PARIS (Reuters) - France offered one billion euros ($1.06 billion) in aid for French Guiana on Saturday after protests swept the French territory in South America in recent days, an official from the Ministry for France’s overseas territories said on Saturday.

The plan entails sending extra police forces, creating a tribunal and a jail.

“The plan was presented this morning to partners and they must now give their response,” the official told Reuters.

Interior Minister Matthias Fekl and Ericka Bareigts, minister for France’s overseas territories, were dispatched to French Guiana by Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve earlier this week to find a solution to local demands.

French Guiana has been swept by social unrest in recent days, with protests and a general strike, less than a month before France holds presidential elections.

The movement began with demands for greater security against crime - French Guiana is the French department with the highest murder rate - but also reflects a deeper malaise in the territory which suffers from high unemployment.

Labor protests in the overseas French department bordering Brazil and Suriname have also caused the indefinite postponement of the planned launch of an Ariane 5 rocket carrying communications satellites for Brazil and South Korea. </s> Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Brazil’s capital Thursday following calls for a second nationwide demonstration in as many weeks over the government’s plan to slash education spending.

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s government has provoked outrage among students and teachers over its proposal to freeze 30 percent of discretionary spending for public universities in the second half of this year.

A suspension of post-graduate scholarships for students in science and the humanities has also fueled anger.

Tens of thousands protested across Brazil on May 15, but Thursday’s turnout could be lower after the government said it would free up 1.59 billion reais in funding (about $400 million) for the sector.

Protests began in Brasilia ahead of demonstrations in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities later in the day. “I’m here for those who are poor and deserve the right to quality public education,” social services student Kaio Duarte told AFP in the capital. </s> Haitian Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant resigned on Saturday during a session in the lower house of Parliament in which he was to have faced a no-confidence vote.

The session was held after violent protests erupted last weekend over fuel-price hikes, which the government later scrapped.

Once the prime minister's resignation was announced, the speaker of the lower house, Gary Bodeau, posted a message on Twitter asking President Jovenel Moise "to choose a prime minister by general consent, bearing in mind the hopes of all sectors of national life."

Saturday morning, before the session got underway, Bodeau had already expressed in a statement to EFE his wish that Lafontant would resign "for the good of the country."

Because of the parliamentary session, which has sparked great expectations, and following the disturbances last weekend, the authorities deployed a strong police presence around the Haitian capital, especially outside Parliament, the target of another protest called by the opposition.

The prime minister's performance has been questioned for some time, and a few days before the violence broke out he was called by legislators to discuss where he was taking his government. He never showed up for that session.

Following the riots, sectors of the opposition, the local business class and even the ruling party demanded Lafontant's resignation.

Last July 6, the government announced an increase of between 37 and 50 percent on the price of fuel in this impoverished country, where over half the population lives on less than $2.00 a day.

The price hike of fuel including kerosene, widely used to light the homes of Haitians with little purchasing power, sparked violent protests in the streets, in which several people were killed.

The situation forced the government to drop the price increase the very next day. It had been the result of an accord signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which this week proposed the gradual elimination of the subsidies on these products, since such aid basically benefits the wealthy.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has condemned the violence unleashed over the past few days in Haiti and called on all parties to remain calm and practice restraint. </s> Following four weeks of "Yellow Vest" protests which have erupted into violence at times, French President Emmanuel Macron indicated Monday that his government can no longer ignore the demands of hundreds of thousands of citizens—announcing a minimum wage increase and a cancellation of a tax on retirees, but still refusing to relent on one of his most widely-criticized tax reforms.

In a pre-recorded televised address, Macron told the country that the minimum wage would be raised by €100, or $113, per month. As part of the "concrete measures" he said must happen to alleviate the suffering of low- and middle-income French households, a planned tax on pensions under €2,000 will be canceled and overtime pay will be tax-free.

The announcement follows weeks of protests which first began in rural areas but have spread across the country, with Parisian officials calling for a lockdown over the weekend after more than 100,000 protesters poured into the city's streets. More than 1,200 demonstrators were arrested on Saturday.

On social media, some observers applauded the extreme measures taken by the demonstrators and pointed out that Macron would have been able to ignore the demands of the Yellow Vests if they hadn't forced him to relent.

The exact focus of the protests has shifted since they began in mid-November, but central to the message of the Yellow Vests is anger over what they see as Macron's government "for the rich."

The government was forced to suspend a fuel tax last week, addressing the original reason for the demonstrations. Commuters from rural areas had grown angry that they would be far more affected by Macron's climate policy than corporate polluters and wealthy people in Paris and other cities. By the time Macron announced that the tax would be delayed, healthcare workers and students had joined the demonstrations to decry working conditions and education reforms.

Macron's address Monday appeared as an urgent attempt to regain control and trust in a country where more than two-thirds of French voters now approve of the Yellow Vests.

