Foreclosures rose to the highest level in six years in the first quarter of this year as homeowners are squeezed by rising costs related to insurance and property tax bills.

The Wall Street Journal reported that data from Attom shows the number of U.S. properties with a foreclosure filing has trended up to nearly 119,000 in the first quarter, an increase of 26% from the same period last year.

That figure is the highest since the first quarter of 2020, when mortgage relief measures implemented to mitigate the economic impact of COVID shutdowns led to a steep decline in foreclosures.

Analysts have noted that the current foreclosure rate represents a return to what were normal levels prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, as opposed to a sign of borrowers becoming increasingly distressed financially.

AVERAGE MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENT HITS NEW HIGH, TOPPING $2K FOR FIRST TIME EVER

However, the Journal’s report said that although many homeowners have low mortgage rates, rising costs for things like home insurance, property taxes and dues for homeowners’ associations are ramping up spending on bills.

A report by Insurify found that the average annual bill for homeowners insurance rose $2,948 in 2025, up 12% from 2024, while Attom data showed that average property tax burdens were up 3% to $4,427.

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Those who purchased homes within the past few years may be in worse shape after purchasing at higher mortgage rates, as some areas have seen declines in home values that could leave some owners underwater.

Homeowners who are facing financial distress and the risk of slipping into delinquency or foreclosure have fewer options for relief than what was available a few years ago before pandemic-era programs were sunset. 

For example, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced in October that homeowners are limited in resorting to measures like loan modification to avoid foreclosure once every 24 months.

PROPERTY TAX BURDEN ON AMERICANS CLIMB AS HOME VALUES DIP, NEW DATA SHOWS

The data comes as data shows the average monthly payment for all outstanding mortgages reached a new high at the end of last year, as it rose to $2,005 in the fourth quarter, according to Realtor.com data.

The uptick covers the full portfolio of mortgages in the U.S., including a large group of borrowers who took out loans before 2022 and have mortgage rates of 4% or lower – whereas new buyers face significantly higher payments given the elevated mortgage rates.

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The average monthly payment for new homebuyers passed the $2,000 threshold for the first time in September 2022.

SEATTLE — Steam, Valve Corporation’s dominant digital gaming platform, is currently operating normally as of Tuesday, May 5, 2026, with no widespread outages reported across major monitoring services. Millions of users worldwide can access the Steam Store, Community features, and launch games without major disruptions, though occasional localized or individual connection hiccups remain common in a service handling tens of millions of concurrent players.

Monitoring sites including Downdetector, SteamStat.us and DownForEveryoneOrJustMe confirm stable performance. Steam services show normal operation for the Store, Community, Web API and connection managers at around 97% availability. In-game and online user counts remain robust, with over 34 million users online in recent snapshots and nearly 10 million actively playing.

Current Status: No Major Outage

As of early May 2026, user reports on Downdetector indicate no significant spike beyond typical background noise. The platform’s last notable outage occurred on April 28, lasting roughly 47 minutes and affecting launching games and connections for some users. Routine Tuesday maintenance windows, a long-standing Valve practice, occasionally cause brief interruptions, but none are active today.

SteamStat.us, an unofficial but reliable tracker, reports all core services in the green. Minor database queue delays of around 30 minutes appear in some backend functions but do not impact most players. Connection managers hold steady above 96%, sufficient for smooth gameplay and downloads.

Valve has not issued any emergency notices via its official support channels or social accounts regarding today’s status. Players experiencing issues are likely dealing with individual factors such as local internet problems, router configurations, VPN interference or temporary high traffic rather than a platform-wide failure.

How to Verify Steam Status Yourself

Gamers worried about connectivity should first visit trusted checkers:

• SteamStat.us — Real-time service breakdown
• Downdetector.com/status/steam — User-reported spikes
• store.steampowered.com/stats — Official concurrent user data

Basic troubleshooting steps recommended by Valve include restarting the Steam client, verifying game files, checking firewall/antivirus settings, and ensuring a stable wired connection over Wi-Fi when possible. Clearing the download cache or running Steam as administrator often resolves persistent errors like Code 53 (“Servers too busy”).

Recent History of Steam Outages in 2026

Steam has experienced several disruptions this year. A February event saw over 18,000 user reports in a single morning, primarily server connection failures. May 1 brought scattered complaints, though not at outage levels. These incidents typically resolve within hours thanks to Valve’s robust global server infrastructure.

The platform’s scale contributes to vulnerability. With peaks exceeding 40 million concurrent users during major releases or sales, even minor technical glitches can affect thousands. DDoS attempts, though rare and usually mitigated quickly, have occurred in the past. Routine maintenance every Tuesday remains the most predictable source of brief downtime.

