U.S. national debt reaches all-time high of 36 trillion U.S. dollars

The U.S. Treasury Department recently announced that the country's national debt has reached 36 trillion U.S. dollars, setting a new record.

This milestone comes just over three months after the debt surpassed the 35-trillion-U.S.-dollar mark in late July, highlighting the rapid pace of borrowing and government spending.

Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, captured the gravity of the situation in a recent speech, saying government borrowing is becoming as certain as the changing of the seasons these days.

Since June 2022, the Federal Reserve -- the central bank of the United States -- has implemented a series of rate hikes to combat high inflation. While these measures aim to stabilize the economy, the cost of servicing existing debt has been inadvertently increased. As a result, interest payments now constitute a growing share of federal expenditures, further exacerbating the debt burden.

U.S. national debt reaches all-time high of 36 trillion U.S. dollars

U.S. national debt reaches all-time high of 36 trillion U.S. dollars

U.S. national debt reaches all-time high of 36 trillion U.S. dollars

U.S. national debt reaches all-time high of 36 trillion U.S. dollars

U.S. national debt reaches all-time high of 36 trillion U.S. dollars

U.S. national debt reaches all-time high of 36 trillion U.S. dollars

The UN must resolutely defend the victorious outcomes of World War II and reject any attempt to revive militarism, said China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sun Lei on Thursday. 

Sun made the remarks to the UN General Assembly (UNGA), following UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who addressed the meeting on priorities for 2026.

Guterres emphasized the three principles that guide the world body's work in 2026: adherence to the UN Charter, peace with justice -- peace between nations and peace with nature, and unity in an age of division.

All nations must resolutely uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, said Sun.

"The UN must resolutely defend the victorious outcomes of World War II and uphold the post-war international order, firmly oppose unilateralism and hegemony, and reject any attempt to revive militarism," he said.

The Chinese envoy said countries must advance the three pillars in a balanced manner.

"Peace and security, development, and human rights are mutually reinforcing, and none should be neglected," he said.

He also stressed reforming and improving global governance. 

"China will work with all parties to firmly support multilateralism and the international system with the UN at its core, maintain peace, promote development, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity," said Sun.

UN must resolutely defend victorious outcomes of World War II: Chinese envoy