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STV News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Josh Taylor bid to become two-weight world champion hit by loss
Josh Taylor's quest to become a two-weight world champion hit an instant speed bump with defeat to Ekow Essuman at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow. The 34-year-old former undisputed junior welterweight champion lost his previous two bouts to Jack Catterall and Teofimo Lopez before making the decision to move up to 147lbs. Taylor's debut at welterweight came against the wily 36-year-old WBO European champion and although the Prestonpans fighter started brightly, he was slowly subdued and ground down by Essuman who won unanimously, the judges scoring 116-113, 116-112 and 115-112. Up for grabs was the vacant WBO Global Welterweight Championship and the Glasgow arena rocked with enthusiasm at the first bell. Botswana-born Essuman, who fights out of Nottingham, was immediately stalked by the Scotsman and a left hand found the target to further cheers from the supportive home crowd. Taylor kept on the front foot, his jab controlling the distance but he was put under pressure for a spell in the third round as Essuman showed his wares for the first time which had the crowd gasping in some surprise. Taylor was soon back in the ascendancy and several more lefts got through the guard. Essuman was sent against the ropes by a swift Taylor attack but he instantly responded with powerful shots which had the Scot reeling against the ropes. Round five saw grappling between the two fighters for the first time really while Essuman appeared to be growing in confidence and belief, a sturdy right hand catching his opponent while backed against the ropes. It was Taylor's turn to backpedal as Essuman moved forward slowly with menace and notably the crowd had quietened. Essuman continued to work diligently on Taylor, who looked to be slowing down, certainly lacking the earlier zip and his left eye looked to have opened up from a clash of heads. By round eight, Taylor's fans realised he was in a real tough encounter. Essuman, remaining calm and calculated with his defence on point, was finding gaps in Taylor's defence, especially with his ramrod right hand, which landed again in the ninth round and in the next round the Prestonpans boxer again found himself on the ropes taking some brief punishment. The crowd tried to rally Taylor but it was Essuman who finished the round with another flurry. The 11th round brought a couple of combinations from Essuman with Taylor dancing away to safety but the Nottingham fighter certainly seemed to finish the bout stronger to send the Scotsman back to the drawing board. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
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First Post
22-05-2025
- First Post
Asus Expertbook P and ROG Series Laptops in India - A quick overview of their 2025 lineup
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, they say. So we have got something for work as well as play; rather Asus has with their new Expertbook P and ROG lineup of laptops. Don't think they meant PC gaming by 'play' when that phrase was coined, but we will just stick with its modern interpretation in the current times. The ROG (Republic of Gamers) series is quite popular and somewhat defines Asus' image in the portable computing category. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Expertbook series is relatively lesser known and is projected as business laptops Their Expertbook series is relatively lesser known and is projected as business laptops. Needless to say, that's where the 'work' part comes in. In the past couple of weeks, Asus unveiled their 2025 lineup in both the series, and we got a chance to briefly get our hands on most of the models. It's time to introduce you to the latest from the company, from the sleek Expertbook P1 to the muscular ROG Strix Scar, all the way to the unique and versatile ROG Flow 13. Expertbook P1 Asus Expertbook P: Design, Specifications, Price in India Expertbook P series is a business laptops lineup, which are basically sturdy, more portable and reasonably powerful laptops As I mentioned, the Expertbook P series is a business laptops lineup, which are basically sturdy, more portable and reasonably powerful laptops for on-the-go work needs. Within that you get the P1, P3 and P5 variants. We will talk about the P1 in more detail shortly, but a quick word on the other two before that. Broadly speaking, the P3 is a slimmer yet sturdier variant of the P1 with US MIL-STD 810H military-grade ruggedness. The Expertbook P1 keyboard The P5 series laptops boast of AI capabilities with the use of Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 CPUs along with LPDDR5X RAM. They also get a 144 Hz refresh rate display and a higher capacity battery. They are the slimmest and lightest of the lot, weighing less than 1.3 kg with battery, without compromising on sturdiness (US MIL-STD 810H). Needless to say, they are the premium-most in terms of design and pricing both. All laptops featured in this article run Windows 11. We got our hands on an Asus Expertbook P1 (P1403CVA) laptop for a few days and our experience was largely positive. The metallic grey matte finish looks elegant and the model name on a brushed metal strip on the flap looks classy. Thanks to a 14-inch IPS-grade panel, the size of the machine was just right and so was the weight, which was just a shade over 1.4 kg with battery. The thickness is also under 2 cm and doesn't look bulky at all. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking of the display, you get a Full HD value-IPS panel with anti-glare coating, 300 nits peak brightness and 60 Hz refresh rate. The display is bright enough with good colour reproduction and viewing angles. We wouldn't call the colour accuracy good enough for graphics professionals but other users may find no reason to complain. Yes, a higher refresh rate would have been ideal, but given the starting price of this series, one can live with 60 Hz. You get a choice of 13th generation Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 CPUs for the Asus Expertbook P1. Our unit had a Core i7 13620H processor with 16 GB DDR5 5200 MHz RAM. You get either 512 GB or 1 TB SSD storage options and there are two M.2 slots to add extra NVMe storage. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics chip gets the job done when using office apps like Word, Excel, Powerpoint or their counterparts from other developers, and it's good enough for day to day tasks like browsing, email and watching videos. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Connectivity options are pretty good for a compact laptop, starting with two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports with power delivery (one can use USB-C chargers with them), an HDMI 1.4 port, a 3.5 mm audio jack, one RJ45 LAN port and a Kensington lock. The laptop also supports dual-band WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.4. It is fitted with a 50 Wh 3-cell Lithium Polymer battery and a 65W fast charger is bundled along. Things were quite smooth when using the laptop for streaming videos or browsing the internet with more than a dozen tabs open, or simply doing my usual work that mainly involves writing and basic image editing. All in all, we quite liked what the Asus Expertbook P1 offered overall. The P1 can be purchased starting from Rs 39,990 for the Intel Core i3 variant, while the Expertbook P3 and P5 start at Rs 64,990 and Rs 94,990 respectively. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the Expertbook series laptops have excellent portability and sufficient processing power, neither of them are meant for serious gaming. If that's what you are looking for, jump to the next section. Asus ROG 2025 lineup: Design, Specifications, Price in India The ROG Zephyrus G14 has a sturdy back The Asus ROG sub-brand needs no introduction, especially for the gamer community. Yet, we will introduce you to the latest ROG laptops to be sold in India in 2025. We only got to spend a few minutes with them and hence we will keep things brief for now. Asus' new gaming machines include the ROG Strix Scar 16/18, ROG Strix G16, ROG Zephyrus G16 / G14 and the innovative ROG Flow Z13 to deliver performance and portability for gamers and content creators. Each of them boasts eye-catching design, top-tier hardware, excellent displays and AI capabilities. ROG Flow Z13 The flagship Strix Scar laptop is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, up to 64 GB DDR5 RAM and up to 2 TB SSD. Advanced cooling with a vapor chamber and Tri-Fan Tech ensures sustained performance with minimal heat. It has a 240 Hz WQXGA Mini-LED ROG Nebula HDR display with 3ms response and 1200 nits brightness. It also offers a new tool-less design with SSD Q-latch for easy upgrades that users can do on their own. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ROG Strix The AniMe Vision LED lid and 360-degree RGB lightbar add to the cool quotient. The ROG Strix Scar 16 and 18 laptops will be available starting at Rs 379,990 and Rs 449,990 respectively. The ROG Strix G16 has a relatively minimalistic design and is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX coupled with 32 GB DDR5 RAM, 1 TB SSD and NVIDIA RTX 5070Ti GPU. It has a 16-inch 2.5K ROG Nebula display with 240 Hz refresh rate. This gaming laptop too has the tool-less design with SSD Q-latch for easy upgrades, along with RGB accents and vapor chamber cooling. The Strix G16 (2025) will be made available with the RTX 5080 GPU too but in limited quantities. The pricing starts at Rs 259,990. The ROG Strix G16 has a relatively minimalistic design The Zephyrus series is mainly targeted at content creators but has ample gaming capabilities. These laptops look the classiest of the lot, especially the G14 that offers the ultimate combination of compactness and power. The Zephyrus G14 features an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, with