Latest news with #Rad
Cision Canada
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Rad Power Bikes Unveils the Next Generation of its RadRunner Family
Stronger, safer, and smarter than ever. With longer range, increased hauling power, and next-level safety upgrades, these bikes do more so riders can, too. SEATTLE, April 30, 2025 /CNW/ -- Rad Power Bikes ™ today unveiled three all-purpose cargo ebikes that represent the next generation for the fan-favorite RadRunner lineup: the all-new RadRunner, RadRunner Plus, and RadRunner Max. Since the first Rad ebike was built in a Northern California garage in 2005, Rad Power Bikes has been at the forefront of electric bike innovation. This refreshed RadRunner lineup builds on Rad's legacy of providing riders with ebikes that blend safety, versatility, and accessibility, with thoughtful enhancements for improved rides. In addition to the three new cargo ebikes, Rad is also launching the highly anticipated RadRunner Range Extender. Prioritizing accessibility and safety, each model is engineered to meet a range of lifestyles and transportation needs. The journey begins with the RadRunner, the original versatile utility ebike with a compact frame that now includes modern upgrades to better serve today's riders. The RadRunner Plus, initially launched in 2020 as a limited edition, proved so popular that it earned a permanent place in our lineup. It will now be available in a sleek matte black colorway with enhancements that make it the ultimate dual-rider ebike. And at the top of the range, the RadRunner 3 Plus has been reimagined as the RadRunner Max, featuring Rad's most advanced technology and premium components. Each RadRunner comes with upgrades that elevate the riding experience. The full lineup includes: Rad's Safe Shield ™ Batteries: These industry-leading batteries are more durable and powerful, and feature thermal-resistant technology for an extra layer of safety. Built with high-grade lithium-ion cells and certified to UL 2271, the Safe Shield batteries exceed industry standards by incorporating a unique heat-absorbing resin that protects against corrosion and overheating. Increased Payload: Haul heavier loads with ease. Whether it's groceries, gear, or a passenger, the RadRunners are built to handle it all, making them the perfect cargo ebikes for everyday tasks like school drop-offs, shopping runs, or weekend adventures. All-Terrain Tires: Standard-sized tires with a Rad-designed tread tackle any surface, whether it's pavement, gravel, or dirt trails. IPX6 Weather Protection: Ingress Protection Rating 6 (IPX6) means the ebike can withstand high-pressure water, and you can ride confidently, rain or shine, with an ebike built and tested to handle the elements. But, don't forget to check your manual for post-wet weather riding maintenance to keep your ebike riding optimally. Hydraulic Disc Brakes: Enjoy smoother, faster stops for a safer and more responsive ride. Passcode Protection: Keep your ebike secure with features that deter theft and give you peace of mind. Service Reminders: Stay on top of tune-ups with personalized service reminders. The RadRunner This Class 2, single-speed ebike stays true to the core RadRunner design, preserving the simple, easy-to-use form factor that riders know and trust. This upgraded electric cargo ebike features a 750-watt motor (U.S.), an improved 320 lb. payload, 65Nm of torque, and a range of 55+ miles per charge. The RadRunner Plus This Class 2 passenger-ready ebike lets you load up the rear rack with up to 120 lb., whether that's a guest or cargo. The RadRunner Plus features a passenger seat, retractable footpegs, and a protective wheel skirt to safeguard against grit and grime. Riders can count on 70Nm of torque to tackle hills, a suspension fork for bumpy terrain, and Range Extender capability for longer rides. The RadRunner Max Rad maximized the features on this Class 1-3 ebike with a 28mph top speed and 60+ miles of range on a single charge. The RadRunner Max's torque sensor summons power instantly and intuitively, and it's fine-tuned with RideLogic tech to replicate the smooth, responsive feel of accelerating in a car, minus the emissions. For the tech-savvy, a digital key allows you to unlock and ride simply by walking up with your phone in your pocket. Plus, a new radar feature alerts you to approaching vehicles and other riders right on the display. The RadRunner Max also works with Apple ® Find My ® offering a seamless, easy, and secure way for riders to locate the ebike in the unfortunate event it goes missing. Once the RadRunner Max is paired with the Find My app, the ebike can be located using Find My on iPhone ®, iPad ®, or Mac ®, and in the Find Items app on Apple Watch ®. "I've been energized by the opportunity to build on Rad's strong foundation and connect even more people to the power of ebikes. The new RadRunner lineup is all about giving riders more versatility, more comfort, and more confidence," said Kathi Lentzsch, CEO of Rad Power Bikes. "Just like these new models offer options to match different riding needs, we're continuing to provide riders with flexible ways to find the right ebike for them, whether