Shakira performance for World Pride opening concert abruptly canceled due to technical issues

WASHINGTON (AP) — One day before the kickoff concert for World Pride 2025 in the nation's capital, headlining performer Shakira has abruptly canceled due to equipment difficulties.

“We are deeply disappointed that unforeseen circumstances have forced the cancellation” of the concert, the Capital Pride Alliance, the main World Pride organizer, said in a Friday statement. “Updates about the relocated Opening Ceremony program will be released as soon as they are finalized!”

The multiplatinum singer had been scheduled to headline the opening celebrations Saturday night at Nationals Park. The reasons are apparently an extension of equipment issues related to her Thursday night concert in Boston's Fenway Park, which was also canceled hours before it was set to begin. A Friday night concert at Fenway for country star Jason Aldean was also canceled.

“Due to complications with the previous show in Boston, Shakira’s full tour production cannot be transported to Washington, D.C. in time for her scheduled performance at Nationals Park,” the Capital Pride Alliance statement said. “Despite every effort to make it happen, it is not possible to move forward as planned.”

The Alliance noted that the full slate of citywide events was still on for opening weekend, and said the kickoff ceremony would be relocated and reorganized.

The cancellation presents a further challenge for the Alliance, but at least a nonpolitical one. Organizers have already said they expected international attendance to measurably suffer as a result of concern and anger in the LGBTQ+ community over President Donald Trump's policies.

Trump’s public antipathy for trans protections and drag shows has already prompted two international LGBTQ+ organizations, Eagle Canada and the African Human Rights Coalition, to issue warnings against traveling to the U.S. at all. The primary concern is that trans or nonbinary individuals would face trouble entering the country if passport control officers enforce the administration’s strict binary view of gender status.

Some potential international participants have already announced plans to skip this year’s events, either out of fear of harassment or as a boycott against Trump’s policies. But others have called for a domestic mobilization to flood the capital.

Capital Pride Alliance Executive Director Ryan Bos said that security fencing would be installed surrounding the final two-day concert and rally on a multi-block stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Early hotel reservation numbers for the final World Pride weekend, June 6-8, were originally down from the previous year, according to Destination D.C., which tracks reservations.

But Destination D.C. President Elliott Ferguson told reporters on Thursday that, “what we’re seeing now is a surge at the last minute, especially with the national community.”

Ferguson speculated that concerns about international attendance had “galvanized the local community, the national community to want to come to the city.”

Shakira performs at MetLife Stadium on Friday, May 16, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Shakira performs at MetLife Stadium on Friday, May 16, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Shakira performs at MetLife Stadium on Friday, May 16, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Shakira performs at MetLife Stadium on Friday, May 16, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)