Category World News

A well-known Iranian singer was due to play a massive concert at Tehran’s iconic Azadi Tower as part of a state-organized demonstration of national unity following the 12-day conflict with Israel by now.

However, the authorities canceled Homayoun Shajarian, a traditional singer and the son of Mohammad Reza Shajarian, who had been receiving much publicity at the late Friday concert.

Shajarian announced online that the 30-member orchestra’s instruments and equipment were not permitted on the site two days prior to the event. He added that there was no way to organize the crowd, which could have a million people in it.

Videos that were widely circulated online claimed that Tehran Municipality employees welded shut-off gates to the tower’s square, preventing the installation of audio equipment. The square, which was extensively decorated a month earlier for the first month of the Islamic calendar’s first month, is frequently used for state-organized events.

The hardline former lawmaker Alireza Zakani, who has served as Tehran’s mayor since 2021, suggested there was a lack of coordination between government officials, and that the event should have been held in a stadium instead.

The incident sparked a furore online, with many interpretations pointing to political and social divides at a time when the West may soon be lifting sanctions against Iran and there are worries that Israel and the United States will launch an Iranian missile attack.

The free concert in Tehran’s heart was a welcome idea for some people because it could provide a rare opportunity for those experiencing hardship while also surviving in an ailing economy plagued by persistent, ongoing inflation.

The concert was seen as an attempt by the state to stifle popular support while leaders in Israel and the West openly discuss regime change in Iran, according to some Iranians who are opposed to the theocratic establishment abroad.

Some of Shajarian’s foreign-based critics of Iran’s establishment were critical of the singer’s alleged support for the state at the concert, especially given that his late father was known as the “voice of the people.” Other critics had anticipated that a sizable crowd of people would organize anti-government demonstrations.

Hamid Resaee, a hardline member of parliament, suggested the government planned the rushed concert to “distract the people” from the country’s severe power blackouts, water crisis, and devaluing currency.

The culture ministry expressed regret for the cancelled event, saying that “we all lost” a missed chance for cohesion.

Local media largely supported the concert, with exceptions from hardline and conservative outlets, who generally oppose significant public events that are not entirely under the control of the state.

Even the pro-reforms Shargh newspaper criticised the anti-establishment diaspora for its criticism of the concert, calling them too extreme and “having taken the people hostage.”

Without any formal explanation as to why the concert had been blocked numerous times before and why it was approved this week, Shajarian claimed that he had originally requested permission to take the performance to the stage seven years ago and only recently received government approval.

The singer addressed the criticism in a lengthy post online after the event was called off. He argued that the effort was meant to avoid being “covering up problems, but to provide a moment of good feelings to people who deserve joy,” and that it should not be “entangled with politics.”

Outside pressure rises.

The Iranian state insists on unity despite the concert attempt’s failure and increasingly uses centuries-old Iranian history to spout nationalist ideas, something it lacked before the most recent conflict with Israel.

Authorities have spoken extensively about territorial integrity and cohesion among Iran’s various ethnic groups in recent months in Tehran and across the nation. They have also displayed banners depicting Persian kings defeating invading foes.

Iran has only recently been under increased pressure from the US, Israel, and their allies in Europe, with the intention of ending its nuclear program.

The remaining European signatories to Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement, which US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from in 2018, are urging France, Germany, and the UK to reinstate all UN sanctions lifted as a result of the landmark agreement.

The nation’s markets are also tense because Western powers are attempting to blacklist Iran until a deal is reached regarding its nuclear program.

On Saturday, the US dollar changed hands in Tehran for about 1.02 million rials, which is a little better than the previous all-time low of 1.06 million rials, which was set earlier in the week.

When Carlos Alcaraz faces Jannik Sinner in the US Open 2025 final, the most intense rivalry in modern men’s tennis will start to unfold in New York.

For tennis fans, it’s a chance to watch the game’s current and future players compete in a Grand Slam final for the third time in 2025.

As the year’s Grand Slams come to an end, the meeting gives the young stars an opportunity to earn yet another significant trophy.

Everything you need to know about the match is listed below:

The Alcaraz vs. Sinner US Open final will take place when?

Sunday at 2 p.m. (18:00 GMT) is the day of the game.

The final between Alcaraz and Sinner will take place where?

The Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York, is home to the renowned blue hardcourts that make up the final game.

What transpired during the most recent Alcaraz-Sinner game?

The pair last squared off in the Cincinnati Open final on August 18, but Sinner’s retirement caused the match to end prematurely. After 23 minutes of play, the Italian declared unwell in the sweltering conditions.

Alcaraz claimed the title of champion, but he later admitted that winning trophies is not his style.

Alcaraz has defeated Sinner how many times?

nine . Since their initial encounter in 2021, the Spaniard has outperformed his rival in 13 meetings.

In their five meetings in 2025, Sinner has won once.