up to 32 GB RAM and NVIDIA RTX 5070Ti GPU, ideal for AI-driven tasks and 4K content creation. Weighing 1.57 kg, it sports a 14-inch 3K OLED Nebula Display with 120 Hz refresh and factory-calibrated colors for creators looking for a capable machine in a small form factor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ROG Zephyrus G14 The Zephyrus G16 is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H CPU with up to 32 GB RAM and NVIDIA RTX 5080 GPU. Its 16-inch 2.5K OLED screen offers a 240 Hz refresh rate, 0.2 ms response time and superior contrast which is ideal for content creation and gaming. The Zephyrus G14 can be purchased starting at Rs 279,990, while the G16 can set you back by at least Rs 359,990. Last but arguably the most interesting product of the lot, the ROG Flow Z13 is a 2-in-1 gaming machine that combines the power of a laptop and the portability of a tablet, and can be used as either. It is powered by an AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 processor with 50 TOPs AINPU performance, 32 GB LPDDR5X unified RAM running in quad-channel configuration and comes with 1 TB SSD storage. The ROG Flow Z13 is a 2-in-1 gaming machine It has a 13.4-inch 2.5K ROG Nebula touchscreen display with 180 Hz refresh rate and 3 ms response time. A 170-degree kickstand, detachable RGB keyboard, and advanced cooling courtesy of a redesigned vapor chamber and dual 2nd Gen Arc Flow fans make it a great option for creators and gamers on the move. The new ROG Flow Z13 is priced at Rs 199,990 in India. We will look to dive deeper into some of these ROG models once we get them for review. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Debenhams reduces summer BBQ that cooks food 'perfectly every time'
Having a 'reliable' barbecue to 'cook up a storm' this summer will help make the most of any glorious weather If you're planning to have any gatherings this summer, a good grill will be essential to perfectly cook burgers, hot dogs, and more. And one of Debenhams' top-selling barbeques has been given a huge discount, making now a great time to invest in one. The OUTSUNNY Gas BBQ Grill has plenty of cooking space, making it ideal for hosting your friends and family. The online description of the appliance on Debenhams' website claims the BBQ is "great for outdoor parties". There are a few size options available online - the four-ring version (£199.99), the slightly smaller three-ring (£179.99) or the bigger six-ring version (£249.99). All have similar features, including a generous grill surface and a handy side hob for whipping up side dishes, and every appliance is currently a third off its usual price. The gas-powered appliance delivers even heat, making sure your meals come out "perfectly cooked every time." Even a novice griller should be able to understand the "easy-to-read lid-mounted thermometer," so you don't have to gamble on whether your food is cooked properly. With the built-in wheels, it should be easy to move about the garden wherever you want to grill your burgers or store your barbecue when not in use. Both models have closable lids, too, allowing food to lock in that "signature smoky barbecue flavour". You should also be able to keep all of your grilling essentials within close reach. The 'convenient' side tabletop and lower cupboard offer some added storage space. There are plenty of barbecue deals available elsewhere, too. Many Brits will want to buy early and make the most of the sunny weather that's due to hit within days. You could get this GoodHome Powell Black 4 burner Gas BBQ from B&Q for £200. The hardware store also sells a stainless steel version for £250. Argos also has a 4-Burner with Side Burner Gas BBQ for sale online at £145 that can be marked for home delivery or reserved to pick up via click and collect. Until July 25, shoppers could save 10% on selected barbecue covers with Argos to protect your grill from the unpredictable elements. Plenty of Debenhams shoppers have posted glowing five-star reviews about the OUTSUNNY Gas BBQ Grill to help others make their minds up about this outdoor appliance. One said: "Brilliant barbecue! [It] was up and running in just under an hour. Very sturdy and works like a charm!" Another added: "This is a great BBQ, we use it all the time! A bit complex to put together, but once it is up, it's lovely and sturdy. Easy to clean as well." A third also said the assembly took a while, writing: "Extremely good value but a nightmare to assemble! My husband almost lost his mind!" A fourth said: "Really good quality. Has removable grill plates that can be washed in sink rather than need a wire brush. Would recommend." Someone else put in their review: "Ideal BBQ. We used it for a big party for 40+ guests and it was amazing!" However, a shopper claimed: "The only problem I had was when I came to clean the BBQ. The metal drip tray had very sharp edges, and when I was drying the tray, the sharp edge sliced my finger open. I had to go to the hospital and have 3 stitches."
