Hockey coach admits using a false COVID-19 vaccine certificate to enter China for Olympics

ZURICH (AP) — Swiss ice hockey coach Patrick Fischer has admitted he used a certificate falsely claiming he'd been vaccinated against COVID-19 to get aroundChina's travel restrictionsfor the2022 Winter Olympics.

In a statement late Monday, Fischer said he made a “serious mistake in this matter” by traveling to Beijing with the Switzerland men's team using false paperwork.

“I'm very sorry if I've disappointed people with this situation,” Fischer said. “I was in an extraordinary personal crisis because I didn't want to be vaccinated. At the same time I certainly didn't want to let my team down at the Olympic Games.”

Swiss public broadcaster SRF said it confronted Fischer with documents showing he was fined nearly 39,000 Swiss francs ($50,000) by local authorities in 2023 for document forgery after buying the certificate on social media. SRF said he went public with his admission shortly after.

Switzerland hosts the world championship next month. Fischer was already due to step down after that and the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation said it considers the matter closed.

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Fischer is one of Switzerland's most successful hockey coaches ever. He's been in the post since 2015 and took the team to three Olympics as well as winning three silver medals at the world championship.

His team reached the quarterfinals at the 2022 Olympics, whereCOVID-19 testingwas a requirement and theNHL stayed awaybecause of the pandemic.

Ahead of the 2022 Olympics, China had some of the strictest COVID-19 rules in the world. It insisted any athletes heading to the Games had to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or sit out a three-week quarantine in a hotel, asSwiss snowboarder Patrizia Kummerdid.

The International Olympic Committee didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

AP sports:https://apnews.com/sports

byAlex Forten

in

April 14, 2026

Hockey coach admits using a false COVID-19 vaccine certificate to enter China for Olympics

ZURICH (AP) — Swiss ice hockey coach Patrick Fischer has admitted he used a certificate falsely claiming he'd been vaccinated again...

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Cuba's president says 'we would die' to defend against U.S. invasion

President Miguel Díaz-Canel stood by Cuba’s leadership and didn’t concede a need for any changes to its government amid President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign against the communist country.

In a wide-ranging interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker in Havana on Thursday, Díaz-Canel said there’s no “justification for the United States to launch a military aggression against Cuba.”

“An invasion to Cuba would have costs. ... It would affect the security of Cuba, the United States and of the region,” he said through a translator in his first American broadcast interview.

“If that happens, there will be fighting, and there will be a struggle, and we will defend ourselves, and if we need to die, we’ll die, because as our national anthem says, ‘Dying for the homeland is to live,’” the Cuban president said.

“Before making that decision, which is so irrational, there is a logic, that is, the logic of dialogue, to engage in discussions, to debate and try to reach agreements that would move us away from confrontation,” Díaz-Canel said.

Welker asked Díaz-Canel whether he was willing to commit to responding to “key demands” from the U.S., including releasing political prisoners, scheduling multiparty elections and recognizing unions and a free press.

“Nobody has made those demands to us, and we have established that in respect to our political system or constitutional order, these are issues that are not under negotiations with the United States,” Díaz-Canel answered, adding that those issues are “extensively manipulated.”

Welker then pressed Díaz-Canel on the issue of political prisoners, asking whether Cuba would commit to their release and specifically naming Cuban rapper Maykel Osorbo,a Latin Grammy winner who has been in prison since 2021for writing a protest songafter thousands of Cubans took to the streetsto protest conditions and shortages during the Covid pandemic.

Díaz-Canel did not commit to releasing political prisoners and rejected their characterization as such, saying there are people in Cuba who are not in favor of the revolution “and manifest themselves on a daily basis” who are not in prison.

“This narrative that has been created, that image that anyone who speaks against a revolution is thrown into jail, that’s a big lie, that’s a slander, and that’s part of that construct in order to vilify and to engage a character assassination of the Cuban Revolution,” Díaz-Canel said.

International human rights organizationslike PEN InternationalandAmnesty Internationalhave called for Osorbo’s release.

There is evidence that the Trump administration’s pressure campaign has been felt in the country. Around mid-March, Cuban officials took a sharp turn in their tone toward the U.S., saying they are prepared to confront any attacks from the U.S. The government ordered an increase in military exercises that often air during national newscasts.

Díaz-Canel has insisted Cuba’s position is “entirely defensive and not aggressive,” and he’s made similar remarks in recent speeches and interviews.

“Again, let me repeat. This is not what we want. We don’t want war. We don’t want an attack,” he said.

Díaz-Canel urged a dialogue based on “respect” between the two countries’ forms of government.

Welker asked if it was possible to “get a deal with President Trump.”

“I think dialogue and deals with the U.S. government are possible,” Díaz-Canel answered, “but they’re difficult.” He said he had not spoken to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and he doesn’t know him.

Trump said last month when asked about Cuba that theremay be “a friendly takeover, it may not be a friendly takeover.”Rubio told reporters on March 27, “You have to change the people in charge,” adding the country was a “disaster” because its economic system didn’t work.

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In response to Díaz-Canel’s comments to NBC News, a White House official on Thursday said that the administration is talking to Cuba, adding its leaders want to make a deal and should make a deal, which Trump believes “would be very easily made.”

“Cuba is a failing nation whose rulers have had a major setback with the loss of support from Venezuela,” the White House official said Thursday.