that's online, in one of our RadRetail stores, or through our growing network of retail partners across the country." Rad Power Bikes offers test rides and in-store support at its RadRetail locations or retail partners, ensuring that customers can find the right ebike for their needs, whether commuting or adventuring. For more information on the RadRunner lineup, visit here. Pricing and Availability: Longtime Rad Riders will notice that the introductory MSRPs are nearly identical to those of the model's predecessors. "Since joining Rad, one thing has been clear: our unwavering commitment to delivering value to riders through exceptional products, reliable service and support, and seamless buying experiences. With these new models, we're honoring that commitment. While pricing may change in the future as tariff policy remains uncertain, we're introducing the RadRunners at a level that reflects the innovation, accessibility, and quality riders expect from us," said Lentzsch. Apple, Apple Watch, watchOS, iPad, iPadOS, Mac, and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license. About Rad Power Bikes Rad Power Bikes boasts a full lineup of affordable ebikes and accessories that are changing the way people and products ride for good. Founded in 2007, Rad's team of passionate ebike enthusiasts creates products and service solutions that are purpose-built for everything, whether for commuting, adventuring, delivery, or hauling kids. The ebikes and accessories are all designed in-house at its Seattle headquarters. The company serves riders across the U.S. and Canada, and has nine RadRetail locations, and more than 1,200 retail and service partners across North America. Recognized by TIME, Fast Company, and Inc. as one of the most innovative and influential companies, Rad Power Bikes is on a mission to build a world where transportation is energy-efficient, enjoyable, and accessible to all.
CBC
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
The Shrouds is David Cronenberg's most emotional film yet
Social Sharing Would you let your grief lead you six feet under? That's one of the themes Canadian director David Cronenberg explores in his latest film, The Shrouds. Starring Vincent Cassel, the movie follows a man who has invented a technology that allows him to monitor his wife's corpse while it decomposes in its grave, as a way to continue to feel close to her. Today on Commotion, film critics Rad Simonpillai, Rachel Ho and Kyle Buchanan join guest host Amil Niazi to discuss the Canadian horror-master's deeply personal and oddly poignant new film. We've included some highlights below, edited for length and clarity. For the full discussion about the film, as well as a peculiar new rule being enforced by the Oscars, and the media coverage around Ryan Coogler's Sinners, listen and follow Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud on your favourite podcast player. WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube: Amil: Rad, it's not like [David Cronenberg] is a guy known for his rom-coms, right? But even by Cronenberg's standards … this is gruesome and grisly stuff. The most important question, did you like it? Rad: I really did. I think it's his best movie in about two decades, mainly because it is probably the most emotional movie he's ever made. I think what he's doing here is he's updating his themes, right? Cronenberg is not someone who rests on his laurels. He's not just the body horror guy that just gives you something grotesque. He's always evolving what he is doing and asking new questions and exploring new fears. In this case, he's exploring our current fears of technology in terms of AI and the internet and how, if your dead wife is now in the ether, how does that become a threat? So he's exploring a lot of the same fears, but this time in a really emotional and sentimental way that actually wrecked me. Amil: Rachel, you've heard how emotional Rad is saying this movie is. I read that the story is rooted in his own grieving for his wife, Carolyn, who passed in 2017…. I heard that you didn't really like it that much at first, so how did that personal narrative affect your viewing? Rachel: It changed a lot. I mean, you're right. When I first saw it at TIFF last year, I wasn't a big fan. I thought it's a bit messy. It's illogical. It just didn't quite come together for me, quite frankly. It felt more like someone doing almost an impression of a Cronenberg movie than an actual Cronenberg movie. But I kind of took a step back — and I actually have Rad to thank for it, because I spoke to him about the movie during TIFF — and I thought about it a little bit more in terms of how it relates to Cronenberg, specifically. I try not to read too much into what's going on in a director's life. I feel like sometimes you can run into the trap of maybe overreaching a little bit, projecting your own thoughts and your own feelings, what you would do in their situation. But I feel like with Cronenberg, he's one of those directors that you have to take his personal life into account when you look at his film. The Brood is probably the best example of that, of him taking something distinctly personal