South Africa’s Treasury proposes a smaller VAT increase to resolve a budget deadlock, marking the first delay in 30 years. The episode also examines escalating trade tensions in Europe due to U.S. tariffs and the phenomenon of “link rot” affecting digital content.
South Africa’s National Treasury has introduced a revised budget proposing a modest increase in value-added tax (VAT). This adjustment is designed to resolve ongoing political disagreements within the ruling coalition government that have led to an unprecedented postponement of last month’s budget, marking the first such delay in three decades.
Additionally, the episode covers the escalating trade tensions in Europe as the European Commission takes action against President Trump’s imposition of 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium. The spokesperson from the European Commission provides insights regarding these retaliatory measures.
Furthermore, the discussion delves into the phenomenon of “link rot,” as investigated by BBC’s Frey Lindsay, exploring the internet’s challenges with preserving digital content over time.
In summary, the South African Treasury’s proposal for a smaller VAT increase aims to address internal political disputes and avoid further budgetary delays. Concurrently, trade tensions are escalating in Europe due to U.S tariffs, with significant retaliatory actions being implemented. Additionally, the issue of maintaining digital content integrity is raised, highlighting a broader concern within the internet landscape.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