Throughout the interview, Díaz-Canel blamed the 67-year-old U.S. economic embargo when he was asked about Cuba’s existing conditions, including its electricity crisis as well asongoing supply shortages and poverty.

When asked whether Cuba would “take some responsibility” and change its economic system to relieve suffering in the country, Díaz-Canel said, “That’s got nothing to do with the political system.”

The U.S. imposed theembargo in 1962as a response to Fidel Castro’s confiscation of American businesses and properties on the island following the 1959 revolution.

Díaz-Canel called the embargo “genocidal and cruel” and said that even during the Covid pandemic, the policy prevented the country from accessing certain components — though he touted his country’s ability to manufacture a Covid vaccine and other equipment.

“I think the U.S. government should review how cruel and how mean they’ve been to Cuba and to the Cuban people,” he said.

When asked why Cuba hasn’t made reforms like other communist or one-party countries like Vietnam and China, Díaz-Canel cited the embargo as well as the fact that Cuba is an island 90 miles from the U.S.

Cuba produces less than 40% of the fuel it needs and relies on imports to operate its crumbling electric grid. Venezuela was Cuba’s main supplier of oil until it was cut off following the U.S. capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.

Trump then threatened to impose tariffs on any country that sells or supplies oil to Cuba, though he recently said he had “no problem” with a Russian oil tanker delivering relief to the island.

People were already dealing with inflation, shortages and blackouts, and the shortage hasexacerbatedan already dire situation.

Amid the massive fuel shortage, Díaz-Canel said Cuba was open to doing business with U.S. companies.

“We’re open for foreign investment in Cuba in oil exploration and drilling. And that’ll be an opportunity for American businessmen and firms who can come and participate in Cuba in the energy sector,” Díaz-Canel said.

It is against U.S. law for Americans (individuals and companies) to invest in Cuba’s oil sector, but the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control can issue a license allowing an American company to do so.

Díaz-Canel cited collaborations between the U.S. and Cuba such as medical research and combating drug trafficking as he agreed there’s a need to engage in dialogue.

But he also alluded to the war in the Middle East — and the Trump administration’s previous calls for dialogue.

“The U.S. has been engaged in talks with other countries, and while these negotiations are underway, they have attacked those countries, and all of this creates a lot of distrust,” Díaz-Canel said.

Nicole Acevedo reported from New York, Carmen Sesin from Miami and Orlando Matos from Havana.

byAlex Forten

in

April 14, 2026

Cuba's president says 'we would die' to defend against U.S. invasion

President Miguel Díaz-Canel stood by Cuba’s leadership and didn’t concede a need for any changes to its government amid President Donal...

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Don't miss it! Cycling's golden era delivers weekly brilliance and once-in-a-lifetime rivalries

PARIS (AP) — Think of the golden age of men's tennis, when Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray dominated the tour with unprecedented consistency, delighting fans weekly.

France Paris Roubaix Cycling

Something remarkably similar and just as spectacular is unfolding incyclingtoday.

The sport is being blessed with a generation of male champions who have revitalized it, injecting a sense of drama that had been missing for years, when race strategies felt predictable and viewers would often only tune in for the last kilometers. Now, at the start of every major event, everything seems possible.

You can thankTadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard for that.

They are the main figures of cycling’s new age. And since the start of the season, which culminates in the heat of July during three weeks on the bucolic roads of the Tour de France, there has not been a week of racing when they have not taken each other on with excitement and panache.

The latest example unfolded over the weekend in northern France atParis-Roubaix, the grueling cycling classic over cobblestones known as the Hell of the North.

The 123rd edition of the one-day race was expected to be a duel between three-time defending champion van der Poel, from the Alpecin–Premier Tech, and Pogačar, the leader of the UAE Team Emirates XRG, who was chasing a first victory in the only Monument missing from his cabinet trophy. There are four other so-called Monument races in cycling — Liège–Bastogne–Liège, the Tour of Lombardy, the Tour of Flanders and Milan-San Remo.

Unpredictable scenarios

Nothing went as planned in what turned out to be a blockbuster script.

Van der Poel saw his hopes vanish after two punctures in the cobbled sector of the famed Trouée d’Arenberg, losing considerable time he was unable to make up despite a furious chase. Pogačar, who had also suffered a puncture earlier in the race, found himself in an ideal position at the front, but that was without reckoning van Aert.

The often unlucky but experienced Visma–Lease a Bike rider stayed with the Slovenian until the finish and comfortably beat him in the final sprint at the Roubaix velodrome, handing him his first defeat of 2026.

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme praised Pogačar for the enthusiasm he is bringing to the sport by competing on all terrains throughout the year. The 27-year-old four-time Tour champion is arguably the most exciting rider of his generation. Capable of winning everywhere, he has drawn comparisons with the great Eddy Merckx.

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“We have a champion who is doing what Eddy Merckx was doing 50 years ago,” Prudhomme told RMC radio on Sunday. “Not just in terms of victories, but in being present from March all the way through to October. His quest for a fifth Monument—the only one that still eludes him—will continue, and in a way, that’s just fine by me.”

Vintage Tour de France looming

The renewed excitement in cycling has been felt throughout all the major classics this season, with thrilling, action-packed races atMilan–San Remoand theTour of Flanders.It has also been present at weeklong races such asParis-Nice, where two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard won ahead of Dani Martinez with the biggest winning margin since 1939, and the fourth biggest in the history of the race.

