Most victims in migrant boat collision in Greece had severe head injuries, diver says

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A diver who helped recover bodies from adeadly collisionbetween a boat carrying migrants and a Greek coast guard vessel said Friday that most of the 15 people who died had suffered severe head injuries, as questions mounted over the circumstances of the incident.

A search and rescue operation was still underway Friday for potentially missing people three days after the collision off the coast of the eastern Aegean island of Chios. Fifteen people were killed and 26 injured,including 11 childrenand two coast guard officers. The total number of people on board the small speedboat remains unclear.

The large number of casualties has led to questions over how the collision occurred. Judicial authorities have launched an official inquiry.

Evaggelos Kirithras, a diver who participated in the recovery of the bodies that night, told The Associated Press that when he arrived on the scene, he saw 12 bodies lying inside a semisubmerged inflatable speedboat. The vessel had not capsized, he said.

"Most of them had head injuries. I can't describe how bad the head injuries were," Kirithras said, comparing the injuries to the impact of hitting a wall. The diver said he has participated in other rescue and recovery operations with the coast guard in the past, "but this was the first time I've seen such force."

A report prepared by four coroners who examined the bodies indicated they had suffered severe injuries, Greek media said. The report has not been made public.

The exact circumstances of the collision remain unclear. In an initial statement, the coast guard said its patrol boat had come across the speedboat making its way toward Chios without navigation lights. It said the speedboat ignored sound and light signals to stop, and suddenly changed direction, colliding with the patrol boat and capsizing.

Photos released by the coast guard showed signs of abrasion on the patrol boat's right side. The coast guard's account couldn't be independently verified.

"The pursuit, the collision, the injuries testify to a very violent incident," said Kostas Arvanitis, a left-wing member of the European Parliament, demanding the publication of any footage from cameras on board the patrol vessel.

But authorities have said the camera on board had not been recording at the time.

Speaking in parliament Friday, Maritime Affairs Minister Vassilis Kikilias, under whose jurisdiction the coast guard lies, said the decision to not switch on the camera had been taken by the vessel's captain because the migrant boat was already nearby and the long-range thermal imaging camera would not have worked properly.

"As I have been informed… the (camera's) function is infrared and long-distance, so even if it had been switched on, it would not have had clear recordings of the collision event," Kikilias said, and repeated that any judicial and administrative investigation into the incident was welcome.

All but one of the surviving passengers on board the roughly 8-meter (26-foot) speedboat have been identified as Afghans, while one Moroccan national among the injured has been arrested on suspicion of migrant smuggling.

Greece is a major entry point into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.Fatal accidents are a common occurrence. Many undertake the short but often perilous crossing from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in the eastern Aegean. But increased patrols and allegations ofpushbacks— summary deportations without allowing for asylum applications — by Greek authorities have reduced crossing attempts.

Kantouris reported from Thessaloniki, Greece

byCosmopolite

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February 07, 2026

Most victims in migrant boat collision in Greece had severe head injuries, diver says

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A diver who helped recover bodies from adeadly collisionbetween a boat carrying migrants and a Gree...

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Nearly 70 skiers stranded in midair for hours after gondola malfunctions at popular resort

More than five dozen winter adventurers had an experience recently that likely wasn't on their agenda.

A gondola malfunction left nearly 70 skiers stuck in midair for hours at aNew Yorkski resort. The incident occurred Wednesday morning at Gore Mountain in North Creek.

Resort officialssaid the gondola stopped due to a mechanical alignment issue that triggered a safety sensor — bringing the lift to an automatic stop, Olympic Regional Development Authority and Gore Mountain said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Two Riders Trapped More Than 100 Feet In Air After Texas Roller Coaster Malfunctions

A standard evacuation was immediately launched — with trained mountain operations and ski patrol teams assisting passengers.

Some 67 guests were riding in roughly 20 cabins at the time.

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ll were returned to the ground without injuries, the department noted.

The call for assistance was made shortly after 9 a.m. The evacuation was completed before 2 p.m., leaving skiers stranded for nearly five hours, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.

