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By ALEXANDRA OLSON, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Uber launched a feature Monday to allow both women riders and drivers across the U.S. to be matched with other women for trips, expanding a pilot program aimed at addressing concerns about the safety of its riding-hailing platform.

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The new feature is being rolled out nationwide despite an ongoing class action lawsuit against the policy in California, filed by Uber drivers who argue that it is discriminatory against men. Rival ride-hailing company Lyft is also facing a discrimination lawsuit over a similar offering that it introduced nationwide in 2024. read more

By MATT O’BRIEN, AP Technology Writer

Anthropic is suing the Trump administration for what it calls an “unlawful campaign of retaliation” against the artificial intelligence company over its refusal to allow unrestricted military use of its technology.

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Anthropic asked federal courts on Monday to reverse the Pentagon’s decision last week to designate the artificial intelligence company a “ supply chain risk.” The company also seeks to undo President Donald Trump’s order directing federal employees to stop using its AI chatbot Claude. read more

Actor John Stamos will join the Beach Boys on stage during an upcoming concert at SeaWorld Orlando, the theme park confirms.

The appearance, part of SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival concert series, is set for 7 p.m. March 22, at the park’s Bayside Stadium.

Stamos has played drums with the group sporadically since the early 1980s after he was cast on “General Hospital.” He appeared in the group’s video for the 1988 hit song “Kokomo.”  As an actor, he gained fame as Uncle Jesse on “Full House” and Dr. Tony Gates on “ER.”  Other notable TV appearances include “Glee,” “Muppets Haunted Mansion” and two episodes of “Palm Royale.”

Stamos has a reputation for being a Disney buff, reportedly buying the large Disneyland entrance sign on eBay in 2000 and installing the big D in his backyard. In a worlds-collide moment, the video for “Kokomo” was filmed at the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World.

Last week, longtime Beach Boys member Bruce Johnston, 81, said he planned to stop touring with the group, but he will make special appearances, including a Hollywood Bowl gig marking the 250th birthday of the USA. The group’s tour schedule recently expanded as it marks the 40th anniversary of its famed album “Pet Sounds.” read more

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN, AP Business Writer

Novo Nordisk is dismissing its patent infringement lawsuit against telehealth company Hims & Hers, as the two companies have reached an agreement that will see Novo Nordisk’s branded weight loss medicines sold through the Hims platform.

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Early last month Hims & Hers said that it was going to launch a cheaper, off-brand version of the weight-loss pill Wegovy, just weeks after drugmaker Novo Nordisk launched its highly anticipated reformulation of the blockbuster medication. At the time, Novo Nordisk vowed to sue Hims, calling the new product “an unapproved, inauthentic, and untested knockoff” of semaglutide, the chemical name for Wegovy. read more

By Ted Rossman, Bankrate.com

Tax refunds are the biggest windfall of the year for many American households. And ‘tis the season: Through the week ending Feb. 13, nearly 13 million people had received 2025 federal tax refunds averaging $2,476, according to the IRS.

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That average refund amount is up 14% from the same time period last year, and it’s expected to grow in the coming weeks. For example, the IRS wasn’t allowed to begin processing refunds involving the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit until Feb. 15. Various provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) should amplify refunds this year, including an expanded child tax credit, a larger state and local tax deduction and lower taxes on tips and overtime. read more