World
Teenager loses hand during student protests in France
In the third week of protests in France, a 15-year-old lost his hand in Lens after handling a police grenade. Clashes and arrests continue in various cities.
A 15-year-old boy lost his left hand in the city of Lens, France, after reportedly picking up a police grenade, according to a regional newspaper. The incident occurred during the third week of school protests, which have already resulted in around five thousand arrests nationwide.
The protests arose in response to demands for better conditions in educational institutions and have been marked by clashes between demonstrators and security forces. Tensions have escalated in recent weeks, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to call an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.
The city of Lens recently experienced a particularly tense morning, leading to the decision that classes at the Auguste Béhal Institute would be conducted online. The school was closed this Tuesday, following a calmer day compared to previous protest days.
In addition, French unions plan to join the protests in Paris, as reported by the Daily Mail. This comes amid ongoing mobilizations by students seeking better conditions in schools, facing resistance from local authorities.
On another note, U.S. President Donald Trump made statements attributing the origin of the protests to increased migration and the influence of Islam in French society. His comments were met with controversy, given that the demonstrators are demanding improvements in educational conditions and not broader social issues.
In an international development, Iran summoned the French ambassador in Tehran, Pierre Cochard, due to the treatment of protesters in France. The summons was reported by state media and reflects the growing international interest in the mobilizations occurring in various locations across France.