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Qatari patronage of his mom’s work is another piece of Zohran Mamdani’s privileged puzzle

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Yes, it matters that a Qatari royal has patronized the later career of Zohran Mamdani’s film-making mom, Mira Nair: It’s another piece in the vast, hypocritical puzzle of the Democratic Socialist’s privileged life.

Nair got her BA at Harvard; Mahmood Mamdani, his PhD. They raised Zohran on Riverside Drive in a high-end complex dedicated to Columbia faculty housing and sent him to pricey Bank Street School and later to also-pricey Bowdoin College.

She had fully established herself well before Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, sister to Qatar’s ruling emir, began sponsoring her work.

Nair’s 1991 film “Mississippi Masala,” starring Denzel Washington, won three Venice Film Festival awards; her 2001 “Monsoon Wedding” earned the Golden Lion at Venice; her made-for-HBO 2002 “Hysterical Blindness” won a Golden Globe for Uma Thurman.

But then her 2009 “Amelia” opened the first-ever Doha Tribeca Film Festival in Qatar’s capital, after which Al-Thani’s Doha Film Institute paid for Qataris to study at Nair’s Maisha Film Labs.

The institute then covered the entire $15 million budget for Nair’s “The Reluctant Fundamentalists” in 2012; a decade later, Al-Thani’s Qatar Creates and the state-owned Qatar Airways and Qatar Creates paid Nair for an extravagant stage adaptation of “Monsoon Wedding” as part of the 2022 World Cup festivities in the emirate.

A global creative woman winning support from a female, culturally inclined royal: Surely admirable?

Except that Qatar has a horrific human-rights record, including the deaths of thousands of laborers building the stadiums and so on for that World Cup, plus brutal treatment of the Bah’aii minority and the royal family’s backing for both Hamas and the Taliban.

Not to mention a gay-rights record as awful as that of Uganda — where his dad Mahmood, has spent much of his life and career, where Zohran was born and the site of the Mamdani family compound, where the mayoral candidate recently celebrated his wedding in a multi-day festival.

Yet the whole family condemns Israel as uniquely evil: His dad’s on record insisting, “Jews can have a homeland in historic Palestine, but not a state”; his mom pushed to ban Gal Gadot from the Oscars stage and boycotted the Haifa International Film Festival over Israels’ supposed religious discrimination — and of course Zohran has been down on the Jewish state since before he founded Student for Justice in Palestine at Bowdoin.

Zohran Mamdani has moved among international elites his entire life; bashing Israel is stylish for this set, along with a leftism deeply resentful of European colonialism yet strangely at ease with vast Third World inequalities and oppression.

No wonder he’s been such a prolific fundraiser in this race, despite his modest record of accomplishments on his own.

No wonder, too, his affinity for socialist leftism: It’s core to a world where his family came out on top, for all its endless failures to ever lift up the masses.



This story originally appeared on NYPost

How to make IT operations more efficient

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Productivity wins 

Leadership can be a lonely position, and the writers of CIO.com often share insights designed to lighten the load. A good example is a recent article on IT management practices that are certain to kill IT productivity

It is a popular piece, and it prompted our CIO readers to ask the obvious opposite question: how does a manager increase productivity? 

Smart Answers is here for such queries, distilling generations of human insights to give pithy advice. It proposes a blend of strategic approaches such as eliminating waste, simplifying workflows, and standardizing operating models, alongside automation and use of analytics to drive efficiency. And don’t sleep on upgrading equipment. Above all Smart Answers recommends continuous monitoring and regular adjustments of efficiency metrics are essential for sustained optimal performance. 

Find out: What are ways to improve IT operations efficiency? 

Trust: hard to win, easy to lose 

It is no easier in the CISO’s chair, of course. In fact, we learnt in the past week that 25% of CISOs are replaced after their organizations are victim to a ransomware attack. It’s not fair, but it is true.  

So how do you rebuild trust after a breach? Smart Answers knows.  

Transparency and clear communication are paramount. CISOs need to translate complex security details into understandable language for all employees and stakeholders, focusing on actionable business impacts. 

