Today's Recap

WaPo runs a quickie rundown most days.

1. The nation’s biggest banks staged an emergency intervention yesterday.

• What happened? Eleven Wall Street banks pledged to put $30 billion into First Republic Bank, which had been at risk of becoming the third U.S. bank to fail in less than a week.
• The big picture: This extraordinary move, which was coordinated by the Biden administration, is designed to put an end to the fears rippling through the U.S. financial industry.

2. Poland said it will give fighter jets to Ukraine.

• The details: Four planes will be delivered soon, Poland’s president said yesterday. It would be the first time any of Ukraine’s NATO allies have provided jets.
• Why it matters: Ukraine has long been asking for jets to strengthen its defense against Russia. This could ramp up pressure on other allies, including the U.S.
• What else to know: Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday.

3. Protests erupted in France over its new retirement age.

• French police fired tear gas and water cannons March 16 to disperse protesters during a rally in Paris against the government's pension reform.
• What to know: The French government used executive powers yesterday to raise the retirement age by two years — to 64 — avoiding a vote in Parliament on a deeply unpopular bill.
• The response: There were demonstrations across the country. In Paris, police made hundreds of arrests and fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters.

4. Three hospital workers were charged with murder in a Black man’s death.

• What happened? Irvo Otieno, 28, died of asphyxiation at a Virginia hospital this month after seven sheriff’s deputies put their body weight on him, according to prosecutors.
• The latest: The charges, announced yesterday, came after charges this week against the seven deputies. Otieno’s family was shown video of the incident yesterday.

5. A key starfish is in danger of going extinct.

• The latest: A federal agency announced this week that the sunflower sea star needs protection under the Endangered Species Act.
• What’s happening? A mysterious disease has devastated this starfish along the Pacific Coast.
• Why it matters: Starfish are crucial for maintaining huge underwater kelp jungles that store carbon. Without them, the effects of climate change could get even worse.

6. You can blame climate change for making your spring allergies worse.

• Why? Warmer temperatures mean that trees are blooming earlier and for longer periods of time. More carbon dioxide in the air can also help plants produce more pollen.
• This year’s outlook: Thanks to record warmth in parts of the U.S., spring has already started in the South and along the East Coast.
• The worst cities for allergies: Wichita, Dallas and Scranton PA (See the full list.)

7. Volcanic activity on Venus may offer clues about Earth’s “evil twin.”

• What to know: A new study looked at images of the planet from the 1990s. It found a volcanic vent that changed shape over time, suggesting Venus remains geologically alive.
• Why scientists are excited: It could help explain why Venus, similar in size and starting ingredients to Earth, became so hot and uninhabitable.