Why Steam Rarely Stays Down Long

Valve’s engineering prioritizes redundancy. Data centers worldwide distribute load, while content delivery networks accelerate downloads. The company’s closed ecosystem allows faster internal fixes compared to more fragmented services. However, heavy reliance on Steam for game libraries, cloud saves and multiplayer means even short outages frustrate dedicated players.

Impact on Gamers and the Industry

When Steam does go down, effects ripple across the PC gaming world. Competitive titles like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 see matchmaking queues freeze. Single-player enthusiasts lose access to achievements and updates. Steam Deck users in handheld mode face additional frustration during travel.

Economically, prolonged outages could dent Valve’s massive revenue from the 30% cut on most transactions. Yet the platform’s near-monopoly status in PC digital distribution means users have few immediate alternatives. Epic Games Store, GOG and others capture niches but lack Steam’s library depth and social features.

Tips to Minimize Disruption

Proactive steps help gamers stay prepared:

1. Enable Steam’s offline mode before potential issues.
2. Keep games updated during stable periods.
3. Use secondary launchers or direct executables for critical titles.
4. Monitor Steam’s official Twitter/X and status pages during peak events like new game launches or holiday sales.

For power users, tools like SteamCMD offer command-line access bypassing the full client. Mobile apps provide basic library management even during client-side problems.

Broader Context in 2026 Gaming Landscape

Steam continues dominating as PC gaming’s central hub amid growing competition from cloud services like Xbox Game Pass and NVIDIA GeForce Now. Valve’s focus on Steam Deck and upcoming hardware, including rumored Steam Machine developments, reinforces the ecosystem’s importance. Reliable uptime remains critical to retaining user trust.

As artificial intelligence and enhanced anti-cheat systems integrate deeper, backend complexity increases outage risks. Yet Valve’s track record shows quick recovery, often without public fanfare. Most “Steam is down” panics on social media prove temporary or user-specific upon verification.

What to Do If Steam Goes Down

If widespread problems emerge:

• Check multiple status sites for confirmation.
• Avoid repeated login attempts, which can worsen queues.
• Wait 30-60 minutes before retrying.
• Report specific errors via Steam Support for faster potential resolution.

Valve rarely comments publicly on minor issues, reserving statements for major events. Community forums and Reddit’s r/Steam provide real-time user experiences during incidents.

For now, on this Tuesday in May 2026, Steam remains online and ready for millions of gamers. Whether launching a quick session of your favorite title or browsing the next big sale, the platform stands stable. Occasional hiccups are part of operating at Steam’s enormous scale, but current indicators point to smooth sailing for the vast majority of users.

Gamers should continue monitoring status pages during high-traffic periods and maintain good local network hygiene. With no active outage today, the focus shifts back to play — and perhaps wondering what blockbuster release will next test Steam’s servers.

Wall Street ended lower on Monday, with the S&P 500 retreating from record highs, after a South Korean ship was hit by an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran demonstrated its grip on Middle East oil, dampening optimism about strong first-quarter earnings reports. Energy stocks rose after ‌reports of the ⁠latest confrontations. An ⁠explosion reported aboard a South Korean merchant ship appeared likely to persuade commercial shippers the strait was still unsafe after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy would open it. Tehran said it forced a U.S. warship to turn back after it attempted to enter the strait, while the United Arab Emirates reported a fire at an oil installation following an Iranian drone attack.

The renewed nervousness about the Middle East conflict comes after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs last Friday amid a stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings season.

“With the market at all-time highs, there’s ⁠not a ‌lot of room for error, and it feels like the kind of big asymmetric risk is still to the downside, even if it’s maybe not the most probable outcome that we get ⁠back into a hot war,” said Ross Mayfield, an investment strategist at Baird Private Wealth Management.

S&P 500 companies are expected to post aggregate earnings growth of 28% year/year for the first quarter, double the expectation of 14% at the start of April, according to LSEG I/B/E/S. Wall Street’s AI heavyweights account for much of that optimism. Berkshire Hathaway reported on Saturday that it was a net seller of stocks for the 14th consecutive quarter. Investors closely watch the conglomerate, often viewed as a bellwether of the U.S. economy, for its insight into valuations and broader market conditions. Shares of GameStop tumbled and eBay rose after the ‌video game retailer unveiled a proposal to buy the online marketplace for about $56 billion in a cash-and-stock deal. GameStop’s stock market value is about $11 billion.

According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 lost 28.37 points, or 0.39%, to end at ⁠7,201.75 points, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 43.78 points, or 0.17%, to 25,070.67. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 549.79 points, or 1.12%, to 48,946.86. Delivery firms FedEx and United Parcel Service fell after Amazon.com said it was rolling out “Amazon Supply Chain Services,” opening up its logistics network for other businesses to use.

Palantir climbed ahead of the data analytics and defense software company’s quarterly report after the bell.
The declines in FedEx and UPS dragged the Dow Jones Transportation Average index to its lowest level in nearly a month. Cruise operator Norwegian dropped after slashing its annual forecast due to higher fuel costs related to the Middle East conflict.

