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PHL-Cambodia double-taxation deal seen improving investment, regional trade

REUTERS

THE PHILIPPINES and Cambodia have signed a double-taxation agreement (DTA), which the Department of Finance (DoF) expects to boost foreign investment and trade.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said in a statement: “The signing of this DTA is a crucial step towards improving the integrity of our tax system.”

“By eliminating tax barriers and ensuring a fair and transparent framework, we are not only attracting greater foreign investment into the Philippines but also reinforcing our trade ties within the region,” he added.

Mr. Recto and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn signed the DTA on Feb. 11.

It will take effect after ratification by the two countries’ respective legislative bodies.

The deal was reached after three rounds of negotiations, with the final round ending in Manila last year in April.

The DoF said the agreement will eliminate double taxation on income earned in the two countries, deter tax evasion, and enhance economic cooperation, aligning with commitments under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Forum on Taxation.

The agreement is also expected to reduce fiscal barriers and stimulate bilateral trade and investment.

“Specifically, the agreement covers various aspects of taxation, including income from business profits, dividends, interests, royalties, capital gains, and other sources of revenue, ensuring a fair and efficient tax framework for businesses and individuals operating in both jurisdictions,” it said.

It involves the exchange of tax information and dispute resolution mechanisms in line with the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting  and tax transparency initiatives and standards, the DoF said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Trade show organizer expects water exhibit buyers to top 12,000

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

INTERNATIONAL trade show organizer Informa Markets Asia is expecting its upcoming exhibition to attract over 12,000 trade buyers seeking innovative water technologies and solutions.

“The challenges we face, including water scarcity, pollution and climate change, require innovative solutions and collective action,” Ian Roberts, vice-president of Informa Markets Asia, said in a pre-event briefing Thursday.

“It is within this context that our exhibitors emerge as key players, offering cutting edge technologies and insights that will help us address all of these pressing issues,” he added.

Informa and its partners is preparing for the seventh edition of WATER PHILIPPINES, which highlights supply, sanitation, industrial wastewater treatment, and purification technology, which is set to take place on March 19-21 at the SMX Convention Centre in Pasay City.

The event will feature over 400 exhibitors and companies from more than 30 countries.

Informa has organized 600 trade shows, including seven in the Philippines.

“We’re pushing the government to try and build a bigger exhibition venue here in the Philippines so that we can bring more shows to the Philippines and attract more and more people to the Philippines to spend their money,” Mr. Roberts said.

“We’re very optimistic about the Philippines. We are having more conversations with companies all over the world in many industries who want to come and set up and do business here in the Philippines, and it’s our job to try and work with them,” he added.

Trade show participants include the Philippine Water Works Association, the Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers, and the National Master Plumbers Association of the Philippines, Inc.

“WATER PHILIPPINES, along with our industry partners and government agencies, is dedicated to providing clean and potable water to every community. We aim to deliver innovative solutions and opportunities for local stakeholders,” Mr. Roberts said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

2025 budget release rate hits nearly 65% in Jan.

BW FILE PHOTO

THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) said 64.9% of the 2025 national budget had been released by the end of January.

According to the Status of Allotment Releases report, the DBM disbursed P4.1 trillion out of the P6.326-trillion budget for the year, leaving P2.22 trillion undistributed.

The pace of release was behind the 77.9% pace of January 2024.

Of the total released, P2.8 trillion went to government agencies, a category that posted a disbursement rate of 75.9%. 

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) received 41% or P542.88 billion of its P1.088 trillion allocation.

Meanwhile, P109.23 billion was released to Special Purpose Funds and P1.19 trillion went to automatic appropriations.

Citing preliminary data, the DBM said P6.38 trillion was released at the end of 2024, exceeding the P5.768-trillion budget in 2024.

Government agencies received P3.48 trillion or 99.4% of their planned allocation, with a remaining balance of P20.02 billion.

The Special Propose Fund release rate was 96.7% or P490.92 billion.

Automatic appropriations releases totaled P1.74 trillion, including P71.57 billion for government agencies’ retirement and life insurance premiums, P871.38 billion for the National Tax Allotment, and P70.51 billion for the Block Grant.

The DBM said P531.37 billion was disbursed for unprogrammed appropriations (UA).

About P200.03 billion went to “strengthening assistance for government infrastructure and social programs,” with the DPWH receiving P155.88 billion.

