Flex monitored my every move, keeping a close eye on all of my deliveries through the use of sophisticated algorithms. Over time, I grew obsessed with how the app rated my delivery record—not only as a source of pride in my performance, but because it determined whether I would be able to put food on my table. The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.

Many were quick to dismiss Heard’s upcoming appearance on NBC, with British journalist Piers Morgan calling for Heard to “stop playing the victim.” Heard lost her multi-million defamation case against ex-husband Johnny Depp earlier this month. Depp’s team claimed that a 2018 op-ed she wrote which said she was a survivor of domestic violence, resulted in a loss of career earnings. Heard’s team has defended the star’s decision to do the interview....

Abdullah’s first NFL carry was a ridiculous 24-yard touchdown run in which he juked Chargers safety Eric Weddle to give Detroit an early lead. The Chargers later rallied for a 33-28 victory. MORE: Week 1 in the NFL | Chargers lineman D.J. Fluker goes down with ugly injury Abdullah, a second-round pick out of Nebraska, only saw six more carries and finished the game with 50 yards to lead the Lions in rushing....

At least I think so. I can’t be sure from the agency’s press release last week: “USDA Calls for Public Comment on Revision of the Food Guidance System,” it said. “USDA will seek written comments and hold a public meeting to provide opportunity for public input into its comprehensive review and update of the Food Guidance System.” (Sure, maybe the Pentagon failed to develop the missile defense system, but I’m proud that the USDA successfully designed the food guidance system....

Sure, America loves movies and everyone loves the fantasy of watching celebrities don their finest (borrowed) clothes and dance down the red carpet. Nothing wrong with a little of that from time to time. But after paying the stars $20 million a picture, paying the $9.50 for a movie ticket and then the $5.00 for 11 cents’ worth of popcorn, haven’t we as moviegoers earned the right to demand that filmmakers just shut up already?...

To the New York Times, the makeup-shunning, TV-avoiding Mrs. Dean is “unusual…the invisible political spouse” who has become “a potential liability” to her husband. In the Washington Post, Ruth Marcus wrote condescendingly, “I wonder whether the country is quite ready for Judith Steinberg, with or without the Dean.” Newsday’s Ellis Henican even took his shot, saying, “there’s something odd” about Dr. Judy Dean. (Full disclosure: Although I don’t know Judith Steinberg Dean, I do know Ellis Henican and he’s a wonderful man....

BLOOMBERG’S PASSIONLESS EVENT will begin auspiciously, with a citywide moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., one year from the instant when the first plane plunged into the north tower. It’s all downhill from there. First, New York Governor George Pataki will recite Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Nothing against the governor, but if I want to hear the Gettysburg Address, I’d much rather hear James Earl Jones than George Pataki. Next, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani will begin reciting the names of the 2,800 victims....

In addition to Phillips’ appearance, actor Vince Vaughn will be the race’s grand marshal. It will be the second time Vaughn has been involved in a NASCAR race. He was an honorary driver at Texas Motor Speedway in 2007. In 2012, Phillips won Season 11 of American Idol, for Fox TV program. Vaughn stars Unfinished Business, a 20th Century Fox movie scheduled for March 6 release. Fox provides TV coverage for the Daytona 500....

While trying to board a flight on Monday, Suluai-Mahuka said she and another Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) teacher were discriminated against when American Airlines representatives treated them indifferently but were reportedly much more accommodating to a white male teacher of the year. Following her experience, Suluai-Mahuka, who identifies as Chinese and Samoan Filipino, shared her story in a series of messages posted on Instagram. The white teacher, Anthony Coy-Gonzalez of Ohio, corroborated her story with his own post on Facebook on Tuesday....

The right back had a nightmare last weekend against Watford, including conceding an own goal. He struggled again against West Bromwich Albion midweek in a 2-2 draw. And with Newcastle floundering, manager Rafa Benitez saw fit to shake things up, changing to a formation with wing-backs and dropping Yedlin from the lineup in favor of Javier Manquillo and Matt Ritchie against Chelsea. The results for Newcastle did not change, as the Magpies fell 3-1 to the Blues with Yedlin coming on as a late substitute....

