October 25, 2024 | Vol. 53, Issue 20

The only bilingual Chinese-English Newspaper in New England

Top News

Opinion: Beware TikTok Medicine

Americans are increasingly turning to the internet for health advice. A 2022 study by CharityRx found that 65% of Americans use Google to get answers to health questions before they consult doctors. Around 20% try TikTok first, with the numbers higher for millennials and Gen-Z. As the demand for information grows, so does the supply of online “health influencers” ready to peddle products, supplements, and questionable treatments. According to the CharityRx study, 37% of Americans seek advice from online health […]

Rats in Boston: A Rising Concern and the Push for a New Pest Control Office

As Boston grapples with a surging rat population, officials and residents alike are increasingly concerned about the ramifications of this persistent problem. The city, renowned for its rich history and cultural significance, now faces a less savory challenge that could affect its public image and quality of life. Rats are not just a nuisance but a costly hazard as they get into homes, vehicles and elsewhere. In response to the escalating problem, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn is advocating for […]

‘We Who Produce Pearls’ Fills in What the History Books Left Out Sampan Talks With Author, Artist About Asian Americans’ Shared Story, Resistance and Healing

The quality of a picture book depends on the compatibility of two major elements: the words and the images. How well do the images communicate with the text? Are the images competing with the text, or is there an ideal symbiotic relationship between the two? In “We Who Produce Pearls: An Anthem for Asian America,” the written reflections of Joanna Ho find a perfect balance with the vivid and colorful wall-mural style men, women, children, and beasts from Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s […]

Harvard College China Forum Tells the U.S.-China Story Sampan talks with two panelists about China, U.S. and soft power

This year’s Harvard College China Forum (HCCF) included the world’s most respected thinkers on everything China, and the Sampan caught up with two experts, Robert Daly, director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States at the Wilson Center, and Andy Zeng, the co-president of HCCF. Founded in 1997 as Harvard China Review,  the forum is renowned as North America’s premier student-run conference focused on discussing the challenges, trends, and issues concerning China. Held annually at Harvard College […]

Don’t Throw Away That Yogurt Yet: Sampan Interviews Expert on Confusing Sell-by, Use-by Dates

Say you’re grabbing a bottle of milk from the fridge, and see its expiration day passed three days ago. It smells fine, but is it safe? The answer isn’t always clear. In many parts of the world, expiration dates are a familiar sight on a variety of foods, particularly those that are perishable such as meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy. The dates play a crucial role in influencing consumer behavior and managing store inventory. But the dates are not always […]

Advocates Welcome, Criticize Census Category Revisions  Some Say Changes Could Reduce Responses From Those Who Feel Un-Represented

Written in bland and unassuming language, newly released policy changes to how the U.S. government and Census categorizes some racial and ethnic groups could have an immeasurable impact on  Americans of Middle Eastern and North African descent, and other minority groups, say immigrant advocates. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget published on March 28 a set of revisions to “Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity.” This revision added […]

2024 Boston Marathon Shows ‘One Boston’ Spirit

The city of Boston on April 15 held its 128th Marathon, bringing tens of thousands of runners from all over the world to the city in a show of grit and athleticism. Since its first race, the status of the Marathon has gained high esteem from the worldwide competitive running community, something that is apparent in the increase of participants throughout the decades. The first Boston Marathon, held in 1897, had a participant-list that included only 18 people; in 2022, […]

Thousands of Immigrant Deaths From Greed, Racism: A Painful Reminder

Last month six construction workers were found dead in a red pickup truck submerged in 25 feet of water in Baltimore, Maryland. The truck fell into the river following the collapse of the bridge they were working on. Only the bodies of 26-year-old Dorlian Castillo Cabrera and 35-year-old Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes were found inside the truck, according to USA Today,  According to the media outlet Firstpost, the six construction workers were part of a Central America crew from places like […]

Firelei Báez Brings a New Exhibition to the ICA

A new exhibit has opened at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston featuring a survey of the work of artist Firelei Báez with 40 pieces of her striking work on display. This is the first museum survey dedicated to her work with the exhibit spanning 20 years of her career.  At a recent press preview Báez spoke about her art, in particular an installation called “A Drexcyen Chronocommons (To win the war you fought in sideways)” created in 2019. […]

Environmental Degradation and Political Corruption In Haiti

The transformation of Haiti from a lush, forested island to a country now grappling with the severe consequences of deforestation is a stark example of environmental degradation and its interplay with political corruption. Once covered 97% by beautiful forests, Haiti’s landscape tells a different story today, with only 2% of its original forest cover remaining. This drastic change is not only an ecological crisis but also a reflection of the broader issues of governance and corruption that have been an […]

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