US News Roundup: Mortgage Rates, eBay Settlement, and AI Culture

This week, several major news stories emerged in the US, ranging from a significant drop in mortgage rates to a surprising revelation from the CEO of AI company Anthropic. Here's a roundup of the top stories making headlines.

First, in a welcome development for homebuyers, the average long-term US mortgage rate slipped below 6% for the first time since late 2022. According to Freddie Mac, the benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell to 5.98% from 6.01% last week. This marks the third decline in a row, bringing mortgage rates to their lowest level since September 8, 2022.

The dip in mortgage rates is good news for the housing market, which has been trending lower for months. This has helped drive a pickup in home sales, providing a much-needed boost to the economy. However, it's worth noting that mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy decisions and bond market investors' expectations for the economy and inflation.

In other news, a Massachusetts couple reached a settlement with eBay in a lawsuit filed in 2021. David and Ina Steiner claimed that former eBay employees engaged in a conspiracy to intimidate, threaten, and silence them due to their reporting on the e-commerce industry. The couple received threatening packages, including live insects, a funeral wreath, and a bloody pig Halloween mask. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Meanwhile, in the world of tech, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei revealed that he spends a significant amount of time on company culture. In an interview on the Dwarkesh Podcast, Amodei said he dedicates up to 40% of his time to ensuring the culture of Anthropic is good. This may seem surprising, given the company's focus on AI development, but Amodei believes it's essential for success.

As Anthropic has expanded to 2,500 employees and a valuation of $380 billion, Amodei has had to adapt his management style. Rather than focusing on technical and product decisions, he's prioritizing company culture, mission, and values. This approach is unusual in the tech industry, where product development often takes center stage.

In a separate development, a top Federal Reserve official has expressed concerns that policy and regulation may have gone too far in discouraging big banks from lending mortgages. Since the 2008 housing market crash, mortgage lending has shifted away from big banks, with nonbank lenders gaining market share. However, the Fed governor is signaling a potential policy shift to encourage big banks to re-enter the mortgage market.

Finally, in a hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, US surgeon general nominee Casey Means fielded questions about vaccines, autism research, and her qualifications. Means expressed concerns about preventable diseases, including chronic illness, diabetes, and high blood pressure. However, she did not explicitly state whether she actively promotes vaccines, sparking controversy among some lawmakers.

These stories highlight the diversity of news making headlines in the US, from economic developments to tech industry insights and healthcare policy. As the country continues to navigate the complexities of the modern world, it's essential to stay informed about the issues that shape our lives.