Judith J. Mercado

UN urges SE Asia to build back better from COVID-19 crisis

Judith J. Mercado 1 week ago

BANGKOK (AP) — The United Nations advised Southeast Asian nations to tackle inequality and green their economies to build a more resilient and inclusive future as they strive to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The policy report released Thursday said other critical missions for the region’s governments should be bridging the digital divide and upholding human rights and good governance practices.

“One pathway could lead to a prolonged, deep recession, exacerbated by closed borders and characterized by rising social tensions, vulnerabilities and a return to environmentally unsustainable development,” the report said. “The second pathway involves adopting globally and regionally coordinated policies that recognize the imperative of an inclusive, resilient and sustainable approach to development.”

It said the pandemic has highlighted problems in Southeast Asia despite the region’s strong economic performance before the pandemic hit. It cited high inequality, low social protections, a large informal working sector, regressions in justice and

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5 health benefits of running and how you can get started

Judith J. Mercado 2 weeks ago
Running can improve your physical and mental health — and it has short-term and long-term benefits.
Running can improve your physical and mental health — and it has short-term and long-term benefits.

microgen/iStock

Running is one of the best forms of exercise for your overall health. From better sleep to a stronger heart and improved mental health, the health benefits are extensive. 

And you don’t need to be a world-class sprinter or marathon runner. Even a slow and steady jogging pace can help you achieve the following health benefits: 

Running may help you lose weight 

Running is an especially efficient form of exercise for weight loss because of the calorie- and fat-burning advantages. 

The exact number of calories you burn largely depends on your weight and the intensity of your workout. But, in general, people burn around 100 calories for every mile they run. 

When compared to other types of aerobic exercise (or cardio), running burns many more calories in the same amount of

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My Immigrant Parents Came To The U.S. For A Better Life. Here’s Why I May Want To Leave.

Judith J. Mercado 2 weeks ago
The author. (Photo: Courtesy of Maz Do)
The author. (Photo: Courtesy of Maz Do)

More than 40 years ago, my father’s family fled the Vietnam War and came to America. He left behind his younger brother and my grandparents (they would take a separate journey), and settled in a refugee camp in the Midwest. He tells me that he would eat fish from the backwater creeks behind the camps ― fish that Americans would never touch, and though he got sick he continued to eat because food was food. Eventually the family moved to California and reunited under one roof. In those days, my father, his brothers and his grandmother slept together on one mattress ― they had fitful dreams, I’m sure.

My father made his way to UCSD, and there, he met my mother who left Indonesia to attend college in America. A decade later they married. In the ’90s, on a winning combination of hard

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Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty Launches $100 Million Mental Health Initiative for Underserved Communities

Judith J. Mercado 2 weeks ago

Rare Beauty hasn’t even hit stores yet, but the mission-driven brand founded by Selena Gomez is already fulfilling its promise to foster conversations about self-acceptance and mental health.

On the “Lose You to Love Me” singer’s 28th birthday yesterday, her forthcoming beauty brand announced the launch of Rare Impact Fund, with an ambitious goal of raising $100 million over the next 10 years to connect people in underserved communities with much-needed mental health services.

“I’m so grateful to be surrounded by a team that’s helped make the Rare Impact Fund a reality,” Gomez said in a press release. “Since the brand’s inception, we wanted to find a way to give back to our community and further support people who needed access to mental health services, which have had a profound impact on my life.”

Selena Gomez/Instagram

One percent of all Rare Beauty sales — as well as funds raised from

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