South Africa’s Treasury has proposed a revised budget with a smaller VAT increase to resolve a political stalemate. The program also discusses escalating trade tensions in Europe resulting from U.S. tariffs and features an investigation into the issue of link rot on the internet.
South Africa’s National Treasury has proposed a revised budget featuring a modest increase in value-added tax (VAT). This adjustment aims to resolve the ongoing political deadlock within the ruling coalition, which led to the unprecedented postponement of last month’s budget—a situation that has not occurred in three decades.
Additionally, the program addresses escalating trade tensions in Europe, including a segment where a spokesperson from the European Commission discusses retaliation against President Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
Furthermore, the BBC’s Frey Lindsay explores an issue known as “link rot,” investigating the internet’s capacity to retain information and its implications for digital memory.
In summary, South Africa’s Treasury is attempting to overcome a political impasse with a revised budget that proposes a smaller VAT increase. While addressing domestic challenges, the situation is further complicated by international trade dynamics, particularly with the European response to U.S. tariffs. Additionally, concerns about the integrity of online information are highlighted through the investigation into link rot, underscoring broader issues surrounding digital memory.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
