AN EYE ON... numbers

Recent news items with a numerical connection.

8: Mohammam Reza Bidkel is reported to be living a happy and tranquil life with his eight wives in the village of Bojnurd in Iran. He has married 12 times but says he divorced four of his wives "for their bad tempers".

56: In the Afghan capital, Kabul, the Taleban are giving forcible haircuts. "We cut hair that hangs over the forehead because when you pray it gets in the way of your forehead touching the ground," said a member of the religious police. "We have cut the hair of 56 people already today."

150: Workers at a Russian clock factory are being paid bonuses in toilet paper. Each worker gets about 150 rolls.