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New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Friday morning she has opened an "active criminal investigation" into an alleged gang rape at Cornell University in 2024.

"This is now an active criminal investigation led by the office of the attorney general," James said after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed her as an independent special prosecutor in the case.

"Every New Yorker deserves to know that when they report a crime, it will be investigated fully and fairly, that they will be seen and heard. That is the promise of our justice system," she said.

'CAME OUT OF NOWHERE': CORNELL STUDENT SAYS PRESIDENT'S CONFRONTATION IS UNLIKE ANYTHING SEEN ON CAMPUS

"I stand ready to lead a process guided by the facts and the law. In the coming months, my office will dutifully carry out the responsibilities the governor has conferred upon us in this executive order. We will review the facts, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and, if warranted, pursue prosecutions. I know that you want answers. I do too," she added.

Hochul signed an executive order appointing James as the special prosecutor on Thursday, citing "serious questions about the investigation conducted by the Cornell Police Department and the decision by the Tompkins County District Attorney not to prosecute an alleged sexual assault on Cornell University's campus in October 2024."

FRAT HOUSE TURNS INTO CRIME SCENE AFTER MEMBER ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ASSAULTS WOMAN, POLICE SAY

A woman identified only as Jane Doe filed a civil complaint in September accusing seven members of Cornell's Chi Phi fraternity of sexual assault and rape.

In the complaint, Doe alleges she "was plied with alcohol and drugs to the point of intoxication by members of Xi chapter's fraternal organization," which resulted in her "being sexually assaulted and raped by members of Xi chapter's regional fraternal organization at Cornell University."

HARVEY WEINSTEIN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON FOR 2006 SEX CRIME IN NEW YORK

The Tompkins County district attorney reviewed the case at the time and chose not to pursue criminal charges.

"Jane Doe’s sworn statement in November of 2024 did not allege that she was drugged against her will or gang raped. On the contrary, Jane Doe’s statement described her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary, conscious, and consensual. My office obviously did not and could not have based our November 2024 decision on the allegations in a civil lawsuit that would not be filed until nearly two years later," the District Attorney's Office wrote in a Sept. 28, 2026 statement.

THE FRAT OMERTÀ: WHISTLEBLOWER WARNS OF ‘CODE OF SILENCE’ AFTER OLE MISS DEATHS, ALLEGED PENN STATE COKE RING

Following the press conference, Matthew Van Houten, the Tompkins County district attorney, sent the following statement to Fox News: "I support the appointment of Attorney General James and I trust that she will examine the facts and apply the law. It has become clear that we were not provided the full picture by the University. The focus has been and should continue to be on the victims. My office will cooperate fully with the Attorney General."

Cornell University also issued a statement, saying, "We fully support the appointment of a special prosecutor and efforts to change New York State’s rape law and are committed to an independent external review of all aspects of how Cornell has handled this case."

The New York's attorney general office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.

"According to new reports, [Jane Doe] could not have been clearer that she was 100% confident that she had been raped. Yet, shockingly, those words never made it into the account that the Cornell police sent to prosecutors," Hochul explained, citing a New York Times article. The report claimed Doe did tell Cornell police officers that she was raped, but that information did not make its way into the voluntary statement the department sent to the district attorney's office.

CONVICTED RAPIST WHO PREYED ON WOMEN AT AMERICA'S TOP PARTY SCHOOL FACES RECKONING AFTER COURTHOUSE DASH

"The attorney general then declined to pursue charges after reviewing that incomplete account and never interviewing her. Think about that. In what world would the police learn from a victim that she'd been literally gang raped while intoxicated by five men in a fraternity house, and not elevate those allegations to the district attorney? In what world does the district attorney not even interview her or anyone else involved, or even request the full transcript?" Hochul asked.

Van Houten claimed he had never been informed the statement he received was inaccurate or incomplete.

"I have never been contacted by Jane Doe’s attorneys. Not to inform me the original statement was inaccurate and not to ask me to reconsider our decision. Rather, I reached out to Jane Doe’s attorneys after the lawsuit was filed to understand the discrepancy between the original statement and the lawsuit’s allegations and the proper path forward in light of the lawsuit’s allegations," he wrote in his statement.

Hochul told the public during her press conference that, in addition to James' criminal investigation, Cornell University has also reopened an investigation.

