By Susan Sachs, For The Straits Times

PARIS: Tensions are rising in France as factory workers threatened with layoffs, reduced hours and economic uncertainty turn to violence and a former PM raises the spectre of 'revolution'.

A court in northern France ordered the shutdown of a Continental AG tyre plant this week for security reasons, after angry employees went on the rampage.

The German-owned company plans to shut the plant next year, with the loss of 1,200 jobs.

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