NEW YORK — Julia Louis-Dreyfus turned a farewell appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” into a masterclass in comedic savagery Tuesday night, channeling her “Veep” character Selina Meyer for a blistering, backhanded tribute that left host Stephen Colbert in stitches just nine days before the show’s final episode. The 11-time Emmy winner’s surprise roast, written by former “Veep” scribes, perfectly captured the show’s bittersweet final stretch as Colbert prepares to sign off on May 21.

Louis-Dreyfus, appearing alongside Pedro Pascal, surprised even Colbert — a longtime “Veep” superfan — by announcing she had recruited writers from the HBO political satire to craft Selina Meyer-style dedications. “He does not know what I’m about to do,” she told the audience before slipping into character. What followed was a torrent of oblivious insults, backhanded compliments and signature “Veep”-esque awkwardness that had Colbert snorting with laughter.

“I’ve been on this show multiple times, and I always thought you were Rachel Maddow. Are you not?” Louis-Dreyfus began as Selina. She continued with zingers including: “You’re as relevant as the Bill of Rights,” and “Your cancellation gave Donald Trump so much pleasure, I always think of you as the Stormy Daniels of late night.”

The actress saved some of her sharpest lines for Colbert’s impending end. “When my people said I should come and say farewell to you, I was hoping it would be more of a hospice situation,” she deadpanned, drawing one of the biggest laughs of the night. She also took a jab at network executives, calling them “corporate ji**-guzzler[s]” in a line that required a broadcast bleep.

Playful Kissing Segment Adds to the Fun

The evening wasn’t all roasts. Building on Monday’s memorable moment when Colbert kissed Jimmy Fallon during a late-night hosts reunion, Louis-Dreyfus playfully referenced the clip and hinted she wanted in on the action. “No one’s watching. It’s just between us,” she said. After a quick on-air smooch that drew cheers from the audience, Colbert joked, “Well, the interview’s going great so far. Why don’t we do another take?”

Pedro Pascal later joined the lip-locking trend, telling Colbert he felt “jealous” and planting a kiss of his own. “No need! Anytime. These lips will soon be free,” Colbert quipped, nodding to the show’s approaching end.

Bittersweet Context of Colbert’s Final Weeks

The appearance comes as “The Late Show” winds down its 11-season run amid CBS’s decision to end the program due to financial pressures despite solid ratings. Colbert has used the final stretch to reunite with friends and collaborators, including a star-studded late-night hosts gathering Monday featuring Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver.

Louis-Dreyfus, who has appeared on the show multiple times, used the platform to pay genuine tribute beneath the barbs. Her “Veep” connection runs deep — Colbert has long cited the series as one of his favorites, and the pair share a history of sharp political satire. The segment highlighted the warm friendship between the two comedy veterans while leaning into the absurdity of the show’s looming cancellation.

Additional zingers targeted Colbert’s aging on camera (“your jowls look like the scrotum of… well, a canceled old late-night host”) and warned him against viewing unemployment as material for “Death of a Salesman.” She reassured him that the outpouring of support for Jimmy Kimmel was only because “he’s more popular.”

Louis-Dreyfus’ Enduring Legacy and Current Projects

The moment underscored Louis-Dreyfus’ status as one of television’s sharpest comedic voices. Fresh off her “Veep” run and continued work in projects like her podcast “Wiser Than Me,” she remains a go-to guest for major late-night appearances. Her ability to blend affection with ruthless humor made the tribute both hilarious and touching.

Colbert, for his part, appeared genuinely moved and entertained throughout. The segment fit perfectly into the reflective, celebratory tone of the show’s final episodes, which have featured high-profile guests including Barack Obama and Tom Hanks in coming days.

Fan and Industry Reactions

Social media lit up immediately after the episode aired, with clips of the Selina Meyer roast circulating widely. Fans praised Louis-Dreyfus for capturing the spirit of “Veep” while giving Colbert a memorable send-off. Many noted the timing, coming amid broader conversations about the future of late-night television in a shifting media landscape.

Industry insiders view the final weeks as a victory lap for Colbert, who transformed “The Late Show” into a platform known for sharp political commentary, celebrity interviews and viral moments. Louis-Dreyfus’ appearance added another highlight to a memorable farewell tour.