NEW YORK — Gold prices tumbled more than 2% on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, with spot gold hitting $4,527.26 per ounce, down $102.63 or 2.22% from the previous close, extending a broader correction from record highs set earlier this year amid shifting macroeconomic forces and profit-taking.

The decline marks another session of pressure on the safe-haven metal, which reached an all-time high above $5,589 in late January before entering a volatile pullback phase. Analysts describe the move as a healthy correction within a longer-term bull market driven by central bank buying, geopolitical risks and investor diversification, rather than a fundamental reversal.

Drivers Behind Tuesday’s Sharp Drop

Market participants pointed to a combination of factors. A stronger U.S. dollar, rising Treasury yields and reduced immediate fears over certain geopolitical flashpoints contributed to the selling. Higher real yields make non-yielding assets like gold less attractive, prompting some institutional and speculative investors to unwind positions.

Recent data showing resilience in the U.S. economy and tempered expectations for aggressive Federal Reserve rate cuts this year have also weighed on gold. The metal often struggles in environments of higher-for-longer interest rates, even as broader inflation and uncertainty narratives remain supportive longer term.

Trading volumes spiked during the session as leveraged players adjusted exposure. Comex futures reflected the move, with active contracts showing clear downside momentum before finding some support near key technical levels around $4,500.

Context of 2026’s Wild Ride

Gold’s journey this year has been dramatic. After surging more than 40% from 2025 levels and shattering previous records, the metal corrected sharply in March — its largest monthly decline since 2013 — before stabilizing in April. The pullback erased roughly 13-20% from January peaks, yet prices remain elevated compared to historical averages.

Geopolitical developments, including tensions in the Middle East and disruptions in energy markets, initially propelled gold higher but later triggered complex dynamics. Oil price spikes raised inflation concerns, delayed rate-cut hopes and strengthened the dollar — a classic headwind for gold despite its traditional safe-haven status.

Central banks continue accumulating gold at elevated levels, albeit at a slightly slower pace than peak quarters, providing underlying demand. Private investors who entered during the rally have shown mixed behavior, with some holding firm and others taking profits during volatility.

Wall Street Outlook Remains Bullish

Major banks largely view the current dip as a buying opportunity. Goldman Sachs reaffirmed its year-end 2026 target of $5,400 per ounce. J.P. Morgan sees potential for $6,000–$6,300, while other forecasts range from $5,200 to $6,300 by December.

Analysts emphasize structural drivers: de-dollarization efforts, fiscal sustainability concerns, and gold’s role as a portfolio diversifier in an uncertain world. Even after the correction, consensus calls for new highs later in 2026 and into 2027.

Technical analysts note support zones between $4,400 and $4,600 hold significance. A break below could test lower levels, but most expect rebounds as bargain hunters enter and seasonal factors turn favorable.

Impact on Investors and Markets

For retail investors, the drop offers a potential entry or averaging point, though volatility cautions against timing the bottom. Exchange-traded funds tracking gold, such as the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), mirrored the decline, affecting portfolios with precious metals exposure.

Jewelry demand in major markets like India and China remains price-sensitive, with lower levels potentially stimulating physical buying. Mining stocks faced additional pressure, trading lower as margins face scrutiny amid falling spot prices.

Broader financial markets showed mixed reactions. Equities held relatively steady, while the dollar index gained ground. Bond yields ticked higher, reinforcing the inverse relationship currently at play with gold.

Risks and Scenarios Ahead

Downside risks include faster-than-expected economic cooling that paradoxically strengthens the dollar further, or resolution of key geopolitical tensions that reduces safe-haven demand. Upside catalysts remain robust: renewed inflation surprises, central bank surprises or fresh global uncertainties.

Experts warn against overreacting to short-term moves. Gold’s history shows sharp corrections within multi-year bull runs, often followed by strong recoveries. Long-term holders focused on wealth preservation appear largely unmoved by daily fluctuations.

What’s Next for Gold

As trading continues, market eyes turn to upcoming economic data, including inflation readings and Fed communications. Any signs of cooling labor markets or persistent price pressures could shift sentiment rapidly.

For now, Tuesday’s 2% drop underscores gold’s sensitivity to macro crosscurrents even at elevated levels. At $4,527, the metal trades well above pre-2025 averages but offers a more attractive valuation than at January peaks for those bullish on its strategic role.

Investors should monitor real yields, dollar strength and physical demand indicators closely. While no one can predict the exact bottom, the overwhelming analyst consensus points to higher prices by year-end, suggesting current levels may represent a pause rather than the end of gold’s remarkable run.

