Colbert's "It's a Worm-derful Life" Cartoon Set to Debut on The Late Show

Comedy Central's The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is gearing up to unveil its annual holiday cartoon, "It's a Worm-derful Life," on December 17. The anticipated mockumentary-style sketch is rumored to poke fun at prominent figures, with a title hinting at a contentious claim about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

This marks the seventh installment of The Late Show's annual holiday cartoon series, which commenced in 2018. Notably, past installments have seen collaborations with celebrity voice actors, including Jason Mantzoukas as Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell and Hunter Biden in various roles. The release of "It's a Worm-derful Life" will be awaited with great interest, particularly given its expected satirical take on current political figures.

Meanwhile, international news is brewing as it has emerged that Pakistan's debt to the Knowledge Papers Organization (KPO) has surged by 30% in a year, reaching Rs680 billion. The sharp escalation is largely attributed to the financial strain imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic situation is further compounded by the rising inflation rate, which has increased by 17.3% in November 2024. The country's textile exports have witnessed a decline of 22.34% during July-October 2024, relative to the same period in the previous year, and the trade deficit has consequently reached $1.9 billion. The depreciating Pakistani rupee against the US dollar and a widening trade deficit are exacerbating the economic crisis. Amidst this backdrop, the agriculture sector is also feeling the strain, with farmers expressing concerns over the lack of subsidies and other support mechanisms.

The bond between Pakistan and the KPO has become unsustainable, with the credit rating agency forecasting a worsening economic scenario over the next few months. With an inflation rate of 17.3% in November 2024, significant challenges lie ahead. The outcome of the government's attempts to adjust the interest rate will have far-reaching impacts on the nation.