Matt Damon and his non-profit Water.org have teamed up with brewing company Stella Artois for a holiday campaign looking to “give the gift of time” to women struggling for the basic necessity of clean water.
The campaign highlights that 771 million people live without access to safe water, and very often women are the ones bearing the brunt, spending countless hours a year searching for and carrying water for their families.
The charity the Oscar winner co-founded “has positively transformed more than 38 million lives around the world with access to safe water or sanitation,” and with some holiday gifts from the Anheuser-Busch-owned brand, you can help spread the wealth.
This holiday season, every Stella Artois product you purchase will provide at lease one month of safe water to a person in the developing world, the campaign’s organizers promise. Additionally, the purchase of one of the Water.org’s branded chalices will fund at least five years’ worth of safe water for one person in need.
“When I think about the holidays, what comes to mind is time with family and friends,” the Last Duel star said in a statement. “This campaign with Stella Artois is about giving women around the world time back. This is one of the many reasons I think the work we do is so important. Creating time for family is what access to safe water at home can do.”
(PARIS) — Vice President Kamala Harris is set to travel to France late Monday, a high-profile visit following President Joe Biden’s efforts to soothe tensions with America’s oldest ally in the wake of controversy over a nuclear submarine deal that Biden described as “clumsy.”
Harris is scheduled to have a one-on-one meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday. She will also participate in two international summits, and attend ceremonial events on Nov. 11 to mark Veterans Day in the U.S. and Armistice Day in France, observing the end of World War I. The trip will be Harris’s third venture outside of the U.S. as vice president, giving her the diplomatic opportunities often afforded to vice presidents, but scarce her tenure thus far due to the pandemic.
“This visit from the vice president really signals the strength of our alliances as our nations work together to advance prosperity, security and stability,” a senior administration official said on a call with reporters ahead of the trip.
The visit comes nearly two months after the U.S. rolled out a partnership with Australia to share nuclear submarine technology, leading Australia to cancel a $65-million submarine order with the French. With French officials, including Macron, seemingly blindsided by the deal, the French ambassador was temporarily recalled from Washington.
President Biden, sitting down with Macron on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Rome, said publicly that U.S. handling of the submarine deal “was clumsy.”
“It was not done with a lot of grace,” Biden admitted. “I was under the impression certain things had happened that hadn’t happened. And uh, but uh, I want to make it clear. France is an extremely, extremely valued partner.”
Now, Harris will continue to drive home that message, attending a dinner at Elysee Palace in addition to the bilateral meeting with Macron.
Administration officials would not say on a briefing call with reporters whether a lower-level official would have gone on this trip if it were not for the rift between Macron and the U.S. over the “submarine snub.”
“I don’t have a crystal ball here. I’m not going to play the ‘what if’ game,” a senior administration official said. “There are things that happened three months ago that I would not have predicted three months before that, but I can tell you as the vice president is looking forward to this trip. This trip is extremely important.”
In addition to sitting down with Macron one-on-one, Harris will participate in the Paris Peace Forum, focusing on global health in a post-pandemic world, and she’ll attend the Libya Conference, meeting with 20 heads of state to encourage an end to violence in Libya and open democratic elections on Dec. 24.
While in Paris, Harris will also mark Armistice Day in France and Veterans Day in the U.S. by visiting Surenes, an American World War I military cemetery in France. On the day of arrival, Harris will visit the Institute Pasteur to see the work of French scientists combatting COVID-19. That visit will be particularly special, given Harris’s mother conducted breast cancer research at the institute in the 1980s.
The Libya Conference promises to be especially thorny. Co-hosted by Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy, and U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the conference is meant to acknowledge that after a tough decade after the fall of Qaddafi, civil war and violence, an election offers hope, a senior administration official said. European leaders are especially invested in creating the conditions for peace in Libya, in order to stem the tide of migrants to the European mainland.
“The vice president thinks it’s important for the United States to be at that table. And to lend our support for legitimate and effective elections that lead to international consensus on not just having these legitimate, effective elections, but bringing into power a government that Libya wants and getting the foreign forces out of the country. So that’s why she’s going to be there with that important message from the United States,” a senior administration official said.
The second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, will also travel to Paris, and participate in independent events focused on gender equality, sports diplomacy, and educational exchanges.
(WASHINGTON) — The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot on Monday issued six new subpoenas to senior Trump campaign officials and advisers, including campaign manager Bill Stepien and spokesman Jason Miller.
The panel also subpoenaed conservative attorney John Eastman for records and documents. According to Bob Woodward and Robert Costa’s recent book, he aggressively lobbied Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election results from his ceremonial post in the House on Jan. 6 — when he presided over the counting of electoral votes.
