Trump weakens fuel efficiency standards. And, Cornell fraternity rape case reopened

Up First briefing: Fuel efficiency; Cornell rape case; UK terror plot The Trump administration has weakened fuel efficiency standards for new cars. And, prosecutors have reopened a Cornell University fraternity rape case.

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The Trump administration is rolling back federal fuel-economy standards for new vehicles. American automakers will now be required to improve the efficiency of their fleets by up to 1% a year, aiming for an average of 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031 — down from the Biden-era target of 50.4 mpg.

Traffic moves along the 405 Freeway on Feb. 13 in Los Angeles.

🎧 Automakers praised the new standards, saying they better reflect current market demand. NPR's Willa Rubin tells Up First that critics warn lower fuel efficiency could raise long-term fuel costs and pollution, while U.S. automakers also risk falling behind competitors in markets moving faster toward electric vehicles.

Warning: The next story describes sexual violence.

New York prosecutors are reopening a 2024 alleged rape case involving Cornell University students. A woman identified as Jane Doe says in a new lawsuit that multiple men drugged and raped her at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. Cornell has defended its response , saying it conducted a months-long Title IX investigation. No criminal charges were filed at the time.

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