Staggering US$2.4m went into Kim Kardashian and Pharrell Williams’s bank accounts
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s High Court was told that a staggering US$2.4m (S$3.1m) had gone out of the coffers of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and into the bank accounts of celebrity Kim Kardashian and musician Pharrell Williams, via fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho’s shell company Good Star Ltd.
Financial fraud investigator Richard Templeman testified this during a Zoom hearing in the US$6.59b lawsuit filed by 1MDB against Malaysia’s former treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah and former 1MDB chief executive Arul Kanda Kandasamy on Sept 9.
Based on his investigation, the plaintiff’s witness said that by Oct 25, 2011, 1MDB had transferred a total of US$1.03bil to Good Star for the benefit of Low.
“These funds were transferred through a series of offshore companies and used for, inter alia, the personal benefit of the co-conspirators and their relatives and associates,” he said in his witness statement.
From the billions of dollars that flowed through Good Star from 1MDB, US$2,025,000 was transferred from Good Star to a Suntrust Bank account in the name of Talamasca Inc.
The transactions between Aug 11 and Nov 17, 2011 carried details of the payments such as “part payment for music production” and ”Letter of Agreement DD 3 NOV 2011 Red Spring Investments And Talamasca/Pharrell Williams”.
“I note that publicly available information links Talamasca Inc. with the musician Pharrell Williams.
For decades, Canadians proudly championed high immigration levels and the use of temporary foreign workers, framing it as a progressive approach that enriched the country’s multicultural identity. Critics who questioned the long-term impact of these policies were often dismissed or labeled as xenophobic or racist, as the dominant narrative was one of inclusion and economic growth. But as the economic reality in Canada shifts, there’s a growing sentiment that the once-celebrated policies surrounding temporary foreign workers and high immigration might have laid the groundwork for the country’s economic struggles.
The Cultural Promotion of Education and Jobs
For generations, Canadians equated post-secondary education with economic success. Higher education wasn’t just a path to personal development; it was seen as a key to unlocking even the most basic of job opportunities. As university and college degrees became ubiquitous, so too did the competition for jobs. Ironically, this emphasis on education created a dual problem: a surplus of overqualified individuals for lower-skilled positions and an influx of foreign workers filling those same roles.
The job market became flooded with educated and uneducated workers, creating intense competition at both ends of the spectrum. While promoting education for all seemed like a virtuous policy, any critique of the oversaturation of degrees or questioning why so many roles required such credentials was met with strong opposition. Those raising alarms about the mismatch between educational output and actual job market needs were often silenced or dismissed as out of touch.
Minimum Wage Increases and the Inflation Effect
Another well-intended but ultimately destabilizing policy was the aggressive push for raising the minimum wage. While the notion of paying workers a living wage is admirable, the rapid increases in minimum wage created ripple effects across the economy. Many businesses, unable to keep up with rising wage costs, raised prices, contributing to inflationary pressures. The very workers these policies aimed to help saw the cost of living increase faster than their wages, ultimately eroding their purchasing power.
Despite the mounting evidence of inflationary consequences, those who criticized the rapid wage hikes were also silenced by public opinion. Raising wages was seen as a moral imperative, and detractors were labeled as unsympathetic or anti-worker. Now, Canadians face the bitter reality that well-intentioned wage increases have contributed to a rise in inflation, compounding economic difficulties for many households.
A Brewing Economic Crisis
Today, Canadians are grappling with the consequences of these policies. The steady flow of immigrants, coupled with an over-reliance on temporary foreign workers, has created a job market that no longer favors Canadian-born workers. Office jobs, once seen as secure pathways for the educated, are being outsourced to overseas contractors. Meanwhile, much of the physical labor, from agriculture to construction, is being filled by foreign workers, both temporary and permanent.
Adding to this is a severe housing crisis. The country is experiencing record-high demand for housing but lacks the infrastructure to support the growing population. Temporary foreign workers and immigrants need housing, but the supply of affordable homes is woefully inadequate, pushing housing costs to astronomical levels. The result is a situation where many Canadians feel displaced in their own job market, their wages eroded by inflation, and housing increasingly out of reach.
Is the Situation Inevitable?
Canadians are now beginning to voice concerns about these policies that were once untouchable. However, the question remains—do they deserve this economic downturn? For years, any opposition to high immigration numbers, reliance on temporary foreign workers, or critiques of minimum wage increases was dismissed as “evil” or regressive. But now, as the cracks in these policies become more apparent, it’s clear that well-meaning, yet unchecked ideas have led to a labor market where Canadian workers are squeezed out, inflation is on the rise, and housing is inaccessible.
Canada’s economic future is fraught with uncertainty, and without a shift in thinking, it’s likely the situation will worsen before it gets better. The challenge now is whether Canadians can reconcile their long-held beliefs with the economic reality they face—and whether they can address the root causes of their current predicament without further deepening divisions.
“The continued struggles of the entire LA restaurant industry further show us that we need to assess how to maintain profitability in the face of what seems like insurmountable obstacles,” read the statement. “That said, the support we received via crowdfunding, personal donations, moral support, and advice, has been awe-inspiring, and we continue to lean on our community to find a workable way forward.”
