Latest news with #Madia
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chicago Sun-Times features non-existent books, people: How it happened
CHICAGO (WGN) — Chicago Public Media on Tuesday was quick to distance itself from content generated by Artificial Intelligence that cited books and experts who don't exist that made it into Sunday's edition of the Chicago Sun-Times. The AI hallucinations were included in a 60-page 'Best of Summer' guide that featured a summer reading list, summer food trends and a section on 'America's growing hammock culture.' 'This is licensed content that was not created by, or approved by, the Sun-Times newsroom, but it is unacceptable for any content we provide to our readers to be inaccurate,' spokesman Victor Lim told WGN via email. 'We value our readers' trust in our reporting and take this very seriously.' Speaking to 404 Media, Lim said the content was licensed from a company called King Features Syndicate, a subsidiary of Hearst Magazines. In a public statement, the Chicago Sun-Times said its partner confirmed 'a freelancer used an AI agent to write the article.' 'It is unacceptable that this content was inaccurate, and it is equally unacceptable that we did not make it clear to readers that the section was produced outside the Sun-Times newsroom,' the statement said, in part. Chicago Public Media owns the Sun-Times and local NPR station WBEZ. The content also reportedly appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Among the authors mentioned in the summer reading list is Chilean-American writer Isabel Allende. The guide suggests reading Tidewater Dreams, 'Allende's first climate fiction novel.' The book doesn't exist. Nor does 'Nightshade Market' by real author Min Jin Lee. An analysis by the technology website Gizmodo indicates that of the 15 works mentioned, all but five are fake. Readers looking to get a feel of 'what's hot on plates this season' were informed of social media's role in food trends, but the feature includes a quote from Dr. Catherine Furst, purportedly a food anthropologist. WGN and journalists at other organizations can find no confirmation she is a real person. Author Marco Buscaglia's byline appears on a feature story about hammock culture in America, but it appears to quote people and other publications that cannot be verified. Mentioned is Dr. Jennifer Campos, billed as a professor of leisure studies at the University of Colorado. She does not appear to be real. Author Brianna Madia is real, but a quote she purportedly gave to Outdoor Magazine two years ago appears to be made up. A review of Outdoor's archives turns up no content of Madia speaking about hammocks. WGN has reached out to Madia for confirmation. WGN has also tried to contact Buscaglia, whose name appears on some but not all of the features in the guide. The request has so far gone unanswered. The Chicago Sun-Times Guild, the union that covers the organization's journalists, said in a statement that it was 'deeply disturbed' by the inclusion of syndicated section that was 'produced externally without the knowledge of the members of our newsroom.' 'We take great pride in the union-produced journalism that goes into the respected pages of our newspaper and on our website. We're deeply disturbed that AI-generated content was printed alongside our work. The fact that it was sixty-plus pages of this 'content' is very concerning — primarily for our relationship with our audience but also for our union's jurisdiction,' the guild's statement said. 'Our members go to great lengths to build trust with our sources and communities and are horrified by this slop syndication. Our readers signed up for work that has been vigorously reported and fact-checked, and we hate the idea that our own paper could spread computer- or third-party-generated misinformation. We call on Chicago Public Media management to do everything it can to prevent repeating this disaster in the future.' 'We are committed to making sure this never happens again.' In its statement, the Sun-Times listed five actions it was immediately taken. In addition to not charging subscribers for Sunday's edition, the organization said it was removing the section from the e-paper version of Sunday's edition. The Sun-Times said it was updating policies to ensure third-party content meets the same editorial standards as in-house produced content. In the future, the Sun-Times said it will be more transparent and 'explicitly identify' third-party licensed editorial content. Finally, the organization said it was reviewing its relationship with its partner. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Buzz Feed
24-02-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
When It Comes To Getting Bang For Your Buck, You Can't Go Wrong With These 34 Thrifty Finds
