CPO Test Instance

For context I am in my early 40s.

When I was 18ish, I was running for a bus. I missed it by the most narrow of margins. (Also, the bus driver was kind of a dick for not sticking around when it was pretty obvious... regardless...)

As it just so happened, there was a taxi a couple cars behind that bus that saw me running for it and it driving away.

That taxi driver waved me in with nary a word, drove me a stop or two in front of the bus, and without charging me, dropped me off so I could catch the bus. (To be clear this was in an area where the bus route was LONG and the taxi driver obviously knew it'd be an hour or so before the next one.)

Ever since that day, for over two decades now, that random act of kindness has stuck in my mind. We literally never said a word beyond my panicked "THANKS" as I ran out at the end. No names, nothing, just wild gesticulations and gratitude.

Love to hear some more.

A new study by the Center for European Policy Analysis suggests Russia and China are pulling ahead of NATO nations, including Canada, in the race to develop and field drones capable of operating in harsh Arctic conditions.

The report, released this week, identified infrastructure gaps, questioned the adequacy of investment and pointed to procurement obstacles that hinder the integration of uncrewed systems into Western militaries.

"Procurement of Arctic-capable drones across NATO remains fragmented, slow and risk-averse, as most allies prioritize systems designed for temperate climates and only later adapt them for Arctic use, thus resulting in few NATO-certified Arctic-ready platforms," said the report authored by research fellow Federico Borsari and retired U.S. major-general Gordon (Skip) Davis, who recently served as NATO's deputy assistant secretary general for defence investment.

By "Asian Countries", I'm specifically referring to East Asia and Southeast Asia... you know, the countries affected by british imperialism and the drug problem the brits caused in the past.

Edit: This question should not be misconstrued as me promoting such policies, I'm just curious about different perspectives.

I know that my parents would probably support such policies, so I'm wondering what westerners think...

The comment section is flooded with comments regarding Romanian prison and the prisoners (?) loving the music.

I never came across that meme. Where/what did it originate from?

Elena worked for Novaya Gazetta, the last independent newspaper in Russia.

She covered corruption, prison violence, gay rights and Chechnya.

This isn't a job for the faint of heart. She has been stalked, arrested and beaten on many occasions. Her newsroom was harassed daily. In fact, 4 of her colleagues were murdered under her watch.

After the invasion of Ukraine, the newspaper was shut down. She left Russia and moved to Eastern Ukraine. She started systematically documenting war crimes committed against Ukrainian civilians

https://femantiwar.org/en/interview-kostyuchenko/

She was forced to leave after Ukrainians warned her that Russian soldiers put a bounty on her head. (you can use english subtitles)

Then, a few weeks later, she was hospitalized.

Her food was poisoned in an attempt to kill her:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/12/you-may-have-been-poisoned-how-an-independent-russian-journalist-became-a-target

https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/duke-university-elena-kostyuchenko-russian-journalist-in-exile-visiting-professor-poisoned-kremlin-20251124

Elena miraculously survived and kept reporting.

She now teaches at Duke University in the US. When asked if she is afraid, she said the following:

https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-11-22/elena-kostyuchenko-im-not-afraid-if-i-wasnt-afraid-of-putin-i-wont-be-afraid-of-trump.html

Elena is one the bravest person I know.

When you think about it, people living in Western Democracies don't know how good they have it. You can create a labor union in your company. You can run for mayor in your town. You can join an NGO and sue large corporations. Yes you can.

In my life, whenever I lack inner strength to do the right thing, I always think about her

From 1 January, contraceptives will be subject to a 13% VAT rate – part of a carrot-and-stick approach by the government to increase births

China is set to impose a value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives for the first time in three decades, as the country tries to boost its birthrate and modernise its tax laws.

From 1 January, condoms and contraceptives will be subject to a 13% VAT rate – a tax from which the goods have been exempt since China introduced nationwide VAT in 1993.

The measure was buried in a VAT law passed in 2024 in an effort to modernise China’s tax regime. VAT accounts for nearly 40% of China’s total tax revenue.

Got confused b4 I learned this for the first time LOL

via Scientists Discover Massive Underwater Ruins That May Be a Lost City of Legend | 404 Media

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/40369355

Every industry is full of technical hills that people plant their flag on. What is yours?

At least 34 U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers with a history of carrying Venezuelan oil are currently at sea in the Caribbean, according to a new analysis obtained by CNBC on Wednesday.

cross-posted from: https://piefed.world/post/712889

The long troll

Hi! I forgot a whole Avocado (stem and peel still on, bought yesterday) at my apartment on the table and am currently on the way to a 3 week vacation, how bad will the smell be once I return?😭

Nothing says anarchy like being devout Zionists 🤣