In fact

Facts from around the world
December 16, 2009

Women should reveal 40 per cent of their body to be most enticing to men—more or less than this results in less attention. Behaviour, Volume 146, Number 10, 2009

The number of people joining teacher training courses in England in 2009 exceeded government targets for the first time. BBC News website, 20th November 2009

The last three Danish prime ministers share the surname Rasmussen but are unrelated. Lars Løkke Rasmussen replaced Anders Fogh Rasmussen in April; the latter took over from Poul Nyrup Rasmussen in 2001. Prospect research

In Britain, half a million pensioners will spend Christmas alone this year. Young Foundation

Of the 20 highest grossing films of the 2000s, only one (Finding Nemo) had an original screenplay and was not a sequel. Kottke.org, 13th November 2009

With second-quarter growth of 1.1 per cent, Poland is the EU’s fastest growing economy. FT, 9th September 2009

0.48 per cent of all court cases in Russia result in acquittals. Russian Supreme Court

Greggs the bakers have 1,400 stores across Britain—twice as many branches as Starbucks and 200 more than McDonald’s. The Sun, 11th November 2009

237 (out of 535) members of Congress are millionaires—44 per cent of the body. Center for Responsive Politics

Mental exercises like puzzles burn 90 calories an hour: more than a HobNob contains. Daily Telegraph, 25th November 2009