Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on POET Technologies. Our analysis of options history for POET Technologies POET revealed 54 unusual trades. Delving into the details, we found 9% of traders were bullish, while 74% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 4 were puts, with a value of $219,512, and 50 were calls, valued at $2,702,382. Projected Price Targets Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $3.0 to $11.0 for POET Technologies during the past quarter. Volume & Open Interest Trends In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for POET Technologies options trades today is 4353.52 with a total volume of 144,184.00. In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for POET Technologies's big money trades within a strike price range of $3.0 to $11.0 over the last 30 days. POET Technologies Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days Significant Options Trades Detected: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume POET CALL SWEEP BEARISH 04/17/25 $0.9 $0.8 $0.8 $8.00 $160.2K 1.8K 2.3K POET CALL SWEEP BEARISH 01/16/26 $1.75 $1.55 $1.55 $7.00 $155.1K 2.7K 1.3K POET CALL TRADE BULLISH 01/15/27 $1.5 $1.25 $1.5 $10.00 $150.0K 10.1K 2.2K POET CALL SWEEP BEARISH 01/15/27 $1.5 $1.4 $1.4 $10.00 $131.4K 10.1K 4.3K POET CALL SWEEP BEARISH 01/16/26 $1.2 $1.1 $1.1 $10.00 $110.0K 8.2K 1.8K About POET Technologies POET Technologies Inc is a design and development company offering high-speed optical engines, light source products, and custom optical modules to the artificial intelligence systems market and hyperscale data centers. Its integration solutions are based on the POET Optical Interposer, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET's Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges across a broad range of communication, computing, and sensing applications. The group's operations are located in Allentown, PA, Shenzhen, China, and Singapore. Having examined the options trading patterns of POET Technologies, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance Present Market Standing of POET Technologies Trading volume stands at 10,474,973, with POET's price up by 34.81%, positioned at $7.76. RSI indicators show the stock to be may be overbought. Earnings announcement expected in 78 days. What The Experts Say On POET Technologies 1 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $7.0. Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. Click here for access .* An analyst from Northland Capital Markets downgraded its action to Outperform with a price target of $7. Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest POET Technologies options trades with real-time alerts from Benzinga Pro . © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

When Katja Vogt considers a Jaguar, she pictures a British-made car purring confidently along the Italian coastline — a vision of familiarity that conveys "that dreaming, longing feeling we all love." She's not sure what to think about Jaguar now after the 89-year-old company announced a radical rebranding that featured loud colors and androgynous people — but no cars. Jaguar, the company says, will now be JaGUar. It will produce only electric vehicles beginning in 2026. Say goodbye to British racing green, Cotswold Blue and black. Its colors are henceforth electric pink, red and yellow, according to a video that sparked backlash online. Its mission statement: "Create exuberance. Live vivid. Delete ordinary. Break moulds." "Intrigued?" @Jaguar posted on social media. "Weird and unsettled" is more like it, Vogt wrote on Instagram. "Especially now, with the world feeling so dystopian," the Cyprus-based brand designer wrote, "a heritage brand like Jaguar should be conveying feelings of safety, stability, and maybe a hint of rebellion — the kind that shakes things up in a good way, not in a way that unsettles." Our brands, ourselves Jaguar was one of several iconic companies that announced significant rebrandings in recent weeks, upending a series of commercial — and cultural — landmarks by which many modern human beings sort one another, carve out identities and recognize the world around them. Campbell's, the 155-year-old American icon that artist Andy Warhol immortalized in pop culture decades ago, is ready for a new, soupless name. Comcast's corporate reorganization means there will soon be two television networks with "NBC" in their name — CNBC and MSNBC — that will no longer have any corporate connection to NBC News, a U.S. legacy news outlet. One could even argue the United States itself is rebranding with the election of former President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Unlike Trump's first election in 2016, he won the popular vote in what many called a national referendum on American identity. Are we, then, the sum total of our consumer decisions — what we buy, where we travel and whom we elect? Certainly, it's a question for those privileged enough to be able to afford such choices. Volumes of research in the art and science of branding — from "brandr," an old Norse word for burning symbols into the hides of livestock — say those factors do contribute to the modern sense of identity. So rebranding, especially of heritage names, can be a deeply felt affront to consumers. "It can feel like the brand is turning its back on everything that it stood for — and therefore it feels like it's turning its back on us, the people who subscribe to that idea or ideology," said Ali Marmaduke, strategy director with the Amsterdam-based Brand Potential. He said cultural tension — polarization — is surging over politics, wars in Russia and the Mideast, the environment, public health and more, creating what Marmaduke said is known as a "polycrisis": the idea that there are several massive crises converging that feel scary and complex. "People are understandably freaked out by that," he said. "So we are looking for something that will help us navigate this changing, threatening world that we face." Trump's "Make America Great Again" qualifies. So did President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" slogan. Campbell's soup itself — "Mmm Mmm Good" — isn't going anywhere, CEO Mark Clouse said. The company's new name, Campbell's Co., will reflect "the full breadth of our portfolio," which includes brands like Prego pasta sauce and Goldfish crackers. What is Jaguar? None of the recent activity around heritage brands sparked a backlash as ferocious as Jaguar's. The company stood as a pillar of tradition-loving British identity since World War II. Jaguar said its approach to the rebrand was rooted in the philosophy of its founder, Sir William Lyons, to "copy nothing." What it's calling "the new Jaguar" will overhaul everything from the font of its name to the positioning of it's famous "leaper" cat. "Exuberant modernism" will "define all aspects of the new Jaguar world," according to the news release. The approach is thought to be aimed at selling fewer cars at a six-figure price point to a more diverse customer base. The reaction ranged from bewilderment to hostility. Memes sprouted up likening the video to the Teletubbies, a Benetton ad and — perhaps predictably — a bow to "woke" culture as the blowback intersected with politics.