TAIPEI (AFP) – Taiwan’s military has banned its soldiers from napping – or even closing their eyes – while wearing their uniforms in public, media and the defense ministry said.

The ban has immediately met a hail of criticism, including from soldiers who say they are being treated like robots.

“Servicemen should avoid napping or resting with their eyes closed while taking public transportation to maintain the image of the armed forces,” the ministry said in a statement.

The statement came after the United Daily News reported that the new rule had sparked criticism of “inhumane management” from some soldiers.

“It’s ridiculous. What a bizarre order. We aren’t robots,” the paper quoted an unmanned soldier as saying.

With night maneuvers an integral part of military training in Taiwan as elsewhere, it is not uncommon to see servicemen napping on trains or in buses.

Dog eats beehive, wins insurance award

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A Labrador that ate a beehive containing pesticides and thousands of dead bees won an award that recognized the most unusual pet health insurance claim in the United States.

Ellie, who fully recovered from her encounter with the beehive in southern California, beat a border collie that ran through a window to get at a mailman, and a terrier that bit a chainsaw.

She won a bronze trophy in the shape of a ham, and basket of toys and doggie treats.

The winner was announced by the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co (VPI) and selected from a dozen pets nationwide.

“Ellie may be a young dog, but she’s already managed to eat everything from wooden toy train tracks to laptop computer keys,” said the VPI. “So the beehive in the backyard was just another culinary adventure for this insatiable pooch.