1. Protests shutter hundreds of French schools as violence flares  Al Jazeera
2. Fires, fury and hundreds of arrests as France gripped by student protests  The Guardian
3. Riot police clash with students as education protests rage in France  BBC
4. Violent protests in France over state of education lead to closure of nearly 400 schools  CBC
5. World in Brief: Thousands arrested in French protests; bond sell-off eases  The Economist

1. Protests shutter hundreds of French schools as violence flares  Al Jazeera
2. Fires, fury and hundreds of arrests as France gripped by student protests  The Guardian
3. Fires lit on streets across France after student protests force hundreds of schools to close  BBC
4. A violent classroom revolt is becoming France's next big crisis  CNBC
5. Violent protests in France over state of education lead to closure of nearly 400 schools  CBC

Rhun ap Iorwerth tells Plaid Cymru conference he asked PM to ‘put Wales on equal footing with Scotland as bare minimum’

The Welsh first minister has formally called on Andy Burnham to deliver a “new deal” in his first address to a Plaid Cymru annual conference since taking office.

Rhun ap Iorwerth told party members during a keynote speech in Llandudno on Friday that his government had a “clear mandate” for devolving more powers from Westminster.

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England boss Thomas Tuchel says he would "never rule out" selecting someone who is not playing in the top flight, should Manchester City be relegated.

LOS ANGELES — Ben Affleck is fed up with what he calls "propaganda" against artificial intelligence as he has become one of Hollywood's most vocal proponents of the emerging technology.

Affleck made headlines in July when it was announced that Netflix paid him a whopping $587 million for his AI startup InterPositive, a venture virtually no one in the industry knew he had been working on.

Appearing Wednesday at the Bloomberg Screentime summit, Affleck was asked about the "cynical take" critics had over the deal, which claimed Netflix bought his company so it can do "despicable things" with AI with a reputable filmmaker attached to "provide cover."

"Well, that's a very cynical view indeed," Affleck reacted to the question.

NETFLIX CHIEF ADMITS TRUMP IS HELPING SHOWBIZ INDUSTRY AS FEDERAL TAX CREDIT BILL AIMS TO FUEL HOLLYWOOD JOBS

The Oscar-winning writer and producer insisted Netflix isn't in a position to do "despicable things" and alienate artists because "they need to be in business with people," describing the streamer as being "super judicious" when it comes to his various projects.

"I'm sitting down with directors going, 'Look, man, you can just, you can change the background here, you can do this, you can do that.' And what I find is that filmmakers and people — once they sit with it and have a sense of control and a sense of understanding what's happening, and it moves from this nebulous abstract terrifying alien, you know, 'It's gonna to kill us all like we're paper clips…' all this propaganda," Affleck said. 

"And they actually see what it is — it's another form of computing that does tools and is a technological advancement that's really in keeping with a long-standing series of technological improvements we've made in the film and television business."

CONAN O'BRIEN COMPARES DECLINING LATE-NIGHT TV LANDSCAPE TO DETROIT

"It's like the switch. They go, 'Oh great, wonderful.' And it's being used on films now where they're the same number of people. In fact, more people, technically, are being employed. And I think it's — they have been absolutely, in my view, true to their word of we want to make what we're doing better. We're not trying to just, you know, slash cost or do heinous things," he continued.

The "Argo" director revealed he used AI for "lots of things" in his forthcoming Netflix film "Animals," but refrained from pointing to specific examples of it, comparing it to a magician spoiling their tricks.

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When asked what parts of the industry he thought would be most affected by AI, Affleck dismissed concerns about an industry takeover by the technology.

"When I worry about AI, I worry about like my kids in school. I worry about 30% rise in, you know, the number of As given out at colleges over the last three years. I worry about learned helplessness. I worry about responsible use. I don't worry about Skynet and I don't think that it's going to take over this business in any meaningful way. I think it's going to be additive," Affleck said, referencing the fictional AI system in the "Terminator" movies.

"But I think someone has to actually step in and do it in a way where it is that you can't just bury your head in the sand. It needs to be incorporated. Like a lot of technologies, it requires getting comfortable and getting familiar with. And then immediately it's knowable. You see all the ways in which it doesn't work, all the failures. The sort of dumb nature of it in a lot of ways, and it becomes a knowable thing," he added.