As “The Late Show” counts down to its May 21 finale, moments like Tuesday’s roast remind viewers why the program resonated for over a decade. Julia Louis-Dreyfus delivered not just laughs but a fitting, affectionate farewell to a fellow comedy icon — wrapped in the perfect “Veep”-style packaging of awkward sincerity and brutal honesty.

The episode, which also featured Pascal, balanced humor, nostalgia and genuine warmth as Colbert prepares to step away from the desk. For fans of both stars, it was a night that showcased why their chemistry has always been appointment television.

On the morning of 11 March, employees at Stryker, one of the world’s largest medical device companies, watched their phones and laptops go blank.

An Iran-linked hacking group called Handala quickly claimed responsibility, saying the cyber-attack was retaliation for US military strikes on Iran.

The fact that the devices of a major conglomerate with over 50,000 employees can be wiped back to factory settings demonstrates just how easily an attack like this can happen.

It also shows that cyber security must become a priority for businesses and governments alike, as threats can come from anywhere, at any time.

The Stryker cyber-attack is just one recent example. By 2031, ransomware attacks on governments, businesses, consumers, and devices will occur every two seconds.

Worryingly, according to the former US Deputy National Security Advisor for cyber and emerging technologies, the annual average cost of cybercrime will cross $23 trillion in 2027.

The numbers are astounding yet many think that it is just big tech and conglomerates that are targeted by cybercriminals. They could not be more wrong.

Cyber intelligence to respond to the growing threat

In 2025, nearly half of businesses and three-in-ten charities in the UK reported having experienced some kind of cyber security breach or attack. Financial losses can be significant, but businesses also lose customer trust because of breaches, impacting their reputation.

Governments too are targets. In August 2025 an attack on Canada’s House of Commons exposed employee data and details of government devices.

Organizations must embrace cyber intelligence to protect themselves. But what exactly is cyber intelligence?

At its core, it is the collection, analysis and management of information related to digital threats. Instead of reacting when something goes wrong, cyber intelligence helps organizations anticipate attacks and build stronger cyber defenses.

In practice, this means organizations will be more likely to detect cyber threats before they become major incidents, minimizing any potential damage.

And as AI continues to develop at record speed, cyber intelligence is becoming more important.

“AI is supercharging the cyberthreat landscape”: Rotem Farkash

AI tools are both a powerful defense and a dangerous weapon for the industry. Cyber intelligence and AI expert Rotem Farkash argues that “AI-powered tools can help organizations identify, prevent, and respond to cyber threats, but criminals are wholeheartedly embracing AI too, leveraging it to launch attacks like phishing and social engineering.”

What makes this particularly worrying, Farkash added, “is that if cybercriminals invest more in their AI attack tools than organizations do in their protection, they will be even more vulnerable than they have been in the past. AI is supercharging the cyber threat landscape.”

Rotem Farkash’s concern is well-founded. By early 2025, over 80 per cent of social engineering attacks, where attackers trick individuals into sharing sensitive information, spreading malware, or breaking security procedures, leveraged AI.

Defending critical national infrastructure from hackers

Concerningly, national critical infrastructure is on the line all over the world. According to Industrial Cyber, in the EU in 2025 public administration was the most targeted sector by cyber-attacks, with transport emerging as a rising high-value target.

In March 2025, Cyber Energia revealed that UK renewables companies faced up to 1,000 attempted cyberattacks per day and that only 1 per cent of wind energy firms have adequate cyber protection.

What better way to cause disruption than shutting off a country’s water supply or switching off its lights? No need to drop expensive bombs, simply send off a line of code from anywhere in the world.

Cybercrime is state sponsored: Iran, China, and North Korea

Cybercrime is not solely the domain of individual hackers or organized ransomware groups. Nation states are active and the most well-resourced participants.

North Korean government hackers are attributed to large-scale cryptocurrency theft used to fund the regime, while Chinese state-sponsored actors have proven particularly dangerous through the campaign known as Salt Typhoon.

Since at least 2021, this operation has targeted organizations in critical sectors including government, telecommunications, transportation, hospitality, and military infrastructure globally, particularly in the US and UK.

Cause for concern: lack of cybersecurity preparation across society

Even more concerning is that organizations are badly prepared. Only three per cent globally have the ‘mature’ level of readiness needed to be resilient against today’s cybersecurity risks and it took an average of 277 days for businesses to identify and report a data breach.