And then it is a case of building back better to restore trust. Stronger authentication controls, regenerated certificates, and a culture of continuous improvement. 

Find out: What are essential steps to rebuild trust after a cyberattack? 

Generative AI: believe the hype? 

It’s a law in publishing that whenever a headline is a question with a yes or no answer, the answer is no. Consider that when reading this recent article: Is the generative AI bubble about to burst? 

Readers of InfoWorld wanted deeper context and asked Smart Answers where generative AI is on the industry hype cycle. Despite its generative AI roots, Smart Answers recognizes that after the excitement of 2023, and last year’s experimentation, 2025 is something of a trough of disillusionment. So far so classic.  

The more positive view is that tangible business value is just around the corner. 

Find out: Where is generative AI’s position on the industry hype cycle? 

About Smart Answers 

Smart Answers is an AI-based chatbot tool designed to help you discover content, answer questions, and go deep on the topics that matter to you. Each week we send you the three most popular questions asked by our readers, and the answers Smart Answers provides. 

Developed in partnership with Miso.ai, Smart Answers draws only on editorial content from our network of trusted media brands—CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, and Network World—and was trained on questions that a savvy enterprise IT audience would ask. The result is a fast, efficient way for you to get more value from our content.



This story originally appeared on Computerworld

Google says reports of a major Gmail security issue are ‘entirely false’

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Google is officially debunking a series of reports that claimed Gmail has been hit with a “major” security issue in recent days. “We want to reassure our users that Gmail’s protections are strong and effective,” the company said in a somewhat unusual statement. “Several inaccurate claims surfaced recently that incorrectly stated that we issued a broad warning to all Gmail users about a major Gmail security issue. This is entirely false.”

Google doesn’t detail the erroneous claims in its post. But, as Forbes , it seems to be referring to several recent reports that stated the company issued an “emergency warning” to all of its 2.5 billion users in response to a phishing attack that targeted a Salesforce instance used by the company. That incident, however, was first reported by Google in and the company said in an August 8 update that it had finished notifying everyone affected.

It’s not clear why that report resurfaced now or how it was misconstrued into a supposed warning impacting all Gmail users, but Google is now trying to set the record straight. “While it’s always the case that phishers are looking for ways to infiltrate inboxes, our protections continue to block more than 99.9% of phishing and malware attempts from reaching users,” the company said. “It’s crucial that conversation in this space is accurate and factual.”

Google also notes that it encourages all users to set up “a secure password alternative,” such as for maximum protection.



This story originally appeared on Engadget

Who Was Graham Greene? 5 Things About the Late Actor – Hollywood Life

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Image Credit: Getty Images

Graham Greene, a Canadian First Nations actor who helped pave the way in Hollywood for Indigenous performers, died on September 1, 2025. He was 73 years old. The late Academy Award nominee and multi-talented artist died following a “long illness,” per Deadline, and his agent released a statement about his death.

“He was a great man of morals, ethics and character and will be eternally missed,” Greene’s agent, Michael Greene (who has no relation to the late actor) said. “You are finally free. Susan Smith is meeting you at the gates of heaven.”

Below, Hollywood Life is remembering Greene, his life and acting career.

Graham Greene Worked Odd Jobs Before Becoming an Actor

While growing up in Ontario, Canada, Greene worked multiple jobs before becoming an actor. He reportedly worked as a welder, draftsman, steel worker and audio technician for rock bands in Newfoundland and Labrador. Throughout the 1970s, Greene landed theatrical roles in Ontario and in England.

Eventually, Greene landed his first on-screen acting role in an episode of The Great Detective. He made his feature film debut in 1983’s Running Brave. 

Greene Was Nominated for an Oscar & a Grammy

Greene starred in Kevin Costner‘s 1990 film, Dances With Wolves, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He later won a Grammy in 2000 for Best Spoken Word Album for Children.

Graham Greene’s Movies: His Famous Big Screen Roles

From the 1980s through the end of his life, Greene starred in countless movies. Among his most famous roles were Kicking Bird in Dances With Wolves, Walter Crow Horse in Thunderheart, Detective Joe Lambert in Die Hard with a Vengeance, Arlen Bitterbuck in The Green Mile, Harry Clearwater in The Twilight Saga: New Moon and Tribal Police Chief Ben Shoyo in Wind River.

