Former BBC TV presenter - and one-time RAF fighter pilot - William Woollard became a 'reluctant Buddhist' several years ago

Now he says he is 'wholly convinced of its profound value to any life, anywhere.'

He explains the reasons for his conversion - and his conviction - in this inspiring talk.

Now watch Dean Martin and Foster Brooks in the drunk pilot sketch...

Fiji water is extolled by nutritionists and celebrities as the non plus ultra of liquids. Rich in silica, it is cleverly marketed as an elixir of health writes Julia Stephenson

According to its publicity blurb `Fiji water never meets the compromised air of the 21st century.’ And in a stunning example of green-wash the website triumphantly explains that the company is bringing 'clean water to people in need'  in…Ethiopia.

In the West we like to humanise our animals, writes Diane Southam. Cuddly little creatures with human traits and foibles pervade our children’s stories. We take our domestic pets along to beauty parlours and even psychiatrists. 

Inuit Eskimos also believe in the existence of an animal-human connection. They claim that animals understand human speech and credit the bear with having a human soul. The similarity, however, ends there. 

In this human-centric age of group hugs, self-help gatherings for most disorders and abberations, as well as the wide range of psychological and alternative therapies available, why not a communal scream to round off the day?

And even better, make it art: Paola Livi has organised a 'scream happening'- like those popular back in the 60s- by holding it at the Tate Modern on Monday, 25th May at 17:00.

As a keen dabbler in healthy alternatives to chemical release, a hearty scream into a pillow at home has often helped me release suffocated emotion. But the opportunity to gather with like-minded souls and scream together seems like a great opportunity for releasing some poison, or just plain angst, on a Monday afternoon, as well as celebrating what we have in common, the desire for a free Tibet.

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Queen's Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson conferrred an honorary Doctorate of Laws on Daisaku Ikeda - the international peacemaker and educationalist - in Japan on 18 May

Queen’s has strong ties with Japan, and is cementing research and study abroad links with the prestigious Soka University in the areas of law, politics, management and sociology. In addition to signing an agreement which will see the exchange of students between Queen’s and Japan, Professor Gregson conferred an honorary Doctorate of Laws on Daisaku Ikeda.  A prolific writer, poet and peace activist, Dr Ikeda is recognised as the world’s leading interpreter of Buddhist philosophy.