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

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 15, 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...

Read More

Nicole Kidman Reveals Surprising New Career Path: Becoming a 'Death Doula'

Nicole Kidman has shared that she's learning to become a death doula

NEED TO KNOW

• The actress explained during a talk on Saturday, April 11, that she had the idea after her mother died aged 84 in 2024

• "As my mother was passing, she was lonely, and there was only so much the family could provide," she explained

Nicole Kidmanhas a new career in mind.

The actress, 58, shared that she's learning to become a death doula during a talk at the University of San Francisco's War Memorial Gym on Saturday, April 11,theSan Francisco Chroniclereported.

Speaking to investigative journalist and USF graduate Vicky Nguyen as part of the school's Silk Speaker Series, she explained that the idea "may sound a little weird," but that her plans first came about after her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman,died aged 84in September 2024.

"As my mother was passing, she was lonely, and there was only so much the family could provide," Kidman told attendees, via theChronicle. TheHollandactresshas four children, while her younger sisterAntonia Kidman, 55, has six.

She continued, "Between my sister and I, we have so many children and our careers and our work, and wanting to take care of her because my father wasn't in the world anymore, and that's when I went, ‘I wish there was these people in the world that were there to sit impartially and just provide solace and care.' "

"So that's part of my expansion and one of the things I will be learning."

Death doulas, also known as end-of-life doulas, provide support to people and their loved ones toward the end of life. Per theInternational End-of-Life Doula Association, "An end-of-life doula advocates self-determination and imparts psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, and practical care to empower dignity throughout the dying process."

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Kidman, meanwhile, has often discussed the grief she felt after losing both her mom and her dad,Dr. Antony Kidman, who died in 2014.

A month after losing her mom, Kidmandescribed her as a "compass"and a "major guide" in her life, while she said shortly after that she would sometimeswake up "crying and gasping"amid the loss of both parents.

She learned of her mother's death while at theVenice Film Festivalahead of an appearance for her filmBabygirlandleft early to be with her family.

At the time, the film's director, Halina Reijn, read a letter on Kidman's behalf during what would have been her acceptance speech for best actress.

In the letter, Kidman stated that she traveled to Venice to learn "shortly after that my beautiful, brave mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, has just passed."

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In March 2025, shepaid tribute to her momon what would have been her 85th birthday. “Missing Mumma and Papa so much on what would have been her birthday today,” she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of her parents smiling together, adding a red heart emoji. Shepaid tribute again a year later, writing, "Remembering my Mumma on her birthday. Always in my heart."

Read the original article onPeople

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 15, 2026

Nicole Kidman Reveals Surprising New Career Path: Becoming a 'Death Doula'

Nicole Kidman has shared that she's learning to become a death doula NEED TO KNOW The actress explained during...

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US blockade of Iran will be major military endeavor, experts say

By Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON, April 12 (Reuters) - A U.S. naval blockade of Iran is a major, open-ended military endeavor that could trigger fresh retaliation from Tehran and put tremendous strain on an already fragile ceasefire, experts say.

President Donald Trump, in a social media post after no deal emerged from peace talks this weekend ‌in Islamabad, said the U.S. Navy "will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz."

The U.S. military's Central ‌Command later said the blockade will only apply to ships going to or from Iran, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. It will take effect on Monday at 10 a.m. in Washington (1400 ​GMT), CENTCOM said.

Trump also said U.S. forces would interdict vessels that have paid tolls to Iran, even if those ships are now in international waters. "No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The ultimate goal, Trump said, would be to pressure Iran to end its effective closure of the strait, a choke point for about 20% of the world's oil, to all but the countries that secure safe passage from Tehran.

If Trump's strategy succeeds, he would eliminate Iran's greatest point of leverage in negotiations with the United States ‌and clear the strait again for global trade, potentially lowering oil ⁠prices. But a blockade, experts say, is an act of war that requires an open-ended commitment of a significant number of warships.

"Trump wants a quick fix. The reality is, this mission is difficult to execute alone and likely unsustainable over the medium to long-term," said Dana Stroul, a ⁠former senior Pentagon official during the Biden administration now at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

IRANIAN RETALIATION

The U.S. military has not offered basic details yet about the blockade, including how many U.S. warships will enforce it, whether warplanes will be used and whether any Gulf allies will assist in the effort. Central Command declined to respond to requests for comment.