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s personnel choices for his new Cabinet and White House reflect his signature positions on immigration and trade but also a range of viewpoints and backgrounds that raise questions about what ideological anchors might guide his Oval Office encore. With a rapid assembly of his second administration — faster than his effort eight years ago — the former and incoming president has combined television personalities , former Democrats, a wrestling executive and traditional elected Republicans into a mix that makes clear his intentions to impose tariffs on imported goods and crack down on illegal immigration but leaves open a range of possibilities on other policy pursuits. “The president has his two big priorities and doesn’t feel as strongly about anything else — so it’s going to be a real jump ball and zigzag,” predicted Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence during Trump’s 2017-21 term. “In the first administration, he surrounded himself with more conservative thinkers, and the results showed we were mostly rowing in the same direction. This is more eclectic.” Indeed, Secretary of State-designee Marco Rubio , the Florida senator who has pilloried authoritarian regimes around the world, is in line to serve as top diplomat to a president who praises autocratic leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Hungary’s Viktor Orban. Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon has been tapped to sit at the Cabinet table as a pro-union labor secretary alongside multiple billionaires, former governors and others who oppose making it easier for workers to organize themselves. The prospective treasury secretary, Scott Bessent , wants to cut deficits for a president who promised more tax cuts, better veterans services and no rollbacks of the largest federal outlays: Social Security, Medicare and national defense. Abortion-rights supporter Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is Trump's choice to lead the Health and Human Services Department, which Trump’s conservative Christian base has long targeted as an agency where the anti-abortion movement must wield more influence. Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich allowed that members of Trump’s slate will not always agree with the president and certainly not with one another. But he minimized the potential for irreconcilable differences: “A strong Cabinet, by definition, means you’re going to have people with different opinions and different skills.” That kind of unpredictability is at the core of Trump’s political identity. He is the erstwhile reality TV star who already upended Washington once and is returning to power with sweeping, sometimes contradictory promises that convinced voters, especially those in the working class, that he will do it all again. “What Donald Trump has done is reorient political leadership and activism to a more entrepreneurial spirit,” Gingrich said. There's also plenty of room for conflict, given the breadth of Trump's 2024 campaign promises and his pattern of cycling through Cabinet members and national security personnel during his first term. This time, Trump has pledged to impose tariffs on foreign goods, end illegal immigration and launch a mass deportation force, goose U.S. energy production and exact retribution on people who opposed — and prosecuted — him. He's added promises to cut taxes, raise wages, end wars in Israel and Ukraine , streamline government, protect Social Security and Medicare, help veterans and squelch cultural progressivism. Trump alluded to some of those promises in recent weeks as he completed his proposed roster of federal department heads and named top White House staff members. But his announcements skimmed over any policy paradoxes or potential complications. Bessent has crusaded as a deficit hawk, warning that the ballooning national debt , paired with higher interest rates, drives consumer inflation. But he also supports extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts that added to the overall debt and annual debt service payments to investors who buy Treasury notes. A hedge-fund billionaire, Bessent built his wealth in world markets. Yet, generally speaking, he’s endorsed Trump's tariffs. He rejects the idea that they feed inflation and instead frames tariffs as one-time price adjustments and leverage to achieve U.S. foreign policy and domestic economic aims. Trump, for his part, declared that Bessent would “help me usher in a new Golden Age for the United States.” Chavez-DeRemer, Trump promised, “will achieve historic cooperation between Business and Labor that will restore the American Dream for Working Families.” Trump did not address the Oregon congresswoman’s staunch support for the PRO-Act, a Democratic-backed measure that would make it easier for workers to unionize, among other provisions. That proposal passed the House when Democrats held a majority. But it’s never had measurable Republican support in either chamber on Capitol Hill, and Trump has never made it part of his agenda. When Trump named Kennedy as his pick for health secretary, he did not mention the former Democrat’s support for abortion rights. Instead, Trump put the focus on Kennedy’s intention to take on the U.S. agriculture, food processing and drug manufacturing sectors. The vagaries of Trump’s foreign policy stand out, as well. Trump's choice for national security adviser , Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, offered mixed messages Sunday when discussing the Russia-Ukraine war, which Trump claims never would have started had he been president, because he would have prevailed on Putin not to invade his neighboring country. Speaking on “Fox News Sunday,” Waltz repeated Trump’s concerns over recent escalations, which include President Joe Biden approving sending antipersonnel mines to Ukrainian forces. “We need to restore deterrence, restore peace and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it,” Waltz said. But in the same interview, Waltz declared the mines necessary to help Ukraine “stop Russian gains” and said he’s working “hand in glove” with Biden’s team during the transition. Meanwhile, Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence , the top intelligence post in government, is an outspoken defender of Putin and Syrian President Bashar al Assad, a close ally of Russia and Iran. Perhaps the biggest wildcards of Trump’s governing constellation are budget-and-spending advisers Russell Vought, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Vought led Trump’s Office of Management and Budget in his first term and is in line for the same post again. Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, and Ramaswamy, a mega-millionaire venture capitalist, are leading an outside advisory panel known as the “Department of Government Efficiency.” The latter effort is a quasi-official exercise to identify waste. It carries no statutory authority, but Trump can route Musk’s and Ramaswamy’s recommendations to official government pathways, including via Vought. A leading author of Project 2025 , the conservative movement’s blueprint for a hard-right turn in U.S. government and society, Vought envisions OMB not just as an influential office to shape Trump’s budget proposals for Congress but a power center of the executive branch, “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.” As for how Trump might navigate differences across his administration, Gingrich pointed to Chavez-DeRemer. “He might not agree with her on union issues, but he might not stop her from pushing it herself,” Gingrich said of the PRO-Act. “And he will listen to anybody. If you convince him, he absolutely will spend presidential capital.” Short said other factors are more likely to influence Trump: personalities and, of course, loyalty . Vought “brought him potential spending cuts” in the first administration, Short said, “that Trump wouldn’t go along with.” This time, Short continued, “maybe Elon and Vivek provide backup,” giving Vought the imprimatur of two wealthy businessmen. “He will always calculate who has been good to him,” Short said. “You already see that: The unions got the labor secretary they wanted, and Putin and Assad got the DNI (intelligence chief) they wanted. ... This is not so much a team-of-rivals situation. I think it’s going to look a lot like a reality TV show.” Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!CHICAGO — Seahawks starting running back Kenneth Walker III will miss the final two games of the regular season after the team announced Thursday it has placed him on injured reserve. The team made the announcement hours before its game Thursday night against the Bears in Chicago. Putting Walker on IR opened up a spot on the 53-man roster for rookie George Holani, who will become the third running back behind Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh. The news ends a disappointing third NFL season for Walker, who battled three different injuries and after averaging 977.5 yards per season his first two years in the NFL will end up rushing for just 573 yards in 11 games while averaging a career-low 3.7 yards per carry. The Seahawks also announced cornerback Artie Burns has been elevated off the practice squad to play against the Bears. Walker suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 27-23 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Players who go on IR have to miss four games before they can return. That means Walker could return if Seattle were to get to the playoffs and then win two games to advance to the NFC championship. It guarantees he will miss a game next weekend against the Rams in Los Angeles that could have playoff implications. That game will be either Saturday or Sunday with the date and time set following the games of this weekend. The Seahawks on Wednesday declared Walker out for Thursday’s game against the Bears with the injury Walker suffered on a run on a first-and-goal at the 3 with 5:52 remaining against the Vikings. But coach Mike Macdonald had been vague about Walker’s status beyond that saying only “he’s gonna be out this game’’ when asked if the team had learned anything about a timeline for his return. Walker, who was the 41st overall pick of the 2022 draft out of Michigan State, had 1,050 yards in 15 games as a rookie in 2022, averaging 4.6 per attempt. He followed that up with 905 yards in his second season in 2023, though he saw his yards-per-carry average drop to 4.1. But coach Mike Macdonald had been vague about Walker’s status beyond saying only “he’s gonna be out this game’’ when asked if the team had learned anything about a timeline for his return. Walker, who was the 41st overall pick of the 2022 draft out of Michigan State, had 1,050 yards in 15 games as a rookie in 2022, averaging 4.6 per attempt. He followed that up with 905 yards in his second season in 2023, though he saw his yards-per-carry average drop to 4.1. Walker, who had long gains of 74 yards in 2022 and 45 in 2023, had a long run this season of 28 in Week 4 against the Lions. He didn’t have a run of longer than 14 in his last six games, encompassing 88 carries. The Seahawks will now go the rest of the way — barring a long playoff run — with Charbonnet, a second-round pick in 2023 who has 453 yards and averaging 4.3 per attempt and turned in the best game this season by a Seahawk rusher with 134 in a in at Arizona on Dec. 8; and McIntosh, a seventh-round pick a year ago who has 77 on 17. Holani, an undrafted free agent out of Boise State, has 10 yards on three attempts. Grubb on Tuesday said he was confident the team can put together a good running game no matter who is in the backfield. “Yeah, I don’t think that personnel-wise we should have any limitations,’’ he said. “We should be able to keep building those things up front. We’re in good shape, so I think you just focus more on the offensive line and maybe less on the runners.” Walker will enter the final season of his rookie contract in 2025 when he is due to make $1,856,125, none of which is guaranteed. Teams can extend rookie contracts after a player’s third year, meaning Walker could ask for a new deal following this season. Whether the Seahawks will want to — or for how much — could loom as one of the more interesting questions of the offseason. ©2024 The Seattle Times. Visit seattletimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.C3.ai ( AI 4.51% ) is gaining ground in Thursday's trading. The company's share price was up 4.7% as of 3:30 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 index was flat in the daily session, and the Nasdaq Composite index was up 0.1%. C3.ai stock is posting gains today in conjunction with bullish momentum for speculative artificial intelligence ( AI ) stocks. The company's share price could also be getting a lift from news that Palantir is aiming to form a consortium to challenge traditional players in the defense industry. C3.ai stock climbs higher on bullish AI momentum At its policy meeting last week, the Federal Reserve announced another 25 basis-point cut for interest rates -- a move that was largely in line with the market's expectations. But Fed Chair Jerome Powell also indicated that the central banking authority now expects to serve up only two rate cuts on that level next year -- down from its previous forecast suggesting four rate cuts of 25 basis points next year. While many growth-dependent and speculative AI stocks initially saw big sell-offs on the macroeconomic news, stocks in this category are now seeing some significant recovery. Investors have quickly become more tolerant of risk in the AI space, and C3.ai stock is climbing in conjunction with the trend. Will C3.ai benefit from Palantir's AI consortium? Late last week, the Financial Times reported that Palantir was teaming up with Anduril to form a consortium of companies aimed at disrupting the defense industry. With AI emerging as a key front in defense initiatives, the potential partnership could have dramatic implications. While C3.ai was not named by the Financial Times as a company that has been approached to join Palantir and Anduril's defense-industry alliance, some investors appear to be betting that the company will be a beneficiary of the proposed consortium. C3.ai has already won U.S. defense contracts and has recently signed a partnership with Microsoft , and its established relationships could help make it an attractive candidate for new contracts in the public and private sectors.