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Shopping · If you're looking for name brand alternatives or just some affordable products, you have come to the right place my friend. 1. LivaClean Superstar pimple patches that are so cute, you might not even be that mad at the next pimple you get since you'll have an excuse to put one of these bad boys on. They look just like Starface patches but for a fraction of the price — and reviewers say these work way better for shrinking blemishes and helping them heal! Promising review: "I LOVE the look of pimple patches on myself (as weird as that sounds) and absolutely hate the semi-clear ones, since they just draw my eyes to something that's SUPPOSED to be invisible. So I easily fell in love with the Starface pimple patches — but the issue with those is they're SO expensive and don't work at all. THESE, however, have immediately sucked everything out of my face. I love them and literally wear them all the time. So many people have complimented me, saying, 'Oh my gosh, I love how you just wear stickers on your face; it's adorable.' 10/10 from me :)" — evalyn evoke "Works great, just like the other top brands. For a fraction of the price!!" — Madia Get a pack of 240 patches from Amazon for $8.99 (available in four designs/shapes as well as a six-pack). 2. Or a pack of 40 acne patches (an affordable alternative to Mighty Patch) so you can tackle that pesky pimple head on. These discreet patches help conceal pimples and prevent you from picking at them while the hydrocolloid absorbs the gunk inside — so they can actually heal faster! They're great for daytime or overnight use. BTW, these work *best* on open, draining pustules (rather than blackheads or pimples that haven't come to a head yet). You can read more at Cleveland Clinic! Promising review:"Works just like Mighty Patch! I have always only purchased Mighty Patch pimple patches but the amount I get for the price I pay was not ideal. I was hesitant to switch but decided to give this brand a try. I'm an official returning customer now. These work exactly as the brand I've been so loyal to and the amount you get for the price you pay is unbeatable! I have no complaints about these patches! They work wonders! Buy it now!" — Jazzy Gaehring Get a 40-pack from Amazon for $6.76 and an eight-pack of the large patches for $8.50. 3. A scoop neck top reviewers love because it has the same buttery feel and fit as a popular Skims top. The only huge difference is the number of colors that this one comes in! Promising reviews: "At first, I was a little skeptical — I have been wanting to find a Skims-like material shirt for a while but didn't want to pay the price of one lol, and this shirt feels amazing. I will be getting one in every color now." — Julianne "This is just like the name brand Skims but at a fraction of the price! Love the fit!" — Momof3 Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 33 colors and women's sizes XXS–3XL). 4. The Pink Stuff, aka the Swiss Army knife of cleaning products because it can do it all. You can literally scrub your house from top to bottom with this jar of miracle paste and make everything ✨ sparkle ✨ once again. You got dirty grout? Gone. Grease? Good riddance. The caked-on gunk at the bottom of your cast-iron pan that seems impossible to get rid of? Buh-bye!!! Promising reviews:"I always see people using this on TikTok, but the videos don't even do it justice. The Pink Stuff made everything spotless. Counters, stoves, sinks, literally everything. Best cleaning product in the world and I will literally never use any other brand again." — Hailey Peters " This stuff is some magic sorcery. I'm not usually a fan of traditional cleaning products and tend to opt for natural based cleaners. However, I had some soot over the fire place nothing would take off. Not only did it do a pretty dang good job on that… everything I've tried it on has gotten that item super clean with minimal scrubbing effort. Will always have on hand now. Got hard water stains off when CLR wouldn't even get it clean and made the faucet look brand new" — Kim Montero Get it from Amazon for $5.29. 5. An 18-piece makeup brush set so you can finally replace your mismatched set of raggedy brushes for less than a dollar a piece! The bristles will feel soft as heck on your face, and reviewers rave about loving these just as much as Morphe brushes! This 18-piece set comes with brushes for eye shadow, crease shadow, concealer, blush, foundation, pressed or loose powders, highlighter, and eyebrows, PLUS a travel case. FYI: Reviewers did note a plastic smell but also stated it should go away after a good wash. Promising reviews:"These brushes are high quality for the price you're paying. I definitely recommend giving them a try! I've had expensive brushes and these are still my fave. Very soft and dense. This came with everything I need and the little case is nice to keep everything together. Only downside is there were a few little brush hairs that's were out of place, but I just trimmed them off. They really are the best brushes." — Savannah Fitzpatrick "Love this set!!! It compares to the Morphe set I just bought for a fraction of the cost. 10/10." — Margarita Ibarra Get a from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven colors). 6. A matcha latte mix that tastes exactly like one you would get from a café. The mix is literally just organic Japanese matcha and organic cane sugar — that's it. All you have to do is pour a few teaspoons into your preferred milk, and you'll have the yummiest matcha latte there ever was. You can make hot or iced matcha lattes with this, plus fun variations like a matcha frappe! Promising review: "I'm a tea, coffee, and boba lover, and I'm used to visiting all sorts of lovely local cafés for drinks typically priced at $5–$ stuff costs me 75 cents to make, and it was absolutely amazing. I was like, NAH. NO WAY IT WAS THAT EASY. Oh man I'm so happy right now. I'm really picky with the flavor too — I was expecting it to be gritty, or not that tasty, bitter, or just off, BUT NO OMG it's actually so good. Highly recommend, it was so easy — I did it in five minutes on my first try this morning." — Yeonah Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in six flavors and six sizes). 