America’s economy added 151,000 jobs in February, missing forecasts of 160,000. The unemployment rate rose to 4.1%, from 4%. Treasury yields fell in response as investors bet that the data—and concerns over the impact of President Donald Trump’s trade policies on growth—would push the Federal Reserve toward rate cuts. Wage growth, however, outpaced inflation.
Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, accused America of using the “law of the jungle” and vowed to “firmly counter” its “arbitrary” tariffs. Mr Wang was speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the Two Sessions, China’s biggest annual political meeting, which began this week. On Taiwan Mr Wang said “China will and must be reunified.”
At least 18 people were wounded in a Russian attack on Ukraine, officials said. The strikes, following America’s suspension of military aid, targeted energy facilities. French Mirage jets were used for the first time to counter the assault. On Thursday most EU leaders agreed to increase defence spending. Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, confirmed that Ukraine will begin talks with America next week on ending the war.
Three Bulgarians were convicted in London of spying for Russia. Prosecutors said they were controlled by Jan Marsalek, the fugitive former chief operating officer of Wirecard, a fintech darling turned Germany’s biggest post-war corporate scandal, on behalf of Russia. Two co-conspirators had already pleaded guilty. Police described the operation as “spying on an almost industrial scale”.
Dozens of people were reportedly killed in clashes between Syrian security forces and supporters of Bashar al-Assad, the deposed president. The two groups have been engaged in heavy fighting in Latakia. The coastal province is the heartland of Syria’s Alawite minority, of which Mr Assad is a member. In late February security forces killed four people there, including an officer in the army of the overthrown regime.
A South Korean court overturned the arrest warrant for Yoon Suk Yeol, the impeached president, citing procedural flaws and questions over the legality of his detention. Mr Yoon, jailed since January on insurrection charges linked to his declaration of martial law in December, could now be released. The ruling does not dismiss the charges; his impeachment trial will continue.
Eurostar cancelled all trains between Paris and London after a bomb from the second world war was found near Gare du Nord, one of Paris’s busiest stations. The 500kg munition was discovered during overnight rail works in Saint-Denis, a suburb in the north. The disruption comes in the midst of Paris Fashion Week, throwing travel plans into chaos.
Figure of the day: 45%, the share of women across the OECD who have a degree, compared with 36.9% of men. Read the full story.
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