and imprinting it onto his own films. Not every director is like that, obviously; if you look at a Michael Bay movie, I don't think car chases and big explosions are a big part of his life, but … maybe they do. Who knows. But I think with Cronenberg, you have to take his personal life into account. And if I think about grieving over a spouse who's passed away, and you've been together for so long, it is going to be messy. It is going to be illogical. And sometimes it doesn't make sense in the things that happen. So I appreciate the film a lot more now when I do take into account what was going on with Cronenberg when he wrote the film. WATCH | Official trailer for The Shrouds: Amil: Kyle, you talked to him for the New York Times. I'm curious what he told you about that personal relationship and how he put that personal story into the movie. Kyle: Well, even the excerpt from the film [trailer] where Vincent Cassel's character wanted to be in that coffin with his wife as she was lowered into the ground — that is a genuine urge that Cronenberg had. When he had that urge, he didn't think that he was going to make a movie about it. He honestly did not think that he would go on to make any more movies at that point, because his wife was his longtime collaborator. He wasn't sure that he would even be physically, emotionally, mentally up to it after she passed. So this is a very personal movie. And even though it seems so extreme, the idea of monitoring your spouse's corpse as it decays (and very Cronenberg-ian), I think it's a naturally grotesque extrapolation of the role that the dead have in our lives now. I was thinking about it the other day, that it used to be if you wanted to conjure up some sort of audio-visual experience of people who've passed, you had old pictures. You had old letters. Then eventually, it was friends who would save voicemails from the dead so they could hear that voice again. At this point now, though, we have so much to go off of. We have Instagram profiles. We have text messages. We have countless videos of a person. So, where do you go from there? Cronenberg takes it to a very perverse end of having a camera in the coffin. There's also a character that offers our protagonist the dental records, the dental X-rays of his dead wife, which seems so ludicrous. And yet, if you're grieving to that degree, wouldn't you want everything you could get your hands on?
Newsweek
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Parents Read to 14-Month-Old Since Birth: What Happens Next Shocks Viewers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A 14-month-old from New Zealand has shocked viewers for her outstanding reading skills in her own language. In a clip on TikTok, little Eliana is sat with a book in her lap, her tone rising and falling as she reads aloud to her parents in what her mom calls "Gibberish." Her mom, Carrie Rad (@carrierad) who posted the video, told Newsweek that she had always imagined reading to her children. From left: Eliana the 14-month-old baby holds a book in her lap and turns pages. From left: Eliana the 14-month-old baby holds a book in her lap and turns pages. @carrierad "When our daughter was born, I couldn't wait to read to her, so we started right away," the 36-year-old said. Reading together with Eliana's father Alexander Ayling soon became a family activity very early on and one that has stuck. "Now, Eliana reads back to us in her own little language," Rad said. Rad's clip became viral in a matter of days, amassing more than 4.7 million views since it was posted on April 20—and viewers are captivated. Thousands of other TikTok users have commented, including educators, librarians and fellow parents praising Eliana's natural rhythm and intonation. "As a reading instructor, you have no idea how far along she already is," one user wrote. Another posted that Eliana was demonstrating her skills of prosody—the patterns of stress and intonation in a language. "Skills for reading begin way before starting school at age 5. Good job mama!" they said. "They've pointed out how incredible it is that she mimics the rhythm and tone of reading, even before she's speaking full words," Rad told Newsweek. "It's been so heartwarming to see people in the field recognize and celebrate what we're doing as a family—creating a joyful, connected relationship with books from the very beginning." Rad added that Eliana's preference has always been books, despite the potential distractions from toys. Rad said: "When she was younger, she would chew on them and rip pages, but as she grew, she started flipping through the pages, opening and closing the books, and making sounds while doing so. It became obvious she was imitating how we read to her." In the mornings when Rad and Ayling are having their coffee, Eliana grabs her bottle and heads to the bookshelf. Eliana's current favorite read is Birds of New Zealand, but Rad said that her daughter is not fussy, exploring everything from poetry to novels. "She's not reading at that level yet, of course, but she flips through them all and pretends to read, sometimes for hours," Rad said. "She's either outside in nature or at the bookshelf."