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The gondola returned to normal operations Thursday morning, Gore Mountain said.

"Thanks to the hard work of our crew, the Northwoods Gondola has been repaired, all safety checks completed, and the lift returned to service this morning," the resort said.

"We are grateful to our guests for their patience and cooperation."

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Officials said some of the responding forest rangers had completed gondola evacuation training at Gore Mountain last fall, helping crews safely carry out the rescue.

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"Safety remains our top priority, and our teams are fully trained and experienced in managing situations like this," Olympic Regional Development Authority said.

The incident also drew attention online, with some users onsocial mediareacting to the evacuation as it unfolded.

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One user emphasized that he or she had no issues with keeping plans for skiing at Gore Mountain following the incident, though the person mentioned avoiding the gondola.

Others commented on the experience of being stranded at some height, noting that gondola cabins may feelsafer than open chairliftsin similar situations.

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"Had it been a chair lift, that would have beenvery cold," one user commented.

Gore Mountain in New York is one of the "most popular alpine skiing and snowboarding destinations in the Adirondacks, with an even mix of trails across levels and plenty of gorgeous glades, including the longest gladed trail in the Northeast," according to theVisit the Adirondackswebsite.

"Winter activities include downhill, cross-country skiing,snowboarding and snowshoeing. Special events range from non-competitive family-oriented fun to regional and Northeastern ski races."

The site also notes that "Gore has an incredible gondola ride that warms guests while offering stunning views of the snowy slopes before it's time to zip down again."

Original article source:Nearly 70 skiers stranded in midair for hours after gondola malfunctions at popular resort

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February 07, 2026

Nearly 70 skiers stranded in midair for hours after gondola malfunctions at popular resort

More than five dozen winter adventurers had an experience recently that likely wasn't on their agenda. A go...

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Why the Epstein scandal is the most perilous moment yet for U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer

LONDON —Keir Starmeris facing what could be the most precarious moment of his time as Britain's prime minister, as the global scandal surroundingJeffrey Epsteinenvelops his government.

Weakened by record-low approval ratings, policy U-turns and cost-of-living pressures, and with support bleeding to far-right challengers, Starmer's leadership was already under heavy strain, but analysts say the latest revelations could further undermine his authority and raise serious questions about his judgment.

Peter Mandelson, a longtime political grandee, is facing a police investigation over his ties to the late Epstein, including allegations he shared sensitive information with the convicted sex offender while serving as a Cabinet minister nearly two decades ago.

Starmer said last week that he knew about Mandelson's relationship with Epstein when he nominated him as ambassador to the United States in December 2024, but that Mandelson had "lied repeatedly" about the extent of his past contact with the disgraced financier.

Starmer apologized to victims for "believing Mandelson's lies" and said the former minister had "betrayed our country" in his dealings with Epstein.

Police searched Mandelson's two homes on Friday. The searches were "related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences," a Metropolitan Police statement said. No arrests were made, and in line with British policing convention, Mandelson was not named in the statement.

The scandal has turned up the pressure on Starmer as the controversy unsettles his party and threatens to shatter his already fragile promise of a steady, scandal-free government. A little over 18 months since hisLabour government won a landslide victory, analysts say Starmer is now fighting for his political future.

"It seems yet another example of Starmer's lack of political judgment and poor decision-making," Peter Dorey, a professor of politics at Cardiff University, told NBC News. "His most serious yet."

Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badenochhas called Starmer's position "untenable," while the centrist Liberal Democrats have called for a confidence vote to test the support of Starmer's Labour lawmakers, some of whom have questioned whether he can remain in office.

A small number of Labour MPs, largely existing critics of Starmer, have called on him to go. Neil Duncan-Jordan told the BBC on Friday that a "reset" requires "changing who's in charge," while Rachael Maskell told the broadcaster it was "inevitable" he would have to quit.

Mandelson was dismissedas the U.K.'s ambassador to the United States in September after revelations about his friendship with Epstein emerged. Last Sunday, he stepped down from the party afterthe latest release of filesby the U.S. Department of Justice.

