NELL

Allegations of rape at Cornell University have drawn attention to what critics call loopholes in laws governing consent when alcohol is involved. The case raises questions about how legal systems determine whether an incapacitated person can consent, and it has prompted debate among legal experts and the public over whether existing statutes adequately protect intoxicated victims.

Adjoa Andoh, Rosie O'Donnell and Julie Hesmondhalgh are set to appear in a new play based on the Gisele Pelicot case, the French woman whose mass rape trial in Avignon drew worldwide attention after her ex-husband drugged her so dozens of men could assault her. The BBC reports the stage production will bring the case to theatre audiences, adding to ongoing discussion of Pelicot's decision to make the trial public.

A satirical open letter addressed to Cornell University, written in the voice of the mother of a prospective male student, has been published on the humor site McSweeney's Internet Tendency. The piece plays on the anxieties and absurdities of the college admissions process, with the mother petitioning the school on her son's behalf. Readers are sharing it as a comic take on helicopter parenting and elite university admissions.

Cornell ecologist Olivia Sanderfoot is developing a new research field she calls smoke ecology, studying how wildfire smoke affects birds hundreds of kilometers from any flames. Birds breathe roughly twice as much air as humans per breath, using rigid lungs and air sacs, which may make them especially vulnerable to drifting smoke. The work comes as wildfires grow more frequent and widespread.

Vanity Fair has published a feature examining the growing world of audio memoirs, focusing on Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Lena Dunham and other celebrities who narrate their life stories in their own voices. The piece looks at how these recordings offer intimate, personal accounts that differ from traditional printed autobiographies, and why stars increasingly choose the audiobook format to tell their stories directly to listeners.

Mercedes Formula 1 driver Kimi Antonelli has spoken about the lasting impact of the crash that ended his Grand Prix debut, describing how the incident affected him as a young driver entering the sport. The comments were reported by RacingNews365, but no further details of what he said were given in the headline alone.

Racing driver and broadcaster Naomi Schiff has raised concerns about Mercedes that she says could cost rookie Kimi Antonelli more victories in Formula 1. Her comments have drawn attention from fans debating whether the team's performance or strategy is holding back the young Italian driver during his debut season.

Nico Rosberg has spoken about his time as Michael Schumacher's Mercedes teammate, revealing that his father, 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg, initially warned him about teaming up with 'Schumi', reportedly telling him to get out as quickly as possible. Rosberg shared the anecdote while reflecting on their years together at the German team.