In addition, P127.06 billion was disbursed to support foreign-assisted projects and P56.89 billion to pay personnel benefits.

In a separate report, the DBM said that the combined P21-billion National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund and People’s Survival Fund remained untouched in January. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

UAAP 87 volleyball tourney

PRESS CON of UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament

UE vs UP and FEU vs UST kick off volleyball tilt

Games on Saturday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
9 a.m. – UE vs UP (men)
11 a.m. – FEU vs UST (men)
1 p.m. – UE vs UP (women)
3 p.m. – FEU vs UST (women) 

ALL eyes on National University  (NU) as it seeks a back-to-back title feat it failed to achieve two years ago in the highly-anticipated UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament firing off this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs, who ruled the league twice in the last three seasons, still loom as the undisputed favorite and reigning MVP Bella Belen is keen on living up to their lofty billing to keep the tiara in Jhocson — starting against archrival De La Salle University on Sunday.

Led by then Rookie-MVP Ms. Belen, NU snapped a 65-year title drought in 2022, got dethroned right away by La Salle headlined by another Rookie-MVP Angel Canino in 2023 before beating University of Santo Tomas to regain the tiara in 2024.

The Lady Bulldogs are in no illusions that it will be a walk in the park, especially with an expected revenge bid of La Salle and Santo Tomas. Vastly-improved Far Eastern University (FEU), Adamson University led by super rookie and UAAP juniors MVP Shaina Nitura, Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines (UP) and University of the East  (UE) are also in play.

But the mindset for the Lady Bulldogs is simple: Hunt or be hunted.

NU opens its campaign against La Salle on Sunday at 3 p.m. as the four-peat champion Bulldogs eye to extend their dynasty against the Green Spikers at 11 a.m. in the men’s side. Other duels are Ateneo-Adamson in men’s and women’s at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.

Rolling the red carpet are Santo Tomas and FEU on Saturday at 3 p.m. after the battle of their men’s teams at 11 a.m. UP then takes on UE in men’s and women’s at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.

NOTE: The UAAP will implement a new award in Best Foreign Student-Athlete separately from the MVP, which will now be given to the highest-ranked local athlete, in sports with statistical points as basis starting in volleyball and later on basketball.

The UAAP said the decision, approved last season, will ensure that foreign student-athletes who dominate the statistical leaderboards receive proper recognition while maintaining the prestige MVP award for the top-performing Filipino player. — John Bryan Ulanday

Edu, Malonzo rejoin Sotto-less Gilas in Doha Cup

Game on Friday
(Qatar University Sports Arena⁣, Doha)
8:30 p.m. (Saturday 1:30 a.m. Manila time)
Qatar vs Philippines

GILAS Pilipinas looks to harness the defensive abilities of comebacking mainstays AJ Edu and Jamie Malonzo as the Nationals tweak their approach sans ACL-hit center Kai Sotto.

The 6-foot-10 Mr. Edu is finally on board after missing the entire campaign in 2024 due to knee injury while the 6-foot-7 Mr. Malonzo is back after being sidelined by calf injury last April.

The two rejoined the Nationals as they left for Qatar on Thursday for their stint in the second Doha International Cup in Qatar. Coach Tim Cone’s crew kicks off its bid against the hosts no less on Friday at 8:30 p.m. (Saturday 1:30 a.m. Manila time).

“No one’s going to fill in the shoes of Kai Sotto. He’s so unique, he’s a unicorn and no one can do what he does for us so that’s not something we’re going to worry about,” Mr. Cone said in an interview on Play by Play on One Sports.

The multi-titled mentor said the team will “wait with bated breath” for the 7-foot-3 Mr. Sotto to recover from the major knee injury that he sustained while playing in Japan.

“In the meantime we just got to do a different approach. AJ Edu is going to join us for the first time. He’s a great defensive player. Jaime (Malonzo) is going to join and he’s a really good defensive wing. So we’re hoping those guys can really elevate our defense and contribute that way,” he said.

“They’re not going to make up for Kai’s (Sotto) offense and you know we still got June Mar (Fajardo) and Justin (Brownlee) and Dwight (Ramos), our guards Scottie (Thompson) and New (Chris Newsome). And the way Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao are playing in (South) Korea, they’ve lifted their games at different levels, so we’re going to expect more from them as well.”

