10 things we didn't know before the 38th week of 2009

1. Banana skins can take two years to biodegrade.
2. The longest speech at the United Nations lasted almost eight hours.
3. Brazil always speaks first at the UN General Assembly, according to long-standing protocol, and is followed by the host country.
4. Jay-Z has Barack Obama's mobile phone number.
5. Swine flu gel can get you drunk.
6. British heroin comes from Hampshire.
7. Gambon, star of the Harry Potter films, has never read any of the books.
8. The only woman ever in the French Foreign Legion is British.
9. Ceefax was created by accident.
10. Fifteen of IKEA'S Billy bookcases are made every minute.

 (Borrowed from the BBC)