The S&P 500 index ( ^GSPC 0.25% ) has risen roughly 33% over the past year, which is a very large increase in a very short period of time. It is hitting all-time highs on a regular basis. It isn't unreasonable for investors to look at the S&P 500 index and think that, perhaps, its valuation is getting a little stretched. If that thought has passed through your mind, you might want to consider buying the Invesco S&P GARP ETF ( SPGP -0.12% ) . Here's why. A big problem with Wall Street Benjamin Graham , the man who helped train the Oracle of Omaha (a k a Warren Buffett ), had a story that he used in order to explain Wall Street called "Mr. Market." To paraphrase Graham, investors are basically partners in a business with a fellow named Mr. Market. He tends to have extreme emotional swings. One day, he will be downbeat and will sell you his piece of the business on the cheap. The next day, Mr. Market will be in an upbeat mood and will pay what seems like an unrealistically high price for your piece of the business. You never know beforehand what mood Mr. Market will be in. That's a pretty nice description of Wall Street, which has a very bad habit of going to extremes on both the upside and the downside. The problem, of course, is in identifying when Mr. Market is being unrealistic. Sometimes, the pessimism and enthusiasm will be spot on, while at other times, it will be misplaced. This is a relevant story right now because the massive increase in the value of the S&P 500 index over the past year has pushed it to all-time highs. The average price-to-earnings ratio of the S&P 500 index is around 28. That's not a low figure and would normally be associated with a company that was expected to grow materially over the near term. The S&P 500 index is a cherry-picked list of companies that are large and economically important, but not every company is a growth stock. And just three stocks make up 20% of the index right now, with the top five accounting for a bit more than 25%. That's a lot of concentration for an index that owns roughly 500 stocks, suggesting that right now, Mr. Market's enthusiasm for a small list of companies is driving the overall index's performance. SPY total return price; data by YCharts. Growth at a reasonable price to the rescue While investors can just grit their teeth and hope for the best, there is another option. You can buy the Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF . It starts with the S&P 500 index, but then takes sales-per-share-growth, earnings-per-share-growth, P/E ratios, financial leverage, and return on equity into consideration. All in, the goal isn't just to find cheap stocks, but to find reasonably priced stocks that are backed by growing businesses -- thus the GARP, for growth at a reasonable price, in the name. SPY total return price, data by YCharts. From the 500 or so stocks in the S&P 500 index, the Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF ends up with a portfolio of around 75 holdings. The really interesting part: The average P/E ratio is only around 14, which is roughly half of the full S&P 500 index's P/E of 28. If you have a value bias (or are just worried about the lofty level of the market), that should be a very interesting statistic. The Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF is a long-term story Over the past year, the Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF's performance has lagged the S&P 500 index. That's not shocking given that a small number of companies have been driving the S&P 500 index higher. And since only one of the top five holdings in these two funds overlaps, it is clear that the GARP ETF is doing something very different with its portfolio. That said, as the chart above highlights, the Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF's long-term performance has proved to be attractive relative to the S&P 500 index. And the best time to buy it, judging from the zigs and zags of the market, is often when the GARP approach has lagged behind for a little while ... just like it is doing right now.

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:13 p.m. EST

A nation in mourning: Remembering the unmatched legacy of Dr. Manmohan SinghLiverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has said Arne Slot's side have the "quality to achieve something special" this season and has called on his teammates to "create their own history" at the club. Editor's Picks Liverpool in 'constant' talks over Salah, VVD 1d Beth Lindop How VAR decisions have affected every Premier League club in 2024-25 8h Dale Johnson West Ham vs Liverpool: Time, how to watch, stats, team news 11h ESPN The Merseyside club are six points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a game in hand, having also won all of their games in the revamped Champions League and secured passage to the semifinals of the Carabao Cup . Their impressive form has inevitably led to parallels being drawn with Liverpool's title-winning side of 2019-20 but Alisson -- who played an integral part in the club winning both the Premier League and Champions League under Jürgen Klopp -- has insisted that it is impossible to compare the two teams. "I don't think it's too similar, [it's] two different teams," the Brazil international said. "A few players still play in the team but we have a little bit different style now, more ball possession, before it was really straightforward: a lot of transition, a lot of intensity. "That team was really special, we achieved great things, it was the first Premier League title for this club in a long time. We achieved the Champions League together as well, the season before. I think there's no comparison with both situations. "Just what makes me happy is to see that this group of players, we have the quality to do something special and the most important thing is the commitment that is needed to win something is there, and the passion, the desire. "We are hungry and we want to win every game in front of us and that we have in front of us and that's all we are focused on at the moment. "We know that in the future we're going to remember more about the good moments now that you had together in football. Winning is not everything, of course, but it's a big part of football so I want to remember this team as a winning team. "I believe we don't have to compare ourselves with the teams in the past, we have to create our own history. This season, this group has to create its own history." Liverpool have defied expectations this season to mount a title charge under new head coach Slot. Alisson was quick to praise the Dutchman for how quickly he has been able to implement his ideas at Anfield. "I think when Arne joined the club, everybody thought it would be hard work for him to replace a manager like Jürgen," he said. "He's showing his qualities and he brings us a lot of good things. "I think it's not only one key, but many things that are helping us to achieve our goals. I want to highlight the commitment of this team, of the players, to do what the manager asks, to go every day and train hard and having the desire to improve as well, to be a better team and the desire of winning big things for this club. So that will always be an important point for a team that wants to be a winner." It has been a challenging season so far for Alisson, who was sidelined for more than two months with a hamstring injury earlier in the campaign. However, the 32-year-old has confirmed he is now fully fit and is thrilled to be able to now help Slot's side on the pitch. "It's not easy when you stay for a long time away," he said. "It was not easy for me, but I worked really hard. "I was looking forward to coming back because when you are injured, these days you just don't go there, put some ice on your legs and just wait until you're fully recovered. "You work so hard in the gym every day, sometimes double sessions, pretty much every day double sessions, doing treatment at home, having treatment at the club. "So I spent a lot of time working without doing the best side of football, that is playing. So I was looking forward to coming back, even because the team was doing so well, so you get even more excited to be part of it." Liverpool will look to keep their impressive run going when they travel to West Ham United on Sunday. But while the league leaders seem in rude health, Alisson has stressed the importance of Slot's squad keeping their feet on the ground. "It's too soon to talk about the title, of course, but it's our goal, it's our target," he said. "At this point, we cannot just start to look to the points and see how it goes. We have to really focus on the next opponent that we have in front of us. "That's the mentality that we need and that is the mentality that we are having at the moment. We know how Premier League can change so quickly in two games. "Two games ago, maybe everybody was saying, looking to us at the table, Chelsea coming closer, all the teams coming closer, and now two games after we are in a better position. So everything changes so quickly here because of the quality of all the teams. So we have to be really focused on ourselves. "As I said before, we have so many things to improve. During the season, you have to become a champion not only in one game or only for what we did at this half way point."