But documents continue to reveal the full extent of Mandelson's relationship with Epstein, showing a man who lobbied his own government while alerting Epstein to key upcoming decisions.

"Trying hard to amend," Mandelson, then serving as the business secretary, wrote to Epstein in December 2009 about a planned tax on bankers' bonuses, according to the released documents. "Treasury digging in but I am on [the] case."

He also appears to have leaked an internal economics briefing about assets the government believed it could sell. Mandelson forwarded it to Epstein with the added line: "Interesting note that's gone to the PM."

Mandelson has previously deniedknowledge of Epstein's crimesand denied any wrongdoing connected to him. In a statement last week he repeated an apology "to the women and girls whose voices should have been heard long before now." His representatives did not respond to a request for further comment.

Starmer has promised to release files relating to Mandelson's appointment as U.S. ambassador, which he says will prove Mandelson lied about the full extent of his friendship with Epstein when he was being vetted for the role.

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But critics say Starmer's decision to push on with Mandelson's appointment, with even partial knowledge about his relationship with Epstein, raises serious questions about his decision-making.

"Either Starmer failed to have Mandelson fully 'vetted' before appointing him, or Starmer knew of Mandelson's former association with Epstein, but appointed him anyway," said Dorey. "Either would constitute a serious error of judgment by Starmer."

The saga has proved particularly bruising given Starmer's promise of steady, scandal-free government after numerous corruption scandals dogged the previous Conservative government.

The prime minister "was chosen by his party and by voters because he supposedly personified probity and competence," said Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London. "After this, he can't even claim those qualities."

Mandelson was a controversial figure before his appointment as ambassador, having twice resigned from government during the last Labour administration over breaches of the ministerial code and accusations of financial misconduct.

Despite that, Mandelson was chosen for the U.K.'s most high-profile diplomatic role following Donald Trump's election in part because of "his background and his relationships with very rich people," Jamie Gaskarth, a professor of foreign policy and international relations at the Open University, told NBC News.

"It paid off initially with the friendly relations between Starmer and President Trump," he added, "but in the long term, those kind of character issues have come back to haunt him."

Olivia O'Sullivan, the U.K. director in the World Programme at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, echoed Gaskarth's comments, noting that Starmer's government had appointed somebody "they thought could handle that universe" in Mandelson.

"That has ended up kind of backfiring, really, in their faces," she added.

Despite the bruising scandal, Starmer is unlikely to be toppled immediately, according to experts, with his main potential successors all facing difficulties that may hinder a leadership challenge.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting isfacing scrutinyover his own past ties to Mandelson, while Starmer'sformer deputy Angela Rayneris still the subject of an investigation into her tax affairs. Manchester's popular Labour Mayor Andy Burnham was recently denied the opportunity to run for Parliament, making it impossible for him to challenge Starmer.

"A lot of the obvious replacements for Starmer find themselves in quite tricky positions," said Andrew Barclay, a politics lecturer at the University of Sheffield. This contributes to a "false sense of security" for the prime minister, he added.

With local elections looming in May, where Labour is widely expected to perform poorly, Starmer's possible rivals may not be keen to trigger an immediate leadership contest.

"There are several kinds of structural things that are keeping him in place right now," added Barclay, "but whether that will save his premiership in the long term, I am incredibly doubtful."

Dorey at Cardiff University agreed, saying "a lack of better alternatives" would keep him safe for now.

"Starmer is likely to remain as Labour leader and prime minister for the foreseeable future — but with his political authority and credibility seriously weakened," he said.

byCosmopolite

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February 07, 2026

Why the Epstein scandal is the most perilous moment yet for U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer

LONDON —Keir Starmeris facing what could be the most precarious moment of his time as Britain's prime minister, as th...

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JD Vance and Jake Paul watch U.S. women's hockey team together at the Winter Olympics

MILAN (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance sat with influencer and boxer Jake Paul as they watched the U.S. women's hockey team easeto a 5-0 win over Finlandat the Winter Olympics on Saturday.

Vance and his family entered during the intermission at the end of the first period, with the U.S. leading 1-0. Paul joined them shortly after. Paul'sfiancee Jutta Leerdam is a speedskaterfor the Netherlands at theMilan Cortina Games.

