Good evening, the u. S. Secretary of state Rex Tillerson has held talks for the first time in brussels today with the Foreign Ministers of nato countries. Following remarks made by President Donald Trump nato has been keen to get clarity on just what washingtons position is towards the 28 member alliance. Spoke of ongoing russian hostility and also echoed trends call for members to pay their fair share. Lets listen to what the u. S. Secretary of state had to say. We have three important errors we want to talk about, the first is ensuring nato has all of the resources financial and otherwise that are necessary for nato to fulfill its mission. Anchor the u. S. Secretary of state speaking there. The nato chief says this message about funding has been taken on board and has been understood. I believe it is so important to remember that increasing defense spending across europe and canada is not just something to please the united states. It is about investing in our own security, in the security of close, because europe is to a more russia. For more analysis we can cross to brussels and speak with the former head of policy planning. Can i start by asking about your thoughts on how the talks went today . Guest we did not hear anything new coming from the u. S. Makenk theyre going to their point very clear that they expect european allies to reach 2 . They want an operational path forward. A pledge in very broad terms. I think now the u. S. Is especially expecting to have a more answers on how the europeans are going to reach that and whether they can do that more quickly than what was pledged in 2014. Theing new, apart from german reaction from the German Foreign minister. Germany is in election mode. They are usually more reluctant to send more money. He has to tread care enough ec as a warmup or, as money wants to escalate against russia. He has to manage that well. The bottom line is germany is the swing state of defense. If germany gets its act together 2 it is goingo to add 30 billion of money that is aater significant shift. Certainly we heard of the united faith and in the context of nato, a rather tougher tone towards russia. We even had a yes from russia about this talk of russian aggression. What should we read into this . We heard a clearer tone of the u. S. Administration. As a result of the fact that President Trump and some of his principles have boxed themselves in a corner on russia and now they have to talk tough. All the right things we want to hear from the administration both on russia and ukraine. We need to hear is not just declaration, we need to clear action on how the u. S. Is going to go out in containing a russia that is clearly undeterred. Thank you for sharing that with us. Thanks again. Lets get a brief check of other stores we are following you. Back to north korea, the body of kim jong un ons that kim jongun of kim jong uns brother was flown back to north korea. Plane, police repatriated three korean nationals that had been held over questioning over his assassination. Thousands of people evacuated from coastal areas after a power dislike home triggered heavy letting theater i wince are making the job really difficult rest crews. Two peoplesoft are known to have died you and bloodshed in northwestern packets 10. Dozens more injured following a car bombing in the town of close to the afghan border. You now Protesters Police typically if this follows a ruling by the countrys supreme court. Enhance them president Nicolas Maduro. Even from venezuela, attorney general and Simon Harding has. Renewed protests against Nicolas Maduro and you clashes with the Police Students and protesters to voice her anger at Venezuelan National family of the powers many see this as a temp the country under his yell right if demand our we, reason our voice against in our country you they want us to surrender, they want to paralyze fear and despair you are having risk did much of the National Assembly powers the opposition won you, it was to me the legislators unction because it wasnt at the lafayette however the move forced one of their closest allies to condemn the move. Court andions by the evident violations and a disregard for our state model, your. It is my obligation to press my great concern to the country. Domestic and international assurance. The market last american discussed the events. Negotiators is syrian government, calling each other terrorists or attila. Mediator. The both sides are to hold another any signs of progress in talks . Very cautious, but there was incremental progress in both sides had gone into considerable security and counterterrorism issues. Serious and they engaged, quite change given you the talks. And he stretched going forward. Whether the socalled sees iron broken by the russians, iranians and, which at the moment needs strength use of teacher meetings of the three guarantors of fire for this. At the same time the humanitarian for International Hard areas very little to areas. Very little getting you dont and when the next round with the Security Council in the site was the remental progress that you progress at that area progress at best. Negotiations have resumed with the goal of ending protests and a general strike. Those taken to the streets are angered at the height crime rate and what they see as a lack of investment in the territory. Reporter after stalling on the very first day, talks to try to end unrest in the territory resumed. A unionist accused her off treating the territory with contemptpt. I want to offer all of my apologies to the people. An announcement welcomed by protesters gathered outside of the free outside of the chapter that outside outside of the prefecture. Walked out when the government insisted on a closeddoor meeting. Demonstrators want them to pledge greater investment in the french territory, which has higher crime and unemployment than the rest of france. Unionists have suspended straits and are often asked to extend the talks until saturday. Anchor there are growing concerns over south africas economy following the sacking of countrysent and the finance minister, who earned a repetition for fiscal prudence. Someone whose credentials had been questioned. Countries grappling with low growth and Credit Rating hovering close to junk status. South africa is still reeling from jacob overnight. They sent the currency tumbling. Dismissed after a longrunning dispute over Government Spending in an overnight cabinet reshuffling song 10 of the countrys 35 ministers removed. Gordon called the official motive nonsense. Amongst others, the two of us and the director general are involved in this massive conspiracy to undermine the economy of this country. If you read this it is absolute nonsense. The Opposition Democratic Alliance has vowed to block the move. It can only be described as treason. Actions are taken not on the interests of of the South Africans but of the wealthy and the government. Senior figures in the ruling african can congress worse were quick to slam the move. Threatens to split the anc. As pressure grows on the embattled South African president to step down, amid growing allegations. A campaign has been launched in mexico with a goal of raising awareness