Akon postpones Asian concerts on swine flu fears

Manila, June 30: Pop singer Akon has postponed his concerts in the Philippines, China and Malaysia until later this year because of concerns over swine flu, organisers said on Tuesday. The Senegalese-American performer will tour Asia from Oct.23 to Nov 7 starting in Manila, said Luke Pasiliao, managing director of Winning Touch, one of the local sponsors.

The concert in Manila was originally scheduled for July 4. Malaysian and Chinese organizers requested a postponement because of concerns over swine flu, Teresa Ventosa of ALV Productions told reporters. In a taped message aired on ABS-CBN television Tuesday, Akon apologized saying the postponement was because of "unforeseen circumstances." He said tickets earlier purchased will be valid for the rescheduled concerts. Akon, whose given name is Aliaune Thiam, did not mention swine flu. The virus has infected hundreds of people in all three countries. The World Health Organization has reported more than 70,000 swine flu cases in more than 100 countries and 311 virus-related deaths. ANI