkswagen diesel emissions fixing bill hits $30bn.

U.N. report: Pollution is controllable and avoidable.