Free Republic

Paris (CNN)A weapon was fired as French President François Hollande was giving a speech in western France Tuesday, the mayor of Villognon told CNN. Hollande was not injured, but another man was, Mayor Claude Guitton said. According to CNN affiliate BFM-TV, a local police officer aiding in the security detail for the President's visit accidentally discharged his weapon. The officer is a sniper and was positioned on top of a building, the Prefet of Charente Pierre N'Gahane told BFM-TV. The President was speaking at the inauguration of a high-speed train line when the gun went off. Video on the French...

If François Hollande has styled himself as Mr Normal – recently photographed buying fruit compote in a Paris supermarket and saying he would continue to do so after he's elected "if the fridge is empty" – his partner, Valérie Trierweiler, could revolutionise the unofficial role of France's first lady. If, as she has promised, the 46-year-old journalist keeps her contract for the magazine Paris Match and continues to work, it would be the first time a president's partner has held down a regular job and salary. Her role as a journalist would make this juggling act even more tricky. For...