Action to respond to the global cyberthreat

Cybersecurity can no longer be ignored. Cyber-attacks are targeting business and governments of every size every day. Organizations are not prepared, AI is causing threats to evolve rapidly, and the cost to a breach is enormous.

To avoid becoming the next victim of a cyber-attack, embrace cyber intelligence. The time to act is now.

SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama etched his name into NBA playoff lore Tuesday night, becoming the third-youngest player in league history to record at least 25 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists in a postseason game as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves to seize a 3-2 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

The 22-year-old phenom delivered a dominant 27-point, 17-rebound, 5-assist performance — including a playoff career-high in rebounds and three blocks — to lead the Spurs to a hard-fought victory at the Frost Bank Center. At 22 years and 128 days old, Wembanyama trails only Magic Johnson and Luka Dončić on the all-time list for such a versatile statistical achievement in the playoffs.

Wembanyama shot 9-of-16 from the field while showcasing his full two-way arsenal: rim protection that frustrated Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert, precise passing out of double teams and scoring bursts that shifted momentum. His performance helped the Spurs pull away in the second half, advancing them one win closer to their first Western Conference Finals berth since the Kawhi Leonard era.

Historic Night in Context

Only Magic Johnson at 20 years, 276 days and Luka Dončić at 21 years, 177 days accomplished the 25-15-5 feat at a younger age. Wembanyama’s milestone underscores his rapid ascent from No. 1 overall pick in 2023 to one of the league’s most impactful superstars. The performance came in a high-stakes Game 5 where the Spurs needed to protect home court after splitting the first four games of the series.

De’Aaron Fox provided strong complementary scoring and playmaking, while rookie Dylan Harper continued his impressive postseason emergence with flashy handles and finishes. Bench contributors like Keldon Johnson and Stephon Castle added energy and clutch plays, highlighting San Antonio’s depth under Coach Gregg Popovich.

Minnesota battled throughout, led by Anthony Edwards’ athletic drives and Naz Reid’s perimeter shooting. Gobert competed inside but repeatedly encountered Wembanyama’s length and timing, resulting in several highlight-reel blocks and defensive stands that energized the home crowd.

Second-Half Surge Decides Outcome

The game remained competitive in the first half as both teams traded runs. Wembanyama set the tone early, controlling the paint and initiating offense from the high post. San Antonio built a modest halftime lead before exploding out of the locker room with extended scoring bursts.

Castle attacked the basket aggressively, drawing fouls and finishing through contact. Harper displayed poise beyond his years, while the Spurs’ ball movement created open opportunities across the floor. Minnesota mounted several comeback attempts, but San Antonio’s defensive rotations and superior rebounding proved decisive in the fourth quarter.

The Spurs outrebounded the Timberwolves significantly, with Wembanyama anchoring the effort. His ability to guard multiple positions while serving as the primary offensive option highlighted why many consider him a frontrunner for both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors this season.

Series Outlook and Spurs Rebuild

The win gives the Spurs the series advantage heading into Game 6 in Minnesota. San Antonio now holds two opportunities to advance — one at home if necessary — against a Timberwolves team that has shown resilience but faces significant matchup challenges against Wembanyama.

This postseason represents a major milestone in the Spurs’ rebuild. After years of tanking and development, the combination of Wembanyama’s superstar talent with young pieces like Harper and Castle has transformed San Antonio into a legitimate contender. Popovich’s system continues to emphasize discipline, defense and unselfish play, producing results even as the legendary coach nears the end of his career.

For Minnesota, the loss highlights the difficulties of containing a player with Wembanyama’s unique physical tools. Edwards delivered strong moments but needed more consistent support from teammates to overcome San Antonio’s balance.

Fan and League-Wide Reactions

Social media exploded with praise for Wembanyama’s performance. Fans called him an “alien,” a “monster” and the future face of the league. Highlights of his blocks, passes and scoring quickly went viral, drawing comparisons to legendary two-way players like a young Shaquille O’Neal or Kevin Garnett.

League observers noted the Spurs’ chemistry and depth as major advantages. The series has featured physical play, star-driven moments and momentum swings, living up to expectations for a competitive Western Conference matchup. Many predict a potential Western Conference Finals clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder would deliver another showcase of rising young talent.

Wembanyama’s Growing Legacy

At just 22, Wembanyama already ranks among the most complete players in the NBA. His combination of size, skill, basketball IQ and work ethic has drawn admiration across the league. Tuesday’s historic line adds to a growing list of milestones, including Defensive Player of the Year contention and consistent triple-double threats.

