Teen Loses Hand in Grenade Explosion at French Protest

A 15-year-old student lost a hand in an explosion during a protest in Lens, France, reportedly after a rubber grenade detonated as he tried to throw it back. Over 400 schools were closed nationwide on Monday. The police union source told AFP the student appeared to have caught the grenade fired by intervention police. School blockades and incidents affected 413 schools, down from 564 on Friday, with 40% of affected schools being new to the movement. The protests demand more substitute teachers and better building conditions. Authorities report about 5,000 arrests, mostly minors, with 24 schools damaged and 78 education staff injured. The government plans a law making protesters pay for damages, while unions accuse police of excessive force and the left-wing party La France Insoumise faces accusations of fueling tensions ahead of presidential elections.