Vingegaard also secured the best climber’s polka-dot jersey, and took the best sprinter’s green jersey in a show of force that foreshadowed another major battle with Pogačar at the Tour this summer.

As well as chasing a third Tour crown this year, Vingegaard is set for hisGiro d’Italiadebut in May in a bid to win all threeGrand Tours. He won the Tour de Francein 2022 and ’23and last year clinched his firstSpanish Vuelta title.

Beyond the rivalry between Pogačar and Vingegaard, the possible participation in the Tour of young prodigy Paul Seixas could add an extra layer of suspense. At just 19 years old, the versatile Frenchman from theDecathlon CMA CGMteam is regarded as a future great and France hopes he can end its long wait for a Tour victory, which dates back to 1985 and the final triumph of Bernard Hinault.

Seixas became last week the youngest winner of the Tour of the Basque Country, as well as the youngest winner of a WorldTour stage race ahead of Evenepoel.

“I had said before his brilliant victory in the Ardèche (classic), after a 42-kilometre solo breakaway that If he doesn’t come (to the Tour), we won’t hold it against him. I can confirm today that if he does come, we won’t hold it against him either," Prudhomme joked when asked about Seixas's participation.

According to Prudhomme, cycling's revival is confirmed by a renewed interest among younger audiences, who follow races roadside — like last yearin Montmartre during the Tour final stagewhich drew thousands of spectators — as well as on social media and on television.

There was nearly 150 million viewers across Europe for last year's Tour, with afternoon broadcasts in France reaching record highs.

“I don’t know if we’re living through a golden age, but we are certainly experiencing some beautiful moments,” Prudhomme said.

AP sports:https://apnews.com/sports

byAlex Forten

in

April 13, 2026

Don't miss it! Cycling's golden era delivers weekly brilliance and once-in-a-lifetime rivalries

PARIS (AP) — Think of the golden age of men's tennis, when Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray dominated th...

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2026 NFL mock draft: Could big name slide out of top 10 picks?

Even as the2026 NFL Draftdraws closer, any sense of certainty remains elusive.

With less than two weeks left until the start of the first round in Pittsburgh, the buzz is growing around various possibilities for teams' potential paths. But late insights don't always have the signal-to-noise ratio, leaving a distinct shapelessness to an inherently fluid event. And with so many moving pieces, a true structure for the first round and beyond might not emerge until the first few names are called out on draft night.

Here's our latest 2026 NFL mock draft and projection for the full first round:

Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

On a defense already dotted with stars, Reese rose from an occasional contributor to a bona fide star in his first full season as a starter. The 6-4, 241-pound linebacker exhibited uncommon fluidity for a player of his size, finding equal comfort dropping back in coverage as bullying his way into the backfield. His pass-rush plan is still rather rudimentary at the moment, but he has the toolkit of a double-digit sack artist. In a league where defenses are constantly taxed against the pass and run, Reese displays a unique aptitude for detonating whatever play an offense might throw at him.

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Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

It's a testament to Mendoza's impeccable body of work that the pre-draft vivisection of his game has largely only turned up questions of how he'll fare operating from under center rather than in the shotgun.

No one will confuse the 6-5, 236-pound Heisman Trophy winner with the likes of Cam Ward or Drake Maye, as he's not particularly creative or dangerous when a play breaks down. But that's about the only phase in which Mendoza comes up short. He's as precise as any passer you'll find from the college ranks, and he comfortably works through progressions and manipulates coverages. His arm strength isn't otherworldly, but he can attack every level with suitable velocity on his throws. Forcing him off his spot can throw him off his rhythm, but Mendoza rarely loses his cool under pressure and still conjures solutions when things aren't going his way. Beyond the improvisational shortcomings, he's the picture of a top-tier quarterback prospect.

More: Why Fernando Mendoza won't be at NFL draft: Indiana QB staying home

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Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The hyperbole inherent to NFL draft evaluations doesn't seem so outlandish when it's being attached to Love. For the 6-0, 213-pound Heisman Trophy finalist, everything starts with his game-breaking speed, which allows him to turn the corner with ease or jet through even the narrowest of openings on the interior. And once he has a step on the defense, he's extremely unlikely to be caught. He's far from just a linear threat, however, as his distinct creativity shines through in the open field – particularly when he unleashes his spin move or hurdle. Operating in a different gear than everyone else has created some inconsistencies in his early pacing, but it's rarely something that derails him. His elite skill set also carries over to his work as a pass catcher, where he can further vex defenses that won't likely have an answer when he lines up in the slot or out wide. It's fair to hold onto questions of positional value for running backs, but Love is unquestionably among a select few who deserve to be seen as this class' difference-makers.

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Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami

No defender in college football broke open games last season quite like Bain, who led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 83 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. The 6-2, 263-pounder frequently took the shortest path possible to the quarterback, uprooting anyone who stood in his way. Bain's atypical build for an edge rusher – including his short arms – invited plenty of scrutiny about how he might translate to the pro ranks, but he's already demonstrated he can mitigate the concern. If he's neutralized, it seems unlikely that it'll become a common occurrence.

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Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

After arriving at Ohio State as an elite athlete searching for a true position, Styles departs Columbus having developed an unparalleled proficiency for the intricacies of linebacker play. The 6-5, 244-pound former safety could be counted on to be in the right place to plug the run at all times, and he still has room to grow in coverage and as a blitzer. Clean in everything he does, Styles can help be a standard-bearer for whatever defense he joins.

