ANKARA
The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
Turkish dailies covered on Friday the opening ceremony of 17th Mediterranean Games in Turkey's southern city of Mersin with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's attendance with an audience of 20 thousand. Fireworks were let off and flags of Turkey and Mediterranean Games were carried to the stadium to give a start to events with 2,994 sportsmen from 24 countries, who'll compete until June 30.
Daily SABAH headlined "A Mediterranean tale in Mersin", and said it started with a magnificent ceremony, where Erdogan stated that they were preparing for 2020 Istanbul Olympics while they were hosting the biggest sports organization of the Mediterranean, adding that the sea did not separate, but made them familiar and putting together.
Daily TURKIYE published "Akdeniz shall not be made impure", referring to a part of ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party leader Erdogan's speech, where he wished the Mediterranean Sea to remain 'ak (pure)' and not to be contaminated by human blood and tears.
Daily VATAN used the headline, "Rehearsal of Olympic Games", telling the opening ceremony's details, where a map of Piri Reis was reflected to the stage to present the history of Mediterranean region, adding Erdogan's words on his wish for the gain of "gentlemanship, sports, peace and mostly Mediterranean," during the games.
Dailies highly covered Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas's statements on asking for Istanbul residents' opinions with all future projects from now on after Taksim Gezi Park protests, where he said, a huge damage was caused.
Daily HURRIYET published "We'll even consult to Istanbulites for the bus stops," underlining that the projects would firstly be shared with the public and their opinions would be regarded.
'Istanbul municipality laid off 4 workers from jobs and terminated business deals with 3 subcontractors,' Topbas stated according to daily YENI SAFAK's headline "4 municipality workers, who burnt tents, were laid off."
Daily VATAN headlined "We'll ask about even the bus stops," and stressed that they took lessons from Gezi Park and will ask those who use the bus stops, if a significant change of place of a bus stop was planned.
Turkish dailies mostly covered the world markets' running upside down after chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FED) Ben Bernanke, who announced that purchase of stocks would be decreased.
Daily STAR published "FED hits markets" referring to the head of American Federal Bank who said there was a possibility to stop purchasing stocks in 2014, which created panic in world markets, causing US dollar to rise up to 1.93 Turkish lira.
Daily MILLIYET published "FED earthquake," saying Turkey was the country with biggest loss amongst developing countries. It noted that Borsa Istanbul index was down with a decrease of 6.82% and added Central Bank (CB) could not change the rate although it sold $350 million in separate 6 auctions.
Some dailies also covered the demise of James Gandolfini, the leading actor of TV series 'The Sopranos', due to heart attack in Italy.
Daily VATAN headlined "Soprano bids farewell," reminding 'The Sopranos', where Gandolfini was the leading actor.
"The Sopranos fans are mourning," daily SABAH published, saying he lost his life due to heart attack during he was vacating with his family in Italy's Rome, giving a brief background on his life as an actor.