When did Sinner last defeat Alcaraz?

Sinner won his first Wimbledon trophy in July after defeating Alcaraz. The Italian won his second Grand Slam of 2025 with a four-set victory in the close contest (4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4).

How long did the Alcaraz-Sinner match last in the French Open final?

In the French Open 2025 final, the young stars battled for five hours and 29 minutes to captivate audiences with top-notch tennis in one of the most entertaining Grand Slam finals ever to occur.

Alcaraz won his second Roland Garross title in a row by winning the five-set classic (44-6, 6-6, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6).

Alcaraz has won how many US Open titles?

One . Alcaraz won the US Open in 2022, marking his first Grand Slam victory. He had a shock second-round exit in 2024 at the hands of Botic van de Zandschulp and was unable to do it in 2023 when he lost to Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals.

At the US Open, have Alcaraz and Sinner ever squared off against one another?

The pair’s only previous encounter at the tournament was in 2022’s quarterfinals. Their rivalry was ignited by yet another epic. Alcaraz won four sets in a five and a half-hour and 15-minute contest that ended in New York just before 3 a.m.

Alcaraz and Sinner have won how many Grand Slam titles?

Alcaraz has five titles to his name – one at the US Open (2022), two at Wimbledon (2023, 2024) and two at the French Open&nbsp, (2024, 2025).

In addition to winning four Grand Slam titles, Sinner has won one at Wimbledon (2025), two at the US Open (2024), and two at the Australian Open (2024).

What are the overall stats for Sinner v. Alcaraz?

Win-loss record in 2025:

Alcaraz: 60-6
Sinner: 37-4

winning-loss record in a career

Alcaraz: 269-62
Sinner: 300-84

Titles in 2025

Alcaraz: 2
Sinner: 6

titles of careers

Alcaraz: 22
Sinner: 20

Money for a career

Alcaraz: $48.5m
Sinner: $46.3m

How did Alcaraz get to the US Open final?

First round: defeated Reilly Opelka 6-4, 7-5, 6-4

Second round: defeated Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-0, 6-3

Third round: defeated Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-4, 6-0

Fourth round: defeated Arthur Rinderknech 7-6, 6-3, 6-4

Quarterfinals: defeated Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-2, 6-2

Semifinals: defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-6, 6-2

How did Sinner get to the US Open final?

First round: defeated Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-1, 6-2

Second round: defeated Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-2, 6-2

Third round: defeated Denis Shapovalov 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3

Fourth round: defeated Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-1, 6-1

Quarterfinals: defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-1, 6-4, 6-2

Semifinals: defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

What was said about the final by Alcaraz?

Just the starting point for the match; I just wanted to maintain that level throughout the entire match.

I think I’m doing that in this tournament, which I’m very proud of.

What has Sinner said about the final in Alcaraz?

We like to see each other on the court because, given our ranking, it indicates that we are performing well in the tournament.

“Sunday is a very special day and an amazing final once more.

“It seems like our rivalry started here, playing a fantastic match. We are now two different players with different levels of confidence.

The US Open final will be held for what reason?

Following visits to the Super Bowl in February and the FIFA Club World Cup final in July, the US president plans to make his first major sporting event appearance at the tennis showpiece.

According to a US Tennis Association spokesman, the president will watch the final from his or her suite as a client guest.

Trump will be a guest of the association, but that is unknown. Trump will make his first Grand Slam appearance in New York since 2015 with the event.

Alcaraz said he would “try not to think” about the president’s presence at the final.

Although I don’t want to be nervous about it, I believe that watching a tennis match makes it great that there is a president there.

What does the US Open winner’s prize money consist of?

The winner will also receive a $5 million prize money in addition to a glittering trophy.

Where can I watch the US Open tennis final live on television?

Local and regional broadcasters as well as digital streaming services from around the world will broadcast the game.

On Sunday at 15:00 GMT, Al Jazeera Sport will broadcast the final live from the 15:00 GMT to 12:00 GMT.

This year’s Grand Slam final was Round III. Twitter.com/Twitter.com/mY6qIhkgl

Washington, DC – Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s husband, Hamid Ali, claims confusion and sorrow still grip him. One year ago, Israeli forces killed American citizen.

“Seeing the impact it has had on her father and her family, it’s been very difficult to adjust to life without Aysenur, an empty house.” Ali told Al Jazeera, “The word I’d use to sum up is confusing.

On September 6, 2024, Israeli forces fatally shot Ezgi Eygi, whose first name is Aysha-nour, while protesting an illegal settlement outpost in the occupied West Bank.

Violence in the West Bank has increased as Israel continues to attack Gaza. Since 2022, Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed at least 10 US citizens.

While Washington has continued to give Israel billions of dollars in military aid, the presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump have ignored requests from Ezgi Eygi’s family for a US-led investigation into her death.