The Doha meet will test Gilas in a grueling daily schedule against tough Middle Eastern teams — something Mr. Cone and Co. feel will be a good dry run and prep for the actual FIBA Asia Cup tournament set in August in Saudi Arabia.

After Qatar, the Nationals will duke it out with Lebanon on Saturday at 6 p.m. (11 p.m. Manila time) then Egypt on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. (Monday 1:30 a.m. Manila time).

Immediately after, the Filipino cagers will fly to Chinese Taipei and New Zealand to wrap up their slate in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers on Feb. 20 and 23, respectively. — Olmin Leyba

Del Monte cruises to 9-point win in PAL Interclub

PAL

BACOLOD CITY — Yoyong Velez and Raul Minoza fired on all cylinders to lead Del Monte to a successful title defense in the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Senior Interclub tournament at Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod City on Thursday.

Messrs. Velez and Minoza each carded 53 points, helping Del Monte turn what was expected to be a fierce competition into a surprising and dominant victory.

“We thought we had the strongest team in the final round,” said Mr. Velez, the long-time team captain. “Our strategy paid off.”

It marked the first time Del Monte won the tournament outside its home course.

“Nobody can say now that we can’t win outside Del Monte,” Mr. Velez said, paying tribute to his teammates for their dedication. “We have been practicing every day for the last month.”

With Crispin Aparilla adding 47 points, Del Monte posted a tournament-best 153 points, securing a nine-point victory over Luisita and Manila Southwoods.

Del Monte made its move early, taking a three-point lead over Luisita at the turn. Mr. Minoza was 1-under, while Mr. Velez was even par. Both players faced challenges in the last two holes.

Mr. Minoza made a double bogey on the 17th after his approach shot veered left into a flower bed. He was given a free drop but couldn’t save bogey.

On the other hand, Mr. Velez mishit his three-wood second shot after opting to lay up on the 18th.

“They forwarded the tee. I was torn between going over the pond or playing it safe. I had a poor tee shot and was in a bad position for my next shot,” Mr. Velez explained.

Despite taking a penalty drop, Mr. Velez managed to save double bogey for one point.

In the end, they had nothing to worry about. No team came close to challenging Del Monte’s title-defense bid.

Luisita took second place, edging Southwoods via countback. The Tarlac-based squad posted 143 points, with contributions from Ronnie Littaua (49), Steven McDonald (48), and Rolando Punzalan (46).

Southwoods rallied with 146 points to tie Luisita. Don Breganza matched Plana’s 51 points, while either Thirdy Escano or Rusty Bayani’s 44 counted.

Canlubang finished fourth with a total of 559, following a closing 140. Damasus Wong shot 49, while Santiago Santos and Josefino Hernandez added 46 and 45, respectively.

The 76th staging of the PAL Interclub is supported by Platinum sponsors PRIMAX Broadcasting Network and Asian Journal.

Mastercard is a gold sponsor while RMN is a silver sponsor.

ABS-CBN Global is joining as a bronze sponsor while VISA, Philippine National Bank, SM Bacolod, Tanduay and Asia Brewery are minor sponsors. Citadines is a hotel partner.

New Taipei outlasts Meralco in double overtime thriller

TAIWAN’S New Taipei pulled the plug on Meralco’s Final Four bid in the East Asia Super League  (EASL) with a 106-96 double overtime victory on Wednesday night at the University of Taipei Gymnasium.

The Kings wiped out the nine-point lead the Bolts seized in the last seven minutes of regulation then outlasted the reigning PBA Philippine Cup kingpins in the final push to claim the last seat to the F4.

The Taiwanese club finished Group B at second with 4-2 and joined topnotcher and early qualifier Ryukyu Golden Kings (5-1) in the next round. The Kings earned the right to face Group A No. 1 Hiroshima Dragonflies (5-1) in the KO F4 slated March 7 in Macau, where Ryukyu is up against Group A No. 2 Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (4-2).

The Bolts wound up fourth in the group with 2-4, left to rue their failure to finish off the Kings in regulation.

The first extra time was almost disastrous for Meralco if not for Jansen Rios, who hit a triple at the buzzer to knot the count at 91-91. But the charges of Luigi Trillo failed to stop New Taipei from racking up nine unanswered points in the second OT that ultimately put the game out of reach.

DJ Kennedy shot 21 points to pace Meralco, which missed out on the EASL semis three days after falling short in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals sudden death against Barangay Ginebra back home.