CBC
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
A Nice Indian Boy is a warm, hilarious new romantic comedy
A Nice Indian Boy is a new romantic comedy that combines the intergenerational laughs of a My Big Fat Greek Wedding with a Bollywood romance. The film from Canadian filmmaker Roshan Sethi follows an introvert named Naveen (played by Karan Soni) as he struggles to introduce his Indian family to his boyfriend Jay (played by Jonathan Groff), who happens to be a white man raised by Indian parents. Today on Commotion, culture writers Jovanté Anderson and Siddhant Adlakha, as well as author Jael Richardson join guest host Rad Simonpillai to talk about how the rom-com is flipping the genre's tropes for the better. We've included some highlights below, edited for length and clarity. For the full show, including a review of Viola Davis's new action thriller G20 and a discussion on the drama between The White Lotus's creator and its theme song's composer, listen and follow Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud on your favourite podcast player. WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube: Rad: Siddhant, you loved this movie. In your review for Mashable, you wrote, "Rarely has a rom-com been this simultaneously hysterical and touching." What'd you mean by that? Siddhant: I think the strength of a movie like this is the way it both builds on what's come before it while also doing something new…. [ A Nice Indian Boy ] uses the traditions of Hindi romantic cinema to tell a story that you don't normally get to see in that format, which is about two guys and one of them is white. And so culturally, it's trying to do a whole different thing while still staying rooted in the traditions of a lot of Indian romance — characters trying to both break out of existing molds and traditions, while still holding onto their culture and the things that make them who they are. It's about love, and individuality and all these things, but it's also about family…. A lot of South Asian films made in Canada and the U.S. have the same sort of war between first-gen kids who want to do their own thing, and be their own individuals and leave their close-minded parents behind. But this, I think, strikes a delightful balance between the two. Rad: I think what struck me about this movie is that it is following that same dynamic that we see in, like, Bend It Like Beckham in terms of that generational tension, but this one had a little more generosity, I think, towards the parents. And also more criticism towards our generation, where we're not necessarily giving our parents a chance; we are as guilty as they are of not trying to see the nuances of that existence. Jovanté, what do you take away from A Nice Indian Boy? Jovanté: I really like the description of it as "hysterical" because I couldn't stop laughing. I had a lot of fun watching it, and I also thought that it's warm even to the very end…. I do wonder if it could have given a little bit more credit to immigrant cultures, because it does feel sometimes that it fell into this trope of the kind of backward — as much as they're trying, right? — the parents who don't know much about sexuality, and have to gain a pedagogy of sexuality through this other culture that they are now a part of…. I do think that this well-worn trope of the immigrant cultures who know nothing about sexuality, who come to the U.S., then learn about what it means to be gay through things like OUTtv — I think that the film could have played with that trope. Especially since, as Siddhant is saying, there were moments where you could see it leaning into thinking about what a rom-com could look like from a Bollywood perspective. Rad: Jael, what do you make of what Jovanté's saying there? Jael: I don't know if I fully agree…. You also see these really great ways where [the parents] are trying to understand. They're being very open. Being aware of queer culture is one part, I think, but having a queer family member is a whole different thing. And I think they're really trying to figure out, how do we bridge that? How do we make it not just that we're OK with this, but that we are right behind you, as supportive as we are with the daughter who is going through relationship issues of her own? So I really liked the way they handled that nuance…. My favourite thing was that Jay, the partner, is white, but he's been raised by this South Asian family. And I love the idea that we're flipping the transracial adoption trope on its head, and that we are seeing the South Asian family adopting this white child. I am a Black mom, my partner's Black, and we have a white daughter. And so I think seeing this enacted for me was really fun because … we're used to transracial adoption, but we're not used to it in this way. And I loved the way that provided a nuance…. I thought they took things we expect to see and things we're used to seeing, and pushed them in new directions. Seeing the dad watching queer TV to understand his son more, and then watching it with both of them there, I think are some moments that are really funny, and also help us push the conversation a little bit further than I've seen it done in films before.
