United Kingdom's prime minister Boris Johnson has once again apologised for breaking the covid-19 rules. However, the opposition has called Johnson's apology 'a joke' and said a half-hearted apology is not enough.

United Kingdom: Opposition calls Prime Minister Boris Johnson's apology 'A Joke'

British PM Boris Johnson who has been fined for partygate case could face more fines for lockdown breaches. Justice minister David Wolfson has already resigned and now the opposition calls for PM's resignation. To get more details, we're joined by correspondent Chris Jones.

Partygate: Opposition calls for UK PM Boris Johnson's resignation

In a recent update on partygate case, UK's prime minister Boris Johnson has offered an apology. However, PM Boris Johnson and Sunak have rejected calls to resign over 'partygate'.

Partygate: Boris Johnson says 'sorry' for partying, rejects calls to resign

The Metropolitan Police have begun interviewing witnesses as it continues to investigate parties that took place at Boris Johnson's residence while Covid restrictions were in place.

UK Downing Street: Metropolitan Police begin interviews with key Party witnesses

Retired British Airways jet bought for $1 is transformed into 'party plane'. Take a look

The long-awaited report on the alleged parties at the British Prime Minister's residence is still not out now questions are being asked behind the reason for the delay.

The much-awaited report on the alleged parties at the British Prime Minister's residence delayed

Probe into Downing street parties: The UK awaits Sue Gray report amid a delay

UK PM Boris Johnson surrendered with controversies regarding the 10 downing street parties and has welcomed the police inquiry into allegations that he and his staff held parties that broke the government's pandemic rules.

UK PM Boris Johnson welcomes the police investigation into lockdown party allegations

Started as a scandal over lockdown parties held and attended by government officials to government being accused of blackmail and intimidating MPs who wanted to the PM out and now Boris Johnson is under fresh fire this time over reports of a birthday party held in Downing street for the PM himself.

Boris Johnson under fire over birthday party amid lockdown, calls for resignation grows louder

Booze parties at 10 downing street during the COVID-19 lockdown in Britain are likely to prove very costly for Boris Johnson. A Member of Parliament from Boris Johnson's Tory party William Wragg will meet with the metropolitan police.

Boris Johnson's Tory party MP William Wragg to meet with the metropolitan police for 'booze parties'

The battle of the Booze parties has gripped UK politics, with Senior Tories condemning Keir Starmer in the latest.

UK: Senior Tories condemn Keir Starmer over Booze party

Another day and reports of yet another lockdown party have emerged. This too was held in 10 downing street, the residence of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Trouble for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues with reports of two more parties emerge

After a series of allegations of multiple lockdown breaching parties and weeks of denials of rule-breaking, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has now apologized for attending one gathering and has been plunged into a major crisis around his leadership.

UK PM Boris Johnson admits hosting parties in lockdown & offers apology over it

After a series of allegations of multiple lockdown breaching parties and weeks of denials of rule-breaking, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has now apologized for attending one gathering and has been plunged into a major crisis around his leadership. Anger at Johnson, UK govt mounts as reports claim that parties continued well after midnight with at least 30 people attending.

Anger at Johnson, UK govt mounts as reports claim that parties continued well after midnight

Under fire for organising and attending parties when the UK was under strict lockdown, PM Boris Johnson apologises in the British parliament.

Under fire for lockdown parties, UK PM Boris Johnson grilled in the British Parliament

UK PM Boris Johnson apologises in British parliament for lockdown party

A leaked email shows the United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson inviting staff to "bring your own booze" to a gathering held during Britain's strict COVID-19 lockdown.

Leaked email exposes another lockdown party organised by UK PM Boris Johnson during strict lockdown

Pics | Brits angrily contrast own lives during Covid lockdown when PM Johnson partied

A group of passengers who were found partying and breaking several Covid norms aboard a chartered flight from Montreal to Mexico have been left stranded after three airlines declined to fly them home to Canada.

Several videos of the party, which is said to have taken place on December 30, were shared on social media, showing unmasked passengers in close proximity. In one video, a large bottle of vodka appears to be passed among passengers and a woman appears to be smoking an electronic cigarette.

According to Canadian media reports, some in the unruly crowd have also tested positive for COVID-19 since then.

