Super Mario Bros at 40
Super Mario Bros' 40th anniversary, Russia's state messaging app, Nepal's social media bans and the Murdoch family succession dispute.
Super Mario Bros reaches its 40th anniversary. First released in 1985, the Nintendo title redefined video game design and propelled Mario from a supporting character into a global icon. Keza MacDonald, video games editor at The Guardian and author of a forthcoming book on Nintendo, outlines its creation and cultural significance.
In Russia, a state-approved messaging service called Max has been made mandatory on all new devices, while WhatsApp and Telegram face restrictions. Eva Hartog, Russia reporter at Politico Europe, considers the impact on digital freedoms and journalism. In Nepal, a ban on 26 major social media platforms led to widespread protests and the resignation of the prime minister before the restrictions were reversed. Dr Nayana Prakash, research fellow at Chatham House, assesses what this reveals about state approaches to online platforms.
A resolution has been reached in the Murdoch family's long-running succession dispute. Claire Atkinson, media reporter and founder of The Media Mix newsletter, explains the background to the family trust and what the decision could mean for the company's future direction.
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