Ömer Çelik

Turkish political parties decided to suspend their upcoming election rallies on Oct. 12 ahead of the Nov. 1 snap elections following the Oct. 10 Ankara twin blasts which claimed at least 97 lives and wounded hundreds. 

The Justice and Development Party (AKP), holder of the caretaker government, has decided to suspend holding election rallies until Oct. 16 in the aftermath of the Oct. 10 suicide bombing in the run-up to the snap elections on Nov.1. 

At least 86 people died in two explosions that shook a road junction in the center of the Turkish capital of Ankara on Oct. 10, the largest signle terror attack in the country's history, ahead of a "peace" meeting, Health Minister Mehmet Müezzion?lu said nearly six hours after the attack. 

Changes made in the Central Executive Board (MYK) of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) have amounted to a substantial overhaul, as 11 newcomers were added to the board, empowered to assist the party leader, Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu, who was reelected as the party leader at a weekend congress.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu will meet for coalition negotiations on Aug. 10, Culture and Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik has said.

An investigation file that was signed by current Culture and Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik about his predecessor, Ertu?rul Günay, over his activities during his tenure has been sent to Turkey's parliament for a probe.

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate Ramazan Demir has been stabbed in the stomach while election campaigning in the Alada? district in the southern province of Adana.

Demir, the AKP's candidate from Adana, was stabbed three times in the stomach on May 23 by two unidentified men while campaigning in Alada?.

The May 18 bomb attacks on two local headquarters of the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP) in the southern provinces of Adana and Mersin have drawn condemnation from the government and the HDP, with the latter accusing the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). 

The Presidential Culture and Grand Awards of 2014 will be presented to actress Gönül Ülkü Özcan, elegy performer Celal Yilmaz, lyricist Beşir Ayvazoğlu and the Kubbealtı Academy Culture and Arts Foundation, Culture and Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik has announced.