Green’s most recent film performance was in 2025’s Sweet Summer Pow Wow. He will posthumously be featured in the upcoming movie Ice Fall.

Graham Greene’s TV Show Roles

In television, Greene got his start by appearing in episodes of famous shows, including L.A. Law and Murder, She Wrote. In recent years, he starred in Riverdale, 1883, The Last of Us, Echo and Tulsa King.

Graham Greene’s Cause of Death: His Illness Explained

Greene reportedly died from an illness, but the details of his ailment have not been disclosed by the time of publication. Deadline reported that his illness was “long” and that he died in a Toronto hospital on September 1, 2025.




This story originally appeared on Hollywoodlife

I’ve stayed at more than 50 UK hotels—here are my top 5 trips of all time | UK | Travel

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I’ve stayed at more than 50 UK hotels—here are my top 5 trips of all time, (Image: Sophie Harris)

I love travelling and exploring the world; it’s one of my favourite things to do. However, there are also so many beautiful locations right on my doorstep within the UK, and this includes hotels. In the last five years, I’ve stayed at more than 50 hotels across the country, but there are five that have stood out to me.

Some have rich histories, others have incredible attention to detail, but all have stuck in my mind since the moment I returned from them. If you’re looking to explore areas of the UK or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, consider one of my top five picks.

1. The Landmark London, London

The Landmark London, a five-star establishment located in Marylebone, will always be a memorable stay for me, for a variety of reasons.

First opening in 1899, the hotel has maintained its luxurious standards ever since, with stunning interiors and incredible architecture.

The hotel has 300 rooms, which maintain its classic heritage features but with a modern twist.

There are several dining and drinking options, and the afternoon tea is one of the best I’ve ever experienced.

The Landmark London's afternoon tea

The Landmark London’s afternoon tea was delicious (Image: Sophie Harris)

2. The Langley, Buckinghamshire

The Langley, an exclusive five-star hotel, lies within Buckinghamshire’s spectacular Langley Park, a mere 40-minute drive from London.

The hotel has just 41 plush bedrooms, with mine featuring a large smart TV, a mini bar and a modern bathroom with a freestanding bath.

Within the hotel lies Cedar, a stunning restaurant with perfectly crafted cuisine, but lighter options are also available in The Churchill Bar.

A destination in its own right, Cedar had an extensive menu which I enjoyed overlooking the outdoor pool.

The Langley Spa is one of Europe’s largest indoor spas in a hotel, featuring a 16-metre marble-lined swimming pool, a plethora of thermal facilities and a menu of custom treatments. It was a spa like no other and definitely one to put on your bucket list.

Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort

Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort was stunning (Image: Sophie Harris)

3. Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort, Glasgow, Scotland

Following an extension £20million transformation, the five-star Mar Hall Golf and Spa resort houses 74 luxurious guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, two bars and a collection of cosy corners to be discovered.

Just 10 minutes from Glasgow airport, this grand hotel is one to put on your bucket list.

Residing in the Erskine Suite with fantastic views across the River Clyde, the room featured a four-poster bed, a separate lounge area with a grand piano and a floor-to-ceiling bookcase as well as an impressive bathroom.

The afternoon tea was also like no other, with an award-winning pastry chef curating an artistic selection of pasties, sandwiches and savouries, complemented by a vast choice of loose-leaf teas.

The Langley had a gorgeous outdoor pool

The Langley had a gorgeous outdoor pool (Image: Sophie Harris)

4. Thornbury Castle Hotel & Restaurant, Bristol

Thornbury Castle is a four-star Tudor castle which stands in the South Gloucestershire countryside, where construction began in 1511.

It was once owned by King Henry VIII and retains many original features across its 15 acres of land.

Within the hotel is its restaurant, which has three AA rosettes, as well as 26 carefully restored bed chambers, each as unique as the history it is built on. They’re located in different areas of the castle, depending on which chamber you decide to reside in.

