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Anu Shukla

I am a UK-based journalist with bylines in publications including Open Democracy, Resident Advisor, The New Arab, The Telegraph, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, DJ Mag, VICE, MixMag, Reuters and local news media.



'So important': UK spiking campaigners and survivors respond to introduction of specific law · News ⟋ RA

A new UK law making spiking a specific criminal offence was announced last Wednesday, July 17th. Spiking—the act of putting alcohol or drugs into someone's drink or body without their consent—is already a crime under sections 23 and 24 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. However, the new legislation, outlined in the Labour government's manifesto, should "strengthen the law to improve the police response to spiking," according to the official briefing for last week's King's Speech.

Greek pushback victims heard for first time by the ECtHR

Strasbourg - Greece has been interrogated by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) about its “systemic pushback” practice for the first time and the verdict concerning the cases of two asylum seekers, who were sent back to Turkey, is due to be announced in the coming months. The controversial Greek practice has been slammed for being a “de facto border state policy” by Amnesty International, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, and by numerous other rights groups. Th...

Berlin venue Oyoun forced to take loan as Senate funding body blocks €80,000 project fund · News ⟋ RA

Berlin cultural centre Oyoun may face bankruptcy if the city's Department of Culture continues to block an €80,000 project fund. Senate funding authority Lotto Stiftung Berlin has withheld the money since February, forcing Oyoun to take out a €54,000 loan to cover the costs of music and dance exhibition GADAG, which took place across March and April. "It seems to be a politically motivated move to push us into bankruptcy," Oyoun CEO Louna Sbou told Resident Advisor. "Especially now that we've taken a loan to pay artists and staff."

Hamburg's Demorave campaign joins May Day rally to protest venue closures · News ⟋ RA

Thousands are expected to join the International Labour Day demo in defence of music venues, social justice and workers rights.
 Hamburg's Demorave campaign joins May Day rally to protest venue closures image Hamburg protest movement Demorave is participating in a May Day rally today, May 1st, to protest against the impact of gentrification on music venues and workers. The city's nightlife is under threat due to the reconstruction of the Sternbrücke bridge, which has caused venues to close and relocate. Speaking to Resident Advisor, Demorave cofounder Alex Strauss said further closures could impact hundreds of workers.

New Copenhagen venue Poolen opening on May 8th · News ⟋ RA

A new warehouse venue is opening in Copenhagen this spring. Located in an old shipyard factory on the island of Refshaleøen, Poolen is a 2,500-capacity space from the team behind local venues Pumpehuset and Byhaven. Another venue, Stagebox, previously occupied the site. The aim, according to the promoters, is to host concerts, raves and other events across 100 days a year. Reinier Zonneveld will play the opening on Wednesday, May 8th, as part of a new event series called The Wheel—a collaboration between local festivals Distortion and Karrusel.

London platform Psy-Sisters curates International Dance Day programme at British Museum · News ⟋ RA

The gender-equality collective will also host DJ sets on Saturday, April 27th. London platform Psy-Sisters curates International Dance Day programme at British Museum image Gender-equality platform Psy-Sisters has curated a programme celebrating International Dance Day at the British Museum in London. Taking place on Saturday, April 27th, Dance Through Time will explore the human connection to dance through the ages, with performances ranging from Indian classical and Chinese Fan dance to Baroque and hip-hop. The event will run from 10:30 AM through 4:30 PM, closing with DJ sets from Sadie Silver, One Black Wing and Psibindi.

'A long time coming': Berlin clubs welcome hard-fought cannabis legalisation in Germany · News ⟋ RA

Germany's partial legalisation of cannabis has been welcomed by clubs in Berlin, though some say little will change on the dance floor. The new law came into effect on April 1st, meaning people can now carry up to 25g for personal consumption, grow up to three plants at home and smoke in designated areas in clubs. From July 1st, so-called "cannabis clubs" can supply up to 500 members with a maximum monthly allowance of 50g.

Queensland's Rabbits Eat Lettuce becomes first Australian festival to implement drug-checking service · News ⟋ RA

Rabbits Eat Lettuce is the first Australian festival to roll out ongoing pill-testing services as part of its harm-reduction strategy. The Queensland event, which turns 15 this year, started yesterday, March 28th, and runs until 6 AM on March 30th. The pill-testing services are being carried out by Harm Reduction Australia, with the results given to The University of Queensland for evaluation. A fixed-drug testing facility will also be set up at Bowens Hill in Brisbane in April.

'Incredibly disorienting': BIPOC members of Berlin venue Oyoun struggle in aftermath of closure · News ⟋ RA

32 BIPOC members of Berlin cultural centre Oyoun are facing uncertain futures since its closure in December. Oyoun was forced to shut after the Berlin Senate pulled its €1 million of public funding over allegations of antisemitism, triggered by an event hosted by a Jewish group supportive of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

UK's first drug-testing service launches in Bristol · News ⟋ RA

Drug-checking charity The Loop has launched the UK's first drug-testing service in Bristol. The scheme, a collaboration with the Bristol Drugs Project (BDP) and Bristol City Council, opened last Saturday, January 27th. It's free and government approved, meaning users can access the service anonymously on the last Saturday of every month by surrendering substances of concern into an amnesty bin at the BDP headquarters between midday and 7 PM.

NDAs used to silence women victims in UK music industry, new report finds · News ⟋ RA

Women victims of sexual abuse, harassment and bullying in the UK music industry are being silenced with non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), a new report has found. Published yesterday, January 30th, by the Women and Equalities Committee, the Misogyny in Music report follows an inquiry launched in June 2022. In order to protect the victims, the report doesn't disclose all of its "distressing" evidence. But it does reference written evidence from groups such as Can't Buy My Silence, a campaign founded by Zelda Perkins and Professor Julie Macfarlane after their own experiences. (Perkins broke her NDA to speak out about Harvey Weinstein.)
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