PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Uber found liable, ordered to pay $8.5 million in driver sexual assault case Uber has been ordered to pay $8.5 million to a plaintiff in Arizona, marking the first trial among thousands of lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct by drivers on the ridesharing platform. The case involves Jaylynn Dean, who said she was raped by her Uber driver in November 2023 while returning to her hotel. A U.S. District Court jury in Phoenix found Uber liable under apparent agency, though it did not hold the company responsible for negligence or design defects, nor did it award punitive damages. The verdict sets a precedent for roughly 3,000 similar cases consolidated in federal court across the country. A spokesperson for Uber said the company “acted responsibly and has invested meaningfully in rider safety” and plans to appeal the decision. Dean’s attorney called the verdict a “victory” that highlights the risks survivors have taken to hold Uber accountable for prioritizing profit over pa...

 U.S sets June deadline for Ukraine and Russia to reach war agreement, Zelenskyy says  The United States has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach an agreement to end the nearly four-year war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russia continued heavy strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure that forced nuclear power plants to reduce output. Zelenskyy said the Trump administration expects progress by early summer and is prepared to increase pressure on both sides if the timeline is not met. He said U.S. officials want a clearly defined schedule for negotiations and next steps, emphasizing that Washington intends to push hard for an end to the conflict within that window. Zelenskyy also confirmed that the U.S. has proposed holding the next round of trilateral talks as early as next week, potentially in Miami, marking the first time such discussions would take place on American soil, and said Ukraine has agreed to participate. He added that Russia has presented ...

 Franjo von Allmen of Switzerland captures men’s downhill gold at Milan Cortina Games   Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen claimed Olympic gold in the men’s downhill on Saturday, delivering the first gold medal of the Milan Cortina Games with a commanding run on the famed Stelvio course in Bormio. Racing under clear skies and ideal conditions, the 24-year-old attacked the technical layout with confidence, stopping the clock at 1 minute, 51.61 seconds. His time held up against a strong challenge from Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni, who thrilled the home crowd on his way to the silver medal. Veteran Italian star Dominik Paris followed with a powerful run of his own to earn bronze, pushing Swiss favorite Marco Odermatt just off the podium. With the victory, von Allmen kept the Olympic downhill title in Swiss hands, following Beat Feuz’s gold at the 2022 Beijing Games before Feuz’s retirement. Often overshadowed by Odermatt’s dominance on the World Cup circuit, von Allmen proved he had the ...

India and US unveil framework for interim trade agreement  India and the United States have released a framework for an interim trade agreement aimed at lowering tariffs on Indian goods, a move that has sparked political backlash in New Delhi. The announcement followed President Donald Trump’s recent decision to scale back import tariffs on India after months of pressure tied to New Delhi’s energy purchases from Russia. Under the framework, tariffs on Indian exports to the U.S. would be reduced to 18% from 25%, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to halt purchases of Russian crude oil, according to Trump. The two governments described the arrangement as reciprocal and mutually beneficial, saying it is intended as a stepping stone toward a broader trade agreement that would expand market access and strengthen supply chains. Both sides acknowledged that further negotiations will be required before the deal is finalized and formally implemented. Under the proposed framework, Ind...

 White House to hold Board of Peace meeting in DC on Gaza reconstruction The White House is planning a leaders’ meeting for the Gaza “Board of Peace” on February 19, aiming to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and raise funds for reconstruction, according to U.S. officials and diplomats from four countries on the board. The session, which will also serve as a fundraising conference, is still in early planning stages, and the White House has not formally confirmed details. Officials said invitations are being extended to world leaders, and logistics are being coordinated for a meeting at the Institute of Peace, recently rebranded in Trump’s honor. The board, chaired by Trump, currently has 27 members and was authorized by the UN Security Council to oversee ceasefire implementation, governance, and reconstruction in Gaza. The initiative has faced skepticism from Western allies, many of whom did not join, citing the board’s broad mandate and Trump’s veto power o...

 Hoda Kotb returns to TODAY during Guthrie investigation Co-host Hoda Kotb joined “TODAY” on Friday to speak about the widespread support the Guthrie family has received amid the ongoing search for their mother and to share her personal heartbreak over her friend’s disappearance. “This whole situation is breaking my heart, and I’m grateful to be here with you,” Kotb told her colleagues. “Everyone is hoping and praying for Nancy’s safe return. From vigils to positive messages online, there has been an incredible outpouring of support and hope.” Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing Sunday afternoon from her home near Tucson, Arizona, after she failed to attend church, according to Pima County authorities. She was last seen the night before, around 9:45 p.m., when family members dropped her off at home. The search has drawn attention and support from across the country, including the NBC community and public figures in Hollywood. Kotb noted the national response, saying, “The natio...