The performance also served as motivation after previous games in the series. Wembanyama appeared locked in from tip-off, responding to physical play with composure and dominance. His leadership on both ends helped elevate teammates and quieted Minnesota’s crowd during key stretches.

As the series shifts back to Minnesota for Game 6, the Timberwolves must find defensive answers and offensive consistency to force a Game 7. The Spurs will aim to maintain focus on the road and close out the series, relying on home-court momentum from this Game 5 triumph.

Victor Wembanyama’s latest masterpiece not only propelled the Spurs forward but also reinforced his status as one of basketball’s brightest stars. Whether San Antonio advances further or not, nights like Tuesday remind fans why the league and global audiences are captivated by the beginning of what could become a transformative era in NBA history.

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs took a commanding 3-2 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a decisive Game 5 victory on Tuesday night, powered by an explosive performance from Victor Wembanyama and strong contributions from De’Aaron Fox and rookie Dylan Harper. The Spurs pulled away in the second half to secure the win at the Frost Bank Center, moving one victory closer to their first Western Conference Finals appearance in years.

Wembanyama delivered a monster double-double with 27 points and 17 rebounds, dominating both ends of the floor and frustrating Minnesota’s big man Rudy Gobert throughout the contest. The 7-foot-4 French phenom showcased his full arsenal, including highlight-reel blocks, precise passing and interior scoring that left the Timberwolves struggling to contain him.

Fox added efficient scoring and playmaking, while Harper continued his impressive postseason emergence with flashy plays, including a memorable double behind-the-back dribble leading to a dunk that electrified the home crowd. Keldon Johnson provided energy off the bench, and Stephon Castle delivered clutch moments with strong drives and defensive tenacity.

The game featured intense back-and-forth action early, with Minnesota mounting several comeback attempts led by Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid. However, San Antonio’s depth, defensive intensity and home-court energy proved too much in the end, as the Spurs closed out the fourth quarter on a decisive run.

Early Momentum and First-Half Battle

The contest opened with high intensity as both teams traded blows. Wembanyama set the tone early, scoring efficiently and grabbing boards while altering shots on the defensive end. Fox found rhythm with spinning drives and mid-range pull-ups, helping the Spurs build an initial lead.

Minnesota responded through Edwards’ athleticism and Reid’s outside shooting. Gobert battled inside but often found himself on the receiving end of Wembanyama’s length and timing. The Timberwolves used physicality and timely threes to stay within striking distance, forcing several timeouts as the lead changed hands multiple times.

By halftime, San Antonio held a modest advantage, with Wembanyama already approaching a double-double and the Spurs’ bench contributing key minutes. Harper’s poise as a rookie stood out, showing no fear against veteran defenders.

Second-Half Dominance Seals the Win

The Spurs exploded out of the locker room, going on extended runs that stretched their lead into double digits. Castle attacked the rim aggressively, finishing through contact and drawing fouls. Johnson added toughness and timely scoring, while the team’s ball movement created open looks across the floor.

Minnesota refused to fold, with Edwards attacking relentlessly and Reid knocking down big threes to trim the deficit. Yet every Timberwolves push met a Spurs response, often sparked by Wembanyama’s versatility or Fox’s speed in transition. Late in the game, San Antonio’s defensive rotations and rebounding sealed the outcome.

Final stats highlighted the Spurs’ balance: multiple players in double figures, strong assist totals and superior rebounding. Wembanyama’s impact extended beyond numbers, as his presence disrupted Minnesota’s offense and boosted teammates’ confidence.

Series Context and Playoff Implications

The victory gives the Spurs the series edge after splitting the first four games, with Minnesota winning on their home floor earlier. San Antonio now has two chances to close out the series — one at home in Game 6 and, if necessary, on the road in Game 7.

This postseason run marks a significant step in the Spurs’ rebuild. With Wembanyama establishing himself as a superstar and young talent like Harper and Castle flourishing, the franchise appears poised for sustained contention. Coach Gregg Popovich’s system continues to produce disciplined, team-oriented basketball even in his later years.

For the Timberwolves, the loss stings after strong regular-season form. Edwards showed flashes of brilliance but needed more consistent support. Gobert faced challenges matching Wembanyama’s mobility, highlighting matchup difficulties that could persist if the series continues.