Vance sat with his youngest child, daughter Mirabel, on his lap. Usha Vance, wearing a sweatshirt with "USA" in big letters, clapped along to Queen's "We Will Rock You," before the second period started.

The vice president and his wife stood and clapped when the U.S. women's team scored a goal. They were back on their feet cheering a few minutes later when the U.S. women scored again.

Among those seated near Vance were 2010 Olympic figure skating gold medalist Evan Lysacek and hockey's twin sisters, Hall of Famers Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando. They were members of the U.S. gold medal-winning team at the 2018 Winter Games.

It's the second time that Vance has watched the U.S. women's team at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

He was also at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena on Thursday, when the U.S.beat Czechia 5-1in its opening game of the preliminary round.

U.S. player Taylor Heise said it was "awesome" to hear that Vance and Paul were at the rink, but she wasn't aware during the game.

"I know (teammate) Abbey Murphy wants to meet Jake Paul, so we'd love to set that up," she said.

"None of us knew that they were here, actually," Heise added. "Just happy to be playing, and whoever's there gets to watch the show, because I think we're pretty good."

The U.S. players are especially familiar with Paul through his relationship with Leerdam, who competes in speedskating against U.S. hockey captain Hilary Knight's girlfriend Brittany Bowe.

"I know his fiancee, Jutta, we've watched her work out. She's phenomenal. We're excited to go and watch her and obviously we're cheering on Brit Bowe," Heise said.

Michelle L. Price and John Wawrow contributed to this report.

AP Winter Olympics:https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

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February 07, 2026

JD Vance and Jake Paul watch U.S. women's hockey team together at the Winter Olympics

MILAN (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance sat with influencer and boxer Jake Paul as they watched the U.S. women's ho...

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2026 NFL mock draft: Pre-Super Bowl first round predictions

We're down to two teams left in the NFL postseason. TheNew England PatriotsandSeattle Seahawkswill face off on Sunday inSuper Bowl 60to decide which franchise brings home its latest championship.

Roster building for both franchises used all available team-building options. Free agent signings and trade acquisitions played key roles in their journey to the title game.

But the NFL Draft brought them their stars.

New England's MVP-contending quarterbackDrake Mayewas a first-round pick, as was left tackleWill Campbellin the 2025 NFL Draft. Seattle's stars likeDevon Witherspoon,Byron Murphy II,Grey ZabelandNick Emmanworiwere all early picks in the last three draft classes.

The right draft class can fuel a turnaround and complement free agent signings and turn a franchise into a contender. It all starts in the first round.

Ahead of Super Bowl 60, here's our latest projections for how things will go in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft:

2026 Senior Bowl week: NFL draft prospects in action

2026 NFL mock draft

Order via Tankathon.

1.Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

This is as good a lock as any. Las Vegas looks poised to sign an offensive-minded head coach in Klint Kubiak and getting a new quarterback with this pick is seamless. Mendoza could bring a culture shift to the Raiders.

2.New York Jets: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

In a perfect world, this would be another quarterback. Instead, New York ends up with the best player - regardless of position - in the class. Reese can do it all as one of the best linebacker prospects in recent memory.

3.Arizona Cardinals: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)

There are concerns over Bain's arm length but Arizona could use him inside or outside for a defense that has promising talent on the back end. Bain's power could complement Walter Nolen's flashes as a rookie. In a division featuring the 49ers,RamsandSeahawks, more bodies up front on defense can never hurt.

4.Tennessee Titans: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

It's easy to go defense in mock drafts with theTitansconsidering they just brought on Robert Saleh to be the franchise's newest head coach. Instead, we're giving No. 1 pick Cam Ward a top receiving option in Tyson.

5.New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

With Tyson off the board, this makes theGiants' pick even easier. Tate's value opposite Malik Nabers should lift the Giants' offense and give Jaxson Dart a contested catch target. Reinforcements in the trenches can come later.