7. A versatile satin scarf — the perfect touch to any outfit if you want that quiet luxury look meshed with a hint of elegance. You can wear it *so* many different ways: around your neck, as a headband, or even tied to your handbag! Promising reviews:"The scarf feels and looks expensive. It came with a guide on different ways to tie/wear it. I'll definitely be ordering it in several more styles!" — Amanda D. "These beautiful scarves are lovely, soft and very lightweight. They are great for spicing up my travel wardrobe and perfect to take with me on my cruise to Italy! They arrived packed with care and a gracious note from the owners of the company. I will definitely buy from them again!" — Marilyn B Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in various designs). 8. Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel if your eyes feel like they're sewn shut because of how puffy and swollen they get. This tube is packed with caffeine and hyaluronic acid to wake up your peepers and minimize all that swelling! Promising review:"I love this product and have noticed a huge difference when using it consistently. I am on the younger side and don't have the worst under-eye bags, but on those occasional mornings when my eyes are puffy with somewhat visible dark circles, this product definitely does the trick! Honestly, I love all the Good Molecules products." — Hayden Smith Get it form Amazon for $5.98. 9. L'Oreal's Lumi Glotion — this illuminating moisturizer enhances your skin's natural glow with its shimmering color tint so you can achieve that ~sun-kissed~ look without having to roast in the heat for hours. Reviewers say it's just like the Drunk Elephant bronzing drops — and maybe even better! Check out a TikTok of it in action! Promising review:"This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I apply after moisturizer and makeup, highlighting under my eyes and brow bones. Not too sparkly, just makes me look like I've had enough coffee. Seems to last through hot and sweaty Florida days, so that's a plus. I've tried other luminizers, and for me they are usually too sparkly or weirdly colored. I tried an $$ Glossier one that remained strangely sticky the whole time it was on my skin. I will purchase again!" — DLW Get it from Amazon for $13.98 (available in five shades). 10. Hard As Hoof nail-strengthening cream that can help renew your fingernails after years of nail biting or peeling off acrylics. If your nails are prone to cracking or peeling, this calcium, vitamin, and hydrogenated jojoba oil formula will help keep them hydrated and strong. Promising reviews:"This is amazing! I started with super brittle nails that I could never grow out. I had acrylic nails for two years and I wanted a break; they were so thin and damaged from the acrylics. Now only after a few weeks, my nails are completely healed and grown and will not break! I wish I found this sooner, I wouldn't have wasted my time and money on nail maintenance! Try it!" — Chelsea Lauren Hill "I used it once a day and experienced visible results within the first week of using it. Three weeks later my nails are growing out past the cuticle and look so much better." — Lauri Bland Get it from Amazon for $8.88. 11. A cherry bag charm — IMHO, loving anything cherry-related is a character trait and you should be proud of it. This adorable little charm is very similar to the $95 Coach one and, according to reviewers, feels good quality with a nice weight to it — just at a much more affordable price. You can clip it to your handbag or keys and make life a little more ~cheery~. You can see a similar one in this TikTok! Promising review: "I was really debating buying the $95 one but figured I spent enough on the bag, so I decided to just get a replica for the cherry. I'm so glad I did! It looks almost exactly like it except for the slight change in hardware color. The quality seems great, and it looks sturdy. I love it! It really gives the bag an extra nice touch." — Oriana Pineda Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in six colors). 12. A set of kinda genius soda can covers if you're the type of person who simply can't finish a drink (guilty). Instead of dumping a half-filled can of Bubly into the sink, just snap on one of these lids and you'll have a still-carbonated drink left to enjoy later! Promising review: "Very solid product. It does exactly what it claims to do. It snaps on to any can I have easily, then opens and closes shut again for storage in my fridge. As you can see in my pictures, it's leakproof when closed. I think it will be a great addition to my kitchen." — w_starling Get a six-pack from Amazon for $11.55 (also available in a multicolor style and other pack sizes). 