Post Office to announce branch closures and job cuts in cost-cutting drive

The Post Office is expected to announce the closure of dozens of branches and cut up to 1,000 head office jobs as it seeks to reduce costs to secure its financial future.There are about 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK, of which 115 are wholly centrally owned. The rest are operated by independent post office operators under contract and partners such as WH Smith and Tesco.The Post Office is seeking to shut or refranchise most of its wholly owned network, known as crown post offices, affecting as many as 1,000 jobs.It has been reducing the number of crown post offices for a number of years

Thanks, Larry Elliott, for all the lightbulb moments on understanding economics

I am so sorry to find that I have read Larry Elliott’s last column as economics editor (From Thatcher to Trump and Brexit: my seven lessons learned after 28 years as Guardian economics editor, 10 November). I have always relied on him for explanations of the murky world of economics that are clear, concise and explain the context. My understanding of economics has always been shaky, but Larry’s articles have given me quite a few lightbulb moments. I shall treasure the final column.Mary Slater Cardiff Francesca Segal gives us a valuable list of novels that bring solace rather than presenting the world’s woes (‘It will renew your faith in humanity’: books to bring comfort in dark times, 9 November)

Musk’s influence on Trump could lead to tougher AI standards, says scientist

Elon Musk’s influence on a Donald Trump administration could lead to tougher safety standards for artificial intelligence, according to a leading scientist who has worked closely with the world’s richest person on addressing AI’s dangers.Max Tegmark said Musk’s support for a failed AI bill in California underlined the billionaire’s continued concern over an issue that did not feature prominently in Trump’s campaign.However, Musk has warned regularly that unrestrained development of AI – broadly, computer systems performing tasks that typically require human intelligence – could be catastrophic for humanity. Last year, he was one of more than 30,000 signatories to a letter calling for a pause in work on powerful AI technology.Speaking to the Guardian at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Tegmark said Musk, who is expected to be heavily influential in the president-elect’s administration, could persuade Trump to introduce standards that prevent the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI), the term for AI systems that match or exceed human levels of intelligence

Bitcoin price tops $87,000 for first time amid ‘Trump pump’

The price of bitcoin has risen above $87,000 for the first time as it benefited from traders’ hopes that Donald Trump will favour cryptocurrencies when he returns to the White House.Bitcoin reached a record high of $87,198, before slipping back slightly on Monday. The price has more than doubled from about $37,000 12 months ago.The election has also affected traditional currency markets, individual stocks – most notably Elon Musk’s electric car company, Tesla – and broad US equity markets, as investors bet on deregulation and tax cuts from Trump.Trump has in the past called bitcoin a “scam against the dollar”, but he changed his tune on cryptocurrency during the US presidential election campaign, courting the crypto community and appearing at industry events

Jannik Sinner sees off Taylor Fritz: ATP Finals tennis – as it happened

Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz’s participation in the ATP Finals in Turin has been cast into doubt after he pulled out of practice with illness.His coach Juan Carlos Ferrero told Spanish media the 21-year-old cut short his session after just five minutes as a chest complaint was making breathing difficult. Alcaraz is due to play Andrey Rublev on Wednesday.Daniil Medvedev won his first indoor match since last year’s finals with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Alex de Minaur. The 28-year-old Russian, who was docked a point for one of several outbursts as he lost his opening match to Taylor Fritz, this time won without facing a single break point

Katie Taylor: ‘If you’re a boxing person it really matters Mike Tyson does well against Jake Paul’

World super lightweight champion reflects on her rematch with Amanda Serrano being the main support to the controversial boutWhen Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano were locked in battle during the last round of their first fight at Madison Square Garden, on a fevered night in April 2022, I could not help myself. Alongside an entire row of ringside reporters, I stood up to watch the final minute of a riveting contest. Suddenly oblivious to the march of our urgent deadlines and the etiquette of remaining above such raw human emotion, we were swept away by the courage and determination of both women in one of the greatest fights ever staged at the Garden.“It was only afterwards, when you’re looking back and hearing people’s reactions that you think: ‘Gosh, that was a huge moment for women in boxing’,” Taylor says now. “You’re hearing stories of young girls being inspired by that night and how people are calling it historic