Good riddance!

Hospital at home

Who likes to live in a hospital for long? Well, in a weird story that began in 2014, a Chinese man Tian was admitted to a top Beijing hospital with symptoms that included nausea, vomiting and unsteady gait. He was supposed to spend a few days there after a medical procedure, but following a dispute regarding his medical bill, he ended up living there for six years, along with his parents, who had accompanied him there. The hospital room was converted into their home, with pots, pans, groceries and other belongings.

Apparently, at the time of discharge, Tian had learned that he had to pay for his stay, so he accused the hospital of administering him an inappropriate treatment and refused to leave. Despite several attempts from the hospital to get them to leave and legal threats, the three stayed put, even spending the Lunar New Year at the hospital. Tian counter-sued the hospital alleging medical negligence, and the drama continued.

Last week, Judge Luo Shengli of the Beijing Xicheng District People's Court ruled that Tian and his parents were to finally leave the hospital, but also that they were entitled to compensation from the hospital. The family accepted 480,000 yuan (R55 lakh) and agreed to finally move out. They were transported home in an ambulance.

Rs 55L
The amount the hospital paid the family to leave the ward

Tattoos that flash

At 19, Russian tattoo artist Maxim Sipakov is a skilled animator. He uses neon effects to enhance the appearance of tattoos. Sipakov's digital magic is basically just an illusion that may one day become reality in some shape or form, but for now, you'll have to settle for UV or glow-in-the-dark tattoos. PICS/m.sipakov_official, Instagram

It's time to change

Atomic clock scientists suggest shortening minute to 59 seconds. According to global time officials, time is speeding up and data shows our former 24-hour daily rotation is decreasing incrementally, making the day marginally shorter. For example, last Sunday lasted only 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59.9998927 seconds, according to TimeAndDate.com. And though the planet's rotation rate may speed up or slow down slightly from day to day, due to natural terrestrial and celestial alterations, astronomical calendar trends indicate that recent years have become shorter.

Man returns stolen sword after 40 years

A veteran returned a sword he stole from a statue of a Revolutionary War general 40 years ago. Cindy P Gaylord, the chair of Westfield's Historical Commission, Massachusetts, said a man contacted the city hall saying he had the sword stolen from the town's statue of Gen. William Shepard in 1980. He was assured anonymity by Gaylord who told the newspaper. "He is a veteran and told me the fact that he did this to another soldier troubled him."

US lawmaker wants official state dinosaur

Massachusetts State Representative Jack Lewis recently tweeted that he plans on filing a legislation on January 15 and has asked residents to select from one of two dinosaur species discovered in Massachusetts-Podokesaurus holyokensis, discovered near Mount Holyoke in 1910, and Anchisaurus polyzelus, discovered in 1855 in Springfield. He thinks the effort is a good way for children to learn about the legislative process.

Against nature's call
Company fines employees for using the toilet more than once per day

A chinese company has come under fire for fining its ‘lazy' employees, who take more than one toilet break per day. Anpu Electric Science and Technology, a Chinese corporation based in Dongguan, Guangdong province, admitted to enforcing a bizarre once-a-day toilet break policy and fining employees, who break it with 20 yuan (R220). At least seven staff members were penalised last month. The rule has sparked outrage online, but company officials say that many employees were lazy and used toilet breaks to smoke and avoid their duties. "We are helpless. The fact is that the workers are lazy at work," a company manager told Guangdong TV. Interestingly, according to the company policy, workers wanting to take more than one toilet break a day, have to register with their boss, before visiting the restroom, which only enraged Chinese netizens even more. Some are actually sympathising with the company too.