ALTHOUGH media coverage of Barack Obama’s recent trips abroad was mostly positive, the sense that he was acting as president-elect grated with some journalists, particularly when they were not granted any access to him during the visits to Afghanistan and Iraq.

IT IS always tempting to begin a column about Irish politicians at this time of year by writing “as they head off for the summer”, but out of respect for Independent TD Finian McGrath I decided not to do so.

IS Nelson Mandela the only hero left as he prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday tomorrow? It is difficult to conclude otherwise, despite recent criticism of his muteness about Robert Mugabe.

AS SOON as the new German branch of the Madame Tussaud’s wax museum opened for business in Berlin last Saturday, a man identified as Frank L, emboldened by a day’s heavy drinking, tore the head off the Adolf Hitler waxwork, shouting “No More War”.

THE students who have just finished their Leaving Certificate will be out in force this weekend for their well-deserved parties.

NEXT Monday the National Lesbian and Gay Federation of Ireland will formally donate the Irish Queer Archive to the National Library.

WHERE did it all go wrong for Hillary Clinton? Eighteen million votes just weren’t enough and her campaign owes as many dollars as votes she received.

Many of the claimants — who were watched by spectators, such was the novelty and the excitement — seemed a lot younger than 70 and there was concern also about the massive queues in some places.

THE three chimpanzees have been peering down at me lately from various lampposts. Very cute they are too, placed there courtesy of Dublin-based group Cóir, which claims a membership of 2,000 people. But the Captive Animals Protection Society is not very happy.

I WAS one of many people who saw a radiant Nuala O’Faolain speaking at the Merriman Summer School in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, in August last year. She gave a presentation to a symposium entitled What Were We Like? during which she was joined by novelist Anne Enright.