13. Oversize square sunglasses that'll have you strutting down the street to "Rich Girl" because that's what you'll look like — but no one will guess that you actually spent under $20 on these Bottega-like sunnies. (They might, however, do a double take and wonder if they know you from a TV show.) The glasses have polarized lenses and UV protection, so your eyes will stay safe from the harsh sun! Promising reviews:"Love these so so much. I wanted the chic Bottega Veneta designer pair, but these look exactly like those for less than $20. Deal of the century. They are comfortable and extremely well made and I seriously can't get over the price. I'm thinking about buying another color because I love them so much." — Kam "I saw these sunglasses on TikTok a couple of months ago and finally ordered them. I'm so glad I did. I LOVE them!! They're such good quality! And I love the way they look on. I'd definitely buy them again!!" — Sammie Batey Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 14 colors). 14. Glamnetic press-on nails if you love getting a full set, but those numbers have really been adding up (*cries in a $20 tip*). These press-ons look super-duper natural, are extremely durable, and last two weeks! They also come in so many cute designs that, let's be honest, most salons can't even perfect. After using these, reviewers say they'll never go back to the salon again! Each kit comes with 30 size-inclusive nails, nail glue, an alcohol pad, a cuticle pusher, and a nail file! Each design and color have specific nail shapes and lengths! Promising review: "These are the best press-on nails I've ever used. They are thicker than other press-ons and feel exactly like a professional full set. I don't know if the strength difference is in the thickness of their nails or in their glue but I don't feel the need to baby them like I do with other press-ons. Because I'm confident in their strength, I'm able to function with them the same way I would when I'd wear a gel set from the salon. I followed the application directions as well as tips I gathered from others and I've had zero nails pop off on me. I picked my nail sizes out, pushed my cuticles back, swiped each nail with the alcohol wipe, brushed the glue on the nail and on my actual nail (bought their brush-on glue separately), and applied the nails right before going to bed. I also filed the nails down right after application to give myself coffin-shapes as opposed to claw-shapes. Super easy and they look and feel fantastic." — Alisha Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in so many different colors and designs) 15. Mielle's TikTok-famous rosemary mint strengthening oil that gets to the root of the problem (pun intended, sorry). The biotin and moisturizing essential oils can soothe and nourish your dry scalp while also promoting hair growth at the root. According to the Cleveland Clinic, some researchers have found rosemary oil to be as effective at encouraging hair growth as Rogaine! And read more about how biotin could help with the fullness of hair. Promising reviews: "Legit magic in a bottle. Wish I could order this stuff by the gallon. Took a chance on this because I was desperate, having already spent so much money on luxury and drugstore products with little results. I use this as a pre-treatment on the scalp and ends before I wash hair. Scalp has improved dramatically. I feel like there's not as much breakage/fallout, and my ends are fuller. (This is after like six months, but my scalp was better immediately.)" — Claire Blanchard "I hardly write this one deserves to be written about!! My hair was falling out a LOT, and somehow, just with the FIRST application onwards, I started seeing less fall. And now, after four months, I can see hair growth as well, and my hair is already looking thicker!! And I've been using it only once a a few drops and massaging in. Omg, how can anything be so simple and yet so effective!!! Amazing! Amazing!!! Whoever invented this... hats off!!" — Dee Get it from Amazon for $9.44. 16. A pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets because even though that savior of a machine cleans your bowls, plates, and silverware, it doesn't clean itself. Just pop in a tablet and run a cycle (with or without dishes) to remove limescale and mineral buildup that's making your machine and dishes smell funky. No need to shell out for a new dishwasher after all! Promising review:"I rarely post reviews, but this stuff has completely changed our lives. Our dishwasher, utensils, plates, and glasses were covered with dry scale and nothing we tried came close to helping. After using the tablets three times our dishwasher looks like new; our glasses are sparkling like fine china and everything else looks fabulous. Highly recommend, worth every penny, best product BY FAR!!! One great advantage is you can use it with your dishes. Some other products are used to clean the dishwasher but not to clean dishes and glasses. Buy this, you will be blown away!!! It is astounding!" — Jenny Get a pack of six tablets from Amazon for $8.99. 