PERTH, Australia — A Kalgoorlie couple experienced a life-changing surprise this week when Belinda Lotsu, 45, delivered quadruplets at Perth’s King Edward Memorial Hospital, marking Western Australia’s first set of quads in six years. The babies — three girls and one boy — arrived via cesarean section on Tuesday at 32 weeks and three days, delighting and overwhelming their parents who had prepared for triplets.

The newborns, named Amy, Amana, Amber and Amon, weighed between approximately 1.0 and 1.6 kilograms at birth, with hospital staff describing them as doing “exceptionally well” despite their prematurity. All four are receiving specialist care in the neonatal intensive care unit at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Western Australia’s premier maternity facility, and are expected to remain there for four to six weeks.

Belinda and her husband Emmanuel Lotsu already have a three-year-old son. The couple turned to IVF after a previous miscarriage, initially hoping for one healthy baby. Doctors discovered the fourth fetus more than halfway through the pregnancy, stunning the family and medical team.

“I told the doctor it was not true,” Belinda recalled in interviews, reflecting the shock that turned their planned triplet pregnancy into a rare quadruplet delivery.

Rare Occurrence in WA

Health records show these quadruplets represent only the 15th set born in Western Australia, with the last occurring in 2020. King Edward Memorial Hospital delivers an average of five sets of triplets per year, but quadruplets remain exceptionally uncommon, occurring naturally in roughly one in 700,000 pregnancies and even less frequently with assisted reproduction.

The pregnancy triggered extensive planning by the hospital. Teams coordinated emergency protocols, neonatal capacity and maternal safety measures well in advance. The planned cesarean ensured the safest possible delivery for the high-risk multiples.

Dr. staff at the hospital praised the babies’ strong birth weights for their gestational age. “They’re all doing exceptionally well,” a spokesperson noted, highlighting the positive early indicators for their development.

A Family’s Journey

The Lotsu family, based in the Goldfields town of Kalgoorlie, about 550 kilometers east of Perth, faced a rollercoaster of emotions. After struggling with fertility and enduring a miscarriage, the IVF success brought immense joy tempered by the challenges of a multiple pregnancy. Emmanuel supported Belinda throughout, and the couple expressed gratitude for the medical team that guided them through the unexpected expansion of their family.

From three family members to seven in minutes, the Lotsus now navigate the practical realities of caring for quadruplets alongside their toddler. Community support has already begun pouring in from Kalgoorlie and beyond, with offers of assistance expected to grow as the babies prepare for homecoming.

Medical and Logistical Challenges

Premature quadruplets require specialized monitoring for respiratory issues, feeding support and temperature regulation. King Edward Memorial’s neonatal unit, equipped for complex cases, provides round-the-clock care. Doctors anticipate gradual progress, with potential discharge in coming weeks if the infants continue thriving.

Multiple births carry higher risks for both mother and babies, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and preterm labor. Belinda’s successful delivery at 32 weeks and three days reflects strong prenatal management typical for IVF multiples.

The case underscores advancements in fertility treatment and obstetric care in regional Australia. Families from remote areas like Kalgoorlie often relocate temporarily to Perth for high-risk deliveries, adding emotional and financial layers to the experience.

Broader Context of Multiple Births

Australia sees rising multiple birth rates linked to assisted reproductive technologies, though strict guidelines limit embryo transfers to reduce risks. Quadruplets remain headline-worthy events due to their rarity. Similar stories in other states highlight both the miracles and complexities involved.

Public health experts note that while IVF expands family-building options, it requires robust support systems. WA Health continues investing in maternal and neonatal services to handle such cases safely.

Community and Social Media Reaction

News of the quadruplets spread rapidly across Australian media and social platforms. Messages of congratulations flooded in, with many praising Belinda’s strength at age 45. Viral posts celebrated the “instant big family” while acknowledging the demanding road ahead.

Parenting groups and local Kalgoorlie communities have mobilized, offering practical help ranging from meals to baby gear. The story resonates widely, evoking both wonder at the rarity and empathy for the immense responsibility of raising multiples.

Looking Ahead for the Lotsu Family

As the four infants gain strength in the NICU, the family focuses on recovery and preparation. Belinda and Emmanuel will balance hospital visits with caring for their three-year-old, likely relying on extended family and community support upon returning to Kalgoorlie.

Medical follow-ups will monitor the babies’ growth and development closely in the coming months. For now, the Lotsus cherish the surprise that transformed their family, viewing it as a profound blessing after earlier challenges.

Hospital staff describe the delivery as a coordinated success, reflecting years of expertise in managing high-order multiples. The arrival of Amy, Amana, Amber and Amon not only enriches one family but also highlights the capabilities of Western Australia’s health system in delivering rare miracles.

In a state where such events occur roughly once every several years, this quadruplet birth stands as a heartwarming reminder of life’s unpredictability and the resilience of families supported by dedicated medical professionals. As the Lotsus embark on their expanded parenting journey, well-wishes continue pouring in from across Australia.