Tear gas explodes in Paris as angry students expand protests to 40 cities

"What started as a local protest at a school in a Parisian suburban area has quickly turned national. The protests have spread to over 40 cities across France.

Official reports counted over 250,000 demonstrators nationwide, though student unions claimed 450,000 marchers took to the streets.
Teenagers filled major avenues while police used tear gas and water cannons." msn