Chris Newsome netted 17 points while Mr. Kennedy’s import partner Akil Mitchell produced 15 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists while battling back spasm. — Olmin Leyba

The scores

New Taipei 106 — Sakakini 31, Daye 24, Lin 19, Manigault 19, Lee 13, Chen 0, Chien 0, Lu 0, Su 0, Hung 0, Lin CP 0.

Meralco 96 — Kennedy 21, Newsome 17, Mitchell 15, Quinto 15, Rios 11, Hodge 10, Black 5, Kouame 2, Cansino 0, Banchero 0.

Quarterscores: 24-25, 42-44, 57-67, 78-78, 91-91, 106-96.

Luka Dončić’s Lakers debut scores ESPN huge ratings

LUKA DONČIĆ’S debut with the Los Angeles Lakers scored massive ratings for ESPN despite coming in a game that started at 10:30 p.m. ET and whose result was never in doubt.

The network’s audience for Monday night’s game — a 132-113 Lakers victory over the Utah Jazz — peaked at 2.55 million viewers. To put that into context, it was up 42% compared to last year’s average NBA game on ESPN.

The game averaged 2.01 million viewers, according to Nielsen, and was the most-watched game of the day among the coveted demographics of males 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 years old.

That’s despite Dončić playing only 24 minutes and scoring 14 points in a game Los Angeles led by 12 points after the first quarter and 25 points at halftime. The Lakers led by as many as 34 points, and Dončić sat out the fourth quarter.

The 25-year-old was acquired from Dallas in a shocking blockbuster trade earlier this month, and Monday night marked his first action since suffering a left calf strain on Christmas Day.

Dončić is listed as questionable but expected to play in Wednesday night’s game at Utah, when the Lakers will attempt to extend their winning streak to seven in their final game before the All-Star-Break.

It will give James and Dončić another chance to build chemistry after some have questioned whether two players who are accustomed to being the No. 1 option can be successful together in the long term.

The Lakers are next scheduled to play on national television on Feb. 22 against Denver, which will air on ABC. Dončić will then pay his first return visit to Dallas three days later. — Reuters

Knicks survive Hawks battle

JALEN BRUNSON hit the game-winning shot with 11 seconds left in overtime for the host New York Knicks, who overcame a five-point deficit in the extra session to edge the Atlanta Hawks 149-148 in the highest-scoring game of the season.

The Knicks recovered from blowing an 18-point lead in the second quarter lead and squandered a six-point edge in the final seconds of regulation.

Onyeka Okongwu drained two free throws with 24 seconds left to give the Hawks a one-point lead, before Brunson dribbled up the court and sank a fallaway over Dyson Daniels.

Following a timeout by Atlanta, Trae Young tried to drive the baseline, but his floater over Precious Achiuwa glanced off the side of the backboard. Okongwu collected the rebound and dished to a wide-open Georges Niang, who missed a 3-pointer from in front of the Knicks’ bench as time expired.

Karl-Anthony Towns joined some select company by posting 44 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks, who enter the All-Star Break with nine wins in their last 11 games. Towns, who scored 40 points in Tuesday’s 128-115 win over the Indiana Pacers, is the fifth player in franchise history to score 40 points in consecutive games.

Brunson had 36 points and eight assists, and Josh Hart added 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Achiuwa scored 26 points, while Mikal Bridges finished with 11 points and Cameron Payne added 10 points off the bench.

Young had 38 points and 19 assists for the Hawks, who forced overtime when Niang sank a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left and the duo of Young and Daniels combined to go 3-of-4 from the line in the last eight seconds, helped by a turnover by Towns.

Okongwu had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Caris LeVert notched 20 points and 10 rebounds for Atlanta, which didn’t lead until overtime. Daniels scored 23 points and Niang had 21 points, while Zaccharie Risacher finished with 16. — Reuters

Journeyman

Ja Morant willingly gave Kevin Durant the game ball after dribbling away the last 15 seconds of the Grizzlies-Suns set-to the other day. It wasn’t due to his magnanimity after the blue and gray secured their 11th triumph in 13 outings, and on the road to boot. Rather, it was because he felt the 15-time All-Star deserved to take the leather home as memento for being just the eighth player in National Basketball Association history to amass 30,000 points. There would be no repeat of the Bucks-Pacers tiff a little over a year ago, when Giannis Antetokounmpo (in scoring a career-high 64) and Oscar Tshiebwe (in scoring one, albeit the first-ever in the league) both wanted to keep the rock as a souvenir.