With enough warships, the U.S. Navy could set up ​a ​blockade that intimidates many commercial tankers from trying to power through with Iranian oil, experts say.

But would the ​United States be prepared to board and seize — or even damage ‌or sink — ships that try to break the blockade? What if they carry oil for China, a major power, or U.S. partners such as India or South Korea?

And what would Iran do? Retired Admiral Gary Roughead, a former chief of U.S. naval operations, cautioned that Iran could fire on ships in the Gulf or attack infrastructure of the Gulf states that host U.S. forces.

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"I honestly believe that if we begin to do it, that Iran will have some kind of a reaction," Roughead said.

Iran's threats to shipping have caused global oil prices to skyrocket about 50% since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on February 28.

Trump said on Sunday that the price of oil and gasoline may remain high https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/trump-says-us-start-blockading-strait-hormuz-2026-04-12/ in the United States through ‌November's U.S. midterm elections, which could see Trump's Republicans lose control of the U.S. Congress if there is ​a public backlash. The war has already been unpopular.

GAS PRICE PROBLEM

Frustrated by Iran's refusal to end the war ​on his terms, Trump on Sunday also floated the possibility of a resumption of ​U.S. strikes inside Iran, citing missile factories as one possibility.

U.S. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, questioned ‌the strategy, noting Iran could send speedboats to mine the strait or ​put bombs against tankers.

"How is that going to ever ​bring down gas prices?" Warner asked on CBS's "Face the Nation."

Thousands of U.S. military strikes have severely weakened Iran's military. But analysts say Tehran has emerged from the conflict as a vexing problem for Washington, with a more hardline leadership and a buried stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Trump threatened on Sunday that "any Iranian who fires at us, ​or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!"

Iran's Revolutionary Guards ‌responded with a statement warning that military vessels approaching the strait will be considered a ceasefire breach and dealt with harshly and decisively, underlining the risk ​of a dangerous escalation.

Stroul said the crisis will require a long-term, international effort to resolve.

"Over the long run, this will need to be resolved through diplomacy ​and international political will," she said.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Sergio Non and Deepa Babington)

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 15, 2026

US blockade of Iran will be major military endeavor, experts say

By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON, April 12 (Reuters) - A U.S. naval blockade of Iran is a major, open-ended military endeavor that coul...

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Gabourey Sidibe Slams Critics of Her 23-Month-Old Twins' Hair, Says She 'Didn't Have Kids' for the Aesthetic

Gabourey Sidibe addressed criticism of her toddlers' hair, saying she "didn't have kids" for the aesthetic in a post on Instagram Threads

NEED TO KNOW

• Sidibe also further explained that she and her husband, Brandon Frankel, "sometimes do their hair several times a day"

• The actress welcomed her twins Cooper and Maya in April 2024

Gabourey Sidibeis shutting down criticism of her twins' hair.

In a post onInstagram Threads, theGive Me Back My Daughterstar, 42, slammed people who have made negative comments about her 23-month-old twins' hair. Sidibe, who shares her twins Cooper and Maya with husbandBrandon Frankel, said she'd be blocking anyone who left negative comments, adding she "didn't have kids" for the aesthetic.

"If you comment, telling me to do my toddlers[sic] hair, I'm blocking you," she wrote. "Their hair is always brushed, but they are active toddlers who play hard and aggressively launch into Head Shoulders Knees and Toes during lunch, so they get ketchup and eggs in it, so we sometimes do their hair several times a day."

"My daughter's hair is braided every week and when it gets fuzzy in an hour I don't immediately rebraid it because I didn't have kids for the esthetic[sic]," she added.

Sidibe continued telling her followers to "keep it cute," adding that "trying to impress the timeline with constantly manicured children isn't on my list of chores."

"So in closing, let's keep it cute cuz[sic] I'm fighting for my life as it is and trying to impress the timeline with constantly manicured children isn't on my list of chores," she wrote, before jokingly attaching a picture of her cat and wriitng, "Aaron will however be debuting the fresh box braids he got for his birthday trip to Punta Cana."

While Sidibe doesn't play when it comes to people criticizing her children, she can also find the humor in life as a parent of two. Back in February, the doting mom proved she'd do anything to make her kids look fabulous as she shared funny snaps of her children wearing her wigs onInstagram. TheEmpirealum joked that she was walking around bald, so her kids could look stylish in her hair.