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Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

From his first snaps at Alabama as a five-star freshman to his final push at Ohio State, Downs put himself in a class all his own at safety. The two-time unanimous All-American repeatedly snuffed out plays before they could get started, particularly against the run or near the line of scrimmage. While he doesn't measure up as a physical marvel like Kyle Hamilton or Derwin James, he could have the same bottom-line effect for a defense, even if he doesn't match their ball production. His position might prevent him from cracking the top five, but he'll force offenses to account for him on every down.

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David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech

Right off the snap, Bailey gets offensive linemen on their toes. The 6-4, 251-pound edge rusher's explosion off the ball can get blockers off balance in an instant, at which point Bailey can attack them by changing course or unleashing a spin move. Bailey's lean frame can result in him being eradicated in the run game at times, but players who can derail opposing passers with his level of efficiency can't be ignored. It shouldn't be long into his NFL transition before his pressure rate ticks up and he takes his place as one of the league's most threatening matchups off the edge.

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Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

He was never the WR1 in the Buckeyes' loaded receiver room, but Tate stands above the rest of the pass-catching options in this class. With subtle shifts in his tempo and sudden breaks in his routes, the 6-2, 192-pound target creates separation without much strain. He settles into open spaces against zone and skies over defensive backs to haul in difficult passes down the sideline. He might not look the part of a go-to target, but he measures up to the title in almost every respect.

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Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Not long into his foray into the Southeastern Conference, the Virginia Tech transfer made clear to opponents that he was not to be tested. Delane rapidly earned the title of shutdown corner, with teams almost universally opting to avoid throwing his way. At the next level, he figures to draw comparisons to Trent McDuffie – another cornerback who doesn't let his size or limited ball production prevent him from being recognized as a first-tier cover man.

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Makai Lemon, WR, USC

In an earlier era, Lemon might have been dismissed as a slot receiver not capable of being an offensive focal point. Now, however, there shouldn't be much doubt about how much the Biletnikoff Award winner can shoulder. Lemon is a maestro when it comes to getting open underneath, and he can be counted on to vacuum up any throw that approaches his area. And teams that underestimate his downfield credentials could end up paying if they try to sit on short and intermediate throws.

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Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

A torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered last January kept McCoy out of commission for all of last season and clouded his pre-draft process. But in a stellar pro day showing, the 6-1, 188-pound corner served up a reminder that he has all the trappings of a top-tier cover man. With superlative ball skills and ample tools to stick with receivers throughout their routes, McCoy can grow into a standout in any defensive scheme.

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Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

After his impressive performance at the NFL scouting combine, Thieneman rocketed into the discussion of this draft's premier defensive backs. Easy coverage instincts extend his already expansive range, and vigilance is required for any passing attack that throws to his area of the field. He can't measure up to Downs or some of the other safeties in this class when operating closer to the line of scrimmage, but he shouldn't be asked to serve in that capacity too frequently anyway.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

Even with everything crumbling around him in Penn State's calamitous season, Ioane still held firm. The 6-5, 320-pound left guard is a brick wall in pass protection, but where he really shines is in his forceful displacements in the run game. Ioane will have to figure out a way to handle quick-twitch defensive tackles who will test his fluidity, but he's one of the more reliable prospects in this class.

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Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami

Solid to the core, the former five-star recruit holds his ground against the pass and forces opposing linemen out of the way with his strong first contact. But while there's not much mystery to the 6-6, 329-pounder's play, there are several unknowns about his projection. A move inside could be in his future to safeguard against concerns that he'll be beaten by rangy edge rushers, but the skill set is there to hang at right tackle.

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Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Smooth movements allow Fano to conjure answers for even the speediest edge rushers. He still could have trouble with rangier defenders, however, as well as ones who can convert speed to power and knock him off base. Like many offensive tackles in this class, he'll face questions of whether he belongs at the position, with some question of whether he should head to center. 

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Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

From his massive frame (6-7, 315 pounds) to his quickness, Freeling checks off some of the most notable boxes for a high-end left tackle. As a one-year starter, his technique is still a work in progress, with some bad habits sapping his efficacy. But he's clearly on an upward trajectory, and teams might be eager to buy on an ascendant blocker. 

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KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Few receivers are true separators at all three levels. Concepcion qualifies as just that, with more than enough quickness and speed to free himself from coverage at any point on the field. Drops have dogged him, but he could shake the issue in short order. Versatile and dynamic, Concepcion is more refined than he gets credit for, and he could become a vital part of an aerial attack with more polish.

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Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

The ultimate seam threat, Sadiq accelerates in a manner not seen from 6-3, 241-pound pass catchers. Though he's proven himself after the catch, much of his value remains somewhat theoretical, as his experience and workload in the downfield passing game haven't aligned with his capabilities. But as an instant mismatch creator and aggressive run blocker, he can change the complexion of whatever offense he joins.

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Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Some will see a 6-4, 210-pound body and assume Boston relies on pulling down jump balls in close quarters. But while tilting those throws in his favor is his best feature, it's far from his only one. Boston has impressive fluidity for a player with his physical make-up, and his tracking and midair adjustments make him an even more confounding coverage assignment.

