Month: September 2025

Peter Mandelson was effective if controversial choice as ambassador before all went wrong ‘at worst possible time’

Peter Mandelson was in his element. Lounging on a sofa one June evening at Butterworth’s, a bistro serving as the gastronomical centre of the Maga movement in Washington DC, the recently appointed British ambassador was being honoured with a plaque that indicated he was easing his way into the conservative circles around Donald Trump.

The appointment of Mandelson, an architect of Tony Blair’s New Labour project in the 1990s, had not been without controversy. He was the first political ambassador to the United States in almost half a century and had twice resigned from Labour governments in the past over scandals (not to mention his past association with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein).

Continue reading…

Nintendo has unveiled a new trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the highly anticipated sequel to The Super Mario Bros Movie, during its recent showcase. This announcement comes as part of festivities marking Mario’s 40th anniversary, reports 24brussels.

The teaser trailer offers a glimpse of Mario in the Mushroom Kingdom, resting under a tree as a butterfly ascends into space, accompanied by the familiar theme from Super Mario Galaxy. The presentation indicates a shift towards more expansive storytelling beyond the existing universe of the franchise.

The original movie, which grossed over a billion dollars and inspired a wave of cultural memes, hinted at the possibility of a wider narrative. The partnership with NBC Universal, Nintendo’s movie production collaborator, had already drawn attention to potential developments, particularly with prior domain registrations suggesting titles related to the film.

Nintendo executive Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that this release is a central part of the anniversary celebrations for the franchise. Expected to hit theaters in April, the film will see the return of key voice actors Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black, reprising their roles as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser, respectively.

This latest installment not only aims to captivate long-time fans of the franchise but also seeks to establish a broader cinematic universe for the beloved characters. As the release date approaches, speculation surrounding its potential box office performance and critical reception continues to grow.