6.Cleveland Browns: OT Spencer Fano, Utah

The top two wide receivers leaving the board means that Cleveland opts for offensive line. Fano spent his recent years in Utah at right tackle but may switch inside due to his leaner frame. Either way, his athleticism, footwork and hand usage make him a day one starter for theBrowns.

7.Washington Commanders: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech

Washington needs to get younger on defense, especially up front. Bailey was the most productive edge rusher in college football in 2025 and would be an immediate starter off the edge. He may have some concerns in run defense but that's well worth the pass rush boost he'll give this unit.

8.New Orleans Saints: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

New Orleans gets the most dynamic offensive weapon in the draft in Love. He can be deployed as a receiver or a runner, making him an ideal modern running back. He'd pair nicely with Devin Neal to create a formidable backfield for the Saints.

9.Kansas City Chiefs: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Kansas City rarely picks this high and needs more dynamic playmakers. With the top receivers off the board, they opt for one of the youngest prospects in the class with inside-out versatility on the defensive line. Faulk lacks the numbers of other rushers but could grow into a difference-maker.

10.Cincinnati Bengals: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Downs is at worst the third-best prospect in this class, the best safety prospect since Kyle Hamilton. He's a force multiplier on the back end who can do it all. His versatility and talent should improve the Bengals' defense.

11.Miami Dolphins: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Miami's secondary outplayed its talent in 2025 and needs an upgrade in 2026. McCoy's mix of athleticism, ball production and scheme versatility makes him a top cornerback choice in this class. He'd be a welcome upgrade on the back end.

12.Dallas Cowboys: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

With McCoy off the board, Dallas goes for the other top corner in the class. Delane lacks elite athleticism but makes up for it by being one of the top technicians at the position in the class. Quarterbacks just avoided him entirely in college and he'd help what was the worst pass defense in the league last season.

13.Los Angeles Rams(fromAtlanta): WR Makai Lemon, USC

There are many directions the Rams could go with their extra first-round pick. In Lemon, Los Angeles could have a ready-made slot weapon to complement Puka Nacua as Davante Adams ages. Lemon's always earning extra yards and excels at finding weaknesses in zone coverage.

14.Baltimore Ravens: DT Peter Woods, Clemson

Baltimore brought Jesse Minter in to upgrade the defense as he'd done with the Chargers for the last two years. Woods has plenty of talent and was viewed as a top-five prospect entering the 2025 college football season but struggled with consistency. If Minter and his staff can get the most out of him, Baltimore's defense has a building block for the future.

15.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB CJ Allen, Georgia

All due respect to Lavonte David but he's entering his age-36 season in 2026. Tampa Bay needs a succession plan after investing in the secondary last year. Allen's a sideline-to-sideline linebacker and one of the surest tacklers in the class.

16. New York Jets (fromIndianapolis): WR Denzel Boston, Washington

New York may wait until Day 2 to take a shot at quarterback and instead continue to build up the offense around him. Boston is a big-bodied contested-catch outside receiver with red-zone upside. He's not a vertical threat but would provide immediate value for what was the league's worst passing offense in 2025.

17.Detroit Lions: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)

Detroit has its pick of offensive linemen here with Mauigoa as our prediction. The Miami tackle spent most of his career on the right side but may have a higher ceiling at guard. That'd be fine for the Lions, who could use an upgrade on the interior.

18.Minnesota Vikings: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Minnesota retained Brian Flores during this hiring cycle and should reward him with a top investment in the secondary. Terrell is slightly undersized but plays bigger than his frame with a penchant for forcing turnovers either in coverage or run defense (five forced fumbles in 2025).

19.Carolina Panthers: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Tetairoa McMillan was a hit in Round 1 last year, and this year, Carolina keeps investing in the offense. Sadiq isn't a finished product but is one of the younger prospects in the class and a vertical threat at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds.

20. Los Angeles Rams (from Dallas Cowboys viaGreen Bay): LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Trade details: Los Angeles sends No. 29 and No. 93 overall to Dallas for No. 20.

Dallas has two first-round picks but won't be on the clock again until the middle of the fourth round. This trade helps them pick up some value and the Rams get a premium talent at a position of need.