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Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Though he might not be an all-around coverage maven, McNeil-Warren is comfortable exerting his will from several different vantage points. He rallies to the ball in a hurry in run support, working his way through traffic to deliver big hits. And though his 6-4, 201-pound build limits his comfort zone in coverage, he can give both quarterbacks and receivers pause on attempting any throws over the middle.

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Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Once seen as the clear-cut favorite to be the first receiver selected, Tyson now might be the most polarizing pass catcher in this class. Quick and crisp when he's dialed in, he has a robust set of maneuvers to beat man coverage from various spots. But medical concerns from various ailments muddle his draft outlook, and he can be inefficient with his footwork. 

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Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami

Having just turned 25 with an extensive injury history, Mesidor enters the draft with red flags that might tank other prospects' stock. Teams that look past those issues, however, will see an advanced and unrelenting pass rusher with a deep bag of tricks to beat blockers. Mesidor might be one of the most divisive prospects in this class in his projection, but there's not much to object to with the on-field product.

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Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

With McCoy sidelined, Hood did a commendable job of filling in as the Volunteers' primary asset in coverage. The Colorado transfer kept the competitive juices flowing in shutting down tight-window throws as well as making his presence felt against the run. He can't match McCoy in overall fluidity, but he still sizes up as a meaningful counter in man coverage for bigger receivers.

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Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Other receivers are sure to be more vexing coverage matchups than the 6-0, 199-pound target. Cooper, however, has a truly distinct aptitude for slipping tacklers in the open field. His penchant for racking up yards after the catch should carry over to the NFL and endear him to his future quarterback, as should his aggressive approach to fighting through contact and operating in traffic.

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Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

In a class rife with right tackles and expected guard converts, Lomu stands out as a true blindside protector. Bulking up will be an essential step for the 6-6, 313-pounder to hold his own against more powerful edge rushers, but there's considerable room for growth on top of the enticing glimpses of his potential he's already displayed.

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Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft

1. Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State
   
   On a defense already dotted with stars, Reese rose from an occasional contributor to a bona fide star in his first full season as a starter. The 6-4, 241-pound linebacker exhibited uncommon fluidity for a player of his size, finding equal comfort dropping back in coverage as bullying his way into the backfield. His pass-rush plan is still rather rudimentary at the moment, but he has the toolkit of a double-digit sack artist. In a league where defenses are constantly taxed against the pass and run, Reese displays a unique aptitude for detonating whatever play an offense might throw at him.

2026 NFL mock draft

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The draft discussion around Mendoza has already shifted to how the Raiders can best set up the quarterback for long-term success. WithKirk Cousins coming aboard, Las Vegas might opt for a more patient approach than NFL teams typically exhibit with No. 1 picks behind center. But Mendoza has given every reason for the Silver and Black to believe he'll be a quick study in Klint Kubiak's scheme. Still, a satisfactory class depends on more than his mere arrival, as there's significant work to be done in the receiving corps and throughout a defense that looks liable to yield shootouts.

2. New York Jets – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech

From January through March, the consensus opinion had Arvell Reese was pegged for the spot. Now, Bailey is the hot name linked to Gang Green. While Reese's body type and forcefulness against the run might make him a more natural running mate for wiry edge rusher Will McDonald IV, there's not a ton of projection required when it comes to Bailey's ability to pester quarterbacks. For a regime that has to balance long-term growth with showing some proof of concept in Year 2 of the build, the savvy Stanford transfer could be just the kind of cornerstone required for the reconfigured front seven.

3. Arizona Cardinals – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

This setup presents an interesting predicament for Arizona. While Reese's talent and capacity for growth can't be questioned, might the Cardinals be scared off by another hybrid defender given their spotty record of finding a home for such players? Unlocking the full extent of Reese's abilities necessitates some creativity, but Arizona shouldn't be scared off by past missteps, be they in evaluation or development. The more problematic move would be forcing a pick along the offensive line when the proper value isn't there.

4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

When coach Robert Saleh and general manager Mike Borgonzi spoke at the combine about how highly they valued arm length at all levels of their defense, many attempted to parse their comments to figure out how they might view this class' top edge rushers. While Bailey or Reese slipping to this spot might simplify Tennessee's process, that same mindset could point the team's decision-makers to Styles. The 6-5, 244-pounder can get wherever he needs to be in order to snuff out a play, and having a heady and hyperathletic figure in the middle could help bind together a rapidly reimagined defense.

5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Somewhere between picks No. 4-7 seems like the sweet spot for Love, who has reignited questions of when it's appropriate for a team with wider offensive shortcomings to select a running back early in the draft. Landing with the Giants would spark a special level of consternation given the franchise's handling of Saquon Barkley, but John Harbaugh seems unlikely to be weighed down by the organization's past. Love would provide Jaxson Dart with a true game-breaker capable of easing the lift for the rest of the Giants' offense.

6. Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

If Cleveland forgoes a left tackle here, it risks all the capable potential starters being scooped up by the time it selects next at No. 24. Nevertheless, a team with as many holes as the Browns can't afford to turn down the best available talent at another area of need. Tate could give the 2026 edition of Cleveland's offense the chance to at least keep drives rolling and eventually serve as a go-to target when the team picks a direction for a long-term answer at quarterback.

7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

After spending big to overhaul its pass rush, Washington still looks due for an additional difference-maker on its defense. While cornerback Mansoor Delane deserves to be squarely in the conversation here, Downs can handle almost any assignment thrown at him and be a force multiplier for a unit that's still not on solid ground.

