## US hits $38 trillion in debt, after the fastest accumulation of $1 trillion outside of the pandemic

Authored by apnews.com

It’s also the fastest accumulation of a trillion dollars in debt outside of the COVID-19 pandemic — the U.S. hit $37 trillion in gross national debt in August this year.

The $38 trillion update is found in the latest Treasury Department report, which logs the nation’s daily finances.

The Trump administration says its policies are helping to slow government spending and will shrink the nation’s massive deficit.

The Joint Economic Committee estimates that the total national debt has grown by $69,713.82 per second for the past year.

“Along with increasing debt, you get higher interest costs, which are now the fastest growing part of the budget,” Peterson added.

“We spent $4 trillion on interest over the last decade, but will spend $14 trillion in the next ten years.

The U.S. hit $34 trillion in debt in January 2024, $35 trillion in July 2024 and $36 trillion in November 2024. »

### This town wants to give away its 100-year-old convent. Could it be a housing solution?

Authored by cbc.ca

Right now, this 90,000-square-foot building is free for the taking for anyone who has a viable idea to fix it up and turn it into a sustainable development.

When she hears people talk about knocking down this historical monument, the thought strikes pain right into her heart.

Maria Lepage attended the convent as a child, and says the building holds sentimental value to her, besides its historical and cultural significance. »

### South Korea officially recognises same-sex couples in national census

Authored by thepinknews.com

South Korea is finally recognising same-sex couples after announcing it will acknowledge them in the national census.

Under newly announced policy changes, the Ministry of Data and Statistics will recognise same-sex couples living in the same household in the Population and Housing Census.

Previous iterations flagged the options as errors and rejected, according to Rainbow Action Korea – a coalition of 49 LGBTQ+ organisations. »

### More than 30 people killed by US strikes on ‘narco’ boats, as Trump launches first attack in Pacific waters

Authored by independent.co.uk

Donald Trump’s administration has struck another alleged drug-carrying vessel, killing two people on board, in what appears to be the first attack in the Pacific Ocean.

open image in gallery The Trump administration struck another alleged drug-carrying boat October 21, this time in the Pacific ( Department of Defense ).

“Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people. »

### Mexico And Canada Sign Bilateral Economic Agreement

Authored by gfmag.com

Canada and Mexico are close economic partners aside from their place in the North American free-trade bloc; bilateral trade between the countries in 2024 totaled about $56 billion and Canada’s total foreign direct investment in Mexico in 2024 was around $46 billion.

Canada was Mexico’s fifth largest trade partner and Mexico was Canada’s third largest as of the end of last year.

The new bilateral partnership agreement aims to secure the support of economic integration, while the USMCA’s future is less certain. »

## In pictures

## Also in the news

#### Number of Canadians travelling to the U.S. continues to drop

#### Trump administration plans to demolish White House's entire East Wing as ballroom cost grows to $300 million

#### Trump’s deal with Argentina shows just how hollow his ‘America First’ slogan has become

#### White House East Wing will be torn down ‘within days’ even as no plans filed for Trump’s new ballroom

#### US sanctions Russian oil companies after failed Putin talks