Syrian Kurds refuse to comply with the decisions to be adopted in Astana

Syrian Kurds refuse to comply with the decisions to be adopted in Astana

Kurdish defense forces said they did not intend to adhere to the decisions to be taken at between Syrian talks in Astana, the organization said in a statement, RIA news








"We will not adhere to any decisions that will be the result of a conference in Astana ... We believe that the negotiating parties and the patron of the country are part of a serious crisis in Syria, and they do not have solutions relevant to the Syrian people," - said in a statement.

According to the Kurds, to solve the crisis it is necessary to hold consultations with representatives of all nationalities living in Syria and confessions. Recall, today, 23 January, began an international meeting on the Syrian settlement in Astana. The meeting began at 13:50 in the hotel «Rixos President Astana». In Astana are involved delegations from Syria, Russia, Turkey and Iran. Special Envoy for Syria, the UN Secretary General, Staffan de Mistura gave a brief comment to journalists in the lobby of the hotel «Rixos President Astana». The representative of the Syrian opposition Yahya al-Aridi said on the first day of talks in Astana. "We talked about the issues of achieving this long-term truce in Syria. Each side was asked to develop their views on how this can be achieved. This - the first one. Second, what we talked about - the human factor. This hostage besieged areas. What we ultimately discussed - very good for such a meeting.

Mexico will pay US back for wall - Trump

The US Congress is exploring ways to pay for a southern border wall, with payment to be sought from Mexico later.

President-elect Donald Trump made building a wall, paid for by the US neighbour, a central campaign pledge.

The businessman sparked a storm of disapproval in 2015 when he said Mexico was sending criminals and rapists north to the US through a porous border.

In a tweet on Friday, he lashed out at the "dishonest media" for saying taxpayers would foot the bill.

"Any money spent on building the Great Wall (for sake of speed), will be paid back by Mexico later!"

Mr Trump's spokesman, Sean Spicer, insisted on Friday morning that the plan to seek reimbursement from Mexico after paying US money up-front "doesn't mean he's broken his promise".

"Build the wall" was a popular chant heard at Trump rallies

Trump railed against illegal immigration during his campaign

"I think he's going to continue to talk to them (the Mexican government) about that," he told ABC News.

Congressional Republicans confirmed they have the legal authorisation to build the wall under the Secure Fence Act passed by former president George W Bush in 2006.

But to ensure they have the funding, they may seek to add billions of dollars to the government's spending bill - which needs to pass by 28 April to keep the federal government open.

Democrats may oppose that spending, risking a government shutdown.

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Voters won't care - Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington

At Donald Trump's campaign rallies, his supporters loved when their man asked who was going to pay for his border wall. "Mexico!" they shouted in unison.

It made for powerful political theatre - a shared moment between candidate and voter. But polls indicated that few Americans, even Trump backers, actually believed Mexico would foot the bill.

Now it appears their lack of confidence was well-founded. Getting any kind of a border wall built - let alone the "big, beautiful" structure Mr Trump envisions - will be a political grind. If it requires a diplomatic battle with Mexico before the first brick is laid, the chances of success would dwindle.

The practical course was always to build first, then deal with Mexico.

Political writer Salena Zito once observed that Trump's supporters take their man seriously but not literally, while his media critics do the opposite. Trump voters may not mind if Mexico doesn't pay, as long as the president-elect takes border security seriously.

Mexico's president and senior officials have said that they will not pay for the wall, despite Mr Trump's campaign pledge.

But Republican Congressman Chris Collins said he has no doubt the Mexican government will end up paying.

"When you understand that Mexico's economy is dependent upon US consumers, Donald Trump has all the cards he needs to play," Mr Collins said on CNN.

"On the trade negotiation side, I don't think it's that difficult for Donald Trump to convince Mexico that it's in their best interest to reimburse us for building the wall."

Nigel Farage to host lavish party for Donald Trump at Washington hotel

Nigel Farage to host lavish party for Donald Trump at Washington hotel

The former UKIP leader has apparently hired the top floor of an exclusive five star hotel in Washington DC.

15:45, UK,Friday 06 January 2017
Image Caption:Mr Farage is expected to attend the inauguration ceremony as well as hosting the party








By Darren McCaffrey, Sky News Politics Correspondent

Nigel Farage is to host a lavish party for Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC.


Five hundred US politicians, including senators, governors and congressmen, as well as media stars and other members of the Washington elite are on the guest list.

Mr Trump and his family have also been invited and although they have not formally accepted, organisers hope the newly sworn in President will attend.

Sky News understands the top floor of the five star exclusive The Hay-Adams hotel has been hired.
Image Caption:The Hay-Adams Hotel near the White House in Washington, DC

The $500-a-night hotel, located just metres away from the White House, hosted the Obamas two weeks before their inauguration eight years ago.

Mr Farage is also expected to attend the inauguration ceremony itself as a guest of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant.

"The Governor of Mississippi has invited me and I'm there for a few days and it's going to be a great, historic event," he told Sky News.

"In America they've had a political revolution and it's complete; the problem in Britain is our revolution is not complete because the same people are still in charge."

Mr Farage was a passionate supporter of Mr Trump during the campaign trail, attending pro-Trump rallies and widely criticising Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

He later became the first UK politician to meet him just days after he was elected.

Both Mr Farage and Mr Trump have regularly compared the US election to the UK's vote to leave the EU.











Video:Hack row: Biden tells Trump to 'grow up'

Separately, the day before the inauguration, Arron Banks, a leading donor to the leave EU movement, is expected to meet with executives of Warner Bros about making a film telling the Brexit story.

The studio is apparently eager to adopt his memoir, The Bad Boys of Brexit.

The book tells the story of the car insurance salesman's rise to prominence, having supported UKIP and Brexit in the recent referendum.