A PHRASE has entered the political bloodstream which you are going to be hearing a lot of in the next little while: “one-term presidency”.

I’M having a Greta Garbo moment: I just want to be left alone. Apparently, Minister for Health Dr James Reilly is seeking New York-style public health legislation in an effort “to stop the epidemic of cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung diseases and diabetes, which kill three in five people” — as if we don’t all have to die of something.

WE are not alone. According to the UN, there will officially be seven billion of our species on October 31.

WHEN does life end?

WHERE were you on 9/11? What were you doing when you heard about the attack on the Twin Towers?

PRAISE BE! It is unquestionably right to acknowledge the demise of one of the most weird and obnoxious dictators of recent decades.

EVEN if you arrived in Cambodia knowing absolutely nothing of its recent history, it would only take a few hours before you noticed something disturbing.

WHO ever said nothing ever happens in August? The riots in Britain have caused bewilderment and outrage in equal measure. The image of London has been severely damaged. But before the media turns to its next big thing, there are a few points worth bearing in mind about what we have seen on our TV screens.

WERE you bullied at school? I don’t think I was nor do I remember being much of a bully. But it really depends what you mean, doesn’t it?

IT is disturbing to think that, although we enjoy relative peace these days, dozens of terrorist attacks are being planned in Ireland at any one time.