Three airlines have refused to take them home. Sunwing Airlines cancelled the return charter flight from Cancun that had been scheduled for Wednesday while Air Transat and Air Canada have also declined to carry the passengers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/omicron-surge-uk-to-deploy-troops-military-medics-to-help-hospital-staff-442887">Omicron surge: UK to deploy troops, military medics to help hospital staff</a>

The whole incident has caused outrage in Canada, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying that he was “extremely frustrated” with the incident.

“It’s a slap in the face to see people putting themselves, putting their fellow citizens, putting airline workers at risk by being completely irresponsible,” Trudeau said at a briefing.

Among those who tested positive include a 19-year-old student from Quebec who said she felt abandoned, not knowing how she’ll pay for her hotel room as her stay is extended indefinitely.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-chinas-zero-covid-strategy-what-it-is-how-it-functions-and-does-it-work-442865">Also Read |&nbsp;Explainer: China's 'zero covid' strategy; what it is, how it functions and does it work?</a>

“The organizer just left everybody. I don’t know who’s still here. All the flights have been cancelled,” Rebecca St-Pierre, who is quarantined in a Mexico hotel, told The Canadian Press.

She estimated that about 30 others on the flight have tested positive.

(With inputs from agencies)

A group of passengers who were found partying and breaking several Covid norms aboard a chartered flight from Montreal to Mexico have been left stranded after three airlines declined to fly them home to Canada.

A group of passengers who were found partying and breaking several Covid norms aboard a chartered flight from Montreal to Mexico have been left stranded after three airlines declined to fly them home to Canada. Several videos of the party, which is said to have taken place on December 30, were shared on social media, showing unmasked passengers in close proximity. In one video, a large bottle of vodka appears to be passed among passengers and a woman appears to be smoking an electronic cigarette. According to Canadian media reports, some in the unruly crowd have also tested positive for COVID-19 since then. Three airlines have refused to take them home. Sunwing Airlines cancelled the return charter flight from Cancun that had been scheduled for Wednesday while Air Transat and Air Canada have also declined to carry the passengers. Also read | Omicron surge: UK to deploy troops, military medics to help hospital staff The whole incident has caused outrage in Canada, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying that he was “extremely frustrated” with the incident. “It’s a slap in the face to see people putting themselves, putting their fellow citizens, putting airline workers at risk by being completely irresponsible,” Trudeau said at a briefing. Among those who tested positive include a 19-year-old student from Quebec who said she felt abandoned, not knowing how she’ll pay for her hotel room as her stay is extended indefinitely. Also Read | Explainer: China's 'zero covid' strategy; what it is, how it functions and does it work? “The organizer just left everybody. I don’t know who’s still here. All the flights have been cancelled,” Rebecca St-Pierre, who is quarantined in a Mexico hotel, told The Canadian Press. She estimated that about 30 others on the flight have tested positive. (With inputs from agencies)

Party gone wrong: Canadian passengers stranded in Mexico after airlines refuse to fly them home

The Pakistan government is under fire once again. This time it is about concealing his party's foreign funding from the election commission. According to a damning media report, the PTI and staff party underreported an amount of 312 million Pakistani rupees.

Pakistan: Imran Khan's Party under scrutiny over ‘Concealed Foreign Funding’

In a shooting at a party in the US state of Mississippi, three people were killed and four others were injured, the authorities said. &nbsp;

At the party, several people had gathered. The incident occurred just minutes before the end of 2021. &nbsp;

At the Gulfport New Year's party shooting, no arrests have been made till now. The investigators are still going through the chaotic scene. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-military-gaza-militants-celebrate-new-year-with-exchange-of-rocket-fire-441686" hreflang="en">Israeli military, Gaza militants 'celebrate' New Year with exchange of rocket fire</a>

More than 50 bullets were fired from several guns. The people, who saw the shooting and some of the wounded, aren't talking to officers, said Gulfport Police Chief Chris Ryle. &nbsp;

At a Saturday news conference, Ryle said, "I understand their mentality. They don't want to be seen a snitches in public. But we have a phone line, they are more than welcome to call.” &nbsp;

"Guns, drugs, alcohol, it's a recipe for disaster," Ryle added. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-experiences-warmest-new-years-day-on-record-441678" hreflang="en">UK experiences warmest New Year's Day on record</a>

According to police, one person is in critical condition. Three others, who were wounded, are expected to recover. The cops had responded to 911 calls at 11:58 pm on Friday. &nbsp;

The investigators are still unclear about what caused the shoving and punching, which quickly turned into shooting, the police chief said. &nbsp;

At the news conference posted on the website of The Sun Herald of Biloxi, Ryle said, "Somebody out there last night saw something with that many people." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a shooting at a party in the US state of Mississippi, three people were killed and four others were injured, the authorities said. At the party, several people had gathered.