LUQUE, Paraguay -- Sake is perhaps more Japanese than the world-famous sushi. It's brewed in centuries-old mountaintop warehouses, savored in the country’s pub-like izakayas, poured during weddings and served slightly chilled for special toasts. The smooth rice wine that plays a crucial role in Japan's culinary traditions was enshrined on Wednesday by UNESCO on its list of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity." At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of UNESCO’s committee for safeguarding humanity's cultural heritage voted to recognize 45 cultural practices and products around the world, including Brazilian white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread and Palestinian olive oil soap. Unlike UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which includes sites considered important to humanity like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Intangible Cultural Heritage designation names products and practices of different cultures that are deserving of recognition. A Japanese delegation welcomed the announcement in Luque. “Sake is considered a divine gift and is essential for social and cultural events in Japan,” Kano Takehiro, the Japanese ambassador to UNESCO, told The Associated Press. The basic ingredients of sake are few: rice, water, yeast and koji, a rice mold, which breaks down the starches into fermentable sugars like malting does in beer production. The whole two-monthlong process of steaming, stirring, fermenting and pressing can be grueling. The rice — which wields tremendous marketing power as part of Japan's broader cultural identity — is key to the alcoholic brew. For a product to be categorized Japanese sake, the rice must be Japanese. The UNESCO recognition, the delegation said, captured more than the craft knowledge of making high-quality sake. It also honored a tradition dating back some 1,000 years — sake makes a cameo in Japan’s famous 11th century novel, “The Tale of Genji,” as the drink of choice in the refined Heian court. Now, officials hope to restore sake's image as Japan's premier alcoholic drink even as the younger drinkers in the country switch to imported wine or domestic beer and whiskey. “It means a lot to Japan and to the Japanese,” Takehiro said of the UNESCO designation. "This will help to renew interest in traditional sake elaboration.” Also, Japanese breweries have expressed hope that the listing could give a little lift to the country's export economy as the popularity of sake booms around the world and in the United States amid heightened interest in Japanese cuisine. Sake exports, mostly to the U.S. and China, now rake in over $265 million a year, according to the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, a trade group. Japan's delegation appeared ready to celebrate on Wednesday — in classic Japanese style. After the announcement, Takehiro raised a cypress box full of sake to toast the alcoholic brew and cultural rite.

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How Radio 1 has haemorrhaged big talent like Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac in recent years - and replaced them with lesser-known names Expert warns the BBC station 'risks losing listeners' due to the overhaul READ MORE: Greg James reveals his 'secret' real name - 17 years after starting on BBC Radio 1 By MAANYA SACHDEVA Published: 09:20 GMT, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 10:16 GMT, 7 December 2024 e-mail 42 shares 5 View comments If Dean McCullough had hoped I'm a Celeb ...Get Me Out of Here! would amplify his celebrity status, the Radio 1 presenter was wrong. The 32-year-old's short stay in the jungle was routinely derailed by controversy, with viewers branding McCullough 'insufferable' over his antics on the hit ITV reality show. From what many felt was an unprovoked altercation with Coronation Street actor Alan Hasall to McCullough's bizarre aversion to camp chores, the former Gaydio presenter's ITV stint sparked repeated calls for him to be evicted. Considering the public decides who will be crowned the ultimate King or Queen of the jungle, it was no surprise then that McCullough became the second I'm A Celeb contestant to be evicted this season. And what will McCullough's return to the radio booth - following one of the most controversial I'm a Celeb apppearances in recent memory - mean for Radio 1? The BBC 's flagship station has been plagued by a recent slew of resignations from some of its most popular presenters such as Nick Grimshaw and Clara Amfo - with replacements like McCullough and Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing struggling to strike the right chord with listeners. Replacing stars like Nick and Annie Mac was always going to be difficult, branding expert Hayley Knight told MailOnline, noting the changing of the guard at Radio 1 is an 'opportunity to appeal to a younger audience'. 'But this change from icons to idols may reflect an identity crisis,' she continued, adding the station 'risks losing listeners...whilst the new lineup find their feet and flow'. The BBC 's flagship station has been plagued by a recent slew of resignations from some of its most popular presenters such as Nick Grimshaw and Clara Amfo - with replacements like Dean McCullough and Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing struggling to strike the right chord with listeners 'Radio 1 has always been a platform that has evolved with the times, but this change from icons to idols may reflect an identity crisis,' she explained. 'The long-standing hosts brought familiarity, comfort and trust, and the new presenters, which includes Jamie Laing, Danny Beard and Jack Saunders have to establish this same level of rapport,' Hayley added. 'This transition needs to be handled carefully, so the station doesn't alienate its existing audience, whilst pursuing new listeners. In the face of stiff competition from podcasts, radio stations are fighting to remain relevant and the 'star power of recognition the previous presenters brought to the channel ' was crucial to Radio 1. Though the presenter shakeup comes with some risks, it should also be seen as Radio 1 investing in the future, Hayley added. 'By keeping the talent fresh, the station has a chance to innvate and cater to a demographic that consumes media differently than previous generations. 