Free Republic

Subway drivers are refusing to stop at some stations in Paris because of a surge in violent crime at some stops, it has emerged. Frightened drivers say they are not calling at certain stations in the French capital's north east in order to 'protect passengers' and themselves. Some stations are increasingly being used by crack dealers, they say, with Marx Dormoy on line 12 and Marcadet-Poissonniers on lines 12 and 4 said to be among the worst hit.

If the presidential election was held now, Mr Obama would win 51 percent of votes, ahead of 45 percent for Mitt Romney, the Republican frontrunner, according to the ABC/Washington Post survey. It is the first time that any contender has broken the 50 percent barrier in months. "I deserve a second term, but I am not done," said Mr Obama. "We've created 3.7 million jobs in the last 23 months. We've created the most jobs since 2005, the most manufacturing jobs since 1990, but we're not finished." Mr Romney leads the Republican field after winning the Nevada caucuses over the