CBC
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Why are there so many controversies around Snow White?
Social Sharing Disney released its live-action remake of Snow White today. This iteration of the beloved classic has been mired in controversies since the announcement of the film, from its casting and depiction of little people, to casting Rachel Zegler as Snow White, to the politics of both Zegler and her evil stepmother co-star, Gal Gadot. Today on Commotion, culture critics Cristina Escobar and Adam Nayman join guest host Rad Simonpillai to break down the controversies and give their opinion on the merit of the film itself. We've included some highlights below, edited for length and clarity. For the full discussion, listen and follow Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud on your favourite podcast player. WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube: Rad: Even before the reviews started rolling in, this movie has been weighed down by so much controversy. And really, it began with just casting Rachel Zegler as Snow White because she is of Colombian descent on her mother's side. And of course, there's been a lot of racist voices online that took issue with that. Cristina, what did you take away from that conversation around her casting? Cristina: So first of all, obviously there's a pattern, where Disney does these live-action remakes, they put women of colour in the star roles, and then they leave them up there to fry. more or less. They do not provide additional support, they don't back up their actresses, and we've seen this for a long, long time in their studio, down to the original release of Star Wars and [Kelly Marie] Tran, she got a ton of hate. Mark Hamill spoke up for her, but Disney didn't say anything. And so this is their pattern. What I believe they're trying to do is have their cake and eat it too. They want to appeal to younger audiences who are more diverse, who want to see people of colour in roles — and that's a proven recipe for success at the box office, as we see in the UCLA [Hollywood] Diversity Report. So we know that that works. But they also don't want to anger these loud, vocal minority of racist folks who are offended by women of colour stepping into these roles. And so then they don't say anything. And it creates this truly unfair situation for, often, the young women who are taking these roles. And also sets up a very frustrating cultural conversation where no matter what pinnacle you get to, no matter how far you go — I mean, you're starring in Snow White, the film that launched Walt Disney — the studio is not going to protect you. You are on your own as a Latina, as a Black woman, as an Asian woman. And that sucks. Rad: [This is] bringing up a tension we keep seeing every time Disney does these live-action remakes because they're trying to harness the fantasies of these 90-year-old, 50-year-old properties and update them to a modern world. But the tension is in harnessing the fantasies and the progressive values they then try to project onto them. How is that tension playing out in this movie? Adam: The tension is playing out in a way that's completely incoherent. Because you want to replicate the texture, you want to copy the costumes, you want to take some of the songs, you want to add worse songs to the good old songs. You want to hide and disguise yourself in the iconography of that 90-year-old movie, which is absolutely subject to critique — not just for 80 years, for hundreds of years, people have been critiquing the sexual politics and the implications of these fairy tales. But again, I agree with what was said. Disney wants to have it both ways. But also in addressing this within the movie, because it's such a broken movie, there's nothing rousing or compelling about the Snow White character. Rachel Zegler's social media is more compelling than the character she plays within the movie. The movie doesn't manifest as any kind of coherent statement about fascism or power or resistance or femininity or anything, because as a movie, it's sort of a mess. So the movie becomes a battleground or becomes a talking point, whereas the movie itself is probably going to be seen mostly by kids who are under the age of 10, who are going to be outside of the context of all this stuff. I don't know if this is going to affect its box office, or even if box office matters when Disney Plus is so much about streaming. But I will say, looking at $250 million being spent on something that is just that poor and that it's just constantly business as usual for a company that has no aspirations towards "art." This is very depressing.