'The key factor to success will be whether the new guys can bring the same authenticity, connection and credibility that made their predecessors iconic,' she concluded. Here, FEMAIL looks at some of the most high-profile departures - and the newer presenters taking their spot - over the past three years. Out: Annie Mac (April 2021) In her final role at Radio 1, veteran presenter Annie Mac hosted the popular music programme Future Sounds on weekdays between 6pm and 8pm When Annie Mac quit Radio 1 in April 2021 after 17 years , she said her departure marked the 'end of an era'. And while the Irish DJ was reflecting on her career at the time, her statement proved somewhat prophetic - with Annie's resignation triggering an overhaul of Radio 1 presenters that has continued for the past three years. In her final role, Annie presented the popular music programme Future Sounds on weekdays between 6pm and 8pm - but her career at the BBC dated back to 2002 when she joined the broadcaster as a production assistant. Two years later, she earned her first solo show titled Annie Mac's Mashup that became an instant hit. The station's younger audiences became captivated by Mac's infectious enthusiasm for dance music, her genre-fluid playlists that one Guardian writer described as an attempt to 'democratise the dance floor', and an irreverent spirit that endeared her to listeners. According to a 2021 list of the salaries earned by the BBC's biggest stars , Annie was drawing between £170,000 and £174,000 before she quit. Annie explained her decision to quit Radio 1 was both personal and professional in an interview with Radio Times, ahead of her final show on 30 July 2021. 'Having a show every evening is just not sustainable ,' Annie, who shares two sons with her DJ husband Tom Bell (Toddla T), told the outlet. 'I wanted to be around in the evenings as my youngest kid starts school in September – but really, lots of things have come together to make this decision feel very easy.' When Annie, now 46, quit Radio 1 in April 2021 after 17 years, she said her departure marked the 'end of an era' Her statement proved somewhat prophetic - with Annie's resignation triggering an overhaul of Radio 1 presenters that has continued for the past three years. She was also asked whether she had ever experience sexism as she rose up the ranks at Radio 1. 'I never suffered personally,' Annie responded. 'It might have happened behind my back, but I don't remember it that way. However, I've seen over the years that tokenism idea of, 'Well, as long as we've got Annie there, the box is ticked.'' The BBC announced Annie was being replaced by Clara Amfo who, in turn, departed the organisation less than three years after her predecessor. In: Vicky Hawkesworth (July 2022) Bolton-born Vicky Hawkesworth presented a few guest spots until she and Dean McCullough were chosen to replace Scott Mills and Chris Stark when they quit Radio 1 in 2022 Bolton-born radio presenter Vicky Hawkesworth along with Dean were chosen as beloved presenters Scott Mills and Chris Stark's replacements, as they took over Radio 1's afternoon show in July 2022. Prior to breaking into the big leagues, the 28-year-old presented a few guest spots on Radio 1, including an Anthems show on Bank Holiday Monday in 2021 as well as two weeks of Early Breakfast in July 2021. Dean and Vicky have both previously presented shows on Gaydio - the UK's leading LGBTQ+ station - with the latter also hosting regular shows on BBC Radio Manchester. Reacting to her appointment at Radio 1 at the time, she gushed: 'I'm a little bit all over the place, in a good way, obviously. 'It's just madness. It seems so, sort of, not real,' she told The Bolton News. 'In fact, I actually thought maybe I was making it up, maybe I'd just dreamt it...' Vicky continued, '...but I'm really excited to get going with it. 'It's gonna be a lot of fun.' In a shakeup, the BBC later announced that Vicky and Dean's show would be taken over by Matt Edmondson and Mollie King - as the duo were reassigned to different slots. Vicky was paired with Nat O'Leary and they currently present Anthems on the weekend from 10.30am till 1pm. On her new role, Vicky said: 'I'm going to miss working with my partner in crime Dean McCullough every day, but I'm excited for a new adventure and chapter with the fabulous Nat O'Leary! I'm so happy to be part of an all female duo - girl power!' Out: Nick Grimshaw (June 2021) Nick Grimshaw's career at Radio 1 dated back to 2007, when he presented the BBC's youth strand Switch with close friend Annie Mac. Weeks after Annie bid farewell to Radio 1, her pal Nick Grimshaw announced he was signing off from his Drivetime show in a shock resignation. In an emotional on-air announcement, the then-36-year-old presenter told his listeners that he felt fortunate to have made his 'childhood dream' of working at Radio 'come true'. Referring to the Covid pandemic that was sweeping the world at the time, he added: 'I was thinking the past 18 moinths have been the most surreal moments ever. A lot of you guys, you take stock in times like this and look at your life. I looked at mine and I wanted to make that change.' Nick's career at Radio 1 dated back to 2007, when he presented the BBC's youth strand Switch with close friend Annie Mac. He hosted the show for nine months solo while Annie hosted a weekend lunchtime slot. Nick then went on to present Radio 1's Weekend Breakfast Show, followed by the 10pm – midnight slot on Radio 1 on 1 June 2009, following the departure of Colin Murray . He was handed the prestigious Breakfast Show slot in 2012 taking over from the hugely popular Chris Moyles. He stayed on-air in the AM until 2018 when he swapped shows with Greg James. His move meant Grimshaw took over the 4-7pm Drivetime slot. In July 2017 the BBC confirmed that Nick's salary was in the £350,000 – £399,999 bracket When Nick left, insiders told MailOnline his decision to leave Radio 1 'was not about money', but because he wanted a new challenge In July 2017 the BBC confirmed that Nick's salary was in the £350,000 – £399,999 bracket. The BBC later reported that he got £240,000-£244,999 in 2019/2020. When Nick left, insiders told MailOnline his decision to leave Radio 1 'was not about money', but because he wanted a new challenge. After announcing he was parting ways with Radio 1, BBC bosses revealed they had chosen I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! runner-up Jordan North and Radio 1 star Vick Hope to replace Nick on the airwaves. Jordan, who would also eventually follow in Nick's footsteps and quit, praised the star as a 'Radio 1 legend' while promising listeners he and Vick 'will extremely hard to make sure afternoons on Radio 1 still sound superb'. In: Danny Beard (March 2024) Danny, who uses they/them pronouns, took over Katie Thistleton's weekend show's from March 8 until July Liverpudlian drag artist Danny Beard came on-board as a new Radio 1 presenter in March when the BBC announced a major overhaul of its presenters in the wake of Jordan North's departure. Danny, who uses they/them pronouns, took over Katie Thistleton's weekend show's from March 8 until July - when Vicky Hawkesworth and Nat O'Leary's new show kicked off. In a post about Danny's new gig, the station tweeted: 'Drag queen icon and comedy genius Danny Beard will be joining Radio 1 to take on the hosting duties of weekend shows (10.30 - 13.00, Friday - Saturday) from 8 March until Vicky Hawkesworth and Nat O'Leary's new show in July. 