In a shooting at a party in the US state of Mississippi, three people were killed and four others were injured, the authorities said. At the party, several people had gathered. The incident occurred just minutes before the end of 2021. At the Gulfport New Year's party shooting, no arrests have been made till now. The investigators are still going through the chaotic scene. Also Read: Israeli military, Gaza militants 'celebrate' New Year with exchange of rocket fire More than 50 bullets were fired from several guns. The people, who saw the shooting and some of the wounded, aren't talking to officers, said Gulfport Police Chief Chris Ryle. At a Saturday news conference, Ryle said, "I understand their mentality. They don't want to be seen a snitches in public. But we have a phone line, they are more than welcome to call.” "Guns, drugs, alcohol, it's a recipe for disaster," Ryle added. Also Read: UK experiences warmest New Year's Day on record According to police, one person is in critical condition. Three others, who were wounded, are expected to recover. The cops had responded to 911 calls at 11:58 pm on Friday. The investigators are still unclear about what caused the shoving and punching, which quickly turned into shooting, the police chief said. At the news conference posted on the website of The Sun Herald of Biloxi, Ryle said, "Somebody out there last night saw something with that many people." (With inputs from agencies)

At New Year's party shooting in US, 3 dead, 4 injured

The Soviet Union was the mightiest communist force in the world. It existed for 69 years, spanned 11 time zones and had 15 modern-day states as its republic. The December 26 marks 30 years of its disintegration. How did it fall apart? Palki Sharma explains.

Gravitas: How did the Soviet Union collapse?

If a media report is to be believed, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has dissolved all supporting political organisations of his ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Friday. &nbsp;

The development comes as the party suffered a major defeat in the first phase of local body polls, which were recently held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of the country. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-mission-in-argentina-posts-cryptic-message-on-j17-fighter-jet-blames-imran-khan-government-439007" hreflang="en">Pak mission in Argentina posts cryptic message on J17 fighter jet</a>

After attending a party meet, which was chaired by the PM, Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry shared the important takeaways from the results of the elections with the media, reported the Dawn newspaper. &nbsp;

The minister said, "Chief organisers and all office-bearers have been removed from their positions.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

All future party ranks would be selected after careful consideration by a senior PTI panel, he added. &nbsp;

The prime minister was not happy with the performance of the party in the elections and blamed poor selection of candidates for the debacle, Chaudhary said as per the Dawn report. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/report-reveals-that-more-than-100-mps-in-pakistan-not-paying-income-tax-439447" hreflang="en">Report reveals that more than 100 MPs in Pakistan not paying income tax</a>

PTI won less than 10 chairperson or mayor posts of the 39 seats it had contested on during the polls. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The selection of candidates should have been done on merit. "We are receiving complaints that in different areas, party tickets were distributed among family members disregarding merit," the minister added. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

If a media report is to be believed, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has dissolved all supporting political organisations of his ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Friday.

If a media report is to be believed, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has dissolved all supporting political organisations of his ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Friday. The development comes as the party suffered a major defeat in the first phase of local body polls, which were recently held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of the country. Also Read: Pak mission in Argentina posts cryptic message on J17 fighter jet After attending a party meet, which was chaired by the PM, Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry shared the important takeaways from the results of the elections with the media, reported the Dawn newspaper. The minister said, "Chief organisers and all office-bearers have been removed from their positions.” All future party ranks would be selected after careful consideration by a senior PTI panel, he added. The prime minister was not happy with the performance of the party in the elections and blamed poor selection of candidates for the debacle, Chaudhary said as per the Dawn report. Also Read: Report reveals that more than 100 MPs in Pakistan not paying income tax PTI won less than 10 chairperson or mayor posts of the 39 seats it had contested on during the polls. The selection of candidates should have been done on merit. "We are receiving complaints that in different areas, party tickets were distributed among family members disregarding merit," the minister added. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan PM's party hits reset, to undergo major overhaul, says report

On the first night of December, the scene at Nowadays, a bar and club in the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens, was uncharacteristically tranquil. In place of the usual crowded dance floor, people were lying on blankets in the middle of the club. Instead of bumping beats, the music was calming and the space was filled with candles. Rather than dancing body to body, guests engaged in gentle forms of touch: caressing, hugging and leaning on each other.

