The mayor of the latter city signed a disaster declaration to help cope with the destruction.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

No wonder Mr Chirac, a president condemned since the general election of 1997 to cohabit with a left-wing government, is keeping a close eye on the capital: a friendly mayor could help him stay in power.

ECONOMIST: France

With the help of some of the program's parents, we submitted it to Hartford's mayor, superintendent, and then the board.

CNN: Commentary: Good schools aren't only for rich kids