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.
Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minister, said the country will expand its army to 500,000 troops and provide military training to all adult men. He said the country was in “serious talks” with France about using its nuclear capabilities to defend Poland, and warned that Russia is preparing for a larger war. Poland will invest $46bn in its armed forces this year.
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”.
Over 140 people have been killed over two days 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 and Tartus. The coastal provinces are 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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