Both decrees to tackle housing affordability crisis shot down as critics say measures would tighten the housing market.

Australians are conversing less every year, with a recent study showing we lost an average of 338 spoken words each day between 2005 and 2019

We talk a lot about losing our ability to write as a result of AI. I’m convinced our greatest loss might be our ability to listen. Listening to different views and entering into different worlds is integral to our humanity.

But Australians are conversing less every year. While rapidly evolving AI tools and chatbots promise faster responses and so-called “empathetic” listening, a recent study showed we lost an average of 338 spoken words each day between 2005 and 2019. That adds up to a staggering loss of 120,000 spoken words per person, compared with the year before.

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From pillboxes and boaters to bicornes and buckets, characterful hats are making their way from the catwalk to the high street

“Here goes – an order for a million hats,” wrote Jackie Kennedy to Bergdorf Goodman before moving into the White House in the early 1960s. It’s a line that could have been uttered by any number of people working in fashion today, because the hat – and not just the ubiquitous baseball cap – has been enjoying a very characterful resurgence.

This season at the turbo-high-end brand Loro Piana, whose clothes are beloved by tech bros and Kendall Roy, almost every model was wearing a hat. At Thom Browne, straw boaters came shrouded in colourful mesh. At Chloé there were see-through hats to match see-through trenchcoats and white sailor hats atop all-white outfits. Courrège’s hats were space-age, Burberry had big buckets, Bottega Veneta had hats brimming with charisma.

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Try a millionaire’s martini, a Campari that couldn’t be simpler and a booze-free blackberry fizz (plus an Aperol that doesn’t need a spritz)

I make a variation on this year-round. Bring on the autumn.

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The 18 winning images from the annual contest that seeks to showcase the world’s most exceptional dog photographs while highlighting their subjects’ diversity and charm. These photos were selected from about 1,900 entries that came from 50 countries across the globe

• Scaring monkeys? Detecting bedbugs? Meet the elite working dogs – in pictures

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Chats with inanimate objects, farting into Tupperware: this cornered animal must sell his confession as just another quirk

As we all know, The Traitors is a game of deception. The entire point is to conceal your true motivations in order to better carry out a series of murders undetected. This is the way it should be, and the way it always was. And then Richard E Grant came along.

Grant’s trajectory during the opening episode of Celebrity Traitors was as follows. Step one: be selected as a traitor by Claudia Winkleman. Step two: immediately tell everyone you are a traitor.

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1. Retro Gaming: It’s Not Nostalgia, It’s Resistance  Public Books
2. Opinion | Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be  The Spec

1. Retro Gaming: It’s Not Nostalgia, It’s Resistance  Public Books
2. Opinion | Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be  The Spec

Film producer is certainly not a typical owner of the second favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Maltese Cross part of a remarkable script

As George Waud is the first to concede, he is not a typical owner of the second favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. “No,” he said this week, three days out from the most prestigious and valuable race of the European season, when his colt Maltese Cross will take on runners from racing’s superpowers. “And for that reason, I’m making the most of it.”

The backstory that has led Waud to the Bois de Boulogne on the first Sunday in October started in London, includes 23 years in Los Angeles as he worked his way up from the bottom rung of the movie industry, and more recently, a co-producer role on the award-winning revival of Cabaret in London’s West End. And from the day in the 1970s when Waud took a trip to Newmarket with his mother, racing has been a thread in the fabric.

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Two-time "Survivor" competitor Rick Devens just took the "Big Brother" crown after this season's grand finale. Devens joins "CBS Mornings" as he rejoices in his victory.

President Donald Trump warned Republicans that Texas and Michigan are among the states the party is “worried about” ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

President Donald Trump warned Republicans that Texas and Michigan are among the states the party is “worried about” ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, while speaking to voters in Oklahoma on Thursday.

Fresh off an event in Texas, Trump told a crowd in the reliably Republican state that he was not concerned about Oklahoma but that Republicans needed to turn out voters in other states.

"I feel a little foolish, you know. I’m saying, 'go out and vote, go out and vote.' You’re gonna, they’re gonna win in the last half, but still go out and vote," Trump said. "But we’re not worried about them. We’re worried about Michigan. We’re worried about Texas. We’re worried about a few states."

