French Student Loses Hand to Grenade as Protests Escalate Nationwide

France is grappling with its biggest student protests in decades, and the situation has turned increasingly violent. What began as a demonstration in support of striking teachers at a suburban high school north of Paris has snowballed into a national crisis. Hundreds of schools have been forced to close, and more than 6,000 people have been taken into police custody over the past few weeks, most of them minors with no previous criminal records. Students, teachers, and police officers have been injured. In a shocking escalation, one student in the north-east city lost a hand to a grenade, underscoring the dangerous turn the protests have taken. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for calm, but tensions remain high. The government is under pressure to address the underlying grievances while restoring order. The protests reflect deep-seated frustrations over education funding, working conditions, and broader social issues. As the crisis continues, the world watches to see how France will navigate this unprecedented challenge. NBC News provides comprehensive coverage of the unfolding events, with reports from the ground and analysis of the political implications.