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Solana has formed a double-bottom reversal pattern around the $125 support level, setting up bulls for a possible surge past the $145 resistance zone.

Price data shows that SOL is trading near $143, with technical indicators on daily charts signalling a strong buy: moving averages across 5-, 10-, 20- and 50-day periods align bullish, while MACD, CCI and other oscillators support renewed upward momentum.

Longer-term studies point to a bullish swing if SOL clears $145, a level viewed by many as a crucial barrier to resetting next-leg targets. One prominent analysis suggests that if SOL flips this resistance to support, upside zones near $165 and $179 could come into play — levels that previously acted as consolidation thresholds.

Support near $125 has been repeatedly defended following a dip from higher levels. That makes the double-bottom pattern more credible: the chart shows two distinct troughs at roughly the same price, followed by a rebound — a textbook technical reversal signal.

Traders are watching on-chain metrics as well. The blockchain’s ecosystem remains active with strong total value locked and steady stablecoin and DEX activity, providing some fundamental stability alongside the technical setup.

Qatar and the United States have moved to cement their military cooperation with high-level commitments that signal a recalibration of regional security dynamics. The Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, met with the Commander of the US Central Command, Admiral Charles Bradford Cooper, to discuss expanding bilateral defence cooperation. The talks pointed to broad agreement on enhancing joint military readiness, intelligence sharing and coordination on regional security challenges.

The defence discussions follow a backdrop of heightened tensions after an airstrike on Qatari territory by Israel targeting Hamas political leaders. The strike led to strong condemnation across Gulf states and sparked a broader reassessment of the security framework anchoring US presence in the Gulf. The United States responded by reaffirming its commitment to Qatar’s sovereignty.

An executive order signed by US leadership has committed Washington to defending Qatari territory and infrastructure if subjected to external attack, including by military means if necessary. This formal guarantee elevates Qatar’s strategic importance in the US security architecture.

Concurrently, Washington and Doha have arranged deeper integration of military infrastructure. An agreement has been finalised to build a facility at a US Air Force base in Idaho to host a contingent of Qatari F-15QA fighter jets and associated personnel. The facility aims to enhance combined training, preparedness and interoperability under US command — though ownership and command remain US-controlled, eliminating concerns about a permanent foreign base on US soil.

These developments follow multiple engagements aimed at strengthening mutual defence ties. The November meeting between the Qatari Prime Minister and CENTCOM’s commander underscored mutual interest in “support and strengthen” shared strategic goals in defence domains.

Observers interpret this phase as part of a broader US strategy to reinforce alliances in a volatile Middle East. The enhanced cooperation offers Qatar increased security assurances and greater leverage in regional diplomacy, while offering the US a more secure and integrated network of partnerships to project influence and stability. Critics, however, warn that such deepening military ties may further entangle Gulf states in US-led strategic rivalry and increase regional polarization.

Smartphone makers in India have been instructed by the telecom ministry to preload a government-owned cybersecurity app on all new devices sold in the country, blocking users from deleting the application once installed. Under a directive issued on November 28, companies such as Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi have been given a 90-day window to ensure all handset models destined for India include the Sanchar Saathi app. For devices already in the retail pipeline or those awaiting sale, manufacturers must deliver the app via over-the-air software updates and ensure it appears prominently during first-use setup.

Authorities say the app plays a key role in telecom security by giving users tools to verify device authenticity through IMEI checks, report suspected thefts or fraud, and block lost or stolen phones. Since the app’s launch in January 2025, government data indicates it has helped recover over 700,000 lost devices and block millions of connections flagged as fraudulent. Officials argue that this move is critical to counter growing misuse of duplicate or tampered IMEI numbers—a problem that fuels scams and the resale of stolen phones across India’s vast second-hand device market.

This mandate marks the first time the government has required a permanently installed, non-removable application on all smartphones sold in the country. The decision reflects a broader tightening of regulatory oversight over telecom infrastructure and device authenticity, drawing parallels with security measures in other jurisdictions.

The requirement has triggered sharp criticism from technology companies and privacy advocates alike. For example, the policy of Apple prohibits pre-installation of third-party or government apps prior to device sale—an approach that could force the company to either seek exemptions or find workarounds. Industry representatives have warned that the mandate may strain compliance operations, increase production costs, and undermine relationships with handset vendors.

Beyond logistical concerns, digital rights groups argue the rule tramples on user consent and privacy. Critics contend that embedding a state-run app with potentially broad access on every phone amounts to unwarranted surveillance and sets a troubling precedent. Some lawmakers and civil liberties advocates dubbed the move “a Big Brother measure,” warning that once entrenched, such mandates could be expanded further, eroding individual privacy without adequate data-protection safeguards.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit aimed at reviving and expanding energy and defence cooperation with India. His agenda includes proposals for increased Russian oil exports alongside renewed offers of missile systems and fighter jets, as part of efforts to restore ties challenged by global pressure on Moscow.

The visit coincides with heightened scrutiny of India’s oil and weapon imports from Russia, but also signals Moscow’s determination to deepen the “special and privileged strategic partnership” with New Delhi. Kremlin officials, including Russia’s deputy prime minister overseeing trade, emphasised that the India-Russia forum planned around the summit would explore ways to diversify bilateral trade, extend industrial cooperation and foster joint investments across high-technology and raw-material sectors.