Ezgi Eygi’s sister Ozden Bennett said she is aware that justice may not be in sight, but that this does not undermine the family’s resolve to preserve the activist’s body.

Even if it doesn’t happen right away or perhaps ever, we’re committed to the long-haul journey of finding meaning in the process. Bennett told Al Jazeera, “I’m optimistic it will.”

Because it’s the right thing to do and my sister deserves it, “I see us fighting on.” Israel should be commended for every life it has taken without meaning.

Aysenur Memorial

When Ezgi Eygi died, she was 26 years old and had Turkish ancestry. Those who knew her described her as empathetic and joyful.

She was deeply moved by injustices in the US and abroad because she had been active since she was a young child. She is almost “childlike” in her compassion and playfulness, according to Ali and Bennett.

According to Bennett, “She always had that kind of childlike essence to her, that curiosity, that silliness.” I just miss her so much because she was such a special, sweet, and occasionally obnoxious sister.

Ali thinks that her activism was motivated by that authenticity.

He told Al Jazeera, “She had to live by her values and beliefs, and she had to express her feelings.”

“So she was the kind of person she was, and that’s exactly why she believed that doing the activism she did in the [United] States wasn’t enough. She thought that going to the West Bank would be her best course of action.

Since Ezgi Eygi was shot, at least two more US citizens have died in the West Bank.

Sayfollah Musallet, 20, was shot to death by settlers in Florida in July. Khamis Ayyad, a father of five and former resident of Chicago, was killed in a second settler attack less than three weeks later.

The families in both cases are calling for a US-Israel Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and other applicable laws that would allow for such an investigation.

Israel has been asked to look into its own abuses by the Trump administration, but that is all it has done. Israel’s forces’ actions toward Palestinians and their supporters are rarely deemed to be wrong.

Similar to the incident’s death last year, the administration of then-President Biden requested an investigation into it, but it opted to ignore it.

The hypocrisy is “stunning.”

A consistent pattern is that there is no accountability. No criminal charges have been brought against the alleged killers in all ten cases of Americans who have been killed by Israeli settlers and soldiers since 2022.

Shireen Abu Akleh, a veteran Al Jazeera reporter, was shot in the head while dong a bright blue jacket with the tagline “press.”

The inaction, according to rights advocates, constitutes impunity for Americans who kill Americans abroad. They trace the pattern back a number of decades, dating back to the 2003 incident where an Israeli bulldozer struck activist Rachel Corrie in Gaza.

At the time of her death, she had been attempting to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian home.

Corrie, who was also a native of Washington state, is a prominent figure in the West’s support for the Palestinian cause. No one is still held accountable for her murder.

Ali’s wife’s passing and Corrie’s passing are analogous, Ali said.

He said, “This isn’t anything new, because it was the same as Rachel Corrie, and that was 20+ years ago.”

“We recognize the pattern, but it’s also frustrating and incredibly hypocritical.”

In an effort to keep the case alive, Ezgi Eygi’s family members have been bringing their demands to US lawmakers and officials despite their frustration.

The top US diplomat, according to Ali and Bennett, showed an inability to seek justice when they met with the then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken last year.

Following the killing of US-Israeli captive Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Gaza, the US Department of Justice filed charges of “terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanctions-evasion” against Hamas leaders days before Ezgi Eygi’s death.

The US approach’s contrast is obvious to Bennett. She told Al Jazeera, “It sends a message that not all American lives are equal.”

The US-based rights organization DAWN’s Raed Jarrar, who is in charge of advocacy, claimed that Washington “values Israeli impunity more than American lives” because of the US’s failure to hold accountable Ezgi Eygi and other US citizens who were killed by Israel.

“The hypocrisy is awe-inspiring.” The US government uses every diplomatic, economic, and military tool at its disposal to demand accountability and justice when Americans are killed by anyone else, according to Jarrar.

However, when Israel murders Americans, the US accepts Israeli “investigations” and justifications, provides additional weapons, shields Israel from international scrutiny, and accepts them.

Israeli investigation is “Irrelevant.”

According to an initial Israeli military report following Ezgi Eygi’s death, she was most likely killed by “indirect and unintended” fire. However, witnesses claim that a sniper struck her in the head.

No public announcements about the results of the investigation’s findings, despite reports that a wider Israeli investigation into the incident has been launched.

Al Jazeera’s request for comment was not received by the Israeli government’s Foreign Press Department.

Bennett claimed that the family is not anticipating an Israeli investigation’s release of any kind of accountability.

According to us, the Israeli investigation is irrelevant because it is inappropriate or acceptable for Israel, the murderer, to conduct an internal investigation.

If Ezgi Eygi’s memory can contribute to the Palestinian people’s liberation, Ali said, it would ease his sense of loss. Justice for Ezgi Eygi may seem elusive to him.