It’s easy to see why the restaurant and the hotel are loved, with the dining area adjourned by an inviting lounge space just off the reception.

If you’re into your history, this is definitely one to add to your bucket list.

Thornbury Castle Hotel & Restaurant

Thornbury Castle Hotel & Restaurant has an array of bed chambers (Image: Sophie Harris)

5. Lainston House, Winchester

The historic Lainston House, located just 10 minutes from Winchester, dates back to the 17th century, but its foundations show an earlier building dating back to medieval times.

Whether you’re after a relaxing stay, a cooking class or a tasting menu dinner at The Avenue, Lainston House has something for everyone.

This includes an array of luxurious rooms, each more stylish than the last and packed with charming, comfortable character.

A standout was a masterful tasting menu at The Avenue, curated by head chef Tom Hamblet. It was made with the highest-quality ingredients and packed full of flavour. It was sublime, and I’ve recommended it to everyone.



This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk

JB Pritzker Says Illinois Could Create More Democratic Districts To Counter Trump

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Gerrymandering is not good for democracy in general, but Democrats find themselves in a situation where they are potentially adopting the practice to be able to win back power to save democracy.

As California’s new congressional map heads to the voters in November, attention is turning to Illinois. The state is facing a potential invasion of federal law enforcement under the pretense of immigration raids, and also the potential need to redraw its congressional map due to Trump’s attempt to rig the 2026 election.

Gov. JB Pritzker was asked on CBS’s Face The Nation if he would redraw the congressional map in Illinois, and he answered, “That’s not something that I want to do. It’s not something that any of us want to do. But I have to say if Donald Trump is going to force his will on the American people by going to his MAGA allies in various states and have they having them redraw in the middle of a decade when you’re supposed to be doing it right after a census. With a year ending in one, not a year ending in five. If he’s gonna do that all over the country, I think all of us have to think about what it is that we can do to counter that.”

Video clip:

The governor was asked, “What much more could you do though, as an Illinois Democrat? Your map already gets an F for most good government groups for being gerrymandered. Would you wipe out all the Republican districts?”

Gov. Pritzker said, “Yeah. It is possible to have more Democratic districts in the state of Illinois and we could do it. Like I said, it’s not something that I want to do.”

JB Pritzker’s tone was correct. No Democratic governor should want to redistrict in the middle of a decade. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom made it clear that his state’s redistricting is being put forward as a response to what Trump and his allies have done in Texas.

No Democrat should be joyfully rushing to redraw the congressional maps in their state, but Trump is desperate to hold onto the Republican House majority, because without it, he becomes a lame duck whose influence immediately wanes.

A Democratic takeover of the House would make Trump the one thing that he fears most. Trump would be irrelevant. The national attention would turn to the 2028 election, and Trump’s presidency would be left to die on the vine with two years to go.

If the California vote is successful, Democrats will have already reduced the number of seats that Republicans could gain through gerrymandering down to 6-8.

It is the right move for Prizker to wait and see what Trump has other red states do before he commits to redrawing the maps.

Redoing the maps isn’t something that Democrats want to do, but they may need to do it to save democracy.

What do you think about Prizker’s answer on redrawing the Illinois congressional map? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Leave a comment



This story originally appeared on Politicususa

Apple suppliers must invest in automation or face losing orders

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Apple is reportedly pushing suppliers to invest in automation to cut production costs. And, if they don’t, they risk losing iPhone production contracts.

Daisy, Apple’s iPhone-recycling robot – Image Credit: Apple

Aside from components used in production, one of the major costs of building an iPhone is the army of workers needed at assembly partners such as Foxconn. If a report is correct, that army may start to shrink in numbers.

According to sources of DigiTimes on Monday, Apple is pushing to introduce more automation in its supply chain. It has previously expressed a need for the use of robotics and automated systems in production, but now it’s upping the ante.

Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums


This story originally appeared on Appleinsider

Why Netflix Canceled the Chart-Topping ‘The Waterfront’ After One Season

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While Netflix remains the largest streaming platform in the world, it can still be very selective about the content it continues to produce. Every fan has a series that they feel was canceled too soon, whether it be the supernatural horror of an Archive 8 or the endearing coming-of-age comedy I Am Not Okay With This. Sometimes, these cancellations can be explained by factors evident to viewers. However, the chart-topping series, The Waterfront, was cut after only one season, which seems to have come out of left field.