Trump later said Republicans need to get the word out about the midterms, citing what he described as 35 to 40 races that the party is concerned about.

"But we have to get the word out because we have to win in those 35. Maybe you could even say 40 places, 40 races," Trump said. "You have many, you have hundreds of races, but it’s all about 40."

Trump also again urged supporters to imagine that he himself was on the ballot.

"So you have to pretend I’m on the ticket and turn out for a midterm victory that’s really too big to rig," Trump said.

Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Donald Trump raises his fist after delivering remarks at the Peterbilt Motors facility in Denton, Texas, on October 1, 2026.

Trump sought to rally Republicans by attacking Democrats over inflation and immigration, repeating claims about the number and backgrounds of migrants who entered the country during the Biden administration.

Trump has repeatedly made claims about millions of migrants entering the U.S. from prisons and mental institutions, but those claims have been disputed and are not supported by evidence showing that foreign governments emptied prisons or institutions and sent those people to the United States.

The president also said his administration was running the country well but criticized Republicans for what he called poor "public relations."

ABC News' Jon Haworth contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Good Morning America at https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-warns-republicans-texas-michigan-ahead-midterms/story?id=136946201

With sudden, intense storms becoming more commonplace, having backup power is a must. The BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini provides reliable power for all your electronics and select small appliances, without you having to run to the garage to power up a giant generator. At just four pounds, you can quite literally take it anywhere. Get it now for 43% off. 

Original price: $199

If a full-size generator purchase is intimidating or simply out of your budget, the BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini still offers the power of a larger machine in a compact, countertop-friendly power station. Better yet, it’s on sale right now for just $113 — nearly $90 in savings. 

With an AC outlet and multiple USB and DC ports, this BLUETTI runs your must-have countertop appliances at home during blackouts, keeps your devices charged on road trips and powers a basic camping setup. 

The whole setup weighs just four pounds, so it’s easy to move from room to room or throw in your luggage when traveling. Managing the system is just as easy with Bluetooth mode. Track the charging status in real time and switch between the three lighting modes — a helpful feature for emergencies. 

READ MORE: October Prime Day is one week away — 12 things worth buying and the early deals to shop

Winter is on the way, which means more frequent storms that cause blackouts. Having backup power, like this BLUETTI, on hand can help you make it through an outage without causing a huge interruption to your normal routine. 

The price of this power bank is also at a sweet spot right now, and hasn’t been this low since August. A 43% discount saves you nearly $90 and gives you an entry-level mini generator that doesn’t take up a lot of space and doesn’t require any hardwiring. 

READ MORE: Get early Amazon October Prime Day tech deals now: Apple AirPods, 60% off Ring doorbells and more

Hundreds of rave reviews land the BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini 4.3 out of 5 stars. One reviewer called it "power in a pint-sized unit," explaining that it’s an "extremely versatile and very, very compact power station."

Others also love it for its portability, even when flying:

"It’s also surprisingly lightweight and not bulky at all, which makes it easy to toss into a bag without thinking twice," a reviewer said. "TSA approval was a big reason I went with it, and it made airport security a non-issue."

Its small size doesn’t mean it’s less capable, however. 

"Don't think because it is small, that it's not functional like her big brothers," said a reviewer. "I already have a BLUETTI EB3A and this Elite 10 Mini is perfect because it fills the gap where the EB3A is too big. Just keep in mind that this 10 Mini is better than a regular power bank because it has its own AC Outlet port up to 200W."

READ MORE: Switch to T-Mobile and get the iPhone 18 Pro on them — plus more perks

The most common complaint with this power station is its inability to work with Starlink. Multiple reviewers found that it’s not powerful enough to keep the connection. 

"The only problem is it does not work well with a Starlink Mini satellite receiver, no matter how many connectors you try," a reviewer explained. "It doesn’t have enough power to power the satellite."

Another reviewer had the same issue:

"My BLUETTI AC200L has the same rated USB-C 100W port and powers the Starlink Mini just fine. However, despite having the same rated port, the Elite 10 leaves the Starlink Mini in an endless reboot loop."

The BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini comes highly rated, but if you need more power or want other features, check out these deals.

Original price: $589

If you need more power but still want a portable option, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 offers three 1,500-watt AC ports, multiple USB ports and a DC port. It’s priced at a 30-day low and has hundreds of positive reviews.

