Shakira cancels concerts in Qatar, UAE amid regional conflict

Two concerts featuring the Colombian singer Shakira have been postponed in the Gulf as the war rages, Reuters reports.

Shakira had been due to perform in Doha on April 1, but the event was postponed due to "the current regional situation", tourism agency Visit Qatar said in a social media post.

Separately, UAE ticketing platform Platinumlist said Abu Dhabi's Offlimits Music Festival, which had been scheduled to take place on April 4, was being postponed until November.

Shakira had been due to perform at the festival, along with other big-name acts such as the American band the Jonas Brothers.

In the same vein, Singer Josh Groban cancelled concerts in Dubai and Bahrain that were due to take place in the coming days, according to CNN.

Formula 1 has cancelled both of its Gulf races scheduled for April – in Bahrain and the Saudi city of Jeddah – because of the ongoing conflict.

A football match between the reigning European and Latin American champions – Spain and Argentina – that was due to take place in Qatar has also been cancelled.