5 Big News Stories Overnight - Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Washington: Another Swalwell Accuser Comes Forward

The New York Times reports:

A woman who turned to Representative Eric Swalwell of California for political help said on Tuesday that he raped her in a West Hollywood hotel, the latest in a series of accusations that have ended his political career and put him in legal jeopardy.

The woman, Lonna Drewes, a model who works in fashion technology, said at a news conference in Beverly Hills, Calif., that in 2018 Mr. Swalwell had promised to take her to a political event before drugging and sexually assaulting her.

The New York Times has not confirmed her account. Ms. Drewes said she told people close to her about the episode at the time it happened, but her lawyers did not make any of them available for comment on Tuesday, saying that they planned to share evidence with law enforcement.

“My delay in taking action against Eric was driven by fear, not doubt,” Ms. Drewes said on Tuesday. “Fear of his political power, his background as an attorney, and his family law enforcement ties.”

U.S.: NFL Reporter Dianna Russini Resigns From the Athletic (NYTimes)

Wall Street Journal reports:

Dianna Russini, a senior NFL reporter at the Athletic, resigned from the sports publication Tuesday after photos of her with the head coach of the New England Patriots prompted questions about her professional conduct.

The New York Post’s Page Six published photos last week that it said were of Russini and Head Coach Mike Vrabel at a hotel in Arizona. In some of the photos, the two were embracing and lounging in their swimsuits.

The Athletic then launched an investigation of Russini’s conduct.

Russini, who joined the Athletic in 2023 after nearly a decade at ESPN, posted her resignation letter on X. The Athletic sent a message to its staff confirming her departure.

Italy: 'Trump savages Meloni over Pope row'

The Telegraph reports:

Donald Trump has turned on Giorgia Meloni over her reluctance to join the war on Iran and her defence of the Pope.

Mr. Trump said he was “shocked” by the Italian prime minister, who had been one of his closest allies in Europe.

“She’s no longer the same person, and Italy will never be the same country again,” said the American president.

On Monday, Ms. Meloni leapt to the defence of the Pope after Mr Trump had called him “weak” and said he should “stop catering to the radical Left”.

Ms. Meloni said: “I find President Trump’s words towards the Holy Father unacceptable. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and to condemn every form of war.”

U.S. - Vatican: Trump Continues Fight With Pope Leo

Just after midnight, Trump posted:

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable. Thank you for your attention to this matter. AMERICA IS BACK!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP

U.S.: Another College Announces It Is Closing

Inside Higher Ed reports:

After years of challenges punctuated by a rapid financial decline, Hampshire College will close.

The private college in Massachusetts fended off closure several years ago, but it will finally shutter at the end of the fall 2026 semester due to what officials described as the combined effects declining enrollment, rising costs, fiscal instability and the financial headwinds affecting many small liberal arts colleges.

Founded in 1965 and known for its progressive values and student-driven curriculum, Hampshire is the latest in a string of small colleges to announce closures this year, including Labouré College of Healthcare (also in Massachusetts) and Lourdes University. According to new data from Huron Consulting, nearly a quarter of the country’s 1,700 private, nonprofit four-year institutions may be forced to close or merge over the next decade.