Digging a bit deeper into why the chart-topping Netflix show was canceled so quickly starts to paint a fuller picture of the streaming giant’s decision, even if it is not a welcome reality for fans who adored the series.

The Cancellation of ‘The Waterfront’ Marks a Lot of Lost Potential

The cast of the teen drama The Waterfront
Netflix

The announcement of the cancellation of the crime drama series is only a few months away from the series’ debut on June 19, 2025. Before its release, the series had garnered hype, thanks to the involvement of Kevin Williamson, who had previously created shows such as Dawson’s Creek and The Vampire Diaries, which had developed endearing cult followings. The series was backed by a strong cast, including Holt McCallany, whose performances in Mindhunter and The Iron Claw have earned him a fan following, and Melissa Benoist, who is recently coming off of the beloved CW series Supergirl; to name a few.

Despite receiving a lukewarm critical reception upon release, the series managed to resonate with a large enough fan base to push it into Netflix’s charts. Thanks to a mix of gritty realism, authentic character-driven storytelling, and suspenseful plotting, the story of the powerful but conflicted Buckley family resonated with many. Across eight episodes, The Waterfront offered twists and turns, conveyed through a talented cast and sharp direction. The second season, which would have picked up with many of the season’s cliffhangers, however, was never meant to be, as Netflix announced that The Waterfront had been canceled on August 25, 2025.

Why Was ‘The Waterfront’ Canceled?

Rafael L. Silva in The Waterfront Netflix

Fans of The Waterfront may not be as aware of the series’ quick decline in popularity. The series debuted with 11.6 million viewers in its first week, and it spent five weeks in Netflix’s global Top 10, with three of those weeks at No. 1. However, the numbers declined afterwards, having reportedly seen a sharp decline in viewers as interest and social discourse around Netflix’s original series shifted with the newest season of Squid Game coming out. While the reasoning seems to be some form of Netflix math, the series did not have the staying power the streaming giant is looking for to commit to follow-up seasons.

Other benchmarks that the series was unable to achieve included garnering buzz on social media, which has become a prevailing factor in Netflix’s decision to renew a series. Uncertainty about whether a second season will be as successful as the first, without that initial push, is becoming a challenge facing many new productions. Additionally, while critical reception is not always necessary if the film thrives on audience participation and online discourse, its 68% score on Rotten Tomatoes did not help its reasoning behind taking a chance and renewing the series.

Netflix continues to develop a very strategic approach to its content. Despite the initial burst of popularity and a dedicated viewership that would return for a second season, The Waterfront was unable to justify its budget for a second season, as it failed to garner lasting engagement among fans or critical acclaim.

Cast, Crew, and Fan Reaction to the Show’s Cancellation

Holt McCallany and Maria Bello as Harlan and Mae Buckley attending a funeral in The Waterfront
Holt McCallany and Maria Bello as Harlan and Mae Buckley attending a funeral in The Waterfront
Netflix

In speaking with Deadline, creator Kevin Williamson graciously spoke positively about the experience, saying, “While I’m sad the Buckleys won’t be back for Season 2, I’m celebrating the joy that was Season 1,” he added, “Thank you to Netflix for taking a chance on a very personal story.” Kevin Williamson’s remarks on the show’s cancellation remain the only statement, with none of the cast having yet spoken up on the matter.

When it came to the fan reaction, many were angered and confused by the announcement of The Waterfront being canceled, with one user on X stating, “Not Netflix canceling another show I loved. Absolute BS considering how good the ratings were.” adding, “Justice for The Waterfront.” Another user on X, venting their frustration, said, “Netflix is insane for canceling the waterfront. No one can tell me otherwise. Bree’s storyline genuinely made me feel so seen and understood, and IDK what TF their problem is.”

Others took the news more in stride and were just thankful for how the series, with an Instagram fan page offering up a fond farewell:

Is There Any Chance of Saving ‘The Waterfront’?

