August M
From major geopolitical shocks to historic natural disasters and shifting political landscapes, this weekend delivered a wave of developments with global implications
1. Netflix buys Warner Bros. Discovery
Netflix agreed to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery’s TV, film and streaming operations for $72 billion, Reuters reported, giving the streaming giant control of iconic franchises such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and the DC superhero universe.
The move turns Netflix — once the disruptor — into a full-scale Hollywood studio with a century of Warner Bros. content behind it.
The deal followed a tense bidding war involving Paramount and Comcast, though Reuters noted Paramount questioned whether the process favoured Netflix. Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders will receive a mix of cash and Netflix stock, valuing their shares at $27.75 each.
2. Chernobyl shield damage requires major restoration
The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, says the protective shield over Chernobyl’s destroyed reactor needs extensive restoration after a February drone strike created damage that has now caused the structure to lose key safety functions, including its ability to remain fully sealed.
Ukraine blames Russia for the attack, which Russia denies. The Guardian has reported the strike left a 15-square-meter hole, and while temporary repairs have been made, the IAEA says a “comprehensive” rebuild is necessary to prevent long-term degradation. rainwater entering the enclosure could dissolve contaminated material and pollute the immediate surroundings.
The new steel structure completed this year cost €1.5 billion.
3.Benin government says coup attempt foiled
Benin’s government says the military has thwarted a coup attempt, according to Reuters, after a group of soldiers appeared on national television Sunday declaring they had seized power, suspended the constitution and dissolved state institutions.
The group, calling itself the Military Committee for Reconstruction, claimed it had removed President Patrice Talon and promised a “new era.”
The attempted coup comes amid a wider decline in democratic stability across West and Central Africa, where nine coups have occurred since 2020.
Talon, president since 2016, is due to step down in April, with Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni seen as the frontrunner to succeed him.
The main opposition candidate has been barred from the race by the electoral commission.
4. Indonesia floods leave hospitals overwhelmed, disease spreading
Deadly floods and landslides triggered by a cyclone have devastated parts of Sumatra, with Reuters reporting at least 940 deaths and 276 people missing across three provinces.
In Aceh Tamiang, the only local hospital has been left barely functional as residents face worsening illnesses such as diarrhoea, fever and muscle pain due to unsafe living conditions and contaminated surroundings.
Indonesia’s health ministry said more than 30 hospitals and over 150 clinics across affected provinces have been hit.
President Prabowo Subianto visited Aceh on Sunday, ordering urgent repairs to infrastructure and cancelling microloans for farmers. Regional officials are urging Jakarta to declare a national emergency to accelerate relief efforts.
5. Hong Kong election sees low turnout amid grief and tight controls
Hongkongers voted in a tightly managed Legislative Council election marked by 31.9% turnout, only slightly above the record low in 2021, according to the BBC.
All candidates were pre-screened to ensure loyalty to Beijing under electoral reforms introduced after the 2019 protests. About 1.3 million people cast ballots out of more than 4 million registered voters, despite an extensive government campaign offering vouchers, free entry to public venues and city-wide festivities designed to boost participation.
A total of 161 candidates contested 90 seats, with only 20 directly elected and nearly half selected by the pro-Beijing Election Committee.
Hong Kong’s leader John Lee said the vote must continue despite the city’s mourning, arguing new lawmakers will help drive reconstruction.
Analysts note that while some pro-establishment voters approve of the government’s rapid disaster response, others remain frustrated by structural safety issues the fire exposed.
Sources
- Reuters – Coverage of the Netflix–Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition, Indonesia’s cyclone-driven floods, and the Benin coup attempt.
- DR (Danish Radio) – Reporting on Chernobyl shield damage and post-inspection statements.
- IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) – Official assessments and statements regarding the condition of the Chernobyl protective structure.
- TV 2 News (Denmark) – Reporting on developments and government responses in Benin following the attempted coup.
- BBC News – Reporting on Hong Kong’s Legislative Council election, the Tai Po fire aftermath, and public reaction.
