we start off with a quick look at some of the stories we're following. confirming the identity. jong nam is dead and it will hand over his body to north

korea authorities. u.s.residentonaldrump sayay his administratio m may not stik to a two state solution between israelis and palestinians. working hard, an iconic japanese fashion designer leads by example with a collection attributed to labor. malaysia's deputy prime minister says his country will hand over the body of his half brother to the embassy. it will happen after police and medical procedures are completed. he told reporters the man that fell sick was confirmed to be kim jong nam. his autopsy is completed but police are still trying to determine the cause of death. south korea officials think nerve gas was used on him. given the state of his body it's possible it was highly toxic vx

gas known to be used by north korean agents. they have detained a 25-year-old woman that holds an indonesian passport. they arrested a woman with a vietnamese passport the day before. malaysian media say a total of two women and four men were in the attack. south korean media are reporting that kim jong nam may have had a book account named kim choi. he went to an international school in switzerland and has 140 registered friends. it was last updated in november of 2015. little information comes out of north korea say for state run

media reports and those outlets stayed quite on the death but we know that kim jong nam spent many years abroad and was no stranger to international media. more on who he was and what could have made him a target. >> his death sounds like something out of a cold war spy movie. his life has the same level of intrigue. he was once seen as a likely hair to the regime but became establish stranged from the family. unshaven in clothes and with gambling as a hobby. they reported beijing's open door economic reform policy but in 2013, he was killed.

experts say he was offered protection from china and that was a problem according to one export. >> kim jong nam was a symbolic figure as kim jong il's son. he would have been very useful. >> south korea's intelligence chief says kim jong nam may have been put on the assassination list after kim jong un became leader. >> south korean media report he recently got political asylum in the south making him a target. an assassination may have been ordered for another reason.

>> i had information that some north korean defectives were considereding leadership under kim jong nam. if he becomes the leader this will be a troublesome thing for north korea's administration. >> he added kim jong nam was the only national that could openly criticize the regime and therefore was a nuisance to his younger brother. >> meanwhile officials are observing the 75th birthday of the country's late leader kim jong il. his son visited the palace where his father's body lies in state. state tv reported he was accompanied by aids and layed wreaths at his an sessor's

statues. also at a meeting with other members of the workers party. >> the former leader raised our country's status to a nuclear weapons state. it's the greatest victory. >> the parliamentary head vowed to defeat what he described as the united states hostile policy toward his country. a separate ceremony was held at the north korean embassy in beijing where chinese diplomats paid their respects. the american president indicated his administration is not necessarily committed to a two state solution to the israeli palestinian conflict. it's widely seen as bacacking ay from washington's standing policy on the middle east peace process. >> i'm looking at two state and one state and i like the one that both parties like.

i can live with either one. >> donald trump made the statement after talks in washington with israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu. past u.s. administrations upheld the two state solution as a cornerstone of middle east peace policy it calls for israel and the palestinian state to co-exist. they also took up contention in the west bank. >> as far as s settlements i'd lilike to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. we'll work something out but i'd like to see a deal be made. i think a deal will be made. >> trump also said he was carefully considering the possibility of moving the u.s. embassy to jerusalem. the status of the city is disputed between israeli and palestinians. the relocation was trump's presidential campaign pledge. labor unions and management at japanese firms are discussing

wag wages. >> various labor unions kicked off with management. the focus this year will not only be on whether union leaders can negotiate a basal ri increase for the fourth straight year but also better working conditions including a decrease in overtime hours representatives of the japanese electronic and information union submitted their request to the management of electronics makers on thursday. they're calling for an increase of $26 in monthly salaries. the management said they would carefully consider the request in the light of current economic conditions. toshiba's union announced on thursday it will not participate in the unified wage negotiations for a second year in a row they're expected to report

massive losses. last year the company didn't offer a basal ri increase and cut bonuses by up to 50% they plan to demand that contract workers should be calculated by multiples of their basal ris like full time employees. it's rare to calculate bonuses for contract workers in such a way but will make for better work environment japan's finance minister has spoken with the new u.s. treasury secretary but haven't addressed a key issue, currencies. japanese officials say he congratulated steven on taking office and the two agreed to work closely together to promote the economic growth of both countries he hoped to see him at