17. A pair of stylish teardrop earrings that look almost the same as the Bottega Veneta ones, minus the $$$ — both are even gold-plated. Even though they look quite heavy, reviewers say they're super lightweight and don't affect their sensitive ears! Wear these all day, every day, and know that you look like an absolute ~ICON~. Promising review:"These are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! If I didn't know any better, I would have said these are the Bottega Drop Earrings. I personally love the smaller ones. I have not ordered the larger ones yet. Smaller ones are truthfully the perfect size. We love a good alternative because who has $800+ to spend on the Bottegas." — Brittany Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 11 colors, two-packs, and an extra-large size). 18. Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water, which many reviewers prefer over Bioderma because it costs waaay less but removes makeup just as well. It also helps cleanse your face of dirt and oil without stripping essential oils, leaving your skin hydrated instead of feeling dried out. Check out a TikTok of the micellar water in action! Promising review:"I used to use Bioderma micellar water and it was my favorite. Then I came across this little gem, which works just as great and is a heck of a lot cheaper. This is my favorite makeup remover. It's great for sensitive skin and removes heavy makeup." — Patrick Mahoney Get it from Amazon for $3.99+ (available in four sizes). 19. A pearl sunglasses chain so you can always keep your sunnies or glasses nearby without mussing up your hair. Plus, the pearls? Oooh, talk about elegant! Check out BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer 's (pictured above) full review! Promising review:"Item is exactly as depicted. Arrived quickly. Beadwork is attractive. I purchased this chain for my new expensive sunglasses, as I have a history of losing them and this seemed the perfect way to ensure that I won't lose these!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in 13 other styles). 20. A stainless-steel skin spatula that gently scrapes all the gunk from your face. The vibration brings out blackheads, dirt, and oils from your pores, making them easy to remove. For less than $20, think about how much you'll save instead of going for a facial! Promising review:"I have very very deep blackheads to the point where you would think they are tiny freckles. I've tried all cleansers and then went with the blackhead suction tool and nothing helped. I used this thing ONE TIME and I cannot believe the wonders that it has worked. Most of the blackheads were gone after 10 minutes of use. I also have very sensitive skin, but it didn't hurt or damage the skin whatsoever! I watched a YouTube review as I was doing it to make sure I was doing it correctly. Just buy it. I swear on this amazing creation!" — Kassi Miller Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three colors). 21. A tissue holder because those cardboard boxes are such an eyesore compared to this beautiful, crosshatch cover. Just plop this on top of any box and make crying fancy. Promising review:"This product is exactly what I was hoping for. It's great quality. Looks so chic. Such a nice way to dress up a household necessity. Definitely worth it." — Kaylee Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in three sizes and 10 colors). 22. The bestselling, cruelty-free Essence Lash Princess mascara that enhances your beautiful lashes with its cone-shaped fiber brush — with such dramatic (+ clump-free) results, you won't need extensions or falsies ever again. Reviewers swear it delivers the same (if not better) results as name-brand mascaras for less than $5 — the 262,000+ 5-star ratings don't lie! Check out a TikTok of someone applying the mascara! Promising review:" Holy grail mascara! I've used this mascara for about three years now and it still tops any other mascara I've tried. It will transfer if you apply it to your lower lashes, so I use a different mascara for my bottom lashes, which I don't mind at all. I always get asked if I'm wearing falsies! It's a mascara that stays wet longer, so I always apply one coat, let it get tacky, then apply a second coat for best results." — Joseph Gonzalez Get it from Amazon for $4.99. 23. Plus, Essence's Volume Booster Lash Primer to help give your lashes that extra boost without spending big bucks on extensions or falsies. After you apply this, put on your favorite mascara and it'll give you the volume and length you so desire. Just apply it until you see a thin, white layer, then let it sit for 20–30 seconds before putting on mascara. Promising review:"I saw this primer recommended on TikTok, and they were right. Let it dry before mascara application, and it does wonders. Adds volume! Stays all day." — JC Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in a three-pack). 24. A shoulder bag if you love that classic Bottega Veneta look but the prices are yeesh. It's the perfect size to hold all your necessities for running errands or a day out on the town, and it'll look absolutely chic strapped on your shoulder. Promising review:"Love this purse. The design is so cute, I like that you can adjust the size of the strap. It fits a good amount in it, including my Kindle, which I love. Has enough pockets and goes with a lot of outfits." — Katie Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in six styles). 