Sag-Aftra committee decision raises prospect of first simultaneous strike by writers and actors in more than 60 years. Plus, a surfing sea otter leaves experts puzzled

Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here

Good morning.

Due to an error, Tuesday’s First Thing wasn’t sent out. We apologize for the inconvenience.

What impact would the strike have? A strike is expected to have an immediate impact on publicity efforts for the summer’s top films; this evening’s premiere of Oppenheimer in London has been moved to start an hour earlier so the cast can attend regardless of the outcome. Other major commercial films including Barbie and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One have already hosted their world premieres, though their stars will be restricted from participating in further promotional events. The strike might also delay the Emmy awards until late autumn, or even next year, industry publications reported.

What has Ukraine said? Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, says other countries should not negotiate its future on its behalf, and the United States has repeatedly backed this principle, described as “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”.

Are Burns and Naryshkin talking regularly? The pair have maintained a line of communication since the start of the Ukraine war at a time when other direct contacts between Moscow and Washington are at a minimum, with relations at their lowest point since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.