8. New Orleans Saints – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

New Orleans isn't boxed into taking a receiver early, but it certainly would make sense to boost Tyler Shough's supporting cast entering Year 2 for the quarterback. With his mastery of working the underneath and intermediate areas, Lemon would pair well with deep threat Chris Olave and open up Kellen Moore's aerial attack.

9. Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Edge rusher remains the most pressing area of concern for Kansas City's defense, but a team that seldom finds itself drafting this high seems unlikely to compromise on value given the various avenues available. Delane could become the new staple for a Chiefs secondary that has repeatedly managed to pivot after parting with top talent.

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Duke Tobin hasn't been shy about declaring his affinity for elite size and athletic traits. While his preferences have given a distinct shape to the Bengals' offensive and defensive fronts, they could also heavily inform the composition of the secondary. McCoy looks and plays the part of a top cover man, making him a prime target for a defense still looking to forge an identity.

11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)

A calculated, deliberate approach to building back up appears to be the preferred method for new Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who has stripped his roster of some top talent in pursuit of financial flexibility and a youth movement. Starting that effort along the lines would be a reasonable course of action, and Mauigoa would be a sturdy addition capable of dictating terms up front.

12. Dallas Cowboys – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

Should a top-tier defensive prospect slide out of the top 10, the Cowboys will be poised to pounce. Bain would be enticing for Dallas in a trade-up scenario, but here they land the punishing pass rusher without coughing up any additional draft capital. Stylistic concerns should be immaterial to a defense in need of a dynamic figure capable of providing a jolt off the edge.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

A one-year starter who's probably still a bit of a project, Freeling might not necessarily make sense for a Rams team looking to cash in its chips for another title push with Matthew Stafford at the helm. Yet with both of the top receivers off the board, Los Angeles might have to make the best of things. Freeling could take over at some point for right tackle Warren McClendon Jr., who is entering the final year of his deal.

14. Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Much of the talk surrounding new coach Jesse Minter's arrival has centered on what changes might be in store for the defense. But the schematic shift from Todd Monken to Declan Doyle on offense might not be the smoothest. Sadiq could help create mismatches while allowing the attack to continue living out of two-tight-end sets.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

Some franchises have a type. The Buccaneers gravitate toward sharp leaders who can acclimate to the pro game quickly. Faulk qualifies as that, though his early impact might be limited to stuffing the run as he assembles an actual pass rush plan out of his athletic tools and moves.

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16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

A passing attack counting on a Geno Smith revival seems destined for plenty of situations where it needs someone other than Garrett Wilson to step up and deliver a big play. Those gotta-have-it scenarios are where the slippery Cooper thrives, and there might be a significant appeal for Gang Green to bring aboard someone who can create for himself after the catch rather than a figure whose contributions depend almost entirely on the flow of the offense.

17. Detroit Lions – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

With Dan Campbell swinging open the door to Penei Sewell moving to left tackle, the Lions have ample flexibility to patch their hole at offensive tackle. By adding Proctor, however, Detroit could keep Sewell at the spot at which he's become an All-Pro performer. The 6-7, 352-pound blocker's penchant for displacing people in the run game should endear him to Campbell right away.

18. Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Since his star turn at the combine, Thieneman has been linked heavily to a Minnesota team that could be headed for a changing of the guard at safety. If he's available here, it's difficult to envision the Vikings passing on a versatile asset in coverage, given all the different looks he could facilitate for Brian Flores.

19. Carolina Panthers – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

With Rasheed Walker signed to a one-year deal on the cheap, Carolina has enough of a contingency plan at left tackle should Ikem Ekwonu need a good bit of time to make his way back from a torn patellar tendon. Fano, however, could further bolster Bryce Young's protection, either with a move to center or as an eventual replacement for right tackle Taylor Moton, who will turn 32 this summer and count $28.4 million against the cap in 2027.

20. Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Never mind the numbers coming out of Terrell's pro day, during which he aggravated his hamstring injury. While Terrell might lack elite physical traits, he can capture the interest of the Cowboys with an extensive track record of shrewd playmaking in various phases.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

Here's to betting that this selection, if it materializes, would be met with instant approval from the Pittsburgh locals on the scene for the draft. Need isn't much of a factor for the Steelers, but Ioane would cover for one of the few notable short-term voids as a true enforcer on the interior.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)

Beyond identifying a potential successor for 35-year-old Khalil Mack, the Chargers demonstrated last year that their defense works best when they have a formidable third edge rusher in their rotation. With Odafe Oweh off to Washington, Mesidor can step in to keep Mack fresh with his pro-ready approach to pass-rushing.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Now equipped with something of an insurance policy at receiver thanks tothe Dontayvion Wicks trade, Philadelphia can continue staving off the A.J. Brown trade drama until the early summer, when a deal becomes more palatable. Lane Johnson would make a fine mentor to Iheanachor, a former basketball standout who could become an outright force up front if he continues along his impressive growth trajectory.

24. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

When it comes to evaluating offensive tackles, general manager Andrew Berry has an avowed openness regarding players' experience on the left or right side. If he doesn't address his line with his first pick at No. 6, he might need to get creative to fill the last remaining hole along his front. Beyond some spot work as a blindside protector, Miller spent the overwhelming majority of his four years as a starter at right tackle. Still, the Strongsville, Ohio, native has the frame and athleticism to be a fixture of whatever front he joins.

25. Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

As someone who consistently looks to walk back whoever stands in front of him, Parker seems like he was built to brawl in the NFC North. The Bears' pass rush has some promise but can't afford to pin its hopes on Dayo Odeyingbo's resurgence after a torn Achilles or a breakout from Austin Booker.

26. Buffalo Bills – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Taking another receiver after the DJ Moore trade would certainly constitute quite the mea culpa for Brandon Beane, who not long ago vigorously defended what was a clearly flawed plan for building out Josh Allen's receiving corps. But even though he could be a divisive figure who tumbles on draft day due to injury concerns, Tyson still could give the Bills something they've long lacked: a weapon capable of creating consistent separation on the outside.

27. San Francisco 49ers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Adept at breaking free of coverage and making things happen with the ball in his hands, Concepcion is the kind of target whose skill set could be maximized in Kyle Shanahan's system. The ultra-versatile slot dynamo could feast as a major run-after-catch threat who capitalizes on the attention that defenses place on Ricky Pearsall, Mike Evans and George Kittle, as well as Christian McCaffrey.

28. Houston Texans – Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech

Even after a concerted effort in free agency to fortify their offensive line, the Texans' work doesn't quite feel finished. Rutledge's unrelenting demeanor as a blocker could help Houston do a better job of setting the tone in the run game for new lead back David Montgomery.

29. Chiefs (from Rams) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF

Once considered somewhat of a sleeper, Lawrence might be set to take on a more prominent role in the draft than many initially expected. Long and explosive, he fits the bill of a Steve Spagnuolo pass rusher and could allow Kansas City's front to become less reliant on Chris Jones and George Karlaftis.

30. Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

Determined and polished, Johnson might currently be somewhat overlooked in the first-round conversation. His trustworthiness could catch the eye of the Dolphins' new regime, which will have to stabilize the secondary if first-year coach Jeff Hafley's defense is to coalesce at any point in the early going.

31. New England Patriots – Zion Young, DE, Missouri

The link between Young and the Patriots extends beyond positional preferences or even a skill set. The 6-6, 262-pounder seems to embody the persistence and physicality New England is on the hunt for on the edge.

32. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

This still feels like a spot ripe for a trade down for a team with just four draft picks. While the defending champs settled an uncertain outlook in the secondary by bringing back Josh Jobe, Hood could add more depth and keep Seattle flexible on the back end of its defense.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NFL mock draft: Big name slides out of top 10 picks

byAlex Forten

in

April 13, 2026

2026 NFL mock draft: Could big name slide out of top 10 picks?

Even as the2026 NFL Draftdraws closer, any sense of certainty remains elusive. With less than two weeks left until the start of th...

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China's Xi talks peace with Taiwan's opposition leader even as Beijing raises military pressure

BEIJING - At an unusual meeting Friday,Chinese leader Xi Jinpingtalked with Taiwan’s main opposition leader about shared culture and bloodlines, before declaring that unification of the island with the mainland is a "historical inevitability."

The meeting with Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Nationalist Party, comes amid heightened tension in the Taiwan Strait overstepped-up military drillsby China and Beijing’s disdain forAmerican arms salesto the island.

While it did not produce a grand announcement, the timing of the meeting, just weeks beforePresident Donald Trumpis expected to visit Beijing, suggests that Xi is seeking to show that China can wield political influence in Taiwan as well as flex its might.

At a news conference Friday, Cheng neither fully embraced nor rejected China’s long-held goal of reunifying with Taiwan, a self-governed island of 23 million people, where fears of a future Chinese military incursion have been a specter haunting life for decades.

“We hope to consolidate a stable relationship,” Cheng told reporters. “This must be done step-by-step. General Secretary Xi and I are very pragmatic about this.”

Cheng’s pivot toward China has made her a divisive figure in Taiwan, where she was once a student activist pushing for the island’s independence. Back then, she was known for her criticism of the party she now leads, also known as the Kuomintang or KMT, because of its warm ties with Beijing.

The handshake with Xi in the ornate East Hall at the Great Hall of the People, a space normally used for meeting foreign heads of state, underscored the reversal in political beliefs for Cheng.

At a time when military support from the United States is in question, Cheng, 56, reiterated her view that Taiwan must forge a close friendship with Beijing if it wants to maintain peace and avoid a conflict.

“We must do everything in our power to prevent a war in the Taiwan Strait,” Cheng told NBC News in an interview last month in Taipei. “Instead of being a troublemaker, we need to be a peacemaker,” she said.

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Opening her multiday visit to China on Tuesday, Cheng visited Nanjing, which was the capital of China when it was ruled by the Kuomintang. It was after their defeat by the Chinese Communist Party in 1949 that the KMT fled to Taiwan, which was never conquered by the Chinese Communist Party.

Xi’s outreach to Cheng came along with overt swipes at Taiwan’s current government under President Lai Ching-te,who is shunned by Beijing as a dangerous ‘separatist’for rejecting China’s claim that Taiwan is its territory.

“'Taiwan independence' is the chief culprit destroying peace in the Taiwan Strait,” said Xi, who was joined by key members of the Politburo Standing Committee, according to an official readout of his meeting with Cheng. “We absolutely will not tolerate it or allow it,” he added.

Not openly discussed at the meeting was a major flashpoint in China’s relations with the United States: arms sales.