Holt McCallany & Jake Weary in The Waterfront
Holt McCallany & Jake Weary in The Waterfront
Netflix 

The short answer here is no, as the likelihood of Netflix reversing its decision would involve a surge of popularity and media buzz that The Waterfront could not even muster as a fresh new series on the platform. Still, it is not necessarily impossible. A few examples exist, such as Sense8, for which the fandom was able to secure a two-hour finale episode to offer the closure that fans had been hounding them for. In rare cases, TV shows like Tuca & Bertie and One Day at a Time were canceled by Netflix but later picked up by different platforms. However, Tuca & Bertie was canceled by Adult Swim shortly after, and One Day at a Time’s platform decided to completely pull out of producing scripted content after one season; even when given a second chance, there are few success stories when it comes to streaming.

The best way to support The Waterfront is to stream it on Netflix and share your thoughts about it on social media. However, this may very well be an exercise in futility, given the minimal success of TV series that were canceled on Netflix and later had a comeback, whether on the platform or elsewhere. Sadly, the series is going to sign off with a bunch of cliffhangers that will likely never get resolved, never get to see how Belle leads the family, or what happened to Bree. The sad reality is that many shows find themselves canceled too soon when faced with the highly competitive and demanding television landscape.

The Waterfront is available to stream on Netflix.


03226419_poster_w780.jpg


The Waterfront


Release Date

June 19, 2025

Network

Netflix

Directors

Jann Turner, Liz Friedlander, Marcos Siega






This story originally appeared on Movieweb

35 Smartest Characters In Marvel Comics, Ranked

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The Marvel Universe has some of the most powerful characters in comic books, but more than that, it also has some of the smartest heroes and villains. From the start of Marvel Comics, scientists and inventors operated as some of the world’s greatest heroes, in opposition to the godlike heroes in DC.

From teenage scientist hopefuls bitten by radioactive spiders to industrialist geniuses who created a suit of armor to save their lives, scientists ruled the day. This was no more evident than in Fantastic Four comics, where Reed Richards was the smartest man in the world. However, as time moved on, new brainiacs popped up and the smartest Marvel characters in the universe have a new pecking order.

Deadpool is Smart Enough to Have Comic Awareness

Smart, Just Without the Genius

Some readers will be ready to scoff at the thought of Deadpool being ranked among super-geniuses, and in some respects, would be right to do so (hence why he’s ranked so low). However, Deadpool is smarter than he pretends to be. Everyone knows he hides his tragedy through his humor, but he also uses his humor to mask his smarts, allowing his opponents to underestimate him.

His first mission saw him invade the X-Mansion, which takes as much brain power as it does stealth. He may not be skilled with test tubes in a lab, but Deadpool proves there are other ways to be smart in the Marvel Universe. Even when ignoring his legitimate intellect, he is smart enough to know he’s in a comic book, which has to count for something.

Prodigy Doesn’t Get His Nickname For Nothing

His Mutant Power Makes Him a Temporary Genius

Prodigy wearing his gold Hellfire Gala suit.

Admittedly, Prodigy isn’t always considered a genius. Thanks to his mutant ability, Prodigy has the power to mimic the skills and knowledge of anyone within proximity to him. Whether it be something as simple as learning to cook or as complex as theoretical physics, Prodigy’s mind is constantly adapting to absorb and apply that information.

However, as soon as other minds leave the range of his power, he loses all the information he had previously accessed. That said, it’s unclear whether this limit was removed via the Resurrection Protocols. If so, Prodigy could hypothetically absorb all possible knowledge. With that level of intellect, Prodigy would easily climb to the top of this list.

Peter Parker is One of Marvel’s Original Geniuses

As the List Grows, Spider-Man is Still One of Marvel’s Smartest Heroes

There was a time during the Golden Age of comics when Peter Parker would rank among the smartest names in the Marvel Universe. He was one of the first superheroes and super-geniuses that Marvel had to offer at the time and, thus, naturally, he was ranked among their smartest practically by default. Obviously, as the Universe has grown with new super-geniuses joining its ranks, the original Spider-Man’s status continues to diminish.

