Cornell University has announced a ban on parties and other social events at fraternities for the remainder of the academic year. This decision comes as part of measures to address concerns regarding campus safety, including the involvement of state police in investigating sexual crimes. Cornell's president stated that these actions are intended to evaluate the future of Greek life at the university and to explore safer social alternatives.
The university has faced significant backlash following allegations that a female student, referred to as Jane Doe, was gang-raped at a fraternity house in 2024. All seven men accused have denied the allegations.
In other news, a man identified as 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem fell to his death while riding the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. He was an employee at an Atlanta charter school. Authorities reported that his body struck other riders during the incident, despite attempts by fellow passengers to save him. Six Flags has temporarily closed similar roller coasters across the U.S. and Canada as a precaution.
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case regarding access to records from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was previously led by Elon Musk. A watchdog group argues that the agency should be subject to Freedom of Information Act requests, while the Trump administration contends it is exempt as a presidential advisory body. Oral arguments are expected early next year.
Additionally, the Supreme Court will consider a case involving a Nigerian man who cooked for terrorists and whether he can be denied asylum in the U.S., which could impact how terrorist activity is defined under immigration law.
In Las Vegas, Duane "Keffe D" Davis was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for orchestrating the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996. Davis, who showed little emotion during sentencing, was convicted of first-degree murder in August. The case had remained unsolved for decades until Davis's arrest in 2023.
A bipartisan group of senators has condemned President Trump's recent diesel deal with Russia, stating in a letter that it is a "gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our allies." They argue that the deal would have minimal impact on energy prices while aiding Russia's military efforts.
In France, police clashed with protesters demanding improvements to the education system. The Interior Ministry estimates that over 160,000 people participated in demonstrations nationwide, which have resulted in hundreds of injuries and thousands of arrests since they began last month.
The U.S. Treasury Department has fined Bank of America $1.2 billion for alleged money laundering and sanctions violations, marking the third-largest penalty in the department's history. A spokesperson for the bank stated that they are committed to improving financial crime compliance.
On Wall Street, stocks experienced a lackluster day with the Dow Jones industrial average dropping nearly 200 points, the Nasdaq falling about 40 points, and the S&P 500 remaining virtually unchanged.
NASA's Perseverance rover has set a record for the longest distance traveled on Mars by a robotic vehicle, covering more than 28 miles in less than six years. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by the Opportunity rover, which took nearly 15 years to travel a similar distance. Scientists attribute this success to Perseverance's advanced self-driving capabilities.