the meeting and scheduled for next month in germany. currencies were not a topic off discscussion. donald trump accused them of taking jobs away from americans. japanese officials dismiss that. they say the two finance chiefs will hold discussions on currencies in the future. checking the markets, tokyo shares ended lower as the stronger yen dragged down the nikkei average. our business reporter has more from the tokyo stock exchange. >> many investors sold stocks to get profits from the previous days gains. they sold the dollar after the recent rise. look at the closing levels for thursday february 16th. nikkei 225 lost nearly half a percent and the broader topics

fell. fell below the 114 yen level in tokyo trading hours. earlier in the day 115 yen on solid u.s. inflation and retail data. and car makers all fell. toshiba losing 3.3%. media reports say the companies that could exceed in the current fi fiscal year. this could get toshiba removed from the first section of the tokyo stock exchange. >> moving on to other markets in the asia pacific region. in china, the shanghai composite ended up by .5%. investors are hoping ahead of the annual national conference in march.

close at 97.71. profit taking weighed on the index following a five day rally. investors shrugged off the outlook for this year's gdp growth. it ended down a touch and inched higher after january. >> the heads of major u.s. retailers met with president trump to give push back on plans he has pledged to overhaul. >> we'll also reform our tax code to help middle income families and american businesses grow and thrive. >> yet one proposal is being considered which they say would raise the price of imported products. republican lawmakers have drawn up plans and would lower taxes on companies that export but do not give the same benefit to firms that input. after the meeting target released a statement opposing the plan saying it would make

every day goods cost more. target impororts many of its in store products from overseas. some republicans have also cautioned against the plan following opposition from companies. the chair of the u.s. federal reserve has choiced concern that trump's immigration policies could dampen economic growth. janet yellen was testifying before a house committee immigration is an important part of labor force growth in the united states for sometime now. a r radical change in immigrati would effect the potential of the economy to grow. >> yellen enforced it during her testimony the previous day. trump's proposed tax cuts and stepped up spending plans could

hurt the country's fiscal health. u.s. trade authorities are set to impose punitive tariffs on another product from china. they determined that imports of a heat resistant fabric poses a threat to producers. the fabric is being subsidized and sold in the united states at less than fair value. the decision cleared the way for the u.s. government to impose an antidumping duty of 162% and up to 165% on the fabric. this is the third time they are the target of punitive duties under the trump administration. the auto sector has been one of japan's leading industries but sluggish domestic sales and changing technologies reflect challenges. we'll look at how some companies are figighting back. nhk world has the story.

>> it's been seeking out opportunities in other industries. it was dropped in sales after the financial crisis years ago. it took it's technology and created something new. a production support system. temperature, humidity, concentration and amount of life.. the data is fed through a computer. it works out the conditions in the shortest amount of time. if the humidity ever dropped,

springing into action adopted the system. raising 3030% of other rates. >> there's uncertainty about the earnings outlook for the auto industry so we're using technologies we have developed to expand into other fields. the trend is going through the sector. a model of a human skull and this is a feature. like accidents or disease. it's the leading maker. it uses a material. the company is able to produce

parts of it. executives realize they know how to create safe and strong votes and elelectric vehicles become more mainstream. >> the time may come when our products are no longer needed. we have embarked on this new business. >> finding new ways to use long standing technologies, this could hold the key to survival. nhk world. >> you can catch the report again online together with a full transcript. that's a look at business news. i'm going to leave you with the markets.

being at the top of the fashion world isn't about creating trends. nor is it about clamor. the japanese d designer hasas b proven thatt through a a career that spans decades. his designs alwayss have a message f for the times. the top of crop kicd off

2017 i paris. he's there as he has been for the past 35 years. the theme of this men's colltion, hard worker. set ups that remind youou of the industrial revolutionon. white lab coatsts witheavy work boots and covov alls. rearranged work clothes. giving the designs an elegance and his respect for people that earned their money through toil and moil. >> h hard labor doesn't pay wel. i hate that. we all should sweat over the work we do. >> his own success didn't come

without effort. in 1983 he shocked the fashion world. until then the p paris collelec was knonown for displaying colo of the seasons andnd glamour. he rebelled against the stereo type and redefined beauty. ever since his collections have been an expression of his lieves. >> i've always felt my role as an artist is to go against the norms of society. by doing so i can contribute to society. it's easy to say but actually takes a lot of every to do. >> he felt he had to go outside of his c comfort zozone. he decided to hold his first art exhibit in tokyo. he spent two straight months facing the canvas. the motitifs he chose included