In Taiwan, Cheng’s opposition to Lai’s proposed $40 billion increase in defense spending over the next eight yearshas stalled approval of the government’s budget.The delay could also jeopardize a $14 billion U.S. arms package that was already put on hold by the Trump administration to not irritate Xi before the May summit.

Asked by NBC News if U.S. arms sales to Taiwan came up in Cheng’s meeting with Xi, a KMT representative replied in a text message: "No."

Cheng also avoided any public criticism of China and official readouts suggest she did not raise concerns with Xi about the pressure of China’s military drills around the island or regular incursions by People’s Liberation Army fighter jets and drones.

Instead, Cheng told reporters she was "grateful" for Xi’s hospitality and that she was impressed when he explained to her that one of the dishes chosen for lunch – sea clams in chicken broth – was “the same dish served at the state banquet” for President Richard Nixon during his historic visit to open relations with China in 1972.

Their own meeting, she said, proves "at a moment when the whole world is deeply pessimistic and when people dare not even hold expectations for cross-strait relations, that it is actually not as difficult as everyone imagined."

byAlex Forten

in

April 12, 2026

China's Xi talks peace with Taiwan's opposition leader even as Beijing raises military pressure

BEIJING - At an unusual meeting Friday,Chinese leader Xi Jinpingtalked with Taiwan’s main opposition leader about shared culture and bl...

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Dacre Montgomery Says Living with OCD Inspired His “Faces of Death” Villain: Here's How (Exclusive)

Dacre Montgomery says OCD was the most "relatable" aspect of his Faces of Death villain

NEED TO KNOW

• “That's just definitely my thing. I live with that and I manage it," the actor tells PEOPLE

• Faces of Death — which also stars Charli xcx, Josie Totah, Aaron Holliday and Jermaine Fowler — is in theaters now

Warning: Spoilers forFaces of Death.

ForDacre Montgomery’s latest role, in which he portrays a “methodical” murderer, OCD plays a central role. It’s also what he found most relatable about the character.

The Australian actor, 31, stars in the new horror movie as Arthur, who re-creates and uploads videos of the kills shown in the titular 1978 film (once widely believed to be an actual snuff film), oppositeBarbie Ferreira, who plays a content moderator trying to thwart him.

Montgomery tells PEOPLE exclusively that what he found most relatable about his mask- and red contact-wearing killer was his experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) — which, per theMayo Clinic, centers around "a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears known as obsessions” that “lead you to do repetitive behaviors, also called compulsions.”

“Definitely what was relatable to me about Arthur was just, honestly, the OCD,” he says. “That's just definitely my thing. I live with that and I manage it.”

Elaborating on what he found relatable about the villain, theStranger Thingsalum says, "There was a lot of that kind of fastidiousness and attention to detail that I put into all characters that I play, but he's so methodical.”

“From the time that you see him in the movie, he's halfway to enacting his plan and he's put a lot of thought into that,” Montgomery continues of Arthur. “And I think I could definitely relate not to working toward a murderous plot in my life — but definitely just the attention to detail thing, I felt that I connected with, yeah, huge.”

Faces of Deathdirector Daniel Goldhaber, who also co-wrote the film with Isa Mazzei, says that this overlap in Montgomery and his on-screen killer helped to carve out the character’s final form.

Arthur would have looked very different had another actor played him, according to the filmmaker.

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“I met with a handful of people for this movie,” Goldhaber tells PEOPLE. "As soon as I met with Dacre, I felt like it kind of just had to be him because everybody else ... they approached this character they were talking about like somebody else, like this guy that they'd seen in the media. Dacre showed up and it was like, ‘Here's all the ways that I relate to Arthur personally.’ ”

“And I was like, ‘Whoa, okay, that's interesting.’ It's not that he's a psychopathic person or a serial killer — it's that he related to Arthur's OCD. He related to Arthur's sense of alienation. He related to a desire to connect through performance," he adds.

Elaborating on how Montgomery's real-life experience with the disorder informed hisFacescharacter, Goldhaber explains, “It's like he has an obsession with the texture of clothing.”

For example, the director continues, “One of the first things he told me was that for 10 years, he was unable to sleep under the covers of his bed because if there was a bump in the fabric of the sheets, he was unable to fall asleep, so he only ever slept on top of the bedsheets.

“And that was what I heard when I was like, ‘Oh, you're gonna bring something so interesting to this role,' " adds Goldhaber.

“This was never an initial part of Arthur — the skinsuit, the latex, the stocking, the way he moves and dances and kind of rubs it on his body,” the filmmaker also tells PEOPLE. “That was all stuff that we found together in exploring this character.”

“And this idea that there's almost this kind of, like, sexual gratification element — not even to the murders, but to this kind of fabric that is holding his skin together while he's committing the murders — that was all stuff that kind of Dacre and I found together,” he continues. "And I think it creates such a rich and unique take on this kind of killer.”

Faces of Death— which also starsCharli xcx,Josie Totah, Aaron Holliday and Jermaine Fowler — is in theaters now.

Read the original article onPeople

byAlex Forten

in

April 12, 2026

Dacre Montgomery Says Living with OCD Inspired His “Faces of Death” Villain: Here's How (Exclusive)

Dacre Montgomery says OCD was the most "relatable" aspect of his Faces of Death villain NEED TO KNOW “T...

Read More