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Peace talks aimed at ending the Syria conflict through a gathering between the Syrian government and rebel groups made a rocky start on Jan. 23 in the Kazakh capital of Astana. 

Peace talks aimed at ending the Syria conflict through a gathering between the Syrian government and rebel groups began on Jan. 23 in the Kazakh capital of Astana. 

Representatives from the two sides sat at the same table as Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov delivered an opening speech, an AFP correspondent saw.  

Negotiations on a ceasefire in Syria are about to begin in the Kazakh capital Astana.

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The uncertainties about the U.S.'s new Middle East policy under Donald Trump have been straining nerves in Ankara, as Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan made public on Jan. 22 before heading his visit to three Africa countries.

The Turkish international tourism business has suffered badly due to regional political developments. The unrest and civil war in neighboring countries including Iraq and Syria have had a spillover effect on Turkey, which as a tourist destination is no longer perceived to be as safe as it once was.

The crucial Syria summit, which will bring Syria's government and rebel fighters to a negotiating table for the first time after nearly six years of war, following 23 days of cease-fire, is set to start in Kazakhstan's capital on Jan. 23. 

Two very important developments regarding the Syrian conflict: Russia signed an agreement that prolongs its presence in the country and increases its forces and its installations there and Turkey seems to accept for the first time Assad on power in a post-solution Syria.

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Americans should listen to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s denials that Russia was the source of hacked Democratic emails released by his group over the summer, said Kellyanne Conway, a senior advisor to President-elect Donald Trump.

A computer expert considered to be one of the most important hackers in Russia has been detained in Spain.

The 32-year old Stanislav Lisov is wanted in the USA for financial fraud amounting to EUR 5 M, read the announcement of the Spanish Civil Guard.

Spanish authorities stated that the hacker was arrested a week ago at the airport in Barcelona.