Even worse, most of these super-geniuses don’t respect Parker’s intelligence (mostly because they don’t respect Spider-Man’s education from Empire State University). However, his advancements as a teacher, scientist, inventor, and Parker Industries CEO are too great to deny him as he continues to improve. He may not be on same genius level of more recent heroes to join Marvel’s Universe, but it’s saying something that after all these years, he still belongs in the conversation.

Doctor Octopus Has Superior Intelligence to His Foes

Otto outsmarted Peter Parker to become the Superior Spider-Man

When Doctor Octopus first showed up, he was an older super genius who clashed with Spider-Man both mentally and physically. While Peter was a high school student at the time, he was always one step behind Otto Octavius. That was proven even more when Ock took over Peter Parker’s body and became the Superior Spider-Man, one of the smartest Marvel characters ever.

While in Peter’s body, Otto Octavius achieved things Spider-Man never could have imagined. Otto created a large business that helped Peter compete with Tony Stark in inventions. He also upgraded Spider-Man’s tech and weapons system and proved his intelligence was always higher than Peter dreamed. The best part is that it’s not like he got a brain power boost merely from stealing the body of a fellow super-genius. Otto could still achieve all these feats with his standard intellect, proving just how smart he is.

Black Panther is Wakanda’s Leader Thanks To His Brain

One of Marvel’s Most Cunning Avengers

T’Challa is often praised for the physical prowess he brings to the table as the Black Panther, but seldom is he credited for brilliance. This is understandable, there are smarter heroes out there, including his sister who edges him out.

However, his brilliance is what recently earned him entry into the Avengers, with leader Captain Marvel praising him for being “cannier” than any of the other heroes. He may not be smarter than Tony Stark, but he’s smart in a way that Iron Man’s own intelligence can’t compete with.

Maximus Boltagon Is the Definition of a Mad Genius

The Inhuman Prince Has Schemed His Way to Kinghood

Maximus smiling eerily at the reader.
Maximus smiling eerily at the reader.

Despite Maximus Boltagon’s overwhelmingly dangerous insanity, he is still considered to be a genius inventor and strategist. Partially thanks to his Inhuman abilities, the Mad Prince has become a master of engineering and genetic biology. Often creating complex machinery out of simple objects, Maximus’s inventions have an exorbitant ingenious flare.

His magnum opus, the Terrigen Bomb, was designed to harness Black Bolt’s voice to spread weaponized Terrifgen throughout the cosmos. Had he not been defeated, the Terrigen bomb would have effectively powered every latent Inhuman in the universe, while exterminating incompatible species like mutants. Some of his other inventions have included sonic weaponry, hypnotic devices, and numerous weapons of mass destruction.

Charles Xavier’s Mind Is More Than Just Telepathic

The X-Men’s Ex-Leader Invented Immortality

While he is primarily known for being a gifted telepath, Charles Xavier’s intellect is his greatest power. Professor X is the leading mind in human genetics and genetic mutations, unmatched in his academic field. Surprisingly, he is just as intellectually gifted an engineer. Many of the X-Men’s most fantastical inventions, like the Danger Room, were Xavier’s personal products.

However, Professor X’s greatest intellectual talent is strategy. On numerous occasions, Xavier has devised long-term plans that span multiple lifetimes to achieve the desired result. Xavier’s greatest invention, Cerebro, later became the key to the mutant Resurrection Protocols. By harnessing Xavier’s powerful mind, Cerebro cataloged the mind of every mutant in the world to later impart on their cloned body.

Shuri is Wakanda’s Brilliant Tech Guru

Equal to T’Challa’s Intelligence as a Fellow Black Panther

In the MCU, Shuri has proven to be one of the smartest Marvel characters on Earth. She was able to construct things for Wakanda that rivaled anything in the world, and she was even smarter than Bruce Banner in some areas. However, the comic book version is not quite up to that level.

In the comics, T’Challa is a brilliant genius and inventor. His sister is also accomplished, and may be even smarter than her brother. Since her MCU appearance, her comic book character has improved in many areas, and she now matches up to T’Challa in her intelligence and use of Wakandan technology.

