Bill directs local governments to boost agri-fishery support with higher tax share

March 22, 2023 | 8:13 pm

Vegetable-farmer-Northern-Mindanao-BW-FILE — BW FILE PHOTO

AGRI Party-list Representative Wilbert T. Lee has filed a bill requiring local governments to allocate 10% of their national tax share to agriculture and fisheries sector development.

The lawmaker cited the Supreme Court’s Mandanas-Garcia ruling, which granted local government units (LGUs) a larger share of national taxes.

“As a result, LGUs ought to have a higher budget that can directly provide interventions to their local needs,” he said in House Bill No. 7597’s explanatory note.

“In this new fiscal regime, there is a strong case to be made for greater prioritization and just share of the agricultural sector for its growth and development,” he added.

The Mandanas ruling took effect in 2022, but the corresponding devolution of national agencies’ functions to LGUs has been delayed due to capacity concerns at the local level.

If enacted into law, LGUs should establish a three-year strategic plan for agriculture and fisheries development in their localities based on the framework and principles set by the Agriculture department and the National Economic and Development Authority.

LGUs are also tasked to provide training for small farmers, fisherfolk, and micro and small agricultural enterprises in production, processing, trade and promotion, as well as establishing strategies against pest management and food safety.

“Agriculture is one of the most important sectors in our society, not just in providing jobs and livelihood, but also in ensuring that there is food in every household in the country,” Mr. Lee said.

Agricultural production shrank by 0.1% in 2022, a third straight year of decline in crops and fisheries output, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

DTI again raises warning vs uncertified LPG tanks

March 22, 2023 | 8:13 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) has again warned against the sale of uncertified liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders after 195 units were confiscated from January to March 8 this year.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) underscored the risks of using uncertified LPG tanks to consumer safety and the impact on LPG manufacturers.

DTI-FTED said it issued notices of violation to non-compliant companies in Metro Manila. These companies are required to provide an explanation of their decision to sell the uncertified LPG cylinders and divulge their suppliers within 48 hours upon receiving the notice.

“For the past months, we have been receiving reports regarding the sale of uncertified LPG cylinders. We acknowledge the need for us in government to curb this malpractice as this does not only pose enormous threat to the safety of Filipino consumers but can also potentially affect our local LPG manufacturers,” Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said.

Last year, the DTI released Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 22-11, which contains new technical regulations on the mandatory certification of LPG pressure vessels, systems, services, and ancillary products.

The order also mandated the certification for locally produced and imported LPG pressure vessels, ancillary products, and LPG-related systems.

The DAO is in support of Republic Act No. 11592 or the LPG Industry Regulation Act, which intensified penalties on the illegal refilling and improper transport of LGP tanks, retail of defective and low-quality cylinders, and operating without a business permit issued by the Energy department. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Comelec moves filing of candidacy for village, youth leader elections to August

March 22, 2023 | 8:13 pm

THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) has reset the filing of certificates of candidacy for the village and youth council elections to August following a senator’s request.

“We reset the filing of certificates of candidacy for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from July 3 to 7 to August 28 to September 2,” Comelec Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia told reporters in a Viber message.

Senator Francis N. Tolentino earlier urged Comelec to defer the filing to prevent early “politicking” and election-related violence. He said it would be premature to push through the filing of candidacies in July.

The village elections, which were originally scheduled for December last year, had been moved to October this year.

Police official Matthew P. Baccay earlier told a House committee that the police would implement tighter security measures leading up to the October village and youth elections.

Comelec will release more details about the period for filing candidacies at a later date, Mr. Garcia said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

PHL elections may benefit from blockchain technology – expert

March 22, 2023 | 7:23 pm

Blockchain technology has the potential to improve the transparency, security, and credibility of the Philippines’ electoral process, according to an expert.

“The Philippines has long displayed its readiness to further adopt blockchain technology to enhance the country’s digital capabilities,” said Binance Philippines General Manager Kenneth Stern.

Blockchain is a technology that enables the secure sharing of information through a distributed database. All participants of a network can update the database, and all updates are available to everyone in the network at the same time.

“At Binance, we believe that blockchain technology has the potential to create a significant impact on both social and financial inclusion,” he said at the recent National Election Summit.

Binance said it collaborates with regulators to build a stable environment that fosters innovation and progress.

