The article discusses the Hubble tension, a discrepancy between the local and global measurements of the Hubble constant $H_0$, and explores whether it can be resolved by new physics in the late or early Universe. The authors present a model-independent analysis using a combination of supernova (SNe Ia) and baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) data, along with cosmic chronometer (CC) measurements, to constrain late-time cosmological models. They find that the $\Lambda$CDM model is consistent with the data, and that any deviations from it are not significant enough to explain the Hubble tension. However, they also find a tension in the intercept $a_B$ of the magnitude-redshift relation between the local and late Universe, which suggests the presence of local-scale new physics or observational systematics. The authors argue that this tension cannot be explained by early or late-time modifications to the $\Lambda$CDM model and that it may indicate the need for local-scale new physics. The study provides a model-independent constraint on late-time models and shows that the $a_B$ tension is a robust feature of the data, independent of the models used. The results suggest that the Hubble tension may not be solely due to new physics in the early or late Universe, but could instead be a result of local-scale inhomogeneities or observational biases. The authors conclude that further studies are needed to confirm the $a_B$ tension as a local reflection of the Hubble tension and to explore its implications for cosmology.The article discusses the Hubble tension, a discrepancy between the local and global measurements of the Hubble constant $H_0$, and explores whether it can be resolved by new physics in the late or early Universe. The authors present a model-independent analysis using a combination of supernova (SNe Ia) and baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) data, along with cosmic chronometer (CC) measurements, to constrain late-time cosmological models. They find that the $\Lambda$CDM model is consistent with the data, and that any deviations from it are not significant enough to explain the Hubble tension. However, they also find a tension in the intercept $a_B$ of the magnitude-redshift relation between the local and late Universe, which suggests the presence of local-scale new physics or observational systematics. The authors argue that this tension cannot be explained by early or late-time modifications to the $\Lambda$CDM model and that it may indicate the need for local-scale new physics. The study provides a model-independent constraint on late-time models and shows that the $a_B$ tension is a robust feature of the data, independent of the models used. The results suggest that the Hubble tension may not be solely due to new physics in the early or late Universe, but could instead be a result of local-scale inhomogeneities or observational biases. The authors conclude that further studies are needed to confirm the $a_B$ tension as a local reflection of the Hubble tension and to explore its implications for cosmology.