Latest news with #FêtedelaMusique
Daily News Egypt
12-07-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Needle-spiking attacks in France prompt government warning, public fear
A wave of needle-spiking attacks in public spaces across France has sparked widespread public fear and prompted the government to call for a 'swift and firm criminal response,' as authorities grapple with a phenomenon that has intensified with the start of the summer festival season. The attacks, carried out by unknown assailants who prick their victims with needles, have raised concerns that the instruments could be contaminated with diseases or harmful substances. Authorities have announced 12 arrests in connection with such incidents, as anxiety grows ahead of large public gatherings for Bastille Day and summer music festivals. The phenomenon first emerged in 2022 but has seen a recent surge. During the nationwide Fête de la Musique on June 21, 145 people reported being pricked, following calls on social media for mass spiking attacks, particularly against women. Incidents have also been reported at the Printemps de Bourges festival and in nightclubs and on public transport in cities including Paris, Nantes, and Grenoble. In response, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has sent a circular to all public prosecutors demanding a 'swift' and decisive response to the incidents and ordering that specific investigation procedures be implemented immediately to preserve evidence. 'One person told me, 'I was pricked at the Fête de la Musique',' one victim said in a weary, clipped tone. 'At one point, someone passed by me, and I felt a sharp sting.' Judicial authorities have opened multiple investigations into the attacks, which have left victims with a range of symptoms. According to a 2024 study of several hundred of the 1,200 people who filed complaints that year, some victims initially felt a prick in the arm or thigh, later noticing marks. Others subsequently developed symptoms such as dizziness, hot flashes, or severe headaches. Professor Joseph Bakhache, an infectious diseases specialist, said it remains difficult to confirm if injections of harmful substances have actually occurred, as clinical and laboratory tests have so far failed to provide proof. 'The most difficult task for us is to follow up on the type of needle used, especially as there are needles that can transmit infectious and chronic diseases, such as AIDS and Hepatitis B,' Bakhache told Asharq News. 'The real fear for us remains on the trains, which are used by millions of citizens daily across France.' He noted that, unlike narcotics, some injectable substances are difficult to detect, and expressed serious concern over the potential use of contaminated, second-hand needles. Darmanin's circular stressed the need for comprehensive victim support and outlined the legal approach. If tests show a substance was injected, the crime will be treated as the administration of a harmful substance. If a prick is proven but no substance is found, it can be considered intentional violence with a weapon. Local officials and event organisers have described the phenomenon as a 'real source of concern.' Michel Grouyer, the mayor of Chatou, which is preparing to host the major 'Electric Park' music festival in August, said prevention is difficult given that small needles or pins can be used. 'We have started to prepare and train police officers for non-routine search procedures to prevent, as much as possible, incidents of this type,' he said. Organisers of some festivals have begun implementing technology to address the issue, such as the 'Safer' mobile app, which allows attendees to immediately report an attack or send an alert. A dedicated team then finds the potential victim to offer assistance, including access to an on-site psychologist.
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
I travelled 212 miles for a viral street party - I'd do it again in a heartbeat
I went to the annual street festival in Paris and saw a different side of the country during Fête de la Musique - music blasted, strangers danced, and for once, it felt like everyone was truly living and enjoying I travelled to Paris to experience the annual street music takeover and found freedom, joy, and far too many stairs. Fête de la Musique turned the streets of Paris into good chaos, calm and everything in between and for one hot summer day, I was right in the middle of it. People tend to associate Paris is the city of love, fashion and all things art – but for one weekend, it felt different. It felt more like a city of vibes, dancing, and culture. The streets of Paris were undeniably electric - music blaring from every corner, people dancing like no one was watching, and the French, Brits and even Americans stepping out in their best fits. I'd never seen the city like this. Sure, I'd only been to Paris once before, for Disneyland; but still. This was different. For most people, Fête de la Musique is just a party. But to Parisians, it's a day of sound, movement, and pure joy. I first heard about the event through TikTok where talk of the festival had gone viral. I booked my ticket after watching videos that had gained thousands of likes, thinking: 'Yes; this is a bit of me - pure vibes, dancing and the city of love.' For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. If I'm being completely honest, the viral