In 2022, the company partnered with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center under the Department of Information and Communications Technology to assist in preventing cybercrime using blockchain forensics.

“Our goals are aligned with the government’s long term vision to build an open, efficient, effective, and globally integrated business environment in the Philippines,” Mr. Stern said.

On Tuesday, Secretary Ivan John E. Uy of the Department of Information and Communications Technology said his department was looking into potential applications for blockchain technology in government, particularly in the areas of registry and online voting.

The Philippines is home to Web3 (the next iteration of the Internet, upon which blockchain is an essential component) companies including education platform Proof of Learn and fintech player Tetrix. — Patricia B. Mirasol

DLSU Lady Spikers sweep first round

March 22, 2023 | 7:05 pm

Games On Saturday
(PhilSports Arena, Pasig City)
9 a.m. — ADMU vs UE
11 a.m. — UST vs AdU
3 p.m. — FEU vs UP
5 p.m. — DLSU vs NU

VENGEFUL De La Salle University (DLSU) slammed the door, hard and loud, on reigning champion National University (NU) in a highly-anticipated rematch with a convincing 25-10, 25-15, 25-21 win to complete a first-round sweep in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on March 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Behind a mighty, impenetrable net wall all-match long, the Lady Spikers denied any access for the usual unstoppable Lady Bulldogs and caged them for good for a resounding ender to their unblemished first-round campaign at 7-0.

The Lady Spikers cut the Lady Bulldogs down to size, by virtue of 12 blocks, in only 89 minutes — which in the process fulfilled a full reversal after bowing to NU last season in four games without a single set win.

Prized neophyte Angel Canino proved as one of the glaring differences this time, standing her own in the battle of the titans with 14 points on 11 kills plus eight receptions as De La Salle gained a first-round sweep for the first time since Season 76.

Fifi Sharma (12) and Thea Gagate (9) led the block party with three swats apiece as seasoned spiker Jolina Dela Cruz had 11 points and 10 digs highlighted by a hammering crosscourt kill to end the match.

“The team played with pride,” said interim coach Noel Orcullo as De La Salle became part of NU’s perfect 16-0 champion run last season.

“We’re a different team this year, not the same team in Season 84.”

Mr. Orcullo added that head coach Ramil de Jesus, who’s on hiatus due to undisclosed reasons, gave the team a pep talk before their departure to the game that further lit the burning fire in DLSU.

The Lady Spikers since then proved to be women on a mission, raining it down on the Lady Bulldogs with complete domination in the first two frames before having just enough steam in the clincher. DLSU only trailed twice, 1-3 in the first and 14-15 in the third set, in the duel that turned to a bloodbath from an expected tight battle.

Reigning MVP Mhicaela Belen (12) was the only twin-digit scorer in the disappointing loss for NU, which slid to 5-2 for a triple-tie with Adamson University (AdU) and University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Earlier, Kate Santiago unloaded 16 points as Adamson (5-2) hardly broke a sweat against University of the Philippines (1-6), 25-18, 25-17, 25-23 to join a crowded second spot. Adamson (1-6) also scored a 25-16, 25-19, 25-22 win over UP (0-7) for its first win in the men’s division. — John Bryan Ulanday

PLDT High Speed Hitters, Petro Gazz Angels clash for All-Filipino finals berth

March 22, 2023 | 7:05 pm

Game Today
(MOA Arena)
5 p.m — Petro Gazz vs PLDT

PLDT hopes to draw inspiration from its emphatic Game Two win while Petro Gazz aims to recall the form that won its Game One as the two face off today for one last time at the MOA Arena for the remaining Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference finals slot.

The High Speed Hitters levelled their best-of-three semis series at one apiece after a 14-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-15 victory in last Tuesday’s Game Two and forcing a rubber match that was reset from 6:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“Will to win is what we have in this series,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, who is hoping to steer the franchise to its breakthrough finals appearance in the league.

The Angels, for their part, are eyeing to summon the same performance they came up with in a 22-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18 triumph in the opener Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.

The winner goes on to tackle Creamline, which swept F2 Logistics in two games in its own series, in the best-of-three finale unfolding on Sunday also at the MOA Arena.

Game Two is on Tuesday while a decider, if necessary, is next week also at the Pasay venue.

