French teenager loses hand after picking up police grenade during school protests

A 15-year-old student lost a hand after picking up a police grenade during nationwide protests in France over classroom conditions, with the injury occurring in the northern town of Lens. Authorities said the teenager appeared to have picked up a sting-ball grenade fired by riot police, which exploded in his hand. The protests, ongoing since late September, involve student blockades at hundreds of schools over teacher absences, overloaded timetables, and dilapidated buildings, with larger demonstrations expected Tuesday. More than 400 of France's 3,700 high schools were closed Monday, and over 5,000 people, 85 percent minors, have been arrested since the movement began. The French Human Rights League accused police of disproportionate force, while the government pushes legislation to make vandals' families pay for damages.