"I may have given you the impression that this was not my concern, that I had other priorities," Macron told the nation. "I take my share of responsibility."

But Macron refused to budge on his massive cut to the government's "wealth tax," which he introduced last year, cutting the taxes of the richest French households by 70 percent.

Previously, organizers denounced Macron's concession regarding the fuel tax as offering the French only "crumbs," and the Yellow Vests suggested Monday that while they've noted their progress, with the "wealth tax" cuts still in place, they hope for further movement from the president.

Thierry Paul Valette, an organizer of the demonstrations, told France 24 that the minimum wage hike represents the "start of dialogue certainly."

"Meanwhile," he said, "we continue the mobilizations." </s> Trying to quell violent protests across France's major cities, President Emmanuel Macron on Monday introduced a series of new measures he hopes will chart a path out of the political crisis and put an end to the anti-government demonstrations.

In a 13-minute speech from the Elysée Palace, Macron declared "a state of social and economic emergency," offering a handful of concessions to his critics, including promises to deliver tax relief for the poor and to cancel a tax increase on retirees.

It was his first public address after a week of silence, during which the gilets jaunes — yellow vests — protests continued to wreak havoc and mayhem on the streets of Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon, Dijon and Toulouse for the fourth weekend in a row.

Macron's plan to placate the yellow vests included a 100 euro per month minimum wage hike — equivalent to $114 per month — set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019. He paired the raise with the elimination of tax on overtime and end-of-the-year bonuses, and he encouraged employers "who can" to give bonuses as a way of helping to solve the social crisis in France. He also rescinded a planned tax on pensions that are under 2,000 euro per month.

These were among a wide range of demands by the yellow vests protesters, whose movement has gained widespread support after initially rallying against Macron's proposed fuel tax that was supposed to go into effect in January.

Macron cancelled the fuel tax last week hoping it would appease protesters and put an end to the rioting and looting in many cities.

In the four weeks since they started, the violent demonstrations have caused millions of euros in damages — in Paris alone, the city estimated the Dec. 1 protest caused about 3.4 million euros (nearly $4 million U.S.) in damage. And NPR's Jake Cigainero reported the French commerce federation said businesses have lost at least a billion euros (more than $1.1 billion U.S.) in sales.

The president, who has been accused by the yellow vests of being arrogant, out of touch and committed only to representing the interests of the rich, addressed France's struggling middle class and pensioners in soothing and sympathetic tones in the prerecorded speech on Monday. He said he understands the anger against his government runs deep and has been decades in the making.

"I may have given you the impression that this was not my concern, that I had other priorities. I take my share of responsibility. I know I have hurt some of you with my words," Macron said.

Macron's move to raise wages appeared to go against advice from Labor Minister Muriel Penicaud, who on Sunday told the Associated Press, "there will be no boost for the Smic (minimum wage)," because "it destroys jobs."

Cigainero reported that French television station BFM TV, showed yellow vests protesters watching the most anticipated speech of Macron's presidency huddled around small television sets in makeshift encampments.

One of them, Alain Bouché, acknowledged the president had made concessions but told the network yellow vest members will decide if Marcon's emergency measures will be enough to stop the demonstrations.

"If they're proposing it now, the government could have done it weeks ago," Bouché said. "So why did they wait until there was conflict and violence?"

Although he admitted he is partly to blame for the protests, the president condemned the violence seen at yellow vest demonstrations. He said calm and order must reign.

"No anger justifies attacking a police officer, a gendarme, or damaging a shop or public building. When violence is unleashed, freedom ends," Macron said.

He ended the brief speech by saying he would meet mayors region by region to chart a new program.

Then he addressed an issue that has not come up on the long list of demands by the yellow vests: He said his government would take measures to control immigration in what appears to be an attempt to prevent the narrative from being hijacked by the far right. </s> According to NPR, Haiti’s Prime Minister, Jack Guy Lafontant, resigned Saturday amid the nation’s protests over the recent oil price hike.

Haitian President Jovenel Moïse tweeted his acceptance of Lafontant’s resignation, adding that he will begin searching for a new prime minister. “I take this opportunity to thank Mr. Lafontant,” Moise tweeted, “and the members of the cabinet for the services rendered to the nation.”

Lafontant, who served as prime minister for only a year, was going to be voted out of office through a no-confidence vote anyway.

After the Haitian government announced their plan to raise oil prices on July 6, protests and riots broke out, causing chaos and destruction. Over the past week, major roads have been blocked off, shops have been vandalized, and protestors have set fire to numerous tires.

Oil prices, however, did increase dramatically, going up “by 38 percent for gasoline, 47 percent for diesel and 51 percent for kerosene.”