Michelle Morente and Jovielyn Prado will be tasked to spearhead the charge anew after taking turns and finishing a combined 31 points while Kath Arado is expected to preside over her team’s rock solid floor defense after a magnificent 26-dig, 12-reception effort last time.

Ms. Arado is the heavy favorite to claim the Best Libero award this conference.

The Angels would need everyone to play with fire in their eyes if they want to make the finals for the second straight conference and third in the last four for a chance to grab their third crown since joining the league five years ago.

But MJ Philips would have to muster all her remaining strength after being the missing link in Game Two when she was limited to just nine points after a seven-hit performance in Game One. — Joey Villar

Alex Eala gets early door at Miami Open

March 22, 2023 | 7:04 pm

ALEX Eala crashed out early in her return to the Miami Open, absorbing a 6-2, 7-5 defeat against seasoned counterpart Irina Camelia Begu of Romania in the Round of 128 late Tuesday night at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Ms. Eala, 17, shrugged a first-set loss by leading big in the second before faltering late to get another boot in her third straight stint in the Miami Open featuring world No. 1 and reigning champion Iga Swiatek of Poland.

The lefty wunderkind started on a wrong foot but went on a searing 5-1 revenge in the next frame only to surrender the last six games as the world No. 34 Ms. Begu stamped her veteran pedigree.

The 32-year-old Ms. Begu, who took care of Ms. Eala in one hour and 50 minutes, will face Qinwen Zheng of China in the next round due to a bye as the No. 23 seed.

Ms. Eala qualified in the Miami Open, a WTA 1000 tourney, as a wildcard.

A scholar of the Rafael Nadal Academy, Ms. Eala is set to brace for qualification into the prestigious French Open in May.

Also in line for Ms. Eala is the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia slated in the same month though she had previously said that her availability is still uncertain due to the expected schedule conflict with the French Open qualifiers.

Ms. Eala, WTA No. 219, boasts two juniors doubles titles (Australian Open and French Open) and one singles Grand Slam in the women’s pro circuit on top of three bronze medals in her SEA Games debut last year in Vietnam. — John Bryan Ulanday

Portugal most likely to qualify for Euro 2024; England has 77% chance — study

March 22, 2023 | 7:04 pm

FOUR teams have at least a 90% chance of qualifying for the 2024 European Championship with Portugal leading the way, a Nielsen’s Gracenote analysis has revealed ahead of the qualifiers that begin this week.

The study said 2016 champions Portugal have the highest chance of progressing to the 2024 finals at 96% based on simulations followed by Switzerland (90%), Croatia (90%) and Spain (90%).

The teams are split into 10 groups with the top two automatically qualifying for the Euro finals which will be hosted by Germany, who qualify automatically as hosts.

Portugal, who are now being coached by Roberto Martinez, are in the same qualifying group as Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Liechtenstein.

Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, France, the Czech Republic, Italy, England, Hungary, Sweden, Wales, Slovenia, Norway, Romania and Bosnia are the other teams expected to finish in the top two.

Norway are looking to qualify for their first Euros since 2000 with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland expected to lead the line while Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard captains the side.

Mr. Haaland has scored 42 times for Manchester City this season but he will miss the first two qualifiers against Spain and Georgia due to a groin injury.

Reigning champions Italy (78%) and 2020 runners-up England (77%) are in the same group along with Ukraine, Malta and North Macedonia. Italy host England on Thursday in Naples.

Italy also have a point to prove after they missed out on qualifying for the World Cup for a second consecutive time following an upset by North Macedonia in the playoffs last year.

World Cup runners-up France have the Netherlands to contend with in their qualifying group but both teams are expected to qualify ahead of Ireland, Greece and Gibraltar.

Teams that won their Nations League groups across tiers A, B and C — the Netherlands, Croatia, Spain, Italy, Israel, Bosnia, Serbia, Scotland, Georgia, Greece, Turkey and Kazakhstan — are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs for the final three spots if they do not qualify in the top two.

Euro 2024 will have 24 teams spread across six groups. — Reuters

Rafael Nadal out of top 10 for first time since 2005

March 22, 2023 | 7:03 pm

RAFAEL Nadal’s absence from Indian Wells saw the 22-times Grand Slam champion slip out of the top 10 for the first time since 2005 on Monday but the Spaniard will still be the “man to beat” at the French Open if he can get back to full fitness.