Indeed, Durant had cause to celebrate the feat, never mind the Suns’ inability to cap it off with a triumph. His milestone put him in distinguished company, joining all-time-great LeBron James as the only active players in the Top Nine, with all the others already in the Hall of Fame. Not coincidentally, Carmelo Anthony, the 10th on the list, is eligible for induction to Springfield this year. And, just like his contemporary, he appears to put up the eye-popping numbers with little to no effort; his silky-smooth jumper and singular skill set make his offensive forays all but unstoppable.

Ironically, Durant’s seeming nonchalance in plying his trade has given critics fuel to question his killer instinct, or relative lack thereof. The other day, for instance, the 34 markers to his name off a mere 18 field goal attempts could well have been much higher were he more inclined to look at the hoop more and his teammates less. From his naysayers’ vantage point, his show of efficiency actually doomed the Suns’ chances to win against the Grizzlies. After all, no one was more effective than he in getting the ball through the hoop. Yet, he kept on passing to others — even in the crunch, when selfishness on his part was, if anything, a necessity.

Significantly, the dichotomy has made Durant a journeyman in his own way. Not for nothing is he already on his fourth set of jerseys, with a fifth not out of the question despite his obvious value. When the Suns acquired him midway through the 2022-23 season, they deemed him a keeper. Two years later, they saw fit to dangle him in the trade market. Clearly, mediocrity breeds discontent, and only time will tell whether he has a case of wanderlust anew. Meanwhile, he keeps plodding on — the latest trophy in his mantel serving as testament to his greatness.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Trump backs Ukraine, but gives early concessions to Russia

Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meet at Trump Tower in New York City, U.S., Sept. 27, 2024. — REUTERS

WASHINGTON/PARIS — US President Donald J. Trump has promised a swift end to the Ukraine war but with talks about to begin the author of “The Art of the Deal” may have already complicated his task by sacrificing leverage.

Mr. Trump, who took office on Jan. 20, separately discussed the war on Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and told US officials to begin talks on ending the nearly three-year-long war.

The phone calls came shortly after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Ukraine’s military allies in Brussels that a return to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders —  before Russia annexed Crimea — was unrealistic and that the US does not see NATO membership for Kyiv as part of a solution.

He said US troops would not be part of any security presence in Ukraine.

Michael McFaul, former US ambassador to Russia under President Barack Obama’s administration from 2012 to 2014 questioned the Trump administration’s strategy towards Russia and Ukraine ahead of impending negotiations.

“Why is the Trump administration giving Putin gifts — Ukrainian land and no NATO membership for Ukraine — before negotiations even begin?” Mr.  McFaul asked on social media site X.

“I’ve negotiated with the Russians. You never give up anything to them for free.”

Russia occupies around a fifth of Ukraine and has demanded Kyiv cede territory and become permanently neutral under any peace deal. Ukraine demands Russia withdraw from captured land and wants NATO membership or equivalent security guarantees to prevent Moscow from attacking again.

Mr. Putin has said repeatedly that Russia is open to talks to end the conflict but that it would nevertheless achieve its goals in Ukraine of Moscow securing the country’s “demilitarization” and neutrality.

While Trump administration officials had signaled for some time that they would not support all of Ukraine’s goals, remarks by Mr. Hegseth and Mr. Trump jolted European allies.

“No NATO membership, no boots on the ground? Sounds like abandoning Ukraine,” former Lithuania Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis posted on X in response to Mr. Hegseth’s comments, which come ahead of the Munich Security Conference for political and military leaders later this week.

“Delegates are flying to Munich not to negotiate, but to deliver Zelensky the bad news.”

When asked later on Wednesday if Mr. Hegseth’s remarks had taken away any US leverage, Mr. Trump told reporters: “I’m backing Ukraine.”

‘CONCESSION TO REALITY’
Stephen Wertheim, senior fellow at Carnegie Endowment, described Mr. Hegseth’s comments as a “concession to reality.”

“Hegseth’s remark does not imply any US willingness to recognize occupied Ukrainian territory as legally Russian,” he said, adding that ruling out NATO membership “signals to Russia that a realistic settlement may be achievable.”

