The Fringe

October 18, 1995
Web posted at: 6:45 a.m EDT (1045 GMT)

Baby will never forget Iraq's referendum

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) -- Whatever political analysts make of Sunday's presidential referendum in Iraq, one Iraqi woman decided to mark the event for life. She named her son Istiftaa, meaning "Referendum," after she gave birth at a polling station. She chose the name in honor of the new seven-year term for President Saddam Hussein, who has ruled Iraq since 1979.

Oldest person alive lives in France

PARIS -- She remembers when the Eiffel Tower was under construction, and selling colored pencils to Vincent van Gogh. Tuesday, Jeanne Calment went into the "Guiness Book of World Records" as the oldest living human on record. She's 120 years, 238 days old.

Age has forced Mrs. Calment to give up her daily dose of two cigarettes and a glass of port wine, but she still nibbles on chocolate.

Police instruct motorists not to pay parking meters

TEHRAN, Iran (Reuter) -- Chalk one up for bureaucracy in Iran. New parking meters have been set up around Tehran. But motorists reportedly are being asked not to put coins in them. According to an Iranian daily newspaper, that request comes from the police.

A traffic expert says the meters do not comply with police regulations, are not standardized, and are placed where they are not needed. No one will be fined for not paying. The paper says the police must be consulted before city officials make decisions like this in the future.

Fall festival puts muscles on display

Niihama City, Japan (TV Asahi) -- It's not unusual to have a festival at harvest time, but the people in Niihama City manage to put a unique spin on their annual ritual. The men in town express gratitude for a good harvest by showing the gods how strong they are. They do that by pushing or carrying vehicles through the streets of Niihama City (612K QuickTime movie).

This kind of celebration may have its rewards, but it has its hazards too. Last year, 29 men were injured.

Down, down and away

SEOUL, South Korea -- A bungee jumper in South Korea leapt from a balloon almost 2 miles high Saturday. Fortunately for him, his bungee cord was shorter than that. He was tethered to over 3,000 feet of cord, apparently setting a bungee jump distance record, before floating to the ground by parachute.