The year is 2399, and Jean-Luc Picard dreams of his old ship, destroyed three decades ago, and his dear friend, the android Data, dead 20 years now. Dreams turn to nightmare, and Picard awakens, old and defeated, in his French château.

Want to be cultured this Christmas? From TV to podcasts to books, Ed Power has the definite list of everything you missed this year - so you can curl up on the couch and catch up

Where once TV was all about quality, now, thanks to the Netflix model, the focus is on quantity. After the glory days of The Sopranos, is there anything worth watching anymore, asks Ed Power

All your arts and music news.

David Tennant and Michael Sheen star in a new streaming adaptation of the novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, writes Georgia Humphreys.

Here is a look at the films and tv series that are coming to streaming services this month.

Before Niamh Kavanagh underwent surgery on January 31 for an ongoing problem with her thyroid, she sounded as if she was asthmatic, writes Irene Feighan. 

Bishop Phonsie Cullinan said Gardasil is only 70% safe, however, the worst that can be said against the vaccine is that it isn’t 100% effective, writes Terry Prone.

Rhianna Pratchett is guest of honour at Dublin’s Octocon, writes Caroline Delaney

His first book was a biography of Duran Duran, but Neil Gaiman quickly moved into the comic book world and from there to a successful multi-media career in fantasy and sci fi.

Moone Boy star David Rawle has a new favourite book. It has a girly cover and it’s not what he’d usually buy.

IF YOU think the woman’s name, Magrat, is a typo or if you can’t see the funny side of Death getting sick of it all and causing havoc by taking a break, then steer well clear of the Discworld convention taking place in Cork this weekend.

"Get real. Terry Pratchett is not a literary genius"

Karen Buckley’s funeral took place yesterday where she was laid to rest, the Wallabies have made a big decision ahead of the Rugby World Cup and the Nepal earthquake death toll could reach 10,000. These are some of the latest and most read news stories on irishexaminer.com this morning.

Valve is paying tribute to author Terry Pratchett, who passed away in March, with the addition of the Octarine Core to DotA 2.

MUSIC NEWS: Don McLean is on his way to Ireland in June, and don’t be surprised if he’s in rather good form, considering he’s just sold the transcipt for his ‘American Pie’ song for $1.2m.

Terry Pratchett spoke candidly about facing his own death after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Best-selling author Terry Pratchett has died at the age of 66, his publishers Transworld have announced.

Writing more than 20 years ago multi-million selling Discworld author and Alzheimer’s sufferer Terry Pratchett warned that: “Time is like a drug. Too much of it kills you.”

IN September 2013 scientist Professor Stephen Hawking spoke in favour of assisted suicide for people with terminal diseases, reigniting a debate that has been gathering momentum ever since.

Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter

Gone With The Wind author Margaret Mitchell has been crowned the queen of the literary put-down in a new poll.

You don’t have to be younger, thinner or richer to feel ‘Fabulous’ after 50 it’s about zest for life.

A look at the latest books to hit the shelves.

IF you’re not a big fan of fantasy and despair at all the wizards and dragons on TV, on film and in books, then you should blame John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. Or, go back 1,000 years and blame the unknown author of Beowulf, with its monsters and kings. Or, go back another two millennia and blame Homer’s epic tales of gods and heroes.

March 23-30

The return of Lara Croft in her first video game in three years will see a “more human” character than the one depicted by Angelina Jolie on the big screen, its lead writer has said.

Britain’s Pearson and Germany’s Bertelsmann are to merge their publishing units, Penguin and Random House, to recover ground lost to technology groups.

The Freemasons have been in Ireland for 300 years and have 22,000 members. Stephen Rogers goes in search of what happens behind the doors of lodges where their meetings take place

The New Republic

BBC1 drama 'Great Expectations' leads this year’s Bafta TV Craft Awards, honouring behind-the-scenes talent in programme-making.

VACILLATION and the Vatican make for uncomfortable bed fellows.

Snuff

WRITER Terry Pratchett said that watching a man being helped to die had reaffirmed his support for assisted suicide, while anti-euthanasia groups criticised the televised death as propaganda that could encourage copycat suicides.

The BBC has defended its decision to film a man’s last moments at the Dignitas clinic in a documentary fronted by Terry Pratchett.

THE Queen described her historic state visit to Ireland as a “brilliant” experience as she was presented with a rare orchid named in her honour.

THERE’S nothing like a library for a bit of peace and quiet so after the heavy schedule and diplomatic sensitivities of earlier engagements, busy Lizzie must have been relieved to see the Old Library at Trinity College last on her itinerary.

Actor Patrick Stewart has declared his wish to be allowed an assisted death.

The last moments of a terminally ill man who travelled to an assisted suicide clinic to end his life will be shown in a documentary presented by best-selling author Terry Pratchett.

BESTSELLING author Terry Pratchett will join the staff at Trinity College Dublin next week as an adjunct professor in the School of English.

CHARITY givers donated more Dan Brown books to Oxfam than any other author but he was only number 10 on the list for most books sold, the charity’s annual survey revealed yesterday.

NEW guidelines in England and Wales on whether a person is to be prosecuted for assisted suicide will place closer scrutiny on the motivation of the suspect, their chief prosecutor said.

BRITISH author Terry Pratchett who has Alzheimer’s disease yesterday called for allowing seriously ill people to argue for assisted suicide before a panel – and volunteered to act as a test case.

Author Terry Pratchett will tonight call for assisted suicide to be legalised as two polls revealed most people back the move.

HE collects accolades these days the way he used to collect specimens, but while scrolls and titles may lack the exoticism of jungle crawlies and undersea oddities, David Attenborough is no less gracious in receiving them.

David Attenborough will be awarded an Honorary Degree at Trinity College in Dublin today.

HE could be the next Stephen King or Terry Pratchett, but before Gareth McNamara finishes his first novel he has the small matter of his Junior Certificate to sit this summer.

Russell Brand has scooped an award for best UK performer in a non-acting role.

POPULAR Irish and international authors such as Marian Keyes, John Grisham, Maeve Binchy, Roddy Doyle and Cecilia Ahern are set for an income boost following a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).