10 things we didn't know this time last week

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It's easy to lose track of the news. So at the end of the week, it's good to keep an eye on some of those things which shouldn't go unnoticed.

If you spot something you think should be included next week, send it to us using the form at the bottom of the page.

1. When the Tricorn Centre opened in 1967, it was hailed as "flamboyance in concrete" by the Observer newspaper. "Portsmouth has been given an architectural orchestration in reinforced concrete that is the equivalent of Berlioz or the 1812 Overture: trumpets, double percussion cannons, the lot." And it was the 1812 that played as a demolition team moved in this week.

2. On average, workers in the private sector are off sick 6.5 days a year. Those in the public sector are off an average 8.5 days a year. Those who work for BA are off an average 17.6 days a year.

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3. The Libyan leader is a mere colonel because that was his rank when he assumed power, becoming leader of the revolution rather than continuing his military career. Part of his cult is to appear as one of the people - a higher rank wouldn't fit in with that.

4. There are a third more children at grammar schools now, under a Labour government, than there were 10 years ago under the Tories (150,750 now compared with 111,846 in 2003)

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5. The University of Nottingham is to open a new £40m purpose-built campus for 4,000 students... in China.

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6. Word of the week: spim. It's spam, except delivered by instant messaging. A report this week claims it is growing three times as quickly as conventional spam.

7. There are 450 "self-storage" warehouses in the UK, compared to just 100 five years ago. It is expected there will soon be up to 3,000.

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8. Yodellers in Bavaria receive state funding to buy Lederhosen - but the subsidies are being cut as part of a savings drive.

9. The Olympic torch was lit this week. The first time this happened in the modern era was in 1936 for the Berlin games, and was the brainchild of a Nazi-sponsored official.

10. On its way to Athens, the torch will go into Africa and South America for the first time.

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If you see something you think should be included next week, let us know using the form below. Thanks to Ben Andrews, Bryce Cooke and Derek Mitchell.