Mr. Nadal was forced to skip the Masters 1000 event in California, where he reached the final last year, as he continues his recovery from a hip issue that ended his Australian Open title defense in the second round in January.

Unable to defend the 600 points from Indian Wells resulted in Mr. Nadal dropping four places to 13^th in the rankings, ending his record 912-week stay inside the top 10, which began when current number one Carlos Alcaraz was not even two years old.

However, with Nadal preparing to return to action at the Monte Carlo Masters next month ahead of the French Open, which he has won 14 times in his career, his time outside the top 10 might be short.

World number four Casper Ruud, who lost to Nadal in the Roland Garros final last year, said he would not be shocked to see the 36-year-old lift the trophy once again.

“It wouldn’t surprise me because he’ll probably use these weeks and these months, as he’s preparing for exactly Roland Garros,” Mr. Ruud told Eurosport as part of the Ruud Talk series.

“It doesn’t matter if he loses in Monte Carlo or Rome or Madrid. The only thing that’s probably on his mind these days is just to be fit, be healthy and be ready for Roland Garros.”

Tennis lost two of its greats when Serena Williams and Roger Federer bowed out of the sport last year, but Nadal and rival Novak Djokovic are still soldiering on.

Mr. Djokovic, who turns 36 in May, has shown few signs of slowing down and drew level with Mr. Nadal on 22 Grand Slams by winning the Australian Open.

“For the whole tennis world it would be nice to see one last showdown at Roland Garros,” former US Open champion Dominic Thiem said, adding that Mr. Djokovic would be favorite to win the remaining Grand Slams this year.

“The only tournament is Roland Garros: if Rafa is fit there, it’s exactly the opposite. He’s the man to beat when he won the tournament 14 times, it’s crazy.” — Reuters

Lack of confidence, resources hinder Filipino women’s entrepreneurial pursuits

March 22, 2023 | 6:43 pm

Many women in the Philippines face limited economic opportunities because they lack the confidence and financial resources required to start their own businesses, according to the Global Progress for Women Report by Avon.

“Over half (52%) of the [Filipino] women surveyed admitted to the lack of confidence being a barrier to starting a business, while a staggering 79% believe inadequate financial resources are a setback to becoming entrepreneurs,” Avon said in an e-mailed statement on Wednesday.

The beauty brand cited the study conducted by global research company Censuswide with 7,145 women in the United Kingdom, Italy, Romania, Poland, the Philippines, Turkey, and South Africa between Jan. 18 to Jan. 23 this year.

“These statistics are alarming, as a deeper dive into the report reveals that 90% of Filipino women want to earn more money. However, the barriers that keep them from greater economic opportunities spotlight larger Philippine social and cultural issues that need to be addressed,” Avon noted.

Societal stereotypes and conventional expectations in the Philippines continue to pose challenges for women, affecting their career and financial prospects, it also said.

Globally, the most prevalent challenges faced by women in starting their own businesses were financial constraints (61%), fear of failure (44%), uncertainty about where to begin (36%), inadequate knowledge of the market (34%), and low confidence (33%). At the same time, the report noted that 77% of women globally aspire to increase their earnings, either by exploring alternative income sources or by progressing in their current employment.

More than a third (35%) of women feel that men have an advantage in terms of opportunities for entrepreneurship, Avon said.

Citing the World Economic Forum, the beauty brand said that female entrepreneurship is growing around the world. “Despite this, men still outnumber women… when it comes to business ownership.”

According to Avon, over 20% of its sales proceeds are dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs.

“Every time you buy a lipstick, you are helping to support a female entrepreneur,” Avon Chief Executive Officer CEO Angela Cretu said.

“Removing the barriers to economic participation that women face is crucial to helping drive progress for women. On International Women’s Day, there is no better time to shine a light on this and open up the conversation.” — Patricia B. Mirasol

vivo officially launches the vivo V27 Series, the industry’s first-ever pocket studio device

March 22, 2023 | 6:00 pm

vivo, one of the leading smartphone brands in the Philippines, has officially launched the newest addition to its V lineup– the vivo V27 Series. This new flagship smartphone boasts a first-of-its-kind technology in the industry, the Aura Portrait Algorithm, that will elevate users’ mobile photography game with a studio-level experience right in their hands.