"My head looks like this 🧑‍🦲 so that their heads can look this 👩‍🎤🧑‍🎤👨‍🎤," she joked.

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In the comments, her husband poked fun at the moment, writing, "You know you love them cuz you let them wear ya good wigs 😂😂❤️."

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Sidibe welcomed her kids in April 2024. Since then, she's shared the precious and special moments with them throughout the years. In November, she shared a picture onInstagramwith her twins as they visited her on the set of a project she was directing. In the picture, she held both of her twins while standing next to her director's chair.

"The twins visited me on set the other day. They STILL [aren't] allowed to watch screens tho," she captioned her post.

In the comments, Sidibe's husband showed some love to his wife. "Getting to watch them visit you at work and you simultaneously be a boss lady and the best mom is such an honor ❤️🥹."

Frankel also shared pictures from their visit on set on hisInstagram, expressing how proud he was of her.

"I'm really glad the twins and I were able to travel across the country so they could be reunited with mama@gabbysidibewhile she directed a new movie," he captioned his post. "Seeing them light up when they got to see her after weeks of her being gone (minus FaceTimes and videos daily) was magical. 🥹❤️ WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!"

Read the original article onPeople

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 14, 2026

Gabourey Sidibe Slams Critics of Her 23-Month-Old Twins' Hair, Says She 'Didn't Have Kids' for the Aesthetic

Gabourey Sidibe addressed criticism of her toddlers' hair, saying she "didn't have kids" for the aesthetic in a post ...

Read More

Justin Bieber Is About ‘Vibing and Enjoying’ Amid 2026 Coachella Set Mixed Reviews: ‘Less Pressure’

Justin Bieberis not letting outside noise faze him after receiving mixed reviews for his2026 Coachellaset.

“This is Justin in 2026. He doesn’t have anyone pushing him to do these huge pop spectacles like a 3D concert movie anymore. It’s all about vibing and enjoying where he’s at now,” a source exclusively tellsUs Weekly.“There’s a lot less pressure on him, which allows him to put on the show that he wants to.”

Bieber’s highly-anticipated Coachella performance on Saturday, April 11, primarily featured tracks from hisSwagandSwag IIalbum, but he also showed YouTube clips from his original music videos on his laptop to reminisce.

While the minimalist set received some criticism from fans, the insider tellsUsthat the now-viral clips from Bieber’s YouTube performances “were only a small part of a much larger set.”

Hailey Bieber Was a ‘Big Influence’ on Justin Bieber Booking Coachella 2026 to Celebrate His Career

“He didn’t sit behind a computer the whole time,” the source explains. “Anyone who watched the full show saw that.”

The insider explains that Bieber’s YouTube segment was an “homage” to how the musician “got his start.”

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“It was meant to show his journey from posting videos on YouTube to performing on one of the world's biggest stages, also on YouTube,” the source shares. “Hailey [Bieber]thought it was adorable and very Justin. It was exactly what he planned and rehearsed."

Us Weeklyreached out to Bieber’s team for comment.

Justin and Hailey Bieber Switch Up 2026 Grammy Awards Outfits After His Shirtless Performance

While performing, Justin, 32, made sure togive a shout-out to wife Hailey, 29, and the couple’s son, Jack. (The pair welcomed their first child in 2024.)

“Hailey, babe, hallelujah,” Justin sang while performing “Everything Hallelujah,” per social media footage. “Baby Jack, hallelujah.”

Hailey was seen blowing a kiss back to him and waving at Justin from the audience. Justin is scheduled to return to the main stage on Saturday, April 18, during the second weekend of Coachella.

Ahead of thesinger’s duel performances, a separate source toldUsthat Bieber’s crew is “filming both weekends for a special project.” The news came after an unconfirmed Deuxmoi blind item reported that Justin was part of a documentary-style film with Netflix.

“Justin doesn’t feel he has something to prove, but at the same time, he wants to flex that he can put on a memorable show without a huge team like he once had,” the insider said of his Coachella set, referring to his 2023 split from longtime managerScooter Braun. “It’sall his vision, brought to life by just a few people.”

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

April 14, 2026

Justin Bieber Is About ‘Vibing and Enjoying’ Amid 2026 Coachella Set Mixed Reviews: ‘Less Pressure’

Justin Bieberis not letting outside noise faze him after receiving mixed reviews for his2026 Coachellaset. “This is Justin in 202...

Read More