25. Gold snail slime eye patches because normal ones are already fancy schmancy, but gold patches? That's a whole new level! They can help reduce puffiness and brighten your under-eyes — and don't worry, no snails were harmed in the making! Promising review:"These things are freaking awesome! I have a terrible time with allergies which causes dark under-eye rings and puffy skin. Used these little slimy patches under my eyes and was amazed at the result! Not only did they feel cool and soothing while on, but I noticed a definite improvement right away. The puffiness was significantly reduced as well as a definite reduction in the dark coloration. The results were even evident the next day — and noticed by my husband who NEVER notices things like that. I plan on using them a couple of times a week during peak allergies and then once a week after that. Very satisfied." — Alicia Melvin Get 60 patches from Amazon for $11.48. 26. A pair of oh-so-sleek wireless over-the-ear headphones that look eerily similar to the AirPods Max without that incredibly expensive price tag. These have ultra cushy padding, a built-in mic for taking calls, 10 hours of playtime, and a pretty darn good noise canceling feature considering the price! iJoy is a small business that specializes in headphones and tech accessories. Promising review: "They're comfortable, hold a charge really well, and actually work really well in terms of noise cancellation. My daughter can be sitting next to me talking and I can barely even hear her. I almost prefer these in terms of sound quality to my Gen 1 AirPods as well. Easy to charge, easy to pair, very lightweight, and fit is adjustable. I'm very impressed with these headphones!" — Samantha H. Get it from Amazon fo r $19.99+ (available in five colors). 27. An expensive-looking faux-leather belt to tie your entire outfit together. The golden accent will turn your 'fit into a ~masterpiece~. Is it Gucci? No. Is it an affordable lookalike that does the same thing? Absolutely. Promising reviews:"This (to me) is catchier than the actual Gucci belt and also a great price. The design is sophisticated; the leather strap and clasp do not feel cheap. The leather strap is rigid, but not too rigid. The clasp has the two loops that clasp into the holes in the leather strap. It holds nicely and is comfortable to wear and put on/take off. I felt that this accessory (when added to any outfit) can make any outfit pop! Definitely a great statement piece to own!" — helzbelz "I love this belt. I got soooo many compliments on it. People go, 'Is that Gucci?' and I'm like lol no, I got it off Amazon haha. It's a fashion staple for sure." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in women's sizes XS–XL and in 10 colors). 28. A set of gold cabinet handles that'll immediately zhuzh up your bathroom or kitchen cabinets and add a more modern vibe to them. Promising review:"These helped elevate the look of the my daughter's dresser without spending a fortune! So easy to install. They are heavy, and feel high quality. I would definitely purchase these again." — jessdacus Get a set of 10 gold handles from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in 14 sizes and other multipacks). 29. Extra-soft makeup blending sponges to blend your foundation, concealer, and everything else flawlessly. Reviewers rave about this affordable swap for the popular, brand-name ones — especially because it comes with six for less than $10! Promising reviews: "These are amazing. They look and feel just like the brand Beauty Blender but are so much cheaper!" — Brooke "I had been seeing these all on TikTok so you know if it's on there it's going to be good! I had tried so many different beauty sponges and had not had any luck. But with these ones I fell in love. They are so soft, and they work amazing dry or wet. Super easy to clean. My makeup looks amazing as well. Definitely recommend!!!" — Allison Get a pack of six from Amazon for $9.95. 30. A set of two buttery-soft satin pillowcases that'll make your bed look so inviting. Like, don't you just want to lie on this luxurious, silky pillow for hours!? Not only does satin help to reduce frizz and breakage to your hair, but it also helps keep your skin from drying out overnight *and* can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles because there's way less friction. PLUS, reviewers rave about how these keep 'em cool at night! Amazon Promising review: " My husband and I notice the difference in our hair and skin when we sleep on these pillowcases. Instead of 'hanging on' to your hair, the pillowcases let your hair slide. The satiny softness is great for your face as well. I've tried really expensive pillowcases and didn't like them nearly as much as I like these. I bought a second pair." – Brenda A. Rodgers Get a set of two from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in four sizes and 35 colors). 31. Slingback heels guaranteed to girl-bossify you. Pair 'em up with a darling brunch dress or some office slacks, and you'll be radiating sophistication. OK, sure, they're not REAL Chanel, but they certainly look quite similar — even reviewers say so! Promising review:"This Chanel [alternative] is very in style right now. I wear them to work a lot with dark denim and a blazer. Or white jeans and a blazer. The heel is not too high, so gives my 5'4' frame a little lift but not too much to get achy feet. I like the sling back because it stays on without blistering or moving around-and adds extra interest other than my solid black or nude pumps I wear to the office every day. I'm a size 6 with a narrow foot and these were true to size. I'm sure I'll get many years out of these shoes. They are a staple for the wardrobe without the hefty Chanel price tag. Love them!" — ND Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in women's sizes 5–12 and in six colors). 