This new lineup offers two variants– the vivo V27 5G and vivo V27e. The vivo V27e will be officially available for pre-order in vivo’s E-store from March 22-29, while fans can pre-order the vivo V27 5G from April 10-16.

With the vivo V27 Series dubbed as The Aura Portrait Master, vivo encourages its fans to radiate their best aura anytime and anywhere with their very own pocket studio, the vivo V27 and the vivo V27e.

Capture Studio-Level Photos Effortlessly

As with previous V series devices that offer top of the line camera features, the vivo V27 Series is packed with a new innovation in smartphone imaging technology. Both variants under the vivo V27 Series carry vivo’s latest breakthrough– the Aura Portrait Algorithm technology. This first-in-the-industry feature is vivo’s solution that covers the three aspects in the light and imaging processing journey. First is the Aura Light, a built-in ring light that serves as an extra light source but with a smoother and more delicate effect compared to regular phone camera flash.

Second aspect in this camera system, particularly in vivo V27 5G variant, is the 50MP OIS Ultra Sensing main camera powered by SONY IMX766V sensor, a first in vivo’s V Series history. This flagship sensor has an ultra-large 1/1.56” sensor size which allows 145 percent more light intake for a stronger picture quality even in low-light surroundings. Meanwhile, its V27e variant has 64MP OIS Ultra Sensing Camera and Super Night View capability to capture HD quality and vivid images.

Lastly, this upgrade includes a perfect synergy between hardware and software with vivo’s full and exclusive line of Portrait Algorithms. All three aspects complete the Aura Portrait Algorithm feature of the vivo V27 Series that intelligently adjusts the lighting according to the environment, perfectly capturing studio quality images for portrait shooting day and night.

Vlogging Made Easier and More Fun

Great adventures are some of the best moments to vlog, until you get home and realize your shots are blurry and shaky. Avoid this mishap with the vivo V27 Series backed with EIS+OIS Dual Ultra Stabilization feature. This imaging system allows users to shoot videos in the most stable way even without extra tools like selfie sticks and gimbals.

vivo also ensured that whether with the back or front lens, users can shoot high-quality videos, thanks to the vivo V27 5G’s 50MP Eye AF Vlogging camera and vivo V27e’s 32MP Vlogging lens.

Moreover, vivo enables its fans to produce more creative videos worth-sharing on social media through the vivo V27 Series’ Microfilm feature. This serves as a one stop solution where users can edit vlogs with just a few clicks, access 26 effect templates for free, use built-in professional standard video enhancement software, and enjoy a hassle-free vlog making experience.

Premium Design without Compromising Comfort

The series sports new colorways that can easily match users’ every style and aesthetic. The vivo V27 5G variant exudes sophistication with the Emerald Green colorway boosted with vivo’s signature photochromic 2.0 technology design, now more reactive to light making color-changing process faster than its predecessor.

Meanwhile, vivo V27e is available in eye-catching Lavender Purple colorway created through vivo’s photolithography process to achieve its glowing peacock feathers design and the Glory Black partnered with glittering fluorite AG effect for a delicate and luxurious finish.

On top of vivo V27 Series’ colorways, both variants boast a slim and smooth frame for a comfortable grip. The vivo V27 5G has 7.36mm 3D-Curved Screen, the thinnest curved screen in history of vivo V Series while the vivo V27e has 7.7mm thin flat frame. Now, users don’t need to choose between style and comfort as the vivo V27 Series has both.

Powerful Flagship Performance

Inside the vivo V27 5G’s slim and compact body is a MediaTek D7200 4nm chipset that supports Dual-Mode 5G and Dual 5G Standby to balance performance and power consumption. Along with a powerful processor, the vivo V27 Series offers a bigger update with the help of vivo’s Extended RAM 3.0. With this technology, vivo V27 5G’s 12GB RAM and vivo V27e’s 8GB RAM can support up to 8GB extension that allows multiple and large-scale apps to smoothly run in the background simultaneously. Both variants are also packed with 256GB ROM so users can store as many files as they want.

vivo V27 Series also takes users’ productivity to the next level with its all-day battery which has a doubled life span that can handle up to 1,600 charge cycles. It is also boosted with a 66W FastCharge feature to quickly recharge the phone’s power from 0 to 50 percent in just 19 minutes.

