In the midst of a federal government shutdown, the U.S. government’s gross national debt surpassed $38 trillion Wednesday, a record number that highlights the accelerating accumulation of debt on America’s balance sheet.

The growth of the US national debt is accelerating at its fastest clip according to data from the US Treasury, jumping $1 trillion in just two months.

South African local-currency government bonds are becoming a top pick for investors seeking an alternative to US Treasuries amid worries about a weaker dollar and rising government debt, according BlackRock Inc.

For many Americans, debt isn’t just a balance on a screen—it’s a daily weight. In a 2025 survey by financial services company JG Wentworth, it was found that nearly half of respondents worry about debt daily,

The airline has entered bankruptcy proceedings after flurries of lawsuits and the sudden death of its CEO just weeks prior.