France 24: She has the same name and nationality as the Turkish president, but the similarities stop there. Writer Asli Erdogan is an outspoken critic of Recep Tayyip Erdogan's crackdown on opponents following the failed coup of July 2016. Having just picked up the Simone de Beauvoir prize for Women’s Freedom in Paris, Erdogan tells FRANCE 24 about the situation facing intellectuals, journalists and students in Turkey – and about her feelings ahead of her own trial, scheduled for March 2018. "People are afraid to breathe," she says. "Europe only hears about the writers, the journalists. But thousands of university students are in jail for just one tweet."

Press TV: Turkey summons US charge d'affaires over YPG support. Turkey has summoned a senior US diplomat in Ankara to protest Washington's support for a Kurdish militia group in Syria. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has told the American charge d'affaires that the US must stop arming and training the YPG. In Washington, a State Department spokesman confirmed the meeting occurred but did not give further details. Relations between the US and Turkey have been tense over multiple issues including Washington’s decision in 2017 to give weapons to the YPG. The White House says the group is the most effective fighting force against Daesh. But the Turkish government calls it a terrorist organization linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, PKK, which is fighting against Ankara.

Le Monde: Guillaume Perrier, the journalist and former correspondent in Turkey for French media, conducted the investigation on who wants to print the mark of his reign in the history of the country. His book 'Dans la tête de Recep Tayyip Erdogan' is published by Actes Sud. (in French)

TRT World: How concerned is Turkey about what's happening in Syria's Idlib? Turkey puts pressure on Russia and Iran to stop regime violations in rebel-held Idlib province. TRT World's Andrew Hopkins reports from the Turkish capital, Ankara.

About 30 activists from NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) staged a protest in front of the Turkish Embassy in Paris, over jailed journalists amid President Erdogan's visit to Paris.

Associated Press: UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling met with his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Arslan in Ankara on Thursday. Grayling's trip to Turkey comes as he faces controversy at home over rising railway fares. Grayling reiterated continued cooperation between the two countries.

Turkey: Advisor to the President rebuffs criticism on jailed reporters.

TRT World: Greek court freezes asylum to Turkish soldier involved in coup. Greece's Asylum Appeals Authority granted the officer asylum in December. Earlier, Greek courts rejected Turkey's extradition request for the eight officers involved in the 2016 failed coup.

Turkey extends the state of emergency for the sixth time. Ankara says it needs to continue with the measures to combat security challenges.

Foreign ministers of Turkey and Germany met to improve relations following a series of conflicts over the past year.

1-5 January 2018