Styles entered the season as the No. 1 linebacker prospect and only dropped down because of Reese and Allen excelling. He's an elite athlete at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds. The Rams have ignored linebacker for far too long in premium investment.

21.Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

Pittsburgh brought in former Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for that role on Mike McCarthy's staff. He could mold the elite athlete Cisse into a solid outside cornerback opposite Joey Porter Jr. The former Gamecock has the frame and tools to develop with a solid foundation in press coverage.

22.Los Angeles Chargers: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Los Angeles' interior offensive line needs more help than most and it's hard to do better than Ioane. The Penn State product is the top pure-interior offensive line talent in the class with good athleticism and excellent physicality.

23.Philadelphia Eagles: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Philadelphia could use help on the interior as well. Proctor's an outlier athlete for his size (6-foot-7, 360 pounds), reminiscent of Mekhi Becton who had a standout year as a guard for Philadelphia. Proctor could start there before eventually transitioning to tackle.

24. Cleveland Browns (fromJacksonville): QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

Cleveland has a new coach and offensive play-caller in Todd Monken, with many questions at quarterback. By getting Simpson, the Browns offer another option at the position. Simpson looked like the top quarterback in the country for some of 2025 before Alabama fell off down the stretch. The son of UT-Martin head coach Jason Simpson, he should impress in interviews.

25.Chicago Bears: DT Christen Miller, Georgia

Chicago's secondary stepped up in the playoffs but the unit as a whole can't rely on turnover luck once again in 2026. Miller's anchor and strength as both a run defender and pass rusher at 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds stand out in a class full of run-stuffing nosetackles.

26.Buffalo Bills: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Buffalo promoted Joe Brady to head coach to ensure offensive stability. They build on that by getting one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the class in Concepcion. The Aggies wideout is a threat in the open field with immediate value as a returner.

27.San Francisco 49ers: Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson

San Francisco is ecstatic to see Parker fall all the way to their pick at No. 27. He's a physical force off the edge at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds. Like many Clemson defenders, he underperformed in 2025. The 49ers' staff could maximize his potential to reach his high ceiling.

28.Houston Texans: OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern

Houston's offensive line improved down the stretch but quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled as the unit continued to be a weak point on the offense. Tiernan's a steady presence in pass protection at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds. He hasn't missed a snap in four years of college action.

29. Dallas Cowboys (from Los Angeles Rams): Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Dallas moved back with Los Angeles and adds another edge rusher to the rotation. Howell has some run defense concerns at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds but has the athleticism and bend to have a high floor as a pass rusher. He'd be a solid complement to 2025 second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku.

30.Denver Broncos: Edge LT Overton, Alabama

Denver could lose John Franklin-Myers in free agency and investing on the defensive line could ease that loss. Overton is a tweener at 6-foot-5 and 278 pounds but could find his spot alongside the likes of Zach Allen and Malcolm Roach.

31.New England Patriots: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

Khyiris Tonga will be a free agent this offseason and McDonald could be a solid replacement. The Ohio State product is a powerful presence on the interior thanks to his size (6-foot-3, 330 pounds) and play strength.

32.Seattle Seahawks: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

This may be a bit of a reach now, but it could change by April. Johnson may be overlooked due to where he played, but he has prototypical size at 6-foot and 195 pounds. He's an NFL-caliber athlete with ball production who could fill holes on the Seahawks' defense with multiple pending free agents.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NFL mock draft: Rams, Cowboys make trade in pre-Super Bowl mock

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February 07, 2026

2026 NFL mock draft: Pre-Super Bowl first round predictions

We're down to two teams left in the NFL postseason. TheNew England PatriotsandSeattle Seahawkswill face off on Sun...

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'What a suck up': Jay Bilas clowns Duke alum Jay Williams for Tar Heel chant

Someone is going to need to check in on Jay Williams after Saturday's edition of "College GameDay" after the heart attack he just gaveDuke basketballfans.

Why? Well, the formerBlue Devilspoint guard started a Tar Heels chant during Saturday's pregame show inside Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina ahead of Saturday night's top-15 rankedmen's college basketballmatchup between the Tobacco Road rivals.