On offer are new arms deals including advanced air-defence platforms and additional batches of combat aircraft. Negotiations are expected to cover the procurement of more units of the S-400 missile system and potential acquisition of fifth-generation Su-57 jets and the next-generation S-500 air-defence shield. Although India has widened its defence procurement sources over recent years, Moscow remains one of its leading suppliers, bolstered by long-standing familiarity and legacy hardware in the armed forces. Analysts note that these proposed arms deals would reaffirm Russia’s influence in India’s defence posture, even as New Delhi attempts to balance Western and Russian dependencies.

Energy cooperation is another key pillar. Russia is offering discounted crude oil supplies under new trade arrangements, including through intermediaries and possibly via joint ventures or extraction projects in Russia’s Far East and Arctic regions. This appears geared toward circumventing Western sanctions on Russian energy exports, while ensuring that India retains access to competitively priced hydrocarbons. At the same time, Indian officials are conscious of growing trade imbalances caused by large-scale Russian imports and have flagged the need to augment Indian exports to Russia, particularly in equipment, raw materials and food products.

Efforts to revive large-scale trade go beyond energy and defence. The India-Russia forum accompanying the summit is expected to chart cooperation in civil nuclear projects, space technology, and high-tech industrial ventures. Signals from the Russian side underscore a long-term vision of a resilient, multifaceted partnership rooted in historical ties. While geopolitical pressures from Western capitals and tariffs on Indian goods pose real challenges, both Moscow and New Delhi appear keen to insulate their bilateral engagement from external strains.

At the third edition of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week, held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, veteran craftsperson Wu Jianmei rose to the spotlight as exhibitors and visitors gathered to experience global artistry. Wu Jianmei took a seat in the bright red-themed China pavilion, her fingers deftly guiding a needle in a demonstration of Xiang embroidery — a traditional art form that has earned her acclaim over a career spanning more than four decades. Her calm poise and meticulous stitching drew a steady stream of visitors who paused to watch each slender thread breathe life into the fabric.

Organised by Heritage Commission, Banan has brought together over 400 artisans representing more than 40 countries for 2025. China holds the title of Guest of Honour, a symbolic showcase of its cultural heritage in a pavilion designed to present more than a thousand handmade pieces alongside live craft demonstrations. The pavilion features lacquerware, fan-making, batik techniques and complex embroidery — each presented by skilled heritage bearers chosen to represent China’s rich craft traditions.

China’s role this year coincides with the 35th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, as well as the designation of 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts in the Kingdom. Officials accompanying the Chinese delegation underscored the ambition to promote cross-cultural understanding and elevate artisanal craftsmanship within a broader creative economy. Among those present was the Chinese ambassador, who visited the China pavilion and praised the global scope of the event and the Kingdom’s support for heritage-driven cultural exchange.

Visitors to Banan were drawn not only to the China pavilion but to a wider tapestry of worldwide craftsmanship. Traditional techniques from Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Oman, Bahrain and Jordan featured prominently, alongside booths from European, African, Asian, and Middle Eastern artisans. Demonstrations ranged across wood carving, clay pottery, metalwork, weaving and shadow-puppet craft.

A special interactive zone called “Banan Story” offered families and children an opportunity to engage hands-on with materials and tools under guided supervision, helping younger attendees connect playfully with global craft techniques. This initiative reflects a broader strategy by the Heritage Commission to foster intergenerational appreciation of handcrafts, encouraging younger audiences to explore cultural diversity through creativity.

For many, Wu Jianmei’s presence at Banan served as a powerful cultural bridge. Her Xiang embroidery pieces — delicate and intricate — symbolised a living history: patterns and stitches that carried stories of generations. Locals and expatriates alike watched in quiet admiration as the needle moved, building intricate motifs destined for display or sale. Her work has previously been exhibited in major institutions, a testament to her stature in the heritage-arts community.

The all-electric championship ABB FIA Formula E World Championship rolled into Jeddah’s Corniche Circuit for its first-ever double-header round, delivering a pair of night races under floodlights that combined high-speed action with a strategic twist. The event marked the debut of PIT BOOST, a mid-race 600 kW fast-charging stop that injects roughly 10 percent extra energy into the cars — a shift set to redefine Formula E’s competitive dynamics.

Drivers navigated the 3.001-kilometre layout of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit — adapted for Formula E with 19 turns and modified chicanes to test energy management and overtaking skill. In Round 3, pole-sitter Maximilian Günther of DS Penske held off rivals across a chaotic mid-race charge stop to secure victory, with Oliver Rowland and Taylor Barnard completing the podium. Gundther also posted the fastest lap during the race.

Round 4 turned tactics upside down when Rowland turned pole position into a commanding win, while Barnard and Jake Hughes clinched second and third. The contrasting race results underlined how PIT BOOST can influence race outcomes dramatically — positioning at the start matters less when energy strategies diverge mid-race.

PIT BOOST compelled all 22 drivers to make a mandatory stop for a 30-second battery recharge, adding roughly 3.85 kWh mid-race. Only one car per team may use the charging rig at a time, and no mechanical work is permitted during the stop. The concept, first mooted several seasons ago, had been delayed until technical and safety standards were satisfied.

Organisers believe this innovation will bring Formula E’s technological mission full-circle — showcasing fast-charging EV tech on the track that could accelerate adoption in road-going electric vehicles. Critics warn, however, that the 30-second pit stops risk breaking the flow of close racing, as cars may emerge at very different times and spread the field. Teams will need to master pressure-packed decisions on when exactly to pit as well as how to deploy the extra energy — a decision that could make or break a race.