videos influenced my decision to spend almost £500 on my hotel and train ride across the border. I could've booked a cheeky beach holiday for less, but it wasn't just the videos that had me curious - it was the debate between Brits and the French that made me want to go even more. Some Parisians on TikTok were warning Brits off, calling it a 'glorified block party.' But I had to see it for myself. When the day of Fête came, I got ready, put on my outfit and headed to my first stop: Châtelet les Halles. It was early and the streets were already packed. One thing that shocked me? Every shop was open. Not boarded up or braced for chaos like at Notting Hill Carnival. Some people were even shopping like there wasn't a full-blown street party happening outside. That alone made it feel different. The music was loud and at first, the crowd looked overwhelming - it was 35 degrees, and it seemed like there wasn't space to breathe. But I didn't come all this way to stand outside the action. So I went in. And it didn't disappoint. It wasn't long before the contagious energy got to me with songs I'd never heard before. I was dancing like no one was watching because, honestly, no one cared, no one judged and that alone is a rare sight. In the UK, you sometimes hold back in the dance worrying about someone watching, filming or judging. But here? People were just dancing. It was free, easy. A vibe you don't find often. When we'd had enough of that crowd, we travelled to a completely different part of Paris for another party. We had to take the Metro to get there and let me just say this: Paris and stairs? Criminal. Every station had so many I genuinely started questioning my life choices - but also contributed to my step intake. So, in all fairness the stairs did me a favour. Once all my dancing was done, I perched myself on the edge of a lake and it gave me the stillness my body didn't know it needed. It might've just been one day, but it made me feel something I hadn't felt in a while - completely present. That's the power of good music, a good crowd, and a city that finally lets its hair down. While I had a great time at Fête, the French told no lies when they said it was a glorified block party - a really good one. Despite all the chaos going on in the world, this day felt like a reminder. Joy is still possible. And when people come together, something truly beautiful happens. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
New Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Mu-synch for the soul
It is a known factor that the universal language of music knows no bounds – bridging cultures and connecting people from all walks of life. Known for blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms with funk and global grooves, French-Caribbean musician David Walters is an example of this phenomenon, of creating music which resonates with audience from diverse backgrounds. He recently brought it to the city as part of the Fête de la Musique festival, held at Alliance Francaise de Bangalore on Friday, as a part of his Indian tour. 'I was surprised to receive such a warm welcome from an audience that barely knows me, an audience of all ages, from children as young as three years old to those in their 80s, 20s, and entire families. These are real encounters with the audience – baths of joy,' he shares. For Walters, music is a deeply emotional process. 'What inspires me is what I experience. I draw from lived experiences – moments of love, loss, melancholy, joy, and rebirth. My deepest inspirations come from these emotions – they are numerous and infinite,' he shares. This philosophy is reflected in his aim – to bring along and blend global influences in music. 'Caribbean rhythms are naturally part of me – they are in my DNA – and when I combine them with global influences, like Indian folk or soul from the '70s, it becomes a fusion of emotions and experiences,' Walters notes. Collaboration and cultural exchange are central to Walters' process. 'I've worked with artistes like Seun Kuti, Flavia Coelho, Keziah Jones, and many others – all born out of real human encounters,' he says. His recent collaboration with Indian classical musicians, including Rajasthan Roots, has been a revelation. 'Indian music carries immense depth, tradition, and learning. Working with them has taken me out of my comfort zone in the best way,' he adds. For Walters, live performance is more than just entertainment; it's a way to heal and connect with others. 'Music for me is more than sound; it's a space of expression and healing. And dance helps us heal, it cares and uplifts us – just like music. They are not opposed but complementary,' he emphasises, adding, 'Also, I like to leave space for the musicians I play with to express themselves. The voice may be the first instrument, but I believe that instruments, silence, and emotion also speak deeply. That honesty on stage is what allows for a real connection.' Currently touring around the nation with an aim to engage in intimate musical residencies with local folk musicians, Walters hints at potential collaborations with more Indian musicians. 'I do hope to stay longer in India someday to record with Indian musicians – there's a soulful connection between India and the Caribbean, not just musically but culturally too, especially considering the Indian diaspora in the Caribbean since colonial times,' he concludes.
