THE HOBBIT is exactly the story we need to escape from normal life - and now Andy Serkis will take on a mammoth reading.

LORD OF THE RINGS Gollum actor Andy Serkis has announced he will read JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit in one sitting live online for charity.

I REMEMBER receiving some parenting advice from a taxi driver when I was heavily pregnant with my first child almost a decade ago. "For the first 10 years all they want is your love," declared the cabbie. "For the next 10 years all they want is your money."

KEIR Starmer has done more to tackle antisemitism in the Labour Party in four days than predecessor Jeremy Corbyn did in four years, a former party member has said.

A TORY rift over lockdown emerged yesterday when Sajid Javid urged ministers to reopen the economy "as far and as quick" as possible to recover from the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

BORIS Johnson praised a 102-year old Second World War veteran as "awesome" yesterday during a VE Day video call.

BORIS Johnson will only unveil "limited" changes to coronavirus lockdown rules to come into effect next week, a Cabinet minister said yesterday.

GERMANY is worried about the possibility of a hard Brexit as trade negotiations between the UK and the EU have so far resulted in very little progress.

THE UK's chief Brexit negotiator has hit back after his EU counterpart Michel Barnier said progress in trade talks had been "disappointing" and accused Britain of refusing to commit "seriously" on a number of key points.

KEIR STARMER's secret weapon against Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been revealed by Professor Tim Bale who detailed what the Labour leader can succeed in.

ANN WIDDECOMBE has warned it is "crucial" Boris Johnson does not extend the transition period.

BRITAIN'S full exit from EU rules is going ahead on schedule despite the coronavirus crisis, a Cabinet minister promised last night.

The virus that causes COVID-19 can be found in semen, Chinese researchers report in a small study that doesn't address whether sexual transmission is possible.

With parents and policymakers agonizing over when to reopen schools as lockdowns ease, scientists are still struggling to find out how the new coronavirus affects children.

More than a dozen past cases of severe pneumonia in Manitoba were re-tested for COVID-19, according to a government spokesperson.

Canadian dental offices that closed their doors during the initial shutdown of businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic now worry the equipment needed to conduct their business is in short supply as they begin reopening.

A union representing health-care workers in long-term care homes says the province wants to change a directive that gives all workers access N95 masks.

As many as 75,000 Americans could die because of drug or alcohol misuse and suicide as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to an analysis conducted by the national public health group Well Being Trust.

Through the scale of its devastating impact, the coronavirus pandemic could have fractured Britain. Yet the ordeal has strengthened the spirit of our country. In the face of this unprecedented crisis, the public has shown solidarity rather than selfishness, unity instead of division.

THERE is a steadily growing groundswell of opinion in this country that refuses to diminish or be silenced. I hope I may claim to have been a pioneer.

HYPOCRISY is one of the aggravating sins of the progressive elite. There is nothing more sickening than the failure of prominent figures to abide by the standards they seek to impose on others. Such double standards can be found in socialists who rage against private education but send their children to fee-paying schools, or in eco warriors who wail about carbon footprints while globe-trotting in luxury jets.

THE entire world is in the middle of a terrible pandemic. Everyone is worried sick both about catching it and the long-term effects of putting the global economy in the deep freeze. People are concerned about jobs, health, the wellbeing of elderly relatives.

WE'RE living in strange times all right. But the weird world of Covid isolation took on a dreamlike quality for me and Richard the week before last. That was when we filmed our week-long series about lockdown reading for Channel 4, five shows which were broadcast this week from our living room.

THE commemoration was heartfelt, the nostalgia moving, the gratitude profound.

Mobility data released by Apple suggests enormous declines in personal transportation since COVID-19 began its spread in Canada, but experts warn that post-pandemic there could be an increase of car use and a loss of transit routes.

Ontario's Progressive Conservative government has decided to not move forward with the blue licence plate design for passenger vehicles following readability concerns.

The U.S. government's highway safety agency will not force automakers to recall 56 million newer Takata air bag inflators, citing industry research that shows the devices are safe.

IndyCar has gotten the green flag to finally start its season, which it will do in Texas with a nighttime race June 6 without spectators.

Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with Newcastle ahead of an imminent multi-million pound takeover.

Newcastle's £300m takeover is set to complete within a week.

The summer transfer window is nearly upon us as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and the rest of the Premier League look to strengthen for whenever the new season starts. Express Sport brings you the latest updates throughout the day.

CRUISE holidays are on hold for now, however, many cruise enthusiasts continue to hold out hope for future cruises. For those looking to cruise in the future, but faced with a tighter budget, the good news is there are some ways you can save on sailings.

CRUISE holidays are popular all over the world, but especially with Britons. However, cruises are not as luxurious as they seem according to some cruise ship staff who have revealed their worst moments on board liners.

CRUISE ship holidays were a popular vacation choice for many Britons before the coronavirus pandemic struck. The crisis has hit the industry hard, leaving some reluctant to go on a cruise again - but now 12 travel writers have united to reveal why they love cruising so much.

CRUISE lines are assuring older passengers that they will not be discriminated against for future travel, despite being classed as some of the most vulnerable to coronavirus.

CRUISE holidays have been hugely impacted by the coronavirus crisis with cruises cancelled left, right and centre as the pandemic batters the travel industry. Now a fresh blow comes as two major cruise lines announce cruises won't be returning until autumn.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN has made further changes to their policy in a bid to instil confidence in customers and reduce the risk of financial losses for customers.

Championship action continues this week but who are the league's top scorers?

Championship fixtures could be affected by the incoming Storm Dennis this weekend.

Manchester United hero Wayne Rooney has been named as the most influential Premier League player of all time, but who else makes the top 20?

Leeds United's promotion hopes have been thrown into chaos after the coronavirus caused the EFL to suspend all leagues, but the final Championship table has been predicted by a supercomputer. Will Marcelo Bielsa's side finally return to the Premier League, and who will be relegated?