32. Nyx Fat Oil Lip Drip that delivers up to 12 hours of hydration (it's infused with vegan squalane, raspberry, and cloudberry oils) while giving you a glossy, tinted look — we love a 2-in-1! If you love Dior's or Fenty's Lip Oil or have been wanting to try it, reviewers say this is even better (for your lips AND wallet). Promising review: "This Nyx lip oil is a fantastic find! It's super moisturizing, just like the Fenty lip oil, but at a much more affordable price. The high shine finish is gorgeous and leaves my lips feeling plump and hydrated. The tint adds a nice bit of color, and it's become a staple I always carry in my purse for easy touch-ups throughout the day." — Sarah Gaines Get it from Amazon for $7.68+ (available in 14 shades). 33. A trio of hydrating lip sleeping masks, notably very similar to the Laneige ones (but much more budget-friendly). Each mask nourishes, hydrates, and smooths out your lips overnight, thanks to the berry extract and vitamin C formula — and you get three flavors to try in one set! Your pout will look so supple, it'll leave even Angelina Jolie jealous. For reference, the Laneige lip mask contains 20 grams of product, while each of these measures 5 grams, or 15 grams for the entire set. So even with product sizes taken into account, these are a much better deal! Promising review: "Just like Laneige. I bought this product because I heard that it was an [alternative] for the Laneige lip sleeping mask, and it 100% is!! Basically the same scent and texture, and it moisturizes just as well overnight. I love both products, but will buy this one moving forward because it's so much more affordable!" — ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Get it from Amazon for $9.90 (available in five combos). 34. An ultra-soft faux-fur rug to add a touch of sophistication and coziness to any room. Wouldn't it feel delightful stepping on this comfy, fuzzy rug as you get out of bed in the morning? Amazon Promising review:"My parents went to Europe and sat outside on furs like these, and now they do the same at home. They live in the mountains in Utah. They put these on their metal patio chairs and then cover themselves with a blanket outside in the winter. The faux furs keep your backside insulated, and then, topped with the blanket, they are able to have a cocktail hour(s) on the deck all year long! It's honestly pretty sweet, and the dog gets her own to lie on when she's outside, too." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $15.19+ (available in six sizes and 11 colors). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Gulf Insider
16-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
South Korea Population Crisis Linked to Historic Tax Rises
A new study suggests steep tax hikes five decades ago contributed to South Korea's sharp fertility decline, with authors saying the results of the research may hold lessons for policymakers today. Newsweek reached out to the South Korean embassy in the U.S. with a written request for comment outside of office hours. Why It Matters South Korea's fertility rate has seem the fastest fall in the industrialized world, dropping from about 4.5 births per woman in 1970 to 0.72 in 2023, far below the 2.1 replacement rate needed to sustain a population. The country now has the world's lowest birth rate, a trend authorities consider a national emergency. Despite more than $200 billion of pro-natal spending since 2006, South Korea's government has failed to reverse the trend. A rapidly aging workforce has exacerbated the demographic crunch, with those aged 65 and older now comprising one-fifth of the population. What To Know The study reviewed decades of South Korean tax policy. Its findings suggest the economic pressures these policies created still reverberate today. The tax burden on Koreans was relatively low in the 1960s and early 70s, depending largely on industrial and trade taxes, the authors point out. However, sweeping tax reforms between 1974 and 1976 increased direct taxation, with value-added tax (VAT)—a consumption tax applied at each stage of production and sale—rising to 20 percent from 10 percent, according to the paper. The higher taxes were followed by a reduction in disposable incomes and a sharp drop in the number of births. 'The fertility rate in South Korea has fallen from 6 in 1950 to less than 1 in 2023, and the observed changes in fertility over time seem to align with the shifts in South Korea's tax policies,' co-author and Oxford University researcher Joan Madia wrote in a press release accompanying the study. To support this, Madia referenced later tax reforms in the mid-1990s, which brought in lower rates across a broader base. These might explain the less pronounced fertility rate decline over the following few years. The study accounted for other factors known to influence childbearing decisions, including female workforce participation, higher education rates among women and contraceptive use. Click here to read more
