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Anti-Uber protests turn violent in France

Cars are burned and tyres slashed as angry French taxi drivers block transport hubs in protest against the mobile-based service.

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French taxi drivers have burned cars and blocked transport hubs as part of a nationwide strike against the mobile-based service Uber, reports Sky News.

Some 2,800 cabbies took part in the strike, with more than 30 blockades nationwide.

Paris' Charles De Gaulle and Orly airports were affected by the protest.

The drivers are angry about an Uber service called UberPOP, which puts customers in touch with private drivers who charge a lower price than those of traditional taxis.

The taxi drivers say the service is putting their jobs at risk by flooding the market with low-cost drivers.

UberPOP has been banned since January, and its drivers face up to a year in prison and a €15,000 (£10,600) fine.

But enforcing the law has proved difficult and services continue to operate.

One of those who was caught up in the protest was American rock singer Courtney Love.

She detailed her ordeal on Twitter, claiming her taxi was ambushed and the driver held hostage by protesters.

"This is France?? I'm safer in Baghdad," Love tweeted.

Read more of this report from Sky News.