'Welcome to the team, Danny Beard.' Danny, 32, won the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. They have also appeared on Britain's Goit Talent and Karaoke Club: Drag Edition. In an interview with The Mirror , Danny recalled their first meeting with Radio 1's head Aled Haydn Jones who reportedly told them: 'I'm either making the best decision Radio 1 has made in years or the biggest mistak, so please be good.' The former Gaydio host also addressed their critics who turned their nose up at a reality TV star earning a job at Radio 1. 'The thing is people don't know is yes, I won Drag Race but prior to that I've been in the entertainment industry for 10 years and hosted things for 10 years,' they said. 'I've presented on Gaydio for a long period of time, I've presented my own TV show on BBC Three - I'm not a novice with no idea how to speak down a microphone.' Out: Clara Amfo (December 2023) Clara Amfo joined Radio 1 in 2015, taking over from Fearne Cotton to host the Live Lounge and interviewed celebrities such as Jay-Z, Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lamar and Ariana Grande in that time Clara then took on Annie Mac's Future Sounds show on Radio 1 from July 2021 until her exit. Two years after Clara Amfo took over Future Sounds from Annie Mac, she announced she was leaving the station in a social media post last December. The DJ began her broadcast career as a general office assistant at Kiss FM before becoming a presenter there and joined BBC Radio 1Xtra as host of the weekend breakfast show in September 2013. She joined Radio 1 in 2015, taking over from Fearne Cotton to host the Live Lounge and interviewed celebrities such as Jay-Z, Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lamar and Ariana Grande in that time. Clara then took on Annie Mac's Future Sounds show on Radio 1 from July 2021 until her exit. Clara, who was believed to have been making around £150k per year, also appeared on TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Gogglebox, The Weakest Link, and RuPaul's Drag Race: Uk vs the World. One of the most well-recognised British radio stars, Clara also hosted the London premieres for Hollywood blockbusters such as the Bond film No Time to Die and Marvel's Black Panther. In an emotional Instagram message, Clara thanked her listeners 'who have consistently shown up for me' and shared her hopes 'for my next chapter' at the BBC 'and beyond'. The comments section was flooded with messages from some of the biggest names in British radio and TV, including Greg James, Claudia Winkleman, Angela Scannon, Zoe Ball, and Stacey Dooley. In: Jack Saunders The British DJ studied at Nottingham Trent University and managed the student radio station, which won seven awards under Jack's leadership The former host of Radio 1's Future Artists and The Official Chart, Jack Saunders was named Clara's replacement. At the time, Jack, 32, took to his Instagram to share a series of throwback snaps of himself as a teenager starting in radio. Alongside he wrote an earnest caption, telling followers that he had been inspired by Radio 1 DJs as a child and had long held a dream to present Future Sounds. Noting Future Sounds' cultural legacy, his social media statement read: 'The show (and it's previous entities) is the premier taste making music show. It has influenced the music taste of generations and I am so BLOODY EXCITED THAT I BROKE DOWN IN TEARS AT A RESTAURANT YESTERDAY WHEN I FOUND OUT that I will get to be the new host of Future Sounds from 15th April 2024. 'You and me and the best new music on the planet, I couldn't think of a more perfect way to spend my weekday evenings. We did it'. The British DJ studied at Nottingham Trent University and managed the student radio station, which won seven awards under Jack's leadership. He began his radio career at Radio X in 2015, with Jack hosting the station's early weekend breakfast show. He first joined Radio 1 in 2018 and took over hosting The Official Chart from Scott Mills in 2022. Out: Jordan North (February 2024) Jordan North landed his first permanent slot on Radio 1 in 2018, working his way up to hosting the station's prime drivetime show Jordan North's unceremonious departure from Radio 1 left a bitter taste in listeners' mouths amid reports he was 'blindsided' by the BBC's sudden announcement. Jordan, 34, quit the Radio 1's legendary Going Home show after a decade behind the microphone, before the BBC announced ex-Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing as his replacement - a decision that sparked some outrage on X. In the original announcement post, bosses penned: 'Radio 1 will be saying goodbye to Jordan North. Jordan has been behind some of the most hilarious and entertaining moments on air over the years, and has been a constant source of inspiration'. Shortly after, The Mirror reported that the news he was leaving Going Home came as a 'shock' to Jordan as information about his exit was 'issued without his knowlege in chaotic scenes'. The publication at the time claimed that he had unwittingly already presented his last episode of the show by the time his departure was announced. Tensions had reportedly been high 'for months' about his departure after he let producers know he wanted to leave. 'Once he formally requested to leave, that was it – he was off air, immediately,' a source said. 