Prosecutors reopen Cornell fraternity rape case; Trump administration eases fuel rules

New York state prosecutors say they will reopen a criminal inquiry into the alleged rape of a woman at Cornell University in 2024. 1 2 The move follows a civil lawsuit by a woman identified as Jane Doe, who alleges seven Chi Phi members assaulted her after giving her ketamine in October 2024. BBC and Al Jazeera date the filing to 16 September; the New York Post says 14 September. 1 3 District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said her sworn November 2024 statement did not allege she was drugged against her will or gang raped, and described the drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary. 4 1

He said the case will go to a grand jury so all evidence can be considered, that his office does not yet know what new evidence exists, and that her lawyers have said they will cooperate. 3 Van Houten called the men's conduct morally despicable and the Snapchat messages crude and vulgar, but said they did not bear on legal consent. 1 3 Her lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, said she was traumatised afterwards and was never interviewed by the DA's office, and that the DA's defensive posture suggested awareness of failures. 1

Cornell says a panel imposed sanctions including expulsions and suspensions and that no one received only an essay; the suit alleges the men could mitigate their conduct with essays. 5 1 Lawyers for accused men deny wrongdoing; one said his client made an immature Snapchat comment but did nothing else. 1 5 The case has drawn national attention. Ithaca's mayor called for a moratorium on student event permits, and the student newspaper sought an independent review. Cornell banned the Chi Phi chapter in 2024. 1 6

Accounts differ on how long the alleged assault lasted: NPR says more than four hours, Al Jazeera seven hours. 4 5 Separately, NPR's newsletter reports the Trump administration is rolling back fuel-economy standards, targeting 34.9 mpg by 2031 against the Biden-era 50.4 mpg. No other outlet here covers it. 7