"I love this power station! It’s super quiet even on regular charging mode," said a reviewer. "It’s simple to use, the app has an easy-to-use interface, …and the build of the station is very rugged."

Original price: $1,199

Need something to power up your fridge in case of emergencies? The Anker SOLIX S2000 gives up to 35 hours of fridge backup. It’s a little heavier at 35 pounds but makes up for it in power, with eight outlets between the front and back. Reviews found that it still holds up after constant use:

"[I] powered my entire entertainment setup with it, and have done other things like cooking a steak and rice with an induction cooker and Instant Pot while off grid. So safe to say I have put the Anker to some real use, and it passed every test I threw at it."

Original price: $1,499

Keep your refrigerator running for up to four days with BLUETTI’s FridgePower backup. Unlike some of BLUETTI’s other bulkier models, the FridgePower is ultra-sleek and can slide right next to your fridge for easy connecting. Reviewers largely find that the power bank works well and stores away neatly.

"It does exactly what it needs to do, which is power my fridge when the power goes out, and it does so while being out of sight and out of mind," a reviewer said. "We've had a few power outages between a few minutes up to four hours, and the fridge has stayed on as expected. We have this battery sitting on top of the fridge, and because of how it's pushed into the cabinetry space, you can't see this thing unless you're 6 feet or taller."

For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals

Original price: $699.99

Save $200 on EBL’s portable power station and get 2,400 watts to run all your devices. It supports up to 12 devices, making it the ideal camping companion or tailgating support. During outages, emergency power mode automatically switches on in seconds, so you stay online with few interruptions. One reviewer called it the "perfect power station."

"I’m really happy with this portable power station. It’s compact and easy to carry, but has plenty of power for charging phones, laptops, lights and other small devices. I especially like the multiple ports and wireless charging option. The display is clear and easy to read, and it feels solid and well-made."

The Fresh Market, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, recently took home a coveted award in the supermarket space — and its CEO revealed to Fox News Digital exactly why he feels the company won.

The store grabbed the No. 1 spot in the Best Grocery Store category of the 2026 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

The store also took home first-place wins in the Best Produce, Best Deli, Best Prepared Foods and Best Bakery sub-categories.

CHEFS REVEAL THEIR FAVORITE GROCERY STORES AND WHERE SHOPPERS CAN SAVE THE MOST MONEY

Brian Johnson, president and CEO of The Fresh Market, shared enthusiasm about the award but also said it's not based on one factor, but many. 

"I really fell in love with the brand [from] day one," he said. "It makes it really easy to come to work every day. We have a great team here." 

He's been CEO for just over six years. The supermarket chain has over 170 locations across 22 states.

Founded by Ray and Beverly Berry in 1982, The Fresh Market was inspired by European food markets and designed to provide a more "intimate and personalized shopping experience," the store’s website says. 

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Emphasis is placed on fresh, high-quality ingredients and prepared foods, plus a strong sense of hospitality, the organization said. 

"When you buy a fresh product from us, you can be assured that our team has curated only the best, the freshest produce, the freshest-cut meat," Johnson said. "We cut meat fresh in our store every day."

He said that "every store has multiple butchers on staff, and so when you buy meat from one of our stores, you're getting the freshest available," 

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Johnson also touted the ready-to-eat meals available at The Fresh Market. "Our mission statement is to make the everyday eating experience both extraordinary and easy."

A customer noted "the variety of veggies" available for sale "in your steam bags. Already prepared, so easy and wonderful variety. The produce area is always organized, neat, orderly and not a single spoiled thing in sight," according to the company's website. 

Another customer shouted out the Peppercorn Steak Market meal kit offered by the store. 

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Over the last year, five stores have been added to The Fresh Market fleet, with plans for more growth in the future, Johnson said.

Other grocery stores that earned spots in the USA Today 10Best rankings included Publix, Kroger and ALDI.

Customers said they appreciated ALDI’s affordability, while Publix was cited for its cleanliness and friendly staff.

Shoppers said they valued Kroger for its convenience and its wide selection of products.

Johnson thanked store guests who voted for The Fresh Market. 

"We really don't take that for granted, and we really appreciate that ... We feel very close to our guests," he said, "It's kinda like family."