They had gathered for an event called “Under the Tongue: A Hibernation Temple and Ceremony,” organised by Nocturnal Medicine, a nonprofit that hosts parties meant to encourage spiritual healing. Together, the group would work to ease each other’s worries about the seasonal transition to winter — the second since the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic in March 2020.

“We noticed, in ourselves and in our friends and in the people we were speaking to, an uneasiness about winter approaching,” said Michelle Shofet, 33, who founded Nocturnal Medicine with Larissa Belcic, also 33. “There was this kind of discomfort, uncertainty, fear, anxiety of returning to the cold, to this time of being shut in.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-heres-what-the-pandemic-will-look-like-in-2022-434239">WATCH |</a>
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-heres-what-the-pandemic-will-look-like-in-2022-434239/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

As the pandemic closes in on its second year, people are continuing to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety at a high rate. Many still feel socially isolated and deprived of human touch. Some have tried adopting pets to combat loneliness or gone to therapy. Others have sought relief through nonclinical means: by creating new rituals and immersing themselves in new social settings, where conversation and connection can lead to new realizations.

Although some of Nocturnal Medicine’s events are referred to as “raves,” they don’t involve shoulder-to-shoulder dancing or rely on hedonistic drug consumption. Rather, the organisation borrows principles from rave culture such as the power of crowds and the sense of release that parties can provide.

That evening’s offerings included a sound bath, a guided meditation, a candle-lighting ritual and an invitation to interact with an art installation in the center of the dance floor.

The installation, which consisted of sculptures made of tree stumps, horseshoe crab bodies, stone and dirt, was meant to serve as a “visual cue for the concepts of cycles and time,” Shofet said. “The stone is meant to reference geological time scales that are moving much more slowly than us. With horseshoe crabs, which are one of the oldest living species on earth, we wanted to have this sort of ancient creature present.”

Donesh Ferdowsi, 33, an architectural designer who lives in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, said that engaging with the installation helped him feel more connected to the earth. “Touching the dirt, holding the logs, putting my hand by the fire, it’s sort of this return to the elemental,” he said. “My whole job is all in my head, so you forget that you’re not just a disembodied brain.”

Ambient music helped set the tone. “I was trying to find tracks that can meet different moods,” said Ian Kim Judd, the night’s DJ. “Things that emanated a lot of light, things that also tend to have some darker edges underneath.”

For Ferdowsi, the fact that the event fell on a Wednesday night, rather than on a weekend, was also significant. “It’s incredible that it’s in the middle of the week, because you can’t wait for the right time,” he said. “It’s in the middle of everything, and that’s how winter is. I wanted to be able to drop everything and go to something that touches on sacredness in a universal way.”

Kelsa Trom, 33 who works with writers and lives in Ridgewood, agreed that the gathering was well timed. “Who doesn’t need a hug before another pandemic winter?” she said, as she waited for the sound bath and meditation to begin. “I’ve been to Nowadays as a club. I haven’t been here as a ritual space. It’s calmer, easier to speak and listen in.”

Shofet said that the decision to host the event at a nightclub — rather than at, say, a meditation center — was intentional. “The dance floor is a space that’s already charged with so much collective energy, it’s already used for this kind of communication with things outside of ourselves like music or other people,” she said. “One of our big underlying goals and desires is to knit together contemporary clubbing and raving with environmental awareness.”

Although attending a healing rave might not solve all of one’s anxieties, the sense of connectedness it may bring about can be beneficial, said Scott Hutson, a professor of anthropology at the University of Kentucky, who has researched the ways raves have helped foster spiritual transformations.

“The therapeutic rave experience comes precisely from being in community, in unity with others,” Hutson said. “The ability to break down barriers between other people and yourself, to sort of be away from your own anxieties and your own ego, to basically unite and forge bonds with a whole crowd of people.”

Trom refers to that as a “beautiful anonymous intimacy.” “It’s a feeling that is hard to come by in New York City, and maybe everywhere,” she said after the event. “It felt like a gift.”

