Thousands of revelers are expected to welcome the New Year with the end of Edinburgh’s famous Hogmanay celebrations.

People were left disappointed last year after the festival was cancelled, but forecasters are expecting dry conditions in the Scottish capital on New Year’s Eve this year.

Temperatures will reach around minus 2C in the city, but festival-goers will avoid weather warnings about snow and ice expected to hit parts of Scotland from 6am on New Year’s Day.

Airspace restrictions are in force for unmanned aircraft to fly below 2,000 feet above sea level within a one nautical mile radius of Edinburgh Castle, from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 2 a.m. Thursday.

Elsewhere, the Stonehaven Fireball Ceremony will take place in Aberdeenshire and the annual Biggar Bonfire will take place in South Lanarkshire, while ceilidhs and other cultural events will take place across the country.

Before the new year, Prime Minister John Swinney quoted Robert Burns’ Auld Lang Syne to urge people to do small acts of kindness in 2026.

Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn has been hospitalized and placed in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis, according to cricket.com.au, citing the Australian Associated Press (AAP).

The 54-year-old, recognized as one of Australia’s best ODI finishers, is being treated in hospital, with wishes from his teammates, fans and the cricket community around the world.

“I am saddened to learn of Damien’s illness. The best wishes from everyone at Cricket Australia and the wider cricket community are with him at this time,” Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said in a statement, according to cricket.com.au.
Adam Gilchrist, a close friend and former teammate of Martyn’s with Australia and Western Australia, confirmed on behalf of Martyn’s family that the 2003 World Cup winner was undergoing treatment in hospital.

“He’s getting the best treatment possible and (Martyn’s partner) Amanda and his family know a lot of people are sending him their prayers and best wishes,” Gilchrist was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Martyn’s former Australian teammate and former Australian coach Darren Lehmann sent his best wishes to Martyn on social media after his illness was announced.
“Lots of love and prayers for Damien Martyn. Stay strong and fight the legend,” Lehmann wrote on

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. Inflammation is usually caused by an infection, whether viral, bacterial or, more rarely, fungal.

Bacterial meningitis is the most serious form and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Viral meningitis tends to be less serious and often goes away without specific treatment.

Fungal and parasitic meningitis are rare but can occur in people with weakened immune systems.

This illness can affect anyone, but it is especially serious in infants, young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

Common symptoms of meningitis

It is crucial to recognize meningitis early. Some common signs include:

• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• High fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Light sensitivity
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Rash in some cases (especially with bacterial meningitis)

In babies and young children, symptoms may also include irritability, poor feeding, and unusual sleepiness.

Causes of meningitis and risk factors

Meningitis is usually caused by bacterial or viral infections, which can be spread through:

• Close contact with an infected person
• Respiratory droplets (coughing or sneezing)
• Contaminated food or water (rare for some types)

Certain groups are more at risk, including:

• University students living in dormitories
• Military recruits
• People with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems

Vaccination plays a crucial role in the prevention of bacterial meningitis, particularly the meningococcal, pneumococcus and Hib vaccines.

Meningitis Treatment and Recovery

Bacterial meningitis is treated urgently with intravenous antibiotics and sometimes corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Delays in treatment can lead to serious complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, or death.

Viral meningitis usually resolves on its own, with supportive care such as rest, fluids, and pain relief.

Hospitalization may be necessary in severe cases, as seen with Damien Martyn, who is receiving intensive care. Early detection and prompt treatment greatly improve the chances of recovery.

Key takeaways

• Meningitis is a serious infection of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord.
• Early symptoms include severe headache, neck stiffness, fever and nausea.
• Bacterial meningitis is life-threatening and requires urgent hospital care.
• Vaccination is a key preventive measure against several types of meningitis.
• Public awareness is crucial to ensure early detection and treatment.

Martyn, known as one of the game’s great stroke-makers, finished his Test career with 4406 runs in 67 matches at an average of 46.37, with 13 centuries. In ODIs, he scored 5,346 runs in 208 matches at an average of 40.80, with five centuries and 37 half-centuries.

Notably, he was named Player of the Series when Australia last won an away series in India, finishing as top scorer in four of Australia’s eight innings during the 2004 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Agency contributions

Energy bills for many households will rise on Thursday, just as a series of cold weather health alerts have been issued across large parts of the UK.

The 0.2% increase in Ofgem’s energy price cap will equate to an increase of around 28p per month for the average household in England, Wales and Scotland remaining on a standard variable tariff.

This equates to an average overall bill of £1,758 per year, up from £1,755 currently.

The regulator said funding for nuclear projects and reductions on some households’ winter bills were behind the increase announced in November.

This included funding the government’s Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk – with an average of £1 added to each household’s energy bills per month for the duration of the £38 billion build.

The increase in fixed charges – the amount consumers pay each day for their homes to have energy – was also largely due to costs linked to the government’s Warm Home Discount scheme.

Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, are eligible for the £150 reduction this winter.

However, the regulator said the new price cap was £37 lower than a year ago, when adjusted for inflation.

Ofgem’s price cap sets a maximum rate per unit and ongoing charges that customers can be charged when not on a fixed rate.

This does not limit the total amount of bills, because households still pay for the amount of energy they use.

The price cap increase comes just as a yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued for parts of Scotland north of the Central Belt, from 6am on New Year’s Day until midnight on January 2.

Meanwhile, orange cold health alerts have been issued for the north east and north west of England, which are expected to remain in force until midday on January 5, with temperatures expected to drop to 3-5°C.

Yellow cold health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) for London and the east, south-east and south-west of England, as well as the East and West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber.

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “It’s true that every little bit doesn’t help as households spend a fifth winter in the energy bill crisis. Tiny changes to price caps still hit hard for families choosing between heating and eating.”

“People continue to live in cold, damp homes, where risks go beyond discomfort and can extend to real danger, including exposure to carbon monoxide. Young adults, private renters and households with children are among those most at risk as people turn down the heating, delay repairs and try to block drafts just to stay warm.

“Meanwhile, the energy industry as a whole has made more than £125 billion in profits in the UK since 2020, including companies operating in a declining North Sea. This is not a crisis of shortages, it is a crisis of priorities. Ministers must go beyond short-term price cap adjustments and get serious about eliminating fuel poverty by investing in energy efficiency, reforming energy prices, introducing a fair social tariff and fully funding the Warm Homes plan.”

There are several deals on the market at prices below the ceiling price, so now is a good time to shop around if you’re looking to repair

Which? Energy editor Emily Seymour said: “As we head into the colder months of the year, many households will be concerned about the slight increase in the energy price cap in the new year.

“There are several deals on the market for less than the cap price, so now is a good time to shop around if you’re looking to resolve the issue. Generally, we recommend looking for deals that are cheaper than the current cap price, no longer than 12 months, and without significant exit fees.

“If you are on a variable tariff, make sure you submit a meter reading to ensure you pay the cheapest rates for any energy used before the new price cap comes into force.”

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