Since the war began in February 2022, Mr. Trump’s predecessor President Joseph Biden — along with European allies — stood firm in demanding Russia withdraw and held out the possibility of eventual NATO membership. The US and Europe have given Ukraine tens of billions of dollars in military aid.

Russia also has been diplomatically isolated at the United Nations, where three-quarters of the 193-member General Assembly repeatedly voted to denounce Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and demand it withdraw its troops.

The Kremlin said on Wednesday Mr. Putin and Mr. Trump had agreed to meet, and Mr. Putin had invited Mr. Trump to visit Moscow. Such a trip would be a major boost for the Russian president, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over his actions in Ukraine.

Brett Bruen, a former foreign policy adviser in the Obama administration, likened Mr. Trump’s agreement to meet Mr. Putin to him granting two high-profile summits in his first term in office to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to try to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

Mr. Kim pressed ahead with nuclear weapons development anyway. “This is the kind of stuff you should get concessions for,” he said. “You demand that the Kremlin not only free more Americans but cede territory in Ukraine.”

MINERALS FOR SECURITY
Mr. Trump’s calls and Mr. Hegseth’s remarks coincided with a visit to Kyiv by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who said a minerals deal between Kyiv and Washington would provide Ukraine with a post-war “security shield.” Mr. Zelensky said he was ready to do a deal to open mineral resources to US investment.

Mr. Trump on Wednesday signaled a minerals deal would provide security for US funding for Ukraine, saying: “I told Biden, I said: ‘You ought to be asking for either a loan or some kind of a security, like their oil and gas or something for the money’.”

John Herbst, ambassador to Ukraine between 2003-2006 under President George W. Bush’s administration, said that the US had surrendered some leverage with Russia, but that Mr. Bessent’s visit to Kyiv was a positive signal.

“Trump is talking about exchanging American weapons for the Ukrainians minerals. So this is a vehicle under Trump’s logic for sending weapons to Ukraine, “  Mr. Herbst said. “That’s a big deal and very positive.”

Still, a quick deal on uneven terms would be a dangerous precedent.

British lawmaker and former foreign secretary James Cleverly said that starting a negotiation by setting out what one side should give up was “not a strong move.”

“Giving the impression that invasion pays off is not a strong move. Regimes are watching closely. Let’s send the message that violence and aggression don’t win out. I stand with Ukraine,” he posted on X. — Reuters

Israel seen as likely to attack Iran by midyear, Post reports

COLE KEISTER-UNSPLASH

US INTELLIGENCE warns that Israel is likely to launch a preemptive attack on Iran’s nuclear program by midyear, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing multiple intelligence reports.

Such an attack would set back Iran’s nuclear program by weeks or months while escalating tension in the region and risking a wider conflict, according to multiple intelligence reports from the end of the Biden administration and start of the Trump administration, the newspaper reported.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. The White House declined to comment. The Post said the Israeli government, CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency and Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment.

Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, told the Post that President Donald Trump “will not permit Iran to get a nuclear weapon.”

“While he prefers negotiating a resolution to Americans’ long-standing issues with the Iranian regime peacefully, he will not wait indefinitely if Iran isn’t willing to deal, and soon,” Hughes told The Post.

The most comprehensive of the intelligence reports came in early January and was produced by the intelligence directorate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Post said.

It warned that Israel was likely to attempt an attack on Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities.

Current and former US officials familiar with the intelligence said Israel has determined its bombing of Iran in October degraded Iran’s air defenses and left the country exposed to a follow-on assault, said the Post, which did not name the officials.

Iran and Israel engaged in tit-for-tat strikes last year amid wider tensions over Israel’s war in Gaza.

The intelligence reports envisioned two potential strike options that each would involve the United States providing aerial refueling support and intelligence, the Post said.

Mr. Trump told Fox News in an interview that aired on Monday he would prefer to make a deal with Iran to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon, saying he also believed Iran would prefer a deal over an armed conflict.

“Everyone thinks Israel, with our help or our approval, will go in and bomb the hell out of them. I would prefer that not happen,” Mr. Trump said.

The United States under President Barack Obama and European allies negotiated an agreement with Iran to halt its nuclear program, but Trump in his first term in office, encouraged by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, withdrew the United States from the landmark accord and ordered sanctions reimposed on Tehran in 2018.

Iran has since restarted its nuclear program and is enriching uranium, according to the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran, Britain, France and Germany have met in Geneva to search for a way to resume nuclear talks, Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Iran’s state TV in January. — Reuters