The India-Pakistan conflict in May was among the controversial topics mediated by Beijing in 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

“This year, local wars and cross-border conflicts have broken out more often than at any time since the end of World War II. [World War II]”Wang said at a conference on China’s foreign relations in Beijing. “Geopolitical turbulence continued to spread.”

To build lasting peace, “we took an objective and fair position, and focused on resolving the symptoms and root causes,” added the Chinese foreign minister.

“Following this Chinese approach to resolving sensitive issues, we have played a mediating role in northern Myanmar, on the Iranian nuclear issue, on tensions between Pakistan and India, on issues between Palestine and Israel and on the recent conflict between Cambodia and Thailand,” he said.

Wang also said relations between New Delhi and Beijing had gained “good momentum”, citing China inviting the prime minister. Narendra Modi in Tianjin in August for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

India’s foreign ministry did not react to Wang’s claims. But he maintained that the ceasefire with Islamabad was not the result of a mediation. THE decision to stop The shooting took place after Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations called his Indian counterpartNew Delhi said.

It has been repeated several times rejected US President Donald Trump’s claims that Washington mediated the ceasefire.

The Congress on Wednesday slammed China’s claims and called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide clarity on the issue.

“China’s claims of mediating between India and Pakistan are worrying, not only because they contradict what has been said to the people of the country so far, but also because they appear to make a mockery of our national security,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a social media post.

Ramesh linked the issue to India’s broader relations with China. “We have resumed negotiations with China – but unfortunately these negotiations are taking place on China’s terms,” he said.

“Our trade deficit is at a record level and a large part of our exports depend on imports from China,” he added. “China’s provocative actions against Arunachal Pradesh continue unabated. »

“Amid such one-sided and hostile relations, the people of India deserve to clarify the role that China played in the sudden halt to Operation Sindoor,” the Congress leader said.

President Trump has long claimed that he personally intervened to end Operation Vermilion on May 10, 2025. He has made this claim 65 times in at least seven different countries, on different platforms. The Prime Minister criticized the actions of his so-called good friend… pic.twitter.com/sXhSNiaR8S

-Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 31, 2025

Tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad intensified in May when the Indian military led strikes – code name Operation Sindoor – on what it claims are terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The strikes were a response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people on April 22.

Pakistan Army retaliated to Indian strikes on several occasions bombing of Indian villages along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

In July, the Indian military said Pakistan had been receive information in real time of China on India’s large military deployments during the four-day conflict in May.

Lieutenant General Rahul R SinghDeputy Chief of Army (Capability Development and Sustainment), had said that India effectively faced three adversaries during the conflict, with Pakistan leading the front, China providing considerable support and Turkey plays an important role in providing drones “as well as trained people who were on site”.

The Indian Army said that over the past five years, 81% of military equipment that Pakistan received was Chinese. “[China] is able to test [its] weapons against various other weapon systems that are there, so it’s like an actual laboratory at their disposal,” Singh had said.

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Also read: Modi in China: new detente or progressive trajectory?

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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.

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