Smoke rising from a chimney against the dark winter sky in Brussels, December 6, 2024. Winter months in Europe often see a significant increase in air pollution due to the widespread use of solid fuels for heating.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

François Hollande, former President of France, met with readers at the Filligranes bookstore in Brussels to discuss his latest book “Le défi de gouverner.” A critic of Hollande’s fiscal policies interrupted the gathering, demanding explanations about state debt and taxation strategies