Fan and League Reactions

Social media erupted with praise for the Spurs’ young core. Highlights of Wembanyama’s blocks, Harper’s flashy plays and Castle’s drives circulated widely, drawing comparisons to past championship teams. Fans chanted “Wemby! Wemby!” throughout the game and celebrated the franchise’s resurgence.

League observers noted the Spurs’ depth and chemistry as key advantages. The series has delivered entertaining basketball with star power, physical play and momentum shifts, living up to the high expectations for a competitive Western Conference matchup.

Looking Ahead to Game 6

With the series shifting back to Minnesota for Game 6, the Timberwolves must find answers defensively and offensively to force a decisive seventh game. San Antonio will look to maintain composure on the road and close out the series, relying on home momentum and star performances.

A potential Western Conference Finals matchup against Oklahoma City looms large, promising another exciting clash between rising powers. Regardless of the outcome, this Spurs team has captured imaginations and signaled a new era in San Antonio basketball.

The Game 5 thriller underscored the beauty of playoff basketball — individual brilliance within team concepts, resilience under pressure and the joy of a home crowd fueling a special night. As the series intensifies, all eyes turn to whether the Spurs can finish the job or if Minnesota can engineer a comeback.

Shares of Berger Paints India rallied as much as 9% to their day’s high of Rs 533 on the BSE on Wednesday after it reported a more than 27% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit for the fourth quarter of FY26 at Rs 335.3 crore, supported by strong volume growth and improved gross margins.

The company, however, said developments in West Asia, volatility in crude-linked derivatives, rupee depreciation and supply-side disruptions remain key factors to watch, given the inflationary pressures they could create.

India’s second-largest paint maker posted a 6.1% increase in consolidated revenue from operations to Rs 2,868 crore during the March quarter, while EBITDA rose 12.6% year-on-year to Rs 481.7 crore.

Managing Director Abhijit Roy said the gradual improvement in demand witnessed in the previous quarter continued through the fourth quarter, helping the company achieve healthy volume growth of 11.8%. He added that the performance was aided by a better product mix and softer raw material prices.

Gross margin for the quarter stood at 42.3%, the highest level seen in the last three financial years. The company said margins improved both sequentially and year-on-year due to favourable mix enrichment, lower impact from price cuts in the economy segment and partial benefits from the withdrawal of anti-dumping duty on titanium dioxide.

For the full financial year FY26, Berger Paints reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,128.8 crore, down 4.6% from the previous year. Revenue from operations for the year rose 2.9% to Rs 11,880.3 crore, while EBITDA declined 1.2% to Rs 1,833.3 crore.
The company said annual profitability was impacted by the implementation of newly notified labour codes as well as a one-time loss arising from a warehouse fire in Barasat, West Bengal.On the outlook, the company said staggered price hikes introduced from March onwards are expected to support gross margins amid rising raw material costs, while ongoing cost optimisation efforts should help maintain operating margins within the guided range. Berger Paints added that although competition is likely to remain intense, growth is expected to be driven by demand in construction chemicals, waterproofing, wood coatings and upcoming product launches.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

US prosecutors suspect a Thai AI company of assisting in the illegal smuggling of Nvidia chips to China. Alibaba is also reportedly involved among several other entities. The investigation highlights concerns over chip exports and potential violations of trade restrictions, emphasizing ongoing scrutiny of companies potentially bypassing U.S. export controls to bolster China’s technological development.

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The United States has raised concerns over the potential illegal export of Nvidia semiconductor chips to Alibaba through Thailand. According to recent reports, US authorities suspect that certain Nvidia chips may have been diverted from authorized channels and shipped to the Chinese e-commerce giant. These chips are highly advanced and are crucial for artificial intelligence and data center operations, making their transfer a matter of national security for the US.

The suspicious activity reportedly involves intermediaries based in Thailand, which is often used as a regional hub for semiconductor trade. US officials are investigating whether these intermediaries bypassed export restrictions, raising worries about the proliferation of sensitive technology to China’s tech sector. Such allegations highlight ongoing tensions over technology transfer and export controls between the US and China.

Nvidia has not officially commented on the allegations. Meanwhile, US regulators are intensifying scrutiny of exports to prevent the unauthorized transfer of advanced chips, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding national security interests. This incident underscores the delicate balance between global tech trade and geopolitical concerns.

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