These price increases were a requirement of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, “which often requires countries to implement economic reforms in exchange for access to funds.” A little earlier in the year, Haiti signed an agreement with the International Monetary Fund in order to receive $96,000,000 in grants.

Over the last week of riots and protests, Lafontant reportedly “refused calls to step down from business and opposition groups, which accused the government of mishandling the double-digit fuel increase that its ministers announced with little notice.”

The Haitian government subsidizes the cost of their fuel, spending around 2% of their GDP on subsidies. According to the World Bank, in 2017 “the richest 20 percent of Haitians were receiving 93 percent of the subsidies.”

A relatively poor nation already, Haiti’s recent oil price hikes proved to be detrimental to Haitian citizens. The World Bank reported that 59% of Haitians “make less than the equivalent of $2.41 per day.”

On Thursday, the International Monetary Fund claimed that it would still support removing subsidies in order to provide the Haitian government with funding for social service programs, but added that they would want such a process to happen gradually.

Because of the riots and protests over oil prices, the U.S. State Department issued a warning on Monday to U.S. citizens, urging them not to travel due to Haiti’s current “widespread civil unrest and violent demonstrations” which included “protests, tire burning, and road blockages.”

Due to the unreliability of varying reports, anywhere from 2 to 7 people have been killed amid the riots so far. </s> Image copyright AFP Image caption Mr Lafontant was accused of mishandling the fuel reforms

The Prime Minister of Haiti, Jack Guy Lafontant, has resigned after days of violent protests against fuel price rises.

In a speech in the lower house of Congress in the capital, Port-au-Prince, he said President Jovenel Moïse, had accepted his resignation.

There had been calls for a vote of no-confidence in Mr Lafontant in Congress during the riots.

At least four people were killed with shops and buildings burnt and looted.

The unrest started after the government unveiled a proposal to remove fuel subsidies.

Haiti protests in pictures

This would have increased the price of petrol by 38% diesel by 47% and kerosene by 51%.

The capital, Port-au-Prince, was immobilized and dozens of shops and businesses attacked.

Image copyright AFP Image caption Demonstrators marched through the streets of Port-au-Prince to protest against the government

Image copyright AFP Image caption Thousands of Haitians took to the streets to protest for three days

The government responded by suspending the reforms.

In February, the country signed an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to carry out structural reforms to promote growth.

The IMF argued getting rid of the fuel subsidies would free up cash for other things like education, health and job creation.

But many of the protestors accused the government of being out of touch with their economic difficulties in one of the world's poorest countries.

A government spokesman said the suspension of the fuel price rises was temporary while the political crisis was tackled.

But opposition MPs in Congress warned that if the price increases were reinstated there would be more violence and protests on the streets.

The IMF suggested on Thursday "a more gradual approach" to ending fuel subsidies which were expected to generate around $300m (£226m).

There were also fuel protests in 2015 where demonstrators demanded a reduction in prices. </s> Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Brazil’s capital Thursday following calls for a second nationwide demonstration in as many weeks over the government’s plan to slash education spending.

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s government has provoked outrage among students and teachers over its proposal to freeze 30 percent of discretionary spending for public universities in the second half of this year.

A suspension of post-graduate scholarships for students in science and the humanities has also fueled anger.

Tens of thousands protested across Brazil on May 15, but Thursday’s turnout could be lower after the government said it would free up 1.59 billion reais in funding (about $400 million) for the sector.

Protests began in Brasilia ahead of demonstrations in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities later in the day.

“I’m here for those who are poor and deserve the right to quality public education,” social services student Kaio Duarte told AFP in the capital.

“I’m worried that the next generation won’t have all of the rights to education that I have had.

“This protest makes clear that students will never be silenced.”

Thursday’s protests come after thousands of pro-Bolsonaro protesters marched in cities across Brazil on Sunday in a show of support for the embattled leader.

Among their demands was for Congress to speed up approval of the government’s stalled pension overhaul, seen as key to unlocking other much-needed economic reforms. </s> Guyana’s fragile multiracial coalition government fell after a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly late Friday, setting off a general election campaign nearly two years before President David A. Granger’s constitutional term is complete.

The surprise collapse comes less than four years after a coalition of Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese politicians, promising a new style of inclusive politics, defeated a party that had held power for more than two decades.

A retired military commander, Mr. Granger has had trouble controlling a fractious cabinet and has been slow in putting together a regulatory and environmental framework to prepare the country for the first commercial production of oil, scheduled in 2020.

The discovery of oil by Exxon Mobil off Guyana’s Atlantic coast in recent years promises to transform the economy of the English-speaking South American country of 750,000 people. But even advisers to the government have warned that with the county’s history of corruption, Guyana risks squandering billions of dollars in annual revenue from taxes and royalties.
After two weeks of social unrest in French Guiana, the French government promises €1 billion for education, healthcare, security, and justice.