On the first night of December, the scene at Nowadays, a bar and club in the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens, was uncharacteristically tranquil. In place of the usual crowded dance floor, people were lying on blankets in the middle of the club.

On the first night of December, the scene at Nowadays, a bar and club in the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens, was uncharacteristically tranquil. In place of the usual crowded dance floor, people were lying on blankets in the middle of the club. Instead of bumping beats, the music was calming and the space was filled with candles. Rather than dancing body to body, guests engaged in gentle forms of touch: caressing, hugging and leaning on each other. They had gathered for an event called “Under the Tongue: A Hibernation Temple and Ceremony,” organised by Nocturnal Medicine, a nonprofit that hosts parties meant to encourage spiritual healing. Together, the group would work to ease each other’s worries about the seasonal transition to winter — the second since the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic in March 2020. “We noticed, in ourselves and in our friends and in the people we were speaking to, an uneasiness about winter approaching,” said Michelle Shofet, 33, who founded Nocturnal Medicine with Larissa Belcic, also 33. “There was this kind of discomfort, uncertainty, fear, anxiety of returning to the cold, to this time of being shut in.” WATCH | As the pandemic closes in on its second year, people are continuing to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety at a high rate. Many still feel socially isolated and deprived of human touch. Some have tried adopting pets to combat loneliness or gone to therapy. Others have sought relief through nonclinical means: by creating new rituals and immersing themselves in new social settings, where conversation and connection can lead to new realizations. Although some of Nocturnal Medicine’s events are referred to as “raves,” they don’t involve shoulder-to-shoulder dancing or rely on hedonistic drug consumption. Rather, the organisation borrows principles from rave culture such as the power of crowds and the sense of release that parties can provide. That evening’s offerings included a sound bath, a guided meditation, a candle-lighting ritual and an invitation to interact with an art installation in the center of the dance floor. The installation, which consisted of sculptures made of tree stumps, horseshoe crab bodies, stone and dirt, was meant to serve as a “visual cue for the concepts of cycles and time,” Shofet said. “The stone is meant to reference geological time scales that are moving much more slowly than us. With horseshoe crabs, which are one of the oldest living species on earth, we wanted to have this sort of ancient creature present.” Donesh Ferdowsi, 33, an architectural designer who lives in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, said that engaging with the installation helped him feel more connected to the earth. “Touching the dirt, holding the logs, putting my hand by the fire, it’s sort of this return to the elemental,” he said. “My whole job is all in my head, so you forget that you’re not just a disembodied brain.” Ambient music helped set the tone. “I was trying to find tracks that can meet different moods,” said Ian Kim Judd, the night’s DJ. “Things that emanated a lot of light, things that also tend to have some darker edges underneath.” For Ferdowsi, the fact that the event fell on a Wednesday night, rather than on a weekend, was also significant. “It’s incredible that it’s in the middle of the week, because you can’t wait for the right time,” he said. “It’s in the middle of everything, and that’s how winter is. I wanted to be able to drop everything and go to something that touches on sacredness in a universal way.” Kelsa Trom, 33 who works with writers and lives in Ridgewood, agreed that the gathering was well timed. “Who doesn’t need a hug before another pandemic winter?” she said, as she waited for the sound bath and meditation to begin. “I’ve been to Nowadays as a club. I haven’t been here as a ritual space. It’s calmer, easier to speak and listen in.” Shofet said that the decision to host the event at a nightclub — rather than at, say, a meditation center — was intentional. “The dance floor is a space that’s already charged with so much collective energy, it’s already used for this kind of communication with things outside of ourselves like music or other people,” she said. “One of our big underlying goals and desires is to knit together contemporary clubbing and raving with environmental awareness.” Although attending a healing rave might not solve all of one’s anxieties, the sense of connectedness it may bring about can be beneficial, said Scott Hutson, a professor of anthropology at the University of Kentucky, who has researched the ways raves have helped foster spiritual transformations. “The therapeutic rave experience comes precisely from being in community, in unity with others,” Hutson said. “The ability to break down barriers between other people and yourself, to sort of be away from your own anxieties and your own ego, to basically unite and forge bonds with a whole crowd of people.” Trom refers to that as a “beautiful anonymous intimacy.” “It’s a feeling that is hard to come by in New York City, and maybe everywhere,” she said after the event. “It felt like a gift.”

Can parties help us heal?

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