The committee also subpoenaed former national security adviser Michael Flynn, one of the prominent voices around Trump after the election who publicly called on the president to take drastic actions to overturn the results.
The panel has asked all six individuals to turn over records by Nov. 23 and appear for depositions between Dec. 3 and Dec. 13.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
After topping the charts in this native Britain, Elton John’s “Cold Heart” — his collaboration with Dua Lipa and Australia’s Pnau — has now hit number one in Australia, and it’s earned him yet another chart record.
As Billboard notes, Elton is now, at 74 years and seven months, the oldest person ever to top the official Australian singles chart. The previous record-holder was Paul McCartney, who was 72 when he hit number one with the 2015 song “FourFiveSeconds,” a collaboration with Rihanna and Kanye West.
“Cold Heart” is also Elton’s first number-one in Australia since 1997’s “Something About the Way You Look Tonight”/”Candle in the Wind 1997.” He’s had three there overall. Meanwhile, it’s Dua’s first Australian number one, and the first for Pnau as well.
“Cold Heart” is from Elton’s album The Lockdown Sessions, which features collaborations with Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and other artists.
So, The Beatles are the greatest band of all time, right? Not if you ask Paul McCartney.
Sir Paul himself feels that The Everly Brothers deserve the honor.
British newspaper the Daily Mail reports that, according to a passage in his new book The Lyrics, the former Beatle says he and band mate John Lennon were plenty inspired by the pioneering American rock ‘n’ roll duo.
“The biggest influence on John and me was The Everly Brothers. To this day, I just think they’re the greatest,” McCartney expressed. “And they were different.”
“You’d heard barbershop quartets, you’d heard [British pop trio] the Beverley Sisters — three girls — you’d all heard that. But just two guys, two good-looking guys? So we idolized them. We wanted to be them,” he remarked.
The Everly Brothers, comprised of brothers Don and Phil Everly, are credited for pioneering the country-rock genre. The duo also experimented with infusing pop elements into their music, which include the hit singles “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie” and many more. Other artists influenced by the duo included Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, The Bee Gees and The Hollies.
Don passed away in August of this year. He was predeceased by Phil, who died on January 3, 2014.
AMC+ has announced they’ve picked up Jodie Turner-Smith‘s highly anticipated psychological thriller, Anne Boleyn.
On Monday, AMC+ shared that the new three-part original series, starring Turner-Smith in the titular role, will premiere its first episode in the U.S. on Thursday, December 9. The remaining two episodes will be released on consecutive Thursdays. As previously reported, Anne Boleyn follows the final months of Boleyn’s life from her perspective as she struggles to secure a future for her daughter. It will also show her determination to be seen as an equal in a patriarchal society and her ultimate demise by execution. Anne Boleyn, also starring Paapa Essiedu as Anne’s brother, George Boleyn, first aired in the U.K. back in May.
In other news, Regina Hall is teaming up with Robert De Niro for a remake of the 1988 classic action comedy film Midnight Run. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hall is set to star in the forthcoming film, with De Niro attached to produce. The original film starred De Niro as a bounty hunter tasked with tracking down a former mob accountant, played by the late Charles Grodin. Together the two traveled cross-country trying to evade both the FBI and the mob. Plot details, as well as additional casting, have not been revealed.
Finally, SNL alum Kenan Thompson has been tapped to host the 2021 People’s Choice Awards. As previously reported, the ceremony will air simultaneously on NBC and E! on Dec. 7 at 9 p.m ET.
Wendy Williams is giving her fans a much-needed update on her ongoing health battle.
In a statement issued on Monday, Williams said she’s ready to go back to her duties as host “as soon as” the doctors give her the green light.
“HOW YOU DOIN’? I MISS YOU ALL! As everyone knows, my health has been a hot topic,” Williams’ statement reads. “I’m making progress but it’s just one of those things that’s taking longer than we expected.”
She continues, “I’m a woman of a certain age, and I know enough to listen to my doctors and will return to my purple chair as soon as we all agree I’m ready. I want to thank all of my staff and our guest hosts for stepping up and stepping in while I can’t be there.”
Williams then thanks her show’s production company, Debmar-Mercury, and the local affiliates “for being so understanding and supportive” while she recovers. She also thanks her “fans,” whom she says “are everything.”
“I have heard your prayers and comments and feel all the love!,” Williams writes, before adding that she’s “doing everything… to get back to work.”
“But right now Wendy has to focus on Wendy. I love you for watching,” she adds.
As previously reported, Williams has been absent from her show since it was originally expected to return on September 20 for the start of the 13th season. Her return was delayed due to ongoing health issues, which included testing positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19. Since then, numerous guest hosts have filled in for her, including Sherri Shepherd, Leah Remini, Michael Rapaport and Jerry Springer.
