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Nat King Cole may have had Daisy swooning on his bicycle built for two, but that’s hardly a practical family vehicle. What happens when you have a few rugrats and need to transport the whole brood? That’s when it’s time to switch to a bicycle built for four. And I’ve found just the thing for this week’s Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week.

I love me a tandem electric bike as much as the next guy.

I’ve even found an affinity for three-person e-bikes. A little cyclage à trois, if you will.

But four people? Now that’s a party!

I had hoped to find a traditional two-wheeler e-bike with four seats, but apparently the whole rigidity problem means that few engineers want to take on that kind of liability.

So instead, we’ve got ourselves a four-wheeled four seater, surrey style!

And I’m convinced that this is the ultimate family vehicle, ready to replace just about any minivan or SUV out there.

So you know how when you’re driving your kids around town and they’re just sitting in the back not contributing anything? (I’m assuming – I don’t actually have any kids of my own, at least that I know of.)

Well what if instead of just taking up space, those little backseat moochers could actually contribute?!

Just put ’em to work, pedaling away and propelling the family car electric surrey bike. You’re the one paying for those snack packs; you might as well get some benefit out of all of that kiddie fuel.

C’mon, it’s good for them! Plus it’s not like they’ll have to pedal that hard. There’s a 1,500W motor in one of those rear wheels that will be doing the brunt of the work. Everyone else could pretty much mime pedal and the effect would be nearly the same.

Running on a 60V system, this four-person electric bike-car seems to have a pretty powerful setup. And with a 32 Ah battery packing just shy of 2 kWh, the thing even gets a reported range of 80 km (50 miles). The battery is an old-fashioned lead acid pack, unfortunately. But that’s nothing a few hundred bucks and a few minutes on Amazon can’t solve. While you’re at it, might as well grab some cheap solar panels to throw on top too!

There’s even a hidden feature to this fun-mobile. I thought this was just a four-person e-bike, but there are actually two kiddie seats up front to stash another couple tiny passengers. I have to question the placement of those seats, though. Positioned directly in front of the driver, they seem to do double duty by ensuring the flailing toddlers obstruct the driver’s vision as much as possible, then serving as the most poorly thought-out crumple zone ever during the inevitable crash they cause.

But the baby bumper up front isn’t the only safety feature found on this thing. You also get some old-timey headlights and not one but two brakes! Both rear wheels feature drum brakes, which are hopefully enough to bring this 190 kg (419 lb) careening family wagon to a halt.

What did I tell you? The perfect family vehicle!

Alright, so maybe it’s not the best way to bring the kids to school. But it would certainly be one of the most unique.

And while you’re killing time waiting for school to end, you’ve got a whole new career on your hands renting out your wheels to tourists on vacation. This thing practically pays for itself. Which is good, because you’ll have to fork over $2,145 for the contraption. Though as I learned when I bought a mini electric truck on Alibaba, you should expect several more charges along the way before it finally arrives at your door.

Despite having bought a few of my weird Alibaba finds in the past, I’m going to have to sit this one out. But if anyone does decide to pull the trigger on a four-person electric bike, I call shotgun!


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Kelly Rowland responds to row with female security guard on Cannes Film Festival red carpet

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Kelly Rowland responds to row with female security guard on Cannes Film Festival red carpet

Kelly Rowland says she was treated differently to other women on the Cannes red carpet, and an apparent dispute with a female security guard came about after she “stood her ground”.

A viral video shows the former Destiny’s Child star entering into what looked like a heated debate with a member of security staff while walking up the stairs to the theatre at the premiere of the film Marcello Mio.

Rowland on the red carpet ahead of the altercation. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Rowland on the red carpet ahead of the altercation. Pic: Reuters

Rowland went on to speak about the incident at the amfAR gala in Cannes, which saw Hollywood A-listers Demi Moore and Cher among the stars supporting fundraising for AIDS research.

The 43-year-old singer said other women attended the event “who did not quite look like me and they didn’t get scolded or pushed off or told to get off”.

The apparent altercation happened while posing for pictures in a strapless red gown at the premiere on Tuesday evening.

The video shows the security guard holding up her arms to guide 43-year-old Rowland up the steps as she is waving and having her picture taken, at which point Rowland points her finger at the staff member and appears upset.

The dispute carries on up the stairs, with Rowland turning around to direct a comment to the guard before entering the building.

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It all took place in front of a crowd of fans who watched the incident unfold.

Speaking at the amfAR gala on Thursday, Rowland said: “The woman knows what happened. I know what happened. And, I have a boundary. And I stand by those boundaries and that is it.

“There were other women who attended that carpet, who did not quite look like me, and they didn’t get scolded or pushed off or told to get off.

“I stood my ground. And she felt she had to stand hers, but I stood my ground and that was it.”

Sky News has approached Rowland and the Cannes Film Festival for comment.

Rowland hit the headlines earlier this year after she reportedly walked off the Today show in the US.

Speculation over her exit has never been confirmed.