Pricing and Availability

With vivo V27 Series and its innovative camera features, enjoy the pocket studio experience and bring out your best aura whenever, wherever you are. Both the vivo V27 5G and the vivo V27e are packed with powerful features inside, giving them the ability to keep up with today’s demanding lifestyles.

The vivo V27 5G is priced at PHP24,999 while the vivo V27e sells at PHP16,999. Pre-order starts on March 22-29 exclusively in vivo’s E-store for vivo V27e variant where fans can take advantage of up to 3 months installment with 0 percent interest via credit cards. On the other hand, the vivo V27 5G variant is available for pre-order on April 10-16.

Early birds can also take home a TWS Bluetooth headset or a vivo VIP Card for every purchase of V27 Series phones online until supplies last. To know more about the vivo V27 Series, visit vivo’s official website, or follow them on their official social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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West offers $16-B lifeline to Kyiv

March 22, 2023 | 4:53 pm

Putin-Xi Jinping — RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 20, 2023. — POOL VIA REUTERS

CHINA’s President Xi Jinping was due to depart Moscow on Wednesday after a grandiose display of solidarity with Russian President Vladimir Putin against the West, but without offering direct support for Mr. Putin’s war in Ukraine.

During his two-day visit Mr. Xi barely mentioned the Ukraine conflict and said on Tuesday in final remarks that China had an “impartial position”.

Responding to the Xi-Putin meeting, the White House said China’s position was not impartial and urged Beijing to pressure Russia to withdraw from Ukraine’s sovereign territory in order to end Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II.

As Mr. Xi prepared to leave Moscow, air raid sirens blared across the Ukraine capital Kyiv and in Ukraine’s north and east, with reports of drone attacks, but no major destruction.

Heralded by the Kremlin as a show of support from its most powerful friend, Mr. Xi’s visit to Moscow featured carefully staged pomp and ceremony, but the spectacle was also marked by plenty of demonstrative bonhomie between the two autocrats.

Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin referred to each other as dear friends, promised economic cooperation and described their countries’ relations as the best they have ever been.

A joint statement included familiar accusations against the West — that Washington was undermining global stability and NATO barging into the Asia-Pacific region — while also asserting that the close partnership between China and Russia did not constitute a “military-political alliance.”

On Ukraine, Mr. Putin praised Mr. Xi for a peace plan he proposed last month, and blamed Kyiv and the West for rejecting. The West sees China’s peace plan as a ploy to buy Mr. Putin time to regroup his forces and solidify his grip on occupied land.

China’s 12-point plan has no specific details on how to end the bloody year-long war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced millions to flee.

The West has sought to isolate Russia through global sanctions and Mr. Putin faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

China has not supported any of the moves and the West is concerned it may help arm Russia in its conflict, which Beijing has denied.

As Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin ended their talks on Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund announced preliminary agreement with Kyiv on a four-year loan package of about $15.6 billion to the shattered country.

The money would help shore up Ukraine, which has suffered extensive damage to its infrastructure and economy during Russia’s year-long assault.

In remarks after his summit with Mr. Xi, Mr. Putin condemned British plans to send tank ammunition that contains depleted uranium to Ukraine, and warned of repercussions.

“If all this happens, Russian will have to respond accordingly, given that the West collectively is already beginning to use weapons with a nuclear component,” Mr. Putin said, without elaborating.

A day earlier, Britain’s Minister of State for Defense Annabel Goldie had said some of the ammunition for the Challenger 2 battle tanks that Britain is sending to Ukraine includes armor piercing rounds which contain depleted uranium.

Separately, the United States intends to speed up delivery to Ukraine of 31 Abrams battle tanks to the autumn, Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters.

Kyiv had clamored for tanks as well as other sophisticated Western military hardware as the conflict has slowed to a war of attrition with both sides suffering heavy losses.

The Pentagon said a decision to send a variant of the tank that can run on diesel fuel like most of the Ukrainian fleet made faster delivery possible.

President Volodymyr Zelensky once again implored Ukraine’s allies to provide more military aid including ammunition and to do it without delay.

“One of the questions which always commands the utmost attention is the supply of ammunition, support from our partners. We expect increased supplies of exactly what we need — and we need it right now,” he said in a video address on Tuesday.

European Union countries on Monday pledged to send 1 million artillery rounds over the next year to Ukraine, which has been burning through them faster than allies can supply them. — Reuters