France’s new Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, has indicated he may raise taxes to address the country’s struggling budget, a proposal that could divide his centre-right political base. Barnier, who assumed office just two weeks ago, is exploring tax hikes as a solution to France’s severe budgetary shortfall.

According to reports from French media, Barnier is contemplating tax increases given the “very serious” state of the national budget. The European Union had previously warned France about breaching budgetary rules before Barnier’s appointment. Additionally, the Bank of France has deemed the goal of reducing the public deficit to under 3% by 2027, as stipulated by EU regulations, “not realistic.”

France’s public sector deficit is projected to hit approximately 5.6% of GDP this year and could exceed 6% by 2025. Barnier is set to face his first major challenge next month when he presents the 2025 budget to parliament. Securing support for the budget may prove difficult given the potential backlash from his political allies.

Barnier’s predecessor, Gabriel Attal, who led President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble pour la République group, has called for a reassessment of their political strategy in light of Barnier’s tax plans. A scheduled meeting between Barnier and Macron’s supporters has been delayed, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the new administration’s stance.

Within the right-wing Les Républicains party, concerns have been voiced about Barnier’s potential tax increases. Véronique Louwagie, a party MP, criticized the idea, stating, “We currently have the highest level of taxes and contributions in Europe. Let me remind you that these contributions are levied on households and businesses.”

Although no specific tax hikes have been confirmed, speculation suggests that Barnier may target the 25% corporate tax rate and consider reinstating a wealth tax. The latter could be a strategic move to gain support from left-leaning members of the National Assembly, who might be crucial for passing the budget and securing coalition backing following France’s contentious parliamentary elections in July.

Conversely, increasing taxes could alienate the far-right National Rally, who hold the power to initiate a vote of no-confidence against Barnier. Such a vote could gain support from left-wing MPs, further complicating Barnier’s political landscape.

As Barnier navigates these challenges, his approach to the budget and tax policy will be closely scrutinized, with potential implications for France’s political stability and economic recovery.

A new generation of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites is reportedly disrupting radio astronomy, hindering scientists’ ability to observe the universe, according to researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON). The interference from these satellites is proving to be a significant obstacle for astronomers, who are raising concerns about the impact on their research.

The issue stems from the second generation of Starlink satellites, which are emitting radio waves that are overpowering and obscuring the signals from distant celestial objects. According to ASTRON, the interference from these newer satellites is 32 times stronger than that from the first-generation models. This radiation exceeds the limits set by the International Telecommunications Union, the industry body responsible for regulating satellite emissions.

Professor Jessica Dempsey, director of ASTRON, highlighted the severity of the issue. “Every time more of these satellites are launched, we see less and less of the sky,” she told BBC News. Dempsey explained that the interference affects critical areas of research, including the study of black hole jets, early galaxies, and exoplanets. The increased brightness of the Starlink satellites is akin to comparing the faintest visible stars to the brightness of the full Moon, according to Cees Bassa, lead author of the study.

The study, conducted using the LOFAR radio telescope, found that almost all observed V2 Starlink satellites emitted unintended electromagnetic radiation, which was about 10 million times brighter than the weakest known sources of light. This level of interference is alarming as it threatens the integrity of ground-based astronomical observations across various wavelengths.

SpaceX, which operates Starlink, has not yet responded to requests for comment from BBC News. However, the company has previously engaged with astronomers about the interference from its first-generation satellites, though the newer models appear to be even more problematic.

The research published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics underscores the urgent need for regulatory measures to mitigate the impact of satellite constellations on scientific research. With predictions that the number of satellites in orbit could exceed 100,000 by 2030, the potential for further interference grows.

Professor Dempsey advocates for regulatory action and technical solutions, such as improved shielding of satellite components, to reduce radiation. Without these measures, astronomers fear that the night sky will become increasingly dominated by artificial signals, overshadowing the natural celestial wonders.

The findings highlight a growing tension between the expansion of satellite networks and the preservation of scientific observation, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to space exploration and research.

Israel has achieved a significant tactical victory in its recent operation targeting Hezbollah, delivering a humiliating blow to the Lebanese militant group. This action, reminiscent of a high-stakes thriller, has caused a major embarrassment for Hezbollah, which could undermine their morale. However, the operation presents a potential strategic risk for Israel, as it may not effectively deter Hezbollah or bring Israel closer to its goal of halting the group’s attacks on northern Israeli communities.

While the operation demonstrates Israel’s capability to infiltrate Hezbollah’s communication systems and strike a critical blow, it falls short of achieving a broader strategic victory. More than 60,000 Israeli residents along the northern border have been displaced for nearly a year due to ongoing tensions, and this latest move does not seem to provide a clear path toward their return.

Reports from Al Monitor, a respected Middle East newsletter, suggest that Israel had originally intended to follow the pager explosions with a series of devastating attacks. The plan, reportedly, was for this to be the opening salvo in a larger offensive, possibly even an invasion of southern Lebanon. However, growing suspicion within Hezbollah forced Israel to trigger the attack prematurely, robbing it of its intended impact. As a result, while Israel has embarrassed Hezbollah, the region remains on the brink of all-out war.

The broader conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, with no clear path to de-escalation. The ongoing war in Gaza plays a significant role in the broader tensions, impacting Lebanon, the Red Sea, and Iraq. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein has been working to mediate and de-escalate the situation diplomatically, speaking with Lebanese and Israeli officials. However, reports suggest that Israel did not inform the U.S. of its recent plans until the last minute, which complicates these diplomatic efforts.

Meanwhile, efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza remain stalled. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar insists on Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages. On the other side, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to push for total victory over Hamas, resisting calls for a ceasefire despite mounting pressure from hostage families and other stakeholders. His ultranationalist allies have threatened to collapse his government if he pursues a deal.

As the situation with Hezbollah intensifies, questions about civilian casualties have arisen. In one instance, CCTV footage captured a pager exploding in a crowded market, leading to the death of a young girl. Hezbollah, while reeling from this blow, is expected to regroup and find new ways to communicate.

With both sides pushed to the edge, the region teeters on the brink of all-out war. If tensions continue to escalate, it seems only a matter of time before a full-scale conflict erupts.