on Sexual Harassment. According to some studies nine out of 10 women are victims of sexual violence. The new campaign is generated plenty of discussion. A novel way to end Sexual Harassment towards women by turning attention to mens bodies. Mexican authorities have joined forces for what is being called the experienced. The group u. N. Women mexico filmed reactions of commuters. The group says capturing the are nothingprise compared to the feelings felt by women who are sexually harassed. This is a really common problem and completely tolerated by our society. If we talked about it and responded to it and authorities intervened every time it happened we would generate a culture of zerotolerance. Women say they10 have been the victim of Sexual Harassment. It is time to stop turning a blind eye and right off the abuse as the cheeseman. Of two the first one that includes being responsible and empathy. Campaign alsosing includes other video experiments and fills the back sides of male computers and projection that projects them on screen. The videos have hit backlash on social media. Some saying they stick to ties men as criminals. Pay your share, that is the message Rex Tillerson said to a gathering of Foreign Ministers, citing ongoing hostility. A story to tell, so says the lawyer for trumps asked National Security adviser as he requests immunity from prosecution. And raising awareness and few eyebrows. Tackling Sexual Harassment on the capitals of a public transport network. It is time for a check of the top business news. Trump has just been meeting with manufacturers today. The u. S. President was hosting the National Association of manufacturers at the white house. It is a group of leading manufacturers that spans a range of different industries. Members were looking forward to trumps tax plan reform and loosening federal regulations. Trump heralded a vote of confidence from many factors, with a very positive approval rating. Lets have a listen to what he had to say. 93 ofnt trump manufacturers now have a positive outlook on the future of their business in this country. 93. Ago 56. Ust a few months t is a 20 year record by 20 year record hide. Our job is to bring act jobs, lower taxes, and provide a level playing field. Reporter cube has been getting the ball of its from venezuela. Venezuelas all venezuelas accruing to reuters the country will only allow tourist to buy premium fuel starting on saturday. Some drivers arent happy with the measure. As of this saturday, all tourists may no longer be able to buy the premium fuels that cars are designed to run on. The government recommends those affected replace the higher octane premium fuel for regular. Some including taxi drivers fear this could cause longterm damage to their cars and it will soon extend to regular fuel. The concern for taxi drivers is what is going to happen with this petrol. And how will the engines be effective. Not even a regular vehicle. What happens to regular vehicles now . Cubas shortages for this longtime supplier of subsidized last week motorists faced long queues in the south american nation as the country was hit by its first motor fuel shortage in five years. That is because the country with is Largest Oil Reserves easier to then convert to car fuel. This is a problem of refineries and to pay for important elements needed. The result has been a big drop in crude exports. Algeria has increased delivery. Havana is said to be striking a deal with russia. Dutch prosecutors have launched an International Probe after Swiss Bank Accounts were being used to launder money and dodge taxes. Authorities seize paintings, gold, jewelry, and lets listen to the director of dutch office for financial crimes prosecution. The action was aimed in people who are credited in swiss banks. The case is about a huge number of credit holders. If you take a close look at this action we are taking we are aiming for the tax invaders. It is also important to get a picture of the facilitators. They are the people who provide shady construction. The dutch government gave information to other nations, including the u. K. British tax authorities said on friday they were investigating tax invasion tax evasion and Money Laundering by global institutions. Switzerlands secondbiggest and amsterdamces dan, london, and paris were paid a visit about client tax matters. The client was cooperating with the investigation. Beenthan 2 billion have paid since 2011 to settle allegations of tax evasion and since have made efforts to ensure clients are in line with tax laws. A slight fall of a little more than 1 . Otherwise european markets ended the week higher. Whilex is trading up london was down under pressure of south africas political turmoil. Biggest annuale increase in inflation in nearly five years today, inching past the federal reserves 2 target. Are going out with a whimper. With the dow jones and smp in the red and the nasdaq on most completely flat. The sacking of south africas finance minister has taken a toll on the countrys currency. The rent has dropped 8. 7 since ththe start of the week. See the rant against the dollar. It is a pretty steep drop. Were going to argentina. Labor unions are calling for salary increases and and and to job cuts. Catherine diaz has more. Marching for their rights, hundreds of workers took to the streets to protest government reform. An endions are demanding to widespread layoffs in both the public and private sectors. They vowed to hold a series of strikes to keep pressure on. The reality that people dont want to leave. After the strike we need a commitment that we are here, that there will be a fight to change the economy hold that harms us. Which is a threat to us. Many are also angry about the rise in inflation, which topped 40 after the government removed energy subsidies, pushing millions below the poverty line. We are in a real social calamity. Million new poor people in just one year. Let us think what could happen in argentina if we have four full years of such a huge social calamity. Despite the protest, the argentinian economy is growing. And fourth quarters it increased by. 1 and. 5 . Since october official say around 25,000 new jobs are being created each month. While the situation in the capital is tense it is a different story in the crown in the countryside when Agricultural Sector is looming. Finally in a move to promote gender diversity, a new series of prefixes have been removed have been unveiled for those who do not identify as male or female. Out clients in the u. K. Can choose from 10 genderneutral titles, including ind for individual and the simple letter their Training Staff on how to clients. Anchor thank you very much for that. Dont go away, i will be back in a couple of minutes with top stories here on france 24. 03 31 17 03 31 17 [captioning made possible by democracy now ] amy from pacifica, this is democracy now in addition to what we know, in a full accounting must find out what if any contacts, communications, or connections occur between russia and those associated with the campaigns themselves. I will not prejudge the outcome of our investigation. We are seeking to determine if , but is an actual fire there is clearly a lot of