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P Diddy: New sexual assault allegations filed against rapper Sean Combs

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P Diddy: New sexual assault allegations filed against rapper Sean Combs

A former fashion student has accused rapper P Diddy of sexually assaulting her more than 20 years ago when she was a fashion student in New York City.

April Lampros, who is now 51, filed a claim at the Supreme Court of New York County on Thursday, according to NBC, Sky News’s sister outlet in the United States.

She claims the musician – whose real name is Sean Combs – sexually assaulted her on four occasions between 1995 and the early 2000s, including once when she was forced to take ecstasy and have sex with Combs’ former girlfriend Kim Porter.

Porter died in 2018 of pneumonia.

Ms Lampros also claims that years after she severed ties with Combs, 54, she learned he was alleged to have recorded them having sex without her knowledge and showed the recording to others.

It comes just days after CCTV video footage emerged showing Combs attacking his ex-partner Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016.

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‘Diddy’ apologises after assault video

The rapper responded to the video saying he was “truly sorry,” and was “disgusted” by his “inexcusable” behaviour.

Before the video emerged, Combs had denied all allegations of abuse and wrongdoing. He had previously called Cassie’s allegations sickening.

Many celebrities hit out at his behaviour, with actress and model Emily Ratajkowski calling him a “monster”.

Pic: CNN via AP
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Combs has since called his behaviour in the video ‘disgusting’. Pic: CNN via AP

Pic: CNN via AP
Image:
Pic: CNN via AP

Ventura has since thanked people for “the outpouring of love”, adding that “domestic violence… broke me down to someone I never thought I would become“.

Combs cannot be prosecuted for his actions in the hotel video as they took place too long ago.

Ms Lampros – who is suing Combs over allegations of battery, sexual assault, infliction of emotional distress and gender-motivated violence – is the sixth woman to detail assault allegations against Combs in a lawsuit.

On Tuesday, a former model filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her at his New York City recording studio in 2003 after they met at a Men’s Fashion Week event.

Sean Combs and Cassie in 2017. Pic: PA
Image:
Sean Combs and Cassie in 2017. Pic: PA

Crystal McKinney, who was 22 at the time of the alleged attack, said she smoked marijuana with Combs, which she “later came to understand” was laced with a narcotic or intoxicating substance.

She said she was sexually assaulted by Combs in the bathroom, before losing consciousness and later waking up in a taxi and realised she had been sexually assaulted.

In March, his homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by Homeland Security as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation by federal authorities in New York.

Read more on Sky News:
Police officer who arrested world number one golfer is disciplined
Sean Kingston’s home raided – as his mother arrested

Sean Comb's home raided by federal law enforcement.
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Combs’ home was raided by federal law enforcement


In April, Combs was named in a lawsuit that alleges his son sexually assaulted a woman working on a yacht chartered by his father.

Ventura, who began dating Combs a few years after meeting him in 2005, and split with him in 2019, sued him in November, alleging she was trafficked, raped, plied with drugs and beaten by Combs over a 10-year period.

The lawsuit claimed he forced her to have sex with male sex workers while he filmed them. The case was settled the day after it was filed.

Combs – who has never been formally charged – denies all charges against him.

Sky News has contacted the rapper for comment.

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Morgan Spurlock: Super Size Me documentary maker, who ate only McDonald’s for a month, dies aged 53

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Morgan Spurlock: Super Size Me documentary maker, who ate only McDonald's for a month, dies aged 53

Documentary maker Morgan Spurlock, who famously ate only at McDonald’s for a month in Super Size Me, has died.

Spurlock died from complications of cancer at the age of 53 in New York, his family confirmed in a statement.

Craig Spurlock, the filmmaker’s brother, said: “Morgan gave so much through his art, ideas, and generosity.

“The world has lost a true creative genius and a special man. I am so proud to have worked together with him.”

Morgan Spurlock. Pic: Pia Torelli/Sipa/Shutterstock
Image:
Morgan Spurlock. Pic: Pia Torelli/Sipa/Shutterstock

Born on 7 November 1970, Spurlock started off his career as a playwright before creating I Bet You Will – an internet series where members of the public would take part in stunts for cash.

The 2002 webcasts, which saw some dared to eat a full jar of mayonnaise for $235 or take a shot of cod liver oil, were eventually bought by MTV.

Spurlock rose to fame with his 2004 documentary Super Size Me, where he exclusively ate at McDonald’s for 30 days to investigate the rise of obesity in the US.

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He ate an average of 5,000 calories a day, always took a “super-size” meal if offered and exercised less to match the average American’s physical activity at the time.

By the end of his experiment, he claimed he put on 25lbs (11.3kg) and started suffering from depression and liver dysfunction.

Spurlock’s documentary grossed $22million in the global box office and was nominated for an Oscar.

It also prompted McDonald’s to stop offering its “super-size” option in 2004.

However the film’s findings were called into question as Spurlock refused to share his meal logs. He also later admitted to alcohol abuse in 2017, which other documentary makers said explained his liver issues and poor mental health.

In 2019, Spurlock released his second expose against the fast-food industry with Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!

The documentary sees him open his own restaurant and “become part of the problem” while tackling claims of healthy meals at big chain restaurants.

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