Rather than hope for the good opinion of Europeans, voters should regard the prospect of disappointing their friends as a reason to support Trump. Despite the claims made in publications like The New York Times, Washington Post and Politico that Trump has destabilized the post-Second World War consensus and single-handedly endangered world peace, the president has actually strengthened Western interests in the face of the European venality and short-sightedness that has made the world less safe....

Over at Gallup, Frank Newport says that in 1975, 68 percent of Americans believed that organized religion could be trusted. “As recently as 1985, organized religion was the most revered institution among the list of institutions Gallup tracks” (Newport, 2019, P. 1). By 2019, the church had reached a new low, with only 36 percent having confidence in its leadership. 36 percent. Pastors should be concerned. In the wake of the constant news cycle, chaotic elections, and polarized Twitter feeds, it does seem that something is else is building in America....

Sixty-three percent of U.S. adults believe churches and other houses of worship should “keep out” of political matters. When asked if religious institutions should endorse political candidates, 76 percent say no. And a plurality of adults—at 37 percent—believe that religious groups already have “too much” political influence. [Read the full report below.] Despite the relative consensus regarding political speech from religions institutions, the Trump administration and some conservatives have been pushing for changes to federal tax law that currently prohibits non-profits—which include religious groups—from engaging in direct political advocacy....

According to the poll, 48 percent of adults approve of Biden’s presidency while 52 percent disapprove. Among respondents who “strongly approve” of the president, the number has decreased from 34 percent in April to 15 percent in November. CNN does not always ask Americans to rate their approval strength in each poll but reported that during the presidencies of Barack Obama and Donald Trump, the number never sunk below 20 percent....

Social Security, which provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to one fifth of the U.S. population, is funded by a payroll tax capped at the first $137,700 of earned wages, and excludes income from other sources such as capital gains. Sarah Rawlins, from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) noted that someone who earns $1,000,000 a year would have reached that cap by Wednesday, February 19. “That makes a millionaire’s effective tax rate well below the 6....

Amitiza is available as an oral soft gel capsule in strengths of 8 micrograms (mcg) and 24 mcg. What Is Amitiza Used For? The FDA approved lubiprostone to treat adults with: Brand Name(s): Amitiza Drug Availability: Prescription Therapeutic Classification: Laxative Available Generically: Yes Controlled Substance: N/A Administration Route: Oral Active Ingredient: Lubiprostone Dosage Form: Capsule Chronic or long-term constipation from unknown causes: difficult or infrequent stools that lasts for three months or longer....

Formal French restaurants that once represented the epitome of fine dining in America are almost extinct. Such established New York restaurants as Laurent, Le Cygne and Prunelle all closed in the course of the last year; Los Angeles recently lost L’Ermitage and La Serre, and L’Orangerie’s reputation is falling fast. A few are going strong-New York’s Lutece, a shrine to classic cuisine for three decades, retains its high rating and still requires reservations weeks ahead of time....

Looking ahead to Inauguration Day on the 20th of January, some GOP activists seem ready to undermine the occasion by focusing on the likely absence of the departing, defeated incumbent, Donald Trump. To do so would disregard the precedent of more than two centuries. Presidential inaugurations have served to heal party polarization and affirm our underlying unity. Public figures of any stripe who attempt to undermine that affirmation threaten profound damage to the republic....

Fold your hands and repeat after me: recessions bring inflation down. That’s the only good that comes out of them. When the hard times pass, prices rise at close to half their former rate. That, at least, is how it’s supposed to work. But this recession hasn’t been cooperating. On the surface, February’s price report looks good, thanks in particular to the victory drop in energy costs. Total inflation rose only 2....

The panel’s decision left drugmakers scrambling to reassure consumers and investors alike. “Our members continue to believe that PPA is safe and effective when used according to the label directions,” says Dr. R. William Soller, director of science and technology for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), a trade group for makers of over-the-counter medicines. PPA acts on the central nervous system to decrease appetite and relieves nasal congestion by reducing the swelling of blood vessels in the nose....