'It's a shame it ended on such a bad note after 10 years.' The Yorkshire native landed his first permanent slot - Radio 1's Sunday mornings Greatest Hits show - in 2018 and he moved to the 11am to 1pm weekend slot in September 2020. Jordan, 34, was reportedly 'blindsided' by the BBC's sudden announcement about his exit Also in 2018, Jordan launched the Help I Sexted My Boss podcast with his friend William Hanson. But he became a much more prominent household name on his run to becoming runner-up on series 20 of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! a few months after his Radio 1 promotion - much like new presenter Dean McCulloughn. While Jordan was not originally slated to appear on the series, he filled in for a late dropout - and ended up charming viewers. After that, Jordan became much more prominent on Radio 1, covering more for the likes of Scott Mills and Nick Grimshaw, leading to him proudly naming himself the station's 'supply teacher'. He eventually took over from Grimshaw as the drive time presenter with fellow new co-host Vick Hope in September 2021. H currrently hosts Capital Breakfast with another former Radio 1 star Chris Stark and Sian Welby. In: Jamie Laing (March 2024) Fans criticised the BBC's decision to replace Jordan North with former Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing After Jordan's allegedly botched exit, the BBC revealed that former Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing was poised to take his place on the drivetime slot alongside Vick Hope. Going Home is also co-hosted by Katie Thistleton - another new addition to Radio 1's roster. Jamie, 36, is a broadcaster and producer who also co-hosts the successful Radio 1 podcast '6 Degrees from Jamie and Spencer'. He can also be heard on the popular podcast 'NewlyWeds' which he presents alongside his wife Sophie Habboo. In 2020, the presenter finished second in the 20th series of ITV's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here, before he completed an epic 100-mile rowing challenge from London to Burnley for Comic Relief in March 2022. On his appointment, Jamie said: 'I've loved every minute that I've been on air with Radio 1 in recent years, so to be joining Vick on Drivetime is just incredible. 'To be working with Vick is an absolute dream so I'm beyond excited to get started and keep listeners company on their journeys home.' While the head of Radio 1, Aled Haydn noted Jaime's 'infectious energy' was the perfect fit for Drivetime, fans lamented the channel was turning into a 'posh boys club' - referring to Jaime's time on Made in Chelsea. Undeterred by the backlash, Jamie addressed his new role in an Instagram post on Sunday, writing that it felt 'unreal' to be joining the Radio 1 family. Praising Jordan as a 'complete pro/leghend', the former reality TV star added: 'will pour everything I have into making it the best show I possibly can for the listeners who love it so much. now, let's go!! Radio 1 baby!' In August, Jaime was slammed by fans for what many perceived was a dig at his predecessor after he shared a private company email that detailed the programme's listener growth since the host overhaul. Out: Scott Mills (July 2022) Scott, who joined the station in October 1998, struggled to hold back his tear during his final show in August 2022 One of the most high-profile presenters to quit Radio 1 in recent history, Scott Mills ended his incredible 26-year run in July 2022. Scott, who joined the station in October 1998, struggled to hold back his tear during his final show in August 2022, as he poignantly reminded listeners to 'turn on the radio' if they ever feel alone. Scott hosted various shows on the station - including the early breakfast programme and the early evening show that was renamed The Scott Mills Show. The popular radio personality was paid a whopping £400,000 for the year ended 2022. Chris Stark, 35, joined Mills as a co-presenter on the show in 2012 - and the pair became popular thanks to a number of humorous segments, including Innuendo Bingo and the Whoo Game. Scott also hosted The Official Chart Show from 2018, taking over from Greg James, until the end of his time at Radio 1. Their final show opened with a montage of messages from listeners, including Mills' partner and the wife and son of Chris before Scott was told the BBC Radio 1 studio will be renamed after him. Scott had joked about a potential renaming of the studio on the Breakfast Show with Greg James earlier on Thursday. The studio previously named 82A will from now be known as 82 Mills. Scott was recently named Zoe Ball's replacement on Radio 2's hottest Breakfast Show slot Scott said: 'I can't cope with this, it's too much. I can't believe it. That's amazing. I am so sorry that has totally thrown me off. This is the ultimate honour thank you so much.' Stark added: 'The first show from 82 Mills will ironically be our last.' Such was Scotts' impact that Radio 1 presenters - past and present - including Annie, Jordan, and Mollie King paid tribute to him, with Greg James crediting Scott as the force that 'inspired me to get into radio'. Northern Irish DJ Dean McCullough and Vicky replaced Scott and Chris, with the duo presenting a new daytime show that runs from 1pm to 3.30pm on Monday to Thursday. Scott was recently named Zoe Ball's replacement on Radio 2's hottest Breakfast Show slot, while Chris hosts the Capital Breakfast Show alongside his former Radio 1 colleague Jordan and Sian Welby. In: Dean McCullough (July 2022) Dean got his big break along with Vicky Hawkesworth (not pictured), when they were announced as Scott Mills and Chris Stark's replacements for the afternoon show Dean McCullough, who is currently in Australia filming I'm a Celeb, earned a permanent spot on BBC Radio 1's list of hosts after two years of guest presener roles. The Northern Irish DJ, who grew up in Newtonabbey, first filled in for Clara Amfo for two days in 2020. The following year, in March 2021, Dean was offered the chance to cover the early breakfast show on Fridays for five weeks. In September 2021, the former Gaydio star began hosting the 10.30am - 1pm slot from Friday to Sunday - replacing Jordan North, who went on to present the station's weekday drivetime show with Vick Hope. Dean got his big break along with Vicky Hawkesworth, when they were announced as Scott Mills and Chris Stark's replacements for the afternoon show. However, as the Mail on Sunday recently revealed, Dean was moved to the graveyard 5am breakfast show amid 'bullying' allegations from production staff on his high-profile afternoon show. A source at Radio 1 said the programme became 'untenable' after multiple crew members 'made it very clear' they were unwilling to keep working with Dean. The source explained: 'Quite a few people who worked with Dean were really unhappy – and some of them made it very clear with bosses. They accused him of being a bully to staff, and they just didn't want to keep working with him any longer. 'To be honest by the end it was just chaos – there were cover presenters drafted in and producers moved around to try to keep things on track but it became untenable.' After his I'm A Celeb journey was cut short after 16 days, Dean returned to Manchester - where he is based - to take BBC Share or comment on this article: How Radio 1 has haemorrhaged big talent like Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac in recent years - and replaced them with lesser-known names e-mail 42 shares Add commentItaly’s 2025 Budget Gets Parliamentary Nod in Boost for MeloniFood inflation is an economic challenge and a humanitarian and geopolitical issue

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