Quentin Quire is as Smart as He Is a Nuisance

Omega-Level Genius with an Ego to Match

Quintin Quire is a mutant whose increased intelligence came about thanks to his mutations. He is also someone who proves that being one of the smartest Marvel characters can make him more insufferable.

Quire is an Omega-level telepath and a psionic of the highest order. As for his secondary mutation, he has advanced cognitive and mental abilities. He can organize and construct his thoughts at accelerated rates, process data at high speeds, and formulate his thoughts with vast quantity and quality. Basically, Quire thinks ten million brilliant thoughts per second.

The Leader is the Hulk’s Perfect Counterpart

Just as Gamma Made Hulk Strong, it made The Leader Brilliant

Samuel Sterns is one of The Hulk’s greatest enemies. He was the perfect match, offsetting Hulk’s massive gamma-infused strength with his own gamma-infused intelligence. It was always the best battle, brains vs. brawn, and few could match The Leader’s massive intelligence. Thanks to the gamma radiation, Leader developed superhuman mental acumen, which includes enhanced intuition and pattern solving.

Much like Hulk’s strength has no upper limit and increases as the need arises, Leader’s intelligence is the same and there is no limit to his knowledge. While he has never reached that level, Leader could theoretically master every worldly subject and solve any problem he faced, and if he reaches it, he could jump to the top of the rankings of the smartest Marvel characters.



This story originally appeared on Screenrant

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are really good with secrets

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How does it feel to get played by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce? Turns out the couple didn’t get engaged this week after all, according to Swift’s FFIL — future father-in-law — Ed Kelce.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end actually popped the question “not quite two weeks ago,” his dad told News 5 Cleveland on Tuesday.

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“He was going to put it off till this week. I think she was getting maybe a little antsy, but he was going to put her off till this week, to, you know, make some grand thing, to make it a big special event,” Ed Kelce said. “And I told him repeatedly, you know, you could do it on the side of the road, do it any place that makes it a special event … when you get down on one knee and ask her to marry you.”

Apparently it happened at Travis Kelce’s home in Lee’s Summit, Mo., Ed Kelce said, before the two headed out for dinner. Before they left, Travis told Taylor, “‘Let’s go out and have a glass of wine.’ … They got out there, and that’s when he asked her, and it was beautiful.” No word on whether they made it to a restaurant after all that.

Interesting that Ed Kelce described the proposal as beautiful, given that he wasn’t actually there to see it — he said he was taking in a Philadelphia Eagles preseason football practice that was open to the public. His younger son called him on FaceTime to share the news while he was watching the team that his older son Jason Kelce played with for years.

“I don’t know how much I’m supposed to say, but I don’t care!” Ed Kelce said with a happy shrug.

Travis Kelce, on the other hand, knew exactly how much tea he could spill in public without his future wife’s OK: nada. The KC Chief told his dad the announcement would happen “whenever Taylor says so.” Of course, Swift and her beau announced Tuesday, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”

Travis Kelce laughs and claps and Taylor Swift claps in a luxury booth while watching an unseen hockey game

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift announced their engagement Tuesday.

(Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)

(KillaTrav seemed equally “Excited to finally share what we’ve been cookin’ up!!” on Wednesday when he launched his new AE x Tru Kolors clothing collaboration on social media. For those who are interested, the collection looks like a preppy, a jock and a member of the “Duck Dynasty” cast got together and brainstormed. In other words, kinda like something Travis Kelce would wear to the stadium on game day.)

Meanwhile, the rest of the Kelce clan is just delighted, delighted, delighted by recent events, because, according to a People source, Swift is still the bomb.

“She goes out of her way to show the whole family how much she cares for not just Travis, but all of them, down to Jason’s kids,” the source said Tuesday. That entails “sweet, thoughtful gifts,” flowers and baked goods for everyone.

“Taylor gets along so well with the family and they’re just her biggest fan,” said the source, who apparently is “close to the newly engaged couple” and whose first name might be Brittany or Kylie — just a guess, of course, on that last part.



This story originally appeared on LA Times