ANKARA
The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
Turkish dailies cover on Wednesday South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela's funeral in Johannesburg. Daily Radikal calls it "Madiba's Power" which brought together 89 heads of state and government, ready to pay their last respects.
The daily adds that the highlight of the ceremony, held in the stadium where the 2010 Fifa World Cup final game was played, was the handshake between US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro, brother of Fidel Castro who stepped down in 2008 due to his failing health after nearly fifty years in positions of power.
Daily Hurriyet says the massive memorial service for Mandela "united the world," adding that Turkey was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay.
- Turkish MP takes oath in parliament after release -
Turkish dailies cover the release of Mustafa Balbay, who took his oath as MP after the Constitutional Court ordered the termination of his nearly five-year long detention under the Ergenekon case.
Daily Haberturk says Balbay’s oath came with a 30-month delay following his election in 2011.
Daily Star says the decision for Balbay’s release will set a precedent for other detained deputies. The daily says five MPs from pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) have already appealed for their release. Their case is expected to conclude on Wednesday.
- Turkey growth figures 'beyond expectations' -
Turkish dailies cover economic growth figures issued by national statistics agency TurkStat, which put Turkey's three quarter growth at 4.4%.
Daily Sabah defines the growth number as "beyond the most optimistic estimates", saying that it makes Turkey one of the highest growing ten countries, well above the European Union average of -0.4%.
The daily adds this is the sixteenth consecutive quarterly positive growth Turkey registered and it is considered likely that the country will close the year with a growth in excess of 4%.
- Champions League match delayed by snow -
Turkish dailies cover Tuesday's Champions League game between Galatasaray and Juventus, which had to be delayed at 31' due to heavy snowfall. The game will be played on Wednesday.
Daily Taraf says "Snowman wins," while Sabah calls the halt "the white card."
Daily Milliyet brands it a "scandal," citing allegations of a malfunction in the TT Arena stadium's underfloor heating systems. The daily says the stadium administration added insult to injury by assigning only eight people to sweep the resulting snow heaps that covered the entire pitch in a mere six minutes.
Daily Radikal says Galatasaray issued a statement shortly after the event, assuring that there was no malfunction and the delay was solely due to the intensity of precipitation.
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