South Africa’s Treasury proposes a smaller VAT hike to resolve a budget deadlock in the ruling coalition, while trade tensions with Europe escalate over US tariffs. The program also covers the phenomenon of link rot on the internet.
South Africa’s Treasury has revised its national budget, introducing a smaller value-added tax (VAT) increase to resolve a political standstill within the ruling coalition government. This proposal comes after disagreements that resulted in the unprecedented delay of last month’s budget, marking a 30-year first in budget delays.
Additionally, the program discusses intensifying trade tensions in Europe, featuring insights from a European Commission spokesperson regarding retaliatory measures against President Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum.
The discussion also touches on an investigation by BBC’s Frey Lindsay into a significant issue many face online, known as “link rot,” which refers to the problem of web links becoming outdated or broken over time.
This article underscores South Africa’s budget challenges where a revised VAT proposal aims to alleviate political impasses. Furthermore, it outlines the complexities of global trade relations, particularly regarding US tariffs, and highlights a critical digital issue—link rot—that affects the integrity of online content.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