LeMonde
27-06-2025
- LeMonde
Syringe attacks at France-wide music event: How panic spread on social media
The photo shows a plastic bag from a pharmacy in the southern French city of Perpignan, with the message scrawled across it: "I have everything I need to inject on Saturday." Published on Snapchat, the image was one example among several alleged calls to "inject people with syringes during the Fête de la Musique," according to the news monitoring account ActuReact, which shared this message with its 120,000 followers on Instagram. As early as June 17, this online media outlet was the first to warn that some internet users were encouraging such assaults at the French music event. Reached by Le Monde, the French high school student who runs the account said his team had "infiltrated" Snapchat groups preparing these actions in several French cities. In the following days, he also shared "advice" on what to do in case of a syringe attack, content that was reposted by the popular feminist account Abrègesœur on TikTok and Instagram. The rumor snowballed. Across social media, mainly teenagers posted warnings for young women, who were said to be the main targets of these syringe attacks with incapacitating drugs, allegedly intended to facilitate sexual assault. Meanwhile, on June 20, controversial influencer Amine Mojito posted a video in the same vein as his usual tasteless "pranks": He pretended to inject unsuspecting tourists. Shocking and viral, the clip circulated widely and was condemned by many. Outlandish rumors This was the atmosphere as the Fête de la Musique took place on Saturday, June 21. According to a report released Sunday by the Interior Ministry, nearly 145 people – most of them young women – contacted authorities with suspicions of having been attacked with a syringe.
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Needle spiking at festivals: What to know before partying abroad
As Americans travel abroad this summer for music festivals and nightlife, authorities and advocates are warning of a growing threat: needle spiking. Nearly 150 people reported being pricked with needles across France over the weekend, during its nationwide music festival Fête de la Musique. The French Interior Ministry said 13 cases were recorded in Paris, and police have arrested at least 12 people in connection with the attacks so far. Investigations are ongoing, and it wasn't immediately clear if the victims were injected with anything. However, the scale of the incident and its potential to produce similar ones this summer is a "shock" and a cause for caution, according to Colin Mackie, founder of Spike Aware UK, a non-profit that raises awareness about spiking. This recent attack highlights the need for travelers to be aware of spiking risks while partying abroad. It's important to be prepared and know what to do if it happens to you. What is needle spiking? Needle spiking involves people being unwantingly jabbed, typically in the arm or leg, by an attacker via a hypodermic needle, Mackie said. Victims may see a bruise or small red mark at the injection site and, if injected with an unknown substance, report blurry vision, nausea, or feeling woozy, dizzy, and even loss of consciousness, according to Spike Aware UK's website. Needle spiking can happen anywhere to anyone: Cases have been reported mostly at public places such as festivals, bars and clubs, according to 2023 data from the U.K. government. While women made up 74% of reported incidents, a YouGov poll from December 2022 reported 10% of women and 5% of men had been spiked. While varied, the injected substances are typically cheap and easy for perpetrators to access, Mackie said. A report by the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee found the types of substances people are injected with vary and include prescription drugs, tranquillizers, amphetamines or GHB (also called liquid ecstasy). There's no consensus on a predominant substance type injected, according to a spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) in the U.K. 'Spiking is a complex offense to investigate as drugs can pass through the system quickly and there is often a lack of evidential opportunities, which is why quick reporting and early evidence gathering, including forensic testing, is key," the NPCC spokesperson said to USA TODAY via email. Interestingly, the motive behind needle attacks is largely not sexual assault, robbery, or other obvious crimes, according to Mackie. They almost seem like "pranks," he said, making it even harder to find justice under the law. Even if you're feeling well, you should take any sensation of a needle prick seriously and seek medical attention, Mackie advised. This is important because serious diseases can be transmitted through intravenous exposure. Additionally, it would be wise to consider getting travel insurance beforehand, as this can help cover the costs of any medications that doctors may prescribe to prevent related illnesses. "It can be quite a long course of drugs to protect (victims) from HIV and hepatitis," Mackie said. "They don't know what was in the needle or where the needle's been." A longstanding issue with incremental progress Needle spiking isn't a new phenomenon overseas. Attacks surged in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to social media campaigns and boycotts across Europe and the U.K. as partygoers advocated for better reporting protocols and safety measures at venues. According to Mackie, activism has led to a relative slowdown in incidents in recent years, and the U.K. is at the forefront of policy reform in response. The advocate, whose son died in a spiking-related incident in 2017, is currently lobbying the U.K. parliament to strengthen a proposed law that would make spiking a stand-alone crime. This would give law enforcement "clear procedures" for these cases, Mackie said, and lead to more actual prosecutions. "Police are certainly more active and engaging with victims," Mackie said. Venues have stepped up measures, too, implementing surveillance cameras and extensive security checks at the door. What you can do to protect yourself (and still have fun) Travelers should heed extra caution if heading into large party crowds this summer. A few simple steps can look like: This story was updated to fix a typo.
