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- Stomach Bugs, Not Hantavirus, Are the Bigger Threat on Cruises
Stomach bugs on cruise ships recently hit a nearly two-decade high as more people than ever board the vessels, underscoring how easily viruses spread on contained voyages. While cruises are in a global spotlight after a rare hantavirus outbreak killed … [TheTopNews] Read More.36 mins ago - Waymo recalls its fleet of robotaxis
One unoccupied vehicle drove into flood waters and was swept away By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs May 15, 2026 Waymo is recalling nearly 3,800 robotaxis after one autonomous vehicle drove into floodwaters in San Antonio, Texas. Federal regulators said the software could slow for flooded roads but not always stop, creating a potential crash risk. The recall adds to growing scrutiny of autonomous vehicle safety as Waymo expands service across major U.S. cities. Waymo, Alphabets self-driving vehicle subsidiary, has issued one of the largest recalls in the history of the autonomous vehicle industry after a software flaw allowed some robotaxis to enter flooded roadways. The voluntary recall affects 3,791 vehicles equipped with the companys fifth- and sixth-generation automated driving systems, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The action follows an April 20 incident in San Antonio, Texas, in which an unoccupied Waymo robotaxi drove into a flooded roadway during severe weather and was swept into a creek. No injuries were reported, but regulators said the incident exposed a dangerous weakness in the companys response to extreme weather conditions. Flooded roads may be problematic NHTSA documents state that on higher-speed roads, Waymo vehicles could detect standing water and reduce speed, but might still continue forward instead of stopping completely. Regulators warned that entering flooded roadways could lead to loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of crashes or injuries. Waymo said it has already implemented interim software updates across its fleet, including tighter weather-related operating restrictions and revised mapping data designed to limit access to flood-prone areas. The company is also developing a permanent software remedy. We are working to implement additional software safeguards and have put mitigations in place, including refining our extreme weather operations during periods of intense rain, a Waymo spokesperson said. The recall represents another high-profile setback for the rapidly growing robotaxi industry, which has promoted autonomous vehicles as potentially safer than human drivers. Waymo currently operates commercial driverless ride-hailing services in cities including Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Austin, and recently expanded testing into additional U.S. markets. Growing scrutiny Despite its expansion, the company has faced mounting regulatory scrutiny over safety incidents involving its autonomous fleet. Federal investigators have previously examined reports of Waymo vehicles colliding with roadway barriers, illegally passing stopped school buses and entering restricted traffic areas.… [TheTopNews] Read More.1 hour ago - Mortgage rates seemed to stall this weekFor buyers, its probably the best they could hope for By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs May 15, 2026 The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage edged down to 6.36% this week from 6.37%, according to Freddie Mac. Economists expect mortgage rates to remain relatively stable in the next few weeks, hovering in the mid-6% range. Inflation concerns, Treasury yields and uncertainty over future Federal Reserve moves are likely to keep rates from falling sharply anytime soon. Mortgage rates arent going down very much, but at least they arent going up. Rates drifted slightly lower this week, offering modest relief for homebuyers entering the late spring housing market, but economists say borrowing costs are likely to remain elevated through the next several weeks. Freddie Mac reports that the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dipped to 6.36%, down from 6.37% last week. A year ago, the benchmark mortgage averaged 6.81%. Rates on 15-year fixed mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing, slipped to 5.71% from 5.72% the previous week. Recent data points to slightly better conditions for buyers, Freddie Mac said in its weekly survey, pointing to growing housing inventory and lower median new-home prices. However, mortgage analysts caution that the improvement is unlikely to signal the beginning of a major downward trend. Following bond yields Mortgage rates closely follow the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which has remained elevated as investors weigh inflation pressures, global instability and the Federal Reserves next moves on interest rates. The 10-year Treasury yield recently hovered around 4.4%, well above where it stood earlier this year. Housing economists said they generally expect rates to stay in a narrow range between about 6.2% and 6.5% through the early summer unless there is a significant shift in inflation or economic growth. Federal Reserve policymakers have held their benchmark interest rate steady this year after several cuts late in 2025, signaling continued concern that inflation remains stubbornly above the Feds 2% target. Although the Fed does not directly set mortgage rates, its policies heavily influence broader borrowing costs. Second half of the year may see improvement Industry forecasts suggest mortgage rates may gradually ease later in 2026 if inflation cools and the Fed resumes rate cuts. Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association all project rates could fall closer to 6% by years end, though… [TheTopNews] Read More.1 hour ago
- Do you qualify for part of Comcast’s $117.5 million settlement?The company is beginning to pay for its 2023 data breach By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs May 15, 2026 Comcast has agreed to a $117.5 million settlement tied to a massive 2023 data breach affecting more than 30 million customers. Eligible consumers may qualify for up to $10,000 in documented losses or a smaller cash payment estimated at about $50. Customers who received a breach notification from Comcast can file claims online through Aug. 14, 2026. Millions of Comcast and Xfinity customers may be eligible for compensation after Comcast agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit stemming from a 2023 cybersecurity breach that exposed sensitive customer data. The proposed $117.5 million settlement resolves claims that Comcast failed to adequately protect customer information after hackers exploited a vulnerability in Citrix software between Oct. 16 and Oct. 19, 2023. Comcast disclosed the breach in December 2023 and has denied wrongdoing. According to court filings, the breach exposed data including usernames, hashed passwords, names, contact information, dates of birth, and in some cases the last four digits of Social Security numbers and security question answers. Are you eligible? Consumers are included in the settlement if they received a notice from Comcast informing them that their personal information may have been compromised in the October 2023 breach. That means not all Comcast or Xfinity customers automatically qualify. Settlement administrators estimate the class includes roughly 31.7 million people. How much money could consumers receive? Eligible consumers have several compensation options: Reimbursement of up to $10,000 for documented out-of-pocket losses related to the breach, including identity theft losses, fraud expenses, credit monitoring costs, credit freezes, and related fees. Compensation for lost time spent dealing with the breach, capped at five hours at $30 per hour. An alternative cash payment estimated at around $50 for consumers who do not submit documentation for losses. The final amount may increase or decrease depending on how many claims are filed. Class members are also eligible for three years of identity theft and credit monitoring services. How to file a claim Consumers can file claims online through the official settlement website at ComcastBreachSettlement.com. To submit a claim, consumers will generally need the Class Member ID included in the breach notification sent by Comcast. People who lost their notice can use the websites lookup tool… [TheTopNews] Read More.1 hour ago
- What are the symptoms of meningitis and is there a vaccine?
A college student has died and two people are being treated after cases of meningitis in Reading, Berkshire. [TheTopNews] Read More.2 hours ago - Iran’s Threats to Hormuz Undersea Cables Highlight Vulnerabilites of Data Chok...Early this week, Iranian state-linked media floated a plan to charge the operators of undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz for access to what they say is Iran’s offshore territory. The suggestion comes after Iranian warnings that several … [TheTopNews] Read More.3 hours ago
- Medicare Coverage for GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs: Cost, Eligibility and What to Kno...
What you should know about the federal government’s pilot program offering GLP-1s solely for weight loss. [TheTopNews] Read More.3 hours ago
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