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Feb 13 2026ENTERTAINMENT

A Fresh Hangout Below The Forge

In late January, a new spot opened in downtown Salem’s historic building known as The Forge. The venue sits on the basement floor at 285 Liberty St. NE and offers a relaxed space for gatherings of all kinds. The owner, Nat Borchers, runs Back Line Real Estate and co‑owns The Forge. He used to play

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Feb 13 2026LIFESTYLE

When Respect Becomes a Service

A Chinese gig‑app that let people pay for someone to bow at Lunar New Year celebrations was shut down after users complained. The service showed a worker in orange, kneeling before an elderly couple, and many people found the idea offensive. Critics said turning filial piety into a paid act hurt

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

Hungary’s Election: War, Peace and a Tug‑of‑War Over the Future

Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has ruled Hungary for 16 years, is turning the upcoming April election into a showdown about war versus peace. He warns that if his opponents win, Hungary could be pulled into the conflict in neighboring Ukraine. Orban says his party, Fidesz, is the safe choice for p

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

A Quiet Town Stands Together After Tragedy

In the small community of Tumbler Ridge, located deep in British Columbia’s Rocky Mountains, leaders from across Canada gathered to honor those lost in a recent shooting that shocked the nation. Prime Minister Mark Carney, along with opposition figures Pierre Poilievre and Yves‑François Blanchet, pu

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Feb 13 2026SCIENCE

Race for the Moon: Billionaires Shift Focus from Mars to Lunar Dreams

Space exploration is taking a new turn as two of America’s richest men sharpen their sights on the Moon. Elon Musk’s SpaceX, once fixated on Mars, is now planning a lunar outpost called “Moonbase Alpha. ” The goal? To set up a launch pad on the Moon that will send satellites into space, forming part

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

Bangladesh’s New Leader Promises Big Changes

The Bangladesh National Party has taken control after a long wait, winning a strong majority in last week’s elections. Tarique Rahman, son of the party’s founder, is expected to become prime minister and bring a fresh direction after two decades out of office. Rahman’s campaign slogan, “Bangladesh

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

Campaign Clash: Newcomer Challenges Incumbent Over Money Rules

Rick Jackson, a business leader who just stepped into Georgia’s governor race, has already become a headline. In less than two weeks he is leading polls and filing a lawsuit against fellow Republican Burt Jones, the current lieutenant governor. Jackson’s claim centers on how Jones raises money. The

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Feb 13 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Colonel Eriksen’s Stand: How a Norwegian Fortress Changed WWII

The story of “Battle of Oslo” began with a bold move by Colonel Birger Eriksen, who commanded the Oscarsborg Fortress on April 9, 1940. With no help in sight and German ships closing in, he chose to fire first against the invading navy. His shots hit the cruiser Blücher and forced the enemy to pause

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Feb 13 2026POLITICS

A New Way to Tackle Empty Homes in Colorado

Colorado lawmakers heard a proposal that would let local governments tax vacant houses. The idea, called a “ghost tax, ” was meant to force owners of empty homes to pay extra money and help fund affordable housing. The House Finance Committee voted it down, but the discussion is far from over. The

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Feb 13 2026BUSINESS

CFO Hiring: The Big Gap in Corporate Planning

Companies are racing to fill CFO roles, but most boards lack a ready list of candidates. The problem isn’t just how many positions are open; it’s that the usual internal pipeline is empty. In 2015, finance teams focused on classic skills like accounting and audit. Today’s CFOs must steer tech upgrad

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