"I just want to witness this for one second because I usually never do this," Williams said before starting the chant while next to formerDukecenter Jay Bilas.

REQUIRED READING:Duke basketball vs UNC key matchups, predictions and what to watch

Bilas, perhaps speaking on behalf of former Duke players, was rather blunt with his response.

"What a suck up," Bilas said.

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The Blue Devils head into Saturday's top-15 matchup looking for their fourth consecutive win over the Tar Heels, after sweeping the regular season series and picking up a win over UNC in the ACC Tournament semifinals last season.

Led by star freshman Cameron Boozer, Duke ranks No. 3 in the NET rankings with a 9-1 Quad 1 record, which is the second most Quad 1 wins — an important statistical used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee — in the country, only behind top-ranked Arizona.

The Tar Heels, led by their star freshman Caleb Wilson, find themselves ranked in the top 30 of the NET Rankings at No. 27. A win for Hubert Davis' squad would be a significant one, as it would give them just their fifth Quad 1 win of the season.

UNC and Duke are slated for a 6:30 p.m. ET tip-off on Saturday in Chapel Hill.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Former Duke guard Jay Williams breaks out Tar Heel chant UNC rivalry game

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February 07, 2026

'What a suck up': Jay Bilas clowns Duke alum Jay Williams for Tar Heel chant

Someone is going to need to check in on Jay Williams after Saturday's edition of "College GameDay" after th...

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Laura Dern Says She's Been Rejected for Roles '150 Times' Because of Her 'Radically Tall Torso' and Height

Michael Kovac/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Laura Dern is speaking about the limitations she's lived with because of her height

• The actress, who is nearly 6 feet tall, took part in an interview for The Independent alongside her costar Andra Day and talked about how her height has affected her career

• Dern is one of the many female celebrities who've opened up about their height

Laura Dernis offering insight on how it is up there — up there being the view at 5'11."

The actress, 58, spoke toThe Independentabout her latest film and during the conversation opened up about how her height — plus having a "radically tall torso" — has impacted her acting career.

"I was 5'11" at 12 years old and acting already, so I was losing parts constantly!" the star said in an interview published on Jan. 31, joking that she's been rejected for roles about "150 times."

Karwai Tang/WireImage

That's why filming oppositeWill ArnettinBradley Cooper'sIs This Thing On?was so great (Arnett is an impressive 6′2″).

"It means that when Will and I are sitting side by side, we're the same height. And it's crazy to be in a scene with a male actor, and we're actually looking straight into each other's eyes, you know?"

Dern's statuesque figure did make her look like a natural at Paris Fashion Week, especially when she made herrunway debut in the Gabriela Hearst showthis past October. In fact, theBig Little Liesstar commanded the catwalk in her look — a romantic floral appliqué dress and sandals.

Kristy Sparow/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

She's also not the first celebrity to speak out about how Hollywood treats tall people. Her friendNicole Kidman, who stands at Dern's height, said she once lied about her measurements in the hopes of securing a role inAnnie.

"I had to talk my way through the door because they were measuring you before you went in. I was mortified," she said on theRadio Times Podcastin January 2024. So, she told them she was "5 ft. 10½ in."

In the same interview, the Oscar winner relayed hergrievances over wearing heelsfor public events. "Whenever you go on the red carpet, they send the shoes, and the shoes are always so high. And I'm like, 'Do they have a kitten heel? I'm just gonna be the tallest person — the giraffe!'"

Game of ThronesandWednesdaystar Gwendoline Christine, who is over 6 feet tall, was also once"concerned" about being "cast-able"because of her appearance. Although she believed if she molded herself to societal standards that things might work out, she realized: "No, I'm not going to make any effort to fit in."

Read the original article onPeople

byCosmopolite

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February 07, 2026

Laura Dern Says She's Been Rejected for Roles '150 Times' Because of Her 'Radically Tall Torso' and Height

Michael Kovac/Getty NEED TO KNOW Laura Dern is speaking about the limitations she's lived with because of her height The actress, who...

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