Camila Cabello will soon be looking for a new place to live: She’s selling her Los Angeles home for nearly $4 million, the Dirt website reports.
Camila bought the place in the Hollywood Hills in 2019 for just over $3 million. It’s the same home where she and boyfriend Shawn Mendes were in residence back in March when someone broke in, stole the keys to Shawn’s Mercedes G Wagon and made off with it. The vehicle was later recovered.
As a result of the theft, the 3,500-square-foot residence now features a state-of-the-art security system, as well as a pool, outdoor fireplace and kitchen, two-car garage, fireplaces, spa-like bathroom and recording studio.
As for where Camila will go next, she and Shawn were reportedly house-hunting in her native Miami last year.
In other Camila news, she showed off her new tattoo on Instagram: It’s a coil of braided sweet grass on the nape of her neck. The singer got the ink in honor of the non-fiction 2013 bookBraiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, which Camila says “changed my life.”
“After I read it, I knew I’d never look at the earth and all of it’s inhabitants the same,” Camila gushed on Instagram. “It taught me about reciprocity, about the gift and wisdom in Mother Nature, and that when we heal the Earth, we heal ourselves,” she wrote, adding a quote from the book: “All flourishing is mutual.”
Travis Scott performs at the 2021 Astroworld festival; Rick Kern/Getty Images
Travis Scott announced Monday he will pay all funeral costs for those who died during the Astroworld festival last Friday in Houston, Texas.
The “Highest in the Room” rapper, who organized and headlined the event, is also providing free one-on-one online therapy for those in need. BetterHelp, in conjunction with Travis, is offering free counseling sessions with a licensed therapist for those who sign up on its website.
The National Alliance on Mental Health, NAMI, has also established a hotline, available Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. This hotline can be reached at 1-844-CJ NAMI 1, 844-256-2641.
As the investigation continues into the fatal incident, Houston Police Chief Troy Finnertweeted Monday, “We are asking for everyone to be considerate of the grieving families during this incredibly difficult time. Please continue to lift them up in prayer.”
As previously reported, Scott will issue full refunds for attendees who bought tickets to the event. Festival performer Roddy Rich also announced he is donating his “net compensation to the families of this incident.”
Scott was scheduled to headline this weekend’s Day N Vegas Festival, but he has cancelled his performance.
In statements on social media, Scott said he was “absolutely devastated” by what happened and is “working closely with everybody to get to the bottom of this.”
Eight people died and hundreds were injured when the crowd of 50,000 rushed the stage during Scott’s performance. Two concertgoers have already filed lawsuits in the festival’s aftermath as of early Monday.
(WASHINGTON) — The nation’s top law enforcement officials announced on Monday the seizure of approximately $6 million in ransom payments and new criminal charges against a Ukrainian national and Russian national alleged to have deployed the REvil ransomware that infected more than 1,000 companies and public organizations around the globe this summer.
Yaroslav Vasinskyi, a Ukrainian national arrested last month in Poland, and Yevgeniy Polyanin, a Russian national who remains at large, face charges of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. Vasinskyi was charged in connection with his alleged role in carrying out the devastating July 4 ransomware attack against the software firm Kaseya, which in turn affected hundreds of companies within the U.S.
Together, the U.S. Treasury Department said the two men “are part of a cybercriminal group that has engaged in ransomware activities and received more than $200 million in ransom payments paid in Bitcoin and Monero.” It is announcing sanctions against the two men as well.
Charging documents unsealed Monday morning also accuse Vainskyi of conducting approximately 2,500 ransomware attacks and demanding approximately $767 million in ransom, $2.3 million of which was eventually paid.
There is no lawyer listed for Vasinskyi or Polyanin.
“Our message today is clear: The United States, together with our allies, will do everything in our power to identify the perpetrators of ransomware attacks, to bring them to justice and to recover the funds they have stolen from the American people,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco lauded Kaseya for calling the FBI and Department of Justice and asking for help in finding the alleged criminals.
“As we’ve shown time and time again, we’re still going to pursue them, disrupt them and hold them accountable,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said.
Garland said REvil ransomware has been deployed on approximately 175,000 computers worldwide with at least $200 million paid in ransom.
REvil was also behind the May attack on meat supplier JBS, which paid $11 million in ransom to unlock its systems.
The State Department is is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information that helps identify or locate the leaders of the cybercriminal group known as REvil or Sodinokibi.
The U.S. is also offering up to $5 million for information that leads to the arrest or conviction of any individual involved in a REvil ransomware attack.
In June, the Justice Department announced it had successfully seized millions of dollars in cryptocurrency Colonial Pipeline paid to the cyber criminal group DarkSide following the attack that led the pipeline to briefly shut down its operations.
ABC News’ Connor Finnegan contributed to this report.