Popular influencer Cray visits and endorses the chain.
But Osher refuses to let go of his passion.
“From day one, to me, pizza is local, and connecting with the community was, you know … as a pizza shop, you have to be a part of the community,” he said.
The business isn’t going away completely. Osher said Gorilla Pies is still open for catering and he hopes to start his pop-up business once again.
Agent Superstars – agent chasing followers more than the trad published authors they rep isn’t just a problem it’s an epidemic.
The trend of literary agents using their position to grow personal followings and act like influencers is a troubling issue that remains largely unaddressed in the publishing industry. Traditionally, agents are meant to advocate for authors, using their expertise to champion writers’ work. However, as agents pivot to building their own brands and social media clout, a conflict of interest arises. The focus shifts from discovering and nurturing literary talent to cultivating personal influence. This dynamic can leave authors, especially those without established platforms, marginalized and deprioritized. Furthermore, it distorts the agent-author relationship by placing emphasis on the agent’s visibility rather than the work they’re supposed to be representing. In an industry already struggling with gatekeeping and accessibility, the unchecked rise of “agent influencers” risks exacerbating existing inequities and commercializing a space that should be devoted to amplifying talented authors.
Curry Pickled Cauliflower Recipe by Andrea Kristin
We are excited to welcome Andrea Kristin, the bestselling author of Fresh Grown: Essential Guide to Use, Store, and Make the Most of Your Vegetables, to Mixed Media Magazine. Andrea’s book has quickly become a must-have for anyone passionate about gardening, cooking, and sustainable living. Today, she’s sharing one of her favorite recipes from Fresh Grown, offering a glimpse into the practical and creative ways you can make the most of your garden’s harvest.
Check out Andrea’s delicious and insightful approach to fresh, homegrown food.
This brightly coloured pickle is one of my favourite recipes from my new book Fresh Grown: How to Use, Store, and Make the Most of Your Vegetables. These tasty cauliflower preserves are vibrant and eye-catching while being flavourful morsels you can enjoy all year round. Try them for yourself below!
Hello! I’m Andrea Kristin – a passionate author, farmer, and food lover living in beautiful Alberta, Canada. Alongside my husband and our children, we’ve created our own little prairie paradise, Grey Arrow Farm (@greyarrowfarm). Here, we pour our hearts into running a certified organic vegetable farm, growing over 50 types of vegetables and herbs on 2.5 acres of cultivated land and feeding our community through our thriving CSA (veggie box subscription) program.
Running a large market garden and feeding our lively family of 7 has turned me into a vegetable enthusiast. Over the years, I’ve gathered a treasure trove of knowledge and experience about cooking, storing, and preserving all the wonderful bounty from your garden, and I’m thrilled to share it all with you in my new book, Fresh Grown: How to Use, Store, and Make the Most of Your Vegetables.
Do you ever struggle to use all those vegetables? Looking for ways to lower your food waste, save your dollars, enjoy your vegetables to the max, or make your produce last throughout the year? This book is for you! A feast for the eyes and the soul, the book is filled with stunning images and practical tips straight from the farm. It’s packed with everything you need to make the most of your veggies – including which parts of each plant are edible, how to use them, what to do with your excess, and recipe inspiration that will transform your meals.
I can’t wait for you to dive in and discover all the delicious possibilities! Here’s a little taste:
Curry Pickled Cauliflower Recipe Makes 4 pint jars (2 quart jars) 8-10 cups cauliflower florets, trimmed to fit jar size 2 tsp curry powder 1 tsp turmeric ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional), for spice Brine: 2 ½ cup white vinegar (at least 5% acidity) 2 ½ cup water ¼ cup pickling salt
Instructions:
Cut and trim cauliflower florets to fit in your jars.
In each jar, add ½ tsp curry powder, ¼ tsp turmeric, and a pinch of red pepper flakes
Combine brine ingredients (vinegar, salt, and water) in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
Meanwhile, pack the cauliflower florets into jars, leaving ½” headspace.
Pour boiling brine over cauliflower, filling jars to ½” headspace. Remove air bubbles with a chopstick or butter knife. Tightly attach seals and lids.
Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. (Allow them to sit for 3 weeks for best flavour!)
Store sealed jars in a cupboard or pantry. Once a jar is opened, store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
These pickles can be enjoyed on their own as a tasty snack, as a colourful addition to a charcuterie board, or as a tangy, delicious topper to your rice or grain bowls. You can find more veggie deliciousness in the book!
As the financial landscape continues to evolve, Bitcoin and XRP are positioned to seize significant growth opportunities this fall. With potential rate cuts on the horizon and the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple nearing its conclusion, the stage is set for a bullish phase in the cryptocurrency market.
Bitcoin’s Growth Prospects Amid Rate Cuts
Bitcoin, often considered the gold standard of cryptocurrencies, has historically shown a strong inverse correlation with interest rates. As central banks, particularly the U.S. Federal Reserve, gear up for possible rate cuts, Bitcoin could be poised for a significant rally.
Mixed Media Magazine 