very personal memories. cherry trees remimind him of hi mother who had praised him for a picture of cherry blossoms he drew as a child. his mother raised him on her own. she was seamstress that tauaugh the importance of working hard to make ends meet using your own hands so he painted and painted untill he was physically and mentally exhausted. >> it is a grueling task. you have to start from scratch and complete each picture. >> and after he finished his pantings he sent out this invitation for paris fashion week. his collection is a tribute to all people that toll to survivi.

>> i have always believed in wawalking on thehe wild side of street. i don't want to walk the mainstream of fashion. if i took the main path it would mean a dead end for me. >> peoe areo caugh up wh money and famee that they lost perspectivive. they need a reminder it's the process that counts. >> nhk newsline comes to you live from tokyo. now whether authorities still warn about whether the situation is dyer as workers are scrambling to fix the spill ways. on top of that weather conditions are worrisome. >> we are look at heavy rainfall to continue being a part of the story along the western portions

of the united states. all clouds are covering portions of the northwest extending up into british columbia and also impacting those where the concern is with the dam and dam structure is fine but the spill ways are still a concern so the heavy rainfall may complicate the situation as we go forward in time. also very windy conditions along with the storm as it comes on shore so we'll be dealing with rain, thunderstororms and windy conditions thrououtt the d day n thursday. that'sotot the end of the story. the tail end is also packing quite a punch. it will be coming on shore ththrough friday and bringing a chance of heavy rainfall into los angeles and also possibly as far south as san diego so we need to look at the potential for flash blooding throughout the next couple of days across california. meanwhile we flipped to the other side of the united states, also on the other side of canada where a low pressure system

continues to bring a bit of a winter storm-typeset up. lots of strong winds taking placend chilly air circulating around the low pressure system. it's dririving in northerly win so t the eastern seaboard will t chilly as we go throughout the day on thursday. snow extending up into eastern portions of canada. be on the look out. we're looking at a bit of a chilly day as we go throughout thursday and then rain to vancouver and seattle. dry on thursday. we'll warm up as we head -- we're goingng to see rain as weo toward friday and we're going to see that be a forecast with heavy rain going forward. >> now as you'll look at the forecast for europe, a high pressure system is setting up a block pattern so not a lot of activity taking place for a good portion of the continent. butt we do have a little bit of interaction with a low pressure system up toward the north.

that's going to bring windy conditions and rain for the aisle. also down toward paris a high of 12 on thursday. continued to stay chilly below freezing for moscow and kiev as we go through thursday. >> thisystetem is no longer considered a tropical storm. it's a little bit past that but a lot of rainfall taking place as this continues to push toward the west. we are looking at the potential for flooding concerns as we continue on throughout the next couple of days but be on the look out for that as we go through thursday and friday. wrapping things up with a look at japan, we have seen a very nice day. sunny skies and relatively warm conditions. that's not tend of the story. more warm air is in the forecast. we see a southerly flow that will come into the picture. we will see a changnge though heading toward saturday as we have a cold front coming inn frm the north. that chilly air will kick up

that sea effect snow once again for those living across that particular coast but i mean if you'd like going outdoors and enjoying the sunshine, look at this, 19 for the high on friday for tokyo before we get really cool. back to normal. reality as we go through the weekend. hope you have a good day where ever you are. here's your extended outlook. ♪

fishermen in northern japan are hauling in a seasonal delicacy. crews are coming home with catches of herring. females are especially popular with customers as they're full of eggs. their season opened last month. boats brought in nearly 150 tons. that's a third of the haul this time last year. still fishermen say this season's are plump and tasty. >> they're greater grilled or simmered in soy sauce. they taste great. >> boats will be hauling in

through april. the latest on the election in jakarta and more all at thevp

this is "france 24." i'm genie godula. these are the headlines. minister justin trudeau at the european parliament in strasbourg to thank the e.u. for signing a controversial free-trade deal with canada. french prosecutors say they will not be dropping the investigation into francois fillon. the conservative presidential candidate has been dogged by allegations he paid his wife, penelope, for an imaginary job.