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
China's Xi slams US ‘bullying' as Beijing hosts Latin America leaders
Leaders and officials from Latin America and the Caribbean have descended on the Chinese capital for the China-CELAC Forum. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Beijing - Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed on May 13 to deepen ties with Latin America and condemned 'bullying' in a thinly veiled swipe at the United States, as he addressed regional leaders in Beijing. Leaders and officials from Latin America and the Caribbean have descended on the Chinese capital for the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum. Beijing has stepped up economic and political cooperation with Latin American nations in recent years and has urged a united front against US President Donald Trump's recent maelstrom of tariffs. Addressing leaders on May 13, Mr Xi hailed China's burgeoning ties with the region. 'Although China lies far from the Latin American and Caribbean region, the two sides have a time-honoured history of friendly exchanges,' he said at the opening ceremony, likening the summit to a 'great, sturdy tree'. 'Only through unity and cooperation can countries safeguard global peace and stability and promote worldwide development and prosperity,' Mr Xi said, pledging US$9.2 billion (S$12 billion) in credit towards 'development' for the region. He also warned of 'bloc confrontation'. Mr Xi's remarks come a day after the United States and China announced a deal to drastically reduce tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days, an outcome Mr Trump dubbed a 'total reset'. Under that agreement, the United States agreed to lower its tariffs on Chinese goods to 30 per cent while China will reduce its own to 10 per cent. The deal marked a major de-escalation of a gruelling trade war between the world's two largest economies which threw global markets into turmoil. Mr Xi told delegates on May 13: 'There are no winners in tariff wars or trade wars.' 'Bullying and hegemony will only lead to self-isolation,' the Chinese leader warned. 'The world today is undergoing accelerated transformations unseen in a century, with multiple risks intertwined and overlapping,' Mr Xi said. Among notable attendees at the forum is Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who arrived in Beijing on May 10 for a five-day state visit. Also present is Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who last week said he intends to sign an accord to join Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative during his visit. Two-thirds of Latin American countries have joined Beijing's trillion-dollar BRI infrastructure programme, and China has surpassed the US as the biggest trading partner of Brazil, Peru and Chile, among others. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
China's Xi slams 'bullying' as Beijing hosts Latin America leaders
Leaders and officials from Latin America and the Caribbean have descended on the Chinese capital for the China-CELAC Forum. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Beijing - Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed on May 13 to deepen ties with Latin America and condemned 'bullying' in a thinly veiled swipe at the United States, as he addressed regional leaders in Beijing. Leaders and officials from Latin America and the Caribbean have descended on the Chinese capital for the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum. Beijing has stepped up economic and political cooperation with Latin American nations in recent years and has urged a united front against US President Donald Trump's recent maelstrom of tariffs. Addressing leaders on May 13, Mr Xi hailed China's burgeoning ties with the region. 'Although China lies far from the Latin American and Caribbean region, the two sides have a time-honoured history of friendly exchanges,' he said at the opening ceremony, likening the summit to a 'great, sturdy tree'. 'Only through unity and cooperation can countries safeguard global peace and stability and promote worldwide development and prosperity,' Mr Xi said, pledging US$9.2 billion (S$12 billion) in credit towards 'development' for the region. He also warned of 'bloc confrontation'. Mr Xi's remarks come a day after the United States and China announced a deal to drastically reduce tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days, an outcome Mr Trump dubbed a 'total reset'. Under that agreement, the United States agreed to lower its tariffs on Chinese goods to 30 per cent while China will reduce its own to 10 per cent. The deal marked a major de-escalation of a gruelling trade war between the world's two largest economies which threw global markets into turmoil. Mr Xi told delegates on May 13: 'There are no winners in tariff wars or trade wars.' 'Bullying and hegemony will only lead to self-isolation,' the Chinese leader warned. 'The world today is undergoing accelerated transformations unseen in a century, with multiple risks intertwined and overlapping,' Mr Xi said. Among notable attendees at the forum is Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who arrived in Beijing on May 10 for a five-day state visit. Also present is Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who last week said he intends to sign an accord to join Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative during his visit. Two-thirds of Latin American countries have joined Beijing's trillion-dollar BRI infrastructure programme, and China has surpassed the US as the biggest trading partner of Brazil, Peru and Chile, among others. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
