Entertainment

Hollywood actors join writers in industry-stopping strike

SAG-AFTRA, the union representing Hollywood actors, voted to strike on Thursday after failing to reach a deal with major studios.

Why it matters: With two Hollywood unions striking simultaneously, the entire industry is expected to come to a standstill.

Driving the news: The union decided to strike hours after its contract expired and talks broke down with Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers who represent employers including Disney, Netflix, and Amazon.

• The sticking points in the negotiations were base and residual pay, benefits, and the threat of unregulated use of artificial intelligence.

The big picture: With 160,000 members of Hollywood’s largest union on strike, film and TV production will essentially shut down, many of which were already delayed due to the writer’s strike.

• Expect further delays on the movie releases and TV show premieres you had marked on your calendar.

• It also means that blockbuster movies like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” will open in theatres without stars doing promotional work.

• Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt, the stars of Oppenheimer, left the UK premiere as the strike began on Thursday.

What to watch: Major studios stand to lose significant money if the strikes last long. By teaming up on work stoppages, writers and actors may force a quicker end to Hollywood’s labor war.

Business & Economy

U.S. stock markets closed higher on Thursday (S&P +0.85%, Nasdaq +1.58%, Dow +0.14%) ~ The S&P closed at its highest level in over a year.

Mortgage rates climbed to their highest point this year - 6.96% - but are expected to decline next week after government data showed inflation has shrunk to its lowest level since 2021.

Cryptocurrency XRP surged by 66% on Thursday after a judge handed its parent company Ripple a win in its case against the SEC.

World

Pita Limjaroenrat, the pro-democracy victor of Thailand’s election, failed to win enough votes in parliament to become prime minister. Thailand’s parliament is made up of a majority of unelected senators appointed by the previous military government.

Monsoons in India’s capital of Delhi caused the worst flooding in 45 years, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. The surging water has killed 100 people in northern India so far.

An Italian judge acquitted a man accused of groping a student because the indicent lasted less than 10 seconds.

US News, Politics, & Government

A Pennsylvania jury decided that the gunman who killed 11 people in the 2018 massacre at The Tree of Life Synagogue qualifies for the death penalty.

Dr. Roxy, a plastic surgeon who livestreamed surgeries on TikTok, lost her license to practice medicine in Ohio. The review board ruled that she neglected patients while speaking into the camera and answering view questions while the procedures were taking place.

The Justice Department asked the judge tasked with the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case on Thursday to reject Donald Trump’s request to postpone the trial until after the 2024 election.

Sports & Entertainment

The PGA tour and Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund removed the non-poaching clause from their agreement at the request of the Justice Department.

Ons Jabeur defeated Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon to advance to the women’s singles final where she will face Marketa Vondrousova on Saturday. The men’s semifinals are being played today.

Disney could sell its linear TV assets, including ABC and ESPN, as the business struggles during the media industry’s transition to streaming options.

Science, Health, & Tech

The FDA approved Opill, the first oral contraceptive pill, for over-the-counter sales. Opill isn’t expected to be available until next year.

Around 56% of the world’s oceans have changed color in the last 20 years, likely due to climate change, according to a study published in Nature.

Norovirus outbreaks have reached a 10-year high on U.S. cruise ships.

An aggressive sea otter is attacking surfers and stealing their boards.

A firefighter broke the record for longest and fastest run while on fire. 

Mapped: The safest cities in the U.S.

A California military base will be repurposed into the largest city park in the U.S