Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez staying at iconic White Lotus hotel for honeymoon: Report
Why Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez chose Sicily?
Bezos first fell in love with the area last year while sailing near the Aeolian Islands. The town's old-world charm and quiet glamour clearly left an impression. A source told the Daily Beast that the newlyweds arrived at the hotel after boarding Bezos' $500 million superyacht Koru.
The San Domenico Palace is no stranger to the spotlight. Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Greta Garbo once stayed there. Oscar Wilde too. And in 2017, it hosted the G7 summit.
Luxury, star power and some backlash
Rooms at the hotel can cost upwards of $8,000 per night, but that's just a fraction of what this wedding cost. Sanchez's engagement ring alone is estimated at $3 to $5 million, according to People. Their ceremony brought in about 200 guests, many arriving via private jet or yacht. Oprah Winfrey, the Kardashians, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Bill Gates, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman were among those seen.
But not everyone was thrilled.
Locals in Venice pushed back against the scale of the wedding, fearing disruption and more overtourism. The backlash was so strong, the festivities were moved from central Venice to a quieter location, the Arsenale on San Giorgio Maggiore island.
Now in Sicily, the couple appears to be keeping things low-key. After the whirlwind in Venice, this quiet stretch of coastline offers the kind of privacy only a few places can still provide.
ALSO READ: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's threw a $50M wedding party, now guests are calling it 'chaotic' and cheap; heres why
FAQs:
1. Where are Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez honeymooning?
The couple is honeymooning at the San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Sicily.
2. Why is San Domenico Palace famous?
Apart from its stunning location and history, the hotel gained global fame as the central setting of HBO's The White Lotus Season 2.
3. Who attended Jeff Bezos' wedding?
Roughly 200 guests including Oprah Winfrey, the Kardashians, Ivanka Trump, Bill Gates, and Sam Altman were part of the high-profile Venice event.
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First Post
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- First Post
Volcano eruption, series of earthquakes in Japan: Is manga artist's prediction coming true?
A series of earthquakes near Japan's remote Tokara Islands over the past two weeks, along with a major eruption from a long-dormant volcano earlier this week, has added to growing speculation about a disaster striking Japan on July 5. The rumours are linked to manga artist Ryo Tatsuki's work 'The Future I Saw', where she predicted a tsunami three times stronger than the one in 2011. Her fans claim some of her earlier predictions have already come true read more A combination of images showing the eruption of Mount Shinmoedake this week and a road damaged in Nishiaraya, Ishikawa Prefecture, due to the January 2024 earthquake. Image: X and Reuters/File Photo A series of earthquakes near Japan's remote Tokara Islands, along with a major eruption from a long-dormant volcano, has further fuelled speculation about a disaster striking Japan on July 5. This speculation is partly driven by manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, whose earlier work is believed by many to have predicted the 2011 disaster. She has now suggested that another major event could strike Japan in early July. In her 2021 manga, The Future I Saw, she wrote about a crack forming under the sea between Japan and the Philippines. This, she said, would lead to a tsunami three times stronger than the one in 2011. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ | Japan warns of megaquake that could kill 300,000 along Nankai Trough: What is it? Seismologists have not found any connection between the current activity and the prediction. But the timing of the events has left some members of the public uneasy, as it matches closely with the widely shared warning from Tatsuki. So, what's happening in Japan? What is the manga artist's prediction, and how credible is it? We answer all the questions below: Series of earthquakes, volcano eruption: What's happening in Japan? Mount Shinmoedake erupted on Thursday, sending a powerful blast into the sky and a thick cloud of ash, making it one of its most intense eruptions in recent years. Japan's Meteorological Agency has warned of falling volcanic rocks and fast-moving flows within about two miles of the volcano. This afternoon: A powerful eruption occurred at Mount Kirishima's Shinmoedake crater at 1:49 PM (local time). Volcanic smoke rose an estimated 5,000 meters into the sky. Ongoing activity continues to be closely monitored.( July 03, 2025) 📍 Shinmoedake, Kyushu, Japan — Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) July 3, 2025 Notably, Mount Shinmoedake, located in the Kirishima range between Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, had last erupted in 2018. It became active again on June 22. Officials have advised people in the area to remain indoors and be ready for emergencies. The explosion covered parts of Miyazaki and Kagoshima in heavy ash. The Meteorological Agency had raised the alert level to three on June 27 after signs of growing volcanic activity were noticed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Shimizu Hiroshi, head of the monitoring committee, said: 'While this eruption doesn't currently involve new magma, the possibility remains. Close monitoring is essential.' Authorities are keeping a constant watch on the mountain as people stay alert for possible aftershocks. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 earthquakes have been recorded on a small island in southern Japan, leading to evacuations. An official told AFP that people on Akuseki Island were asked to move to a school playground for safety. Akuseki is part of the Tokara island group, located south of the Kyushu region. Since June 21, the area has seen 1,031 quakes. What is the prediction by 'Japanese Baba Vanga'? Fans of manga artist Ryo Tatsuki believe many of her predictions, based on dreams and featured in her comic books, have come true in the past. Because of this, some now call her the 'Japanese Baba Vanga', a nod to the late Bulgarian mystic who was said to have predicted major events like the 9/11 attacks, the rise of ISIS, and Barack Obama's election. ALSO READ | When a powerful earthquake and tsunami triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan In one of her manga stories, Tatsuki writes about a deep crack forming under the sea between Japan and the Philippines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Whether it comes to pass or not, it's having an effect on air travel in Japan. The Future That I Saw 👁️ Japanese Comic Predicts Massive Disaster for July 2025 (July 5, 2025 at 4:18 a.m.) Retired comic artist Ryo Tatsuki claims that she has been having prophetic dreams for… — UFO CHRONICLES PODCAST🎙️𝕏 (@UFOchronpodcast) July 3, 2025 She says this would trigger huge waves, three times higher than those that struck Japan in the 2011 tsunami. The prediction has gone viral across East Asia. Thousands of videos have been shared online in countries like Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and South Korea. On X, many users have linked this claim to concerns about a potential megaquake in the Nankai Trough. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What authorities and Tatsuki are saying Ryo Tatsuki has asked people not to treat her prediction too seriously. In a recent interview, she said people should stay calm and rely on experts instead of her visions. Seismologists have also rejected any connection between her prediction and recent seismic activity. They say there is no scientific way to predict exactly when, where, or how strong an earthquake will be. Ayataka Ebita, director of the earthquake and tsunami observation division at Japan's Meteorological Agency, told AFP: 'We are aware that such tales are circulating, but that is a hoax.' He added, 'With today's science and technology, it is not possible to predict earthquakes.' The Japan Meteorological Agency also issued a statement online saying: 'Any such predictions should be considered unreliable.' The rumour has still had an impact. Tourism from East Asia has dropped sharply. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, bookings from Hong Kong are down by 50 per cent compared to 2024. Between late June and early July, the fall is as steep as 83 per cent. Japan's megaquake warning that could kill 300,000 In April this year, the Japanese government released a report warning of the devastating effects if a powerful earthquake hits the Nankai Trough, a region off the country's Pacific coast. The report warned of possible losses worth $1.81 trillion and said up to 300,000 people could die if the feared quake were to strike. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Japan faces frequent earthquakes due to its location. Experts say there is an 80 per cent chance of a magnitude 8 to 9 quake in the Nankai Trough. Japan sits on four major tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active places on Earth. Reuters/File Photo This undersea trench stretches about 800 kilometres, from Hyuganada near Kyushu to Suruga Bay in central Japan. The country has suffered major disasters in the past, including the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which led to the Fukushima nuclear crisis. That 9.0-magnitude quake caused the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl. Notably, Japan sits at the meeting point of four major tectonic plates, making it one of the world's most earthquake-prone nations. With inputs from agencies
Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
Japan earthquake prediction: Over 1,000 quakes, Manga's July 5 ‘prophecy' fuel premonitions
More than 1,000 earthquakes in a small southern island of Japan and a 1990s manga comic's 'megaquake' have fueled premonitions about a major disaster waiting to befall the country this month. However, earthquakes can't be predicted with today's science and technology, and so, meteorological experts have urged people to 'base their understanding on scientific evidence.' Frenzy erupted on social media, with netizens exclaiming, 'A manga artist predicted that a massive earthquake would hit Japan at 4:18 am on July 5th and Japan would be destroyed. It's now 4:30 am in Japan and nothing has happened.' Since June 21, as many as 1,031 earthquakes have rattled the Tokara island chain south of the Kyushu region in Japan. The latest strong tremors were experienced on Thursday and Saturday, triggering panic among people. That quake on Thursday was 'strong enough to make standing difficult', Reuters reported. On Saturday, a 5.4-magnitude quake shook the area again. On Saturday, Japan's government warned of more possible strong earthquakes in waters southwest of its main islands, but urged the public not to believe unfounded predictions of a major disaster. According to the official data cited by the Guardian, the number of daily quakes peaked at 183 on June 23, then declined to 15 on June 26 and 16 on June 27. But the number rose again to 34 on June 28 and 98 on June 29. On June 30, 62 quakes were recorded. A Japanese manga comic from the 90s claims that a 'megaquake' — those above a magnitude of 8.0 on the Richter scale — will strike on July 5. According to The TIME, the 2021 reprint of 'The Future I Saw' by Ryo Tatsuki warns that a 'huge' tsunami -- 'three times the size' of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake -- will wash over countries in the Pacific Ocean. This has triggered panic and deterred some inbound travelers for the past several months. Arrivals from Hong Kong, where the rumours have circulated widely, were down 11 percent in May from the same month last year, according to the latest data cited by Reuters. Ryo Tatsuki, the artist behind the manga "The Future I Saw", first published in 1999 and re-released in 2021, said she was "not a prophet", in a statement issued by her publisher. 'There was no tsunami risk from Thursday's quake,' said Ayataka Ebita, director of the earthquake and tsunami observation division of the Japan Meteorological Agency. "In areas where the tremors were strong, there is an increased risk of collapsed houses and landslides," he added, while cautioning about 'earthquakes of similar magnitude for the foreseeable future.' Earlier this year, a government panel marginally increased the probability of a major jolt in the Nankai Trough, located off Japan's Pacific coast, in the next 30 years to between 75 percent and 82 percent, according to the Guardian. As per a revised government estimate in March, a megaquake in the region accompanied by a tsunami could kill as many as 298,000 people and cause damage worth up to $2 trillion. Ayataka Ebita, director of the Japan Meteorological Agency's earthquake and tsunami monitoring division, said. "With our current scientific knowledge, it's difficult to predict the exact time, place or scale of an earthquake.' Earthquakes are common in Japan, which is one of the world's most seismically active areas. It accounts for about one-fifth of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater. Japan is one of the world's most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific "Ring of Fire". Experts say the unusual topography of the area around the Tokara islands makes it easier for pressure to build below the sea-bed that is then relieved in the form of earthquakes, the Guardian reported. The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, typically experiences around 1,500 jolts every year and accounts for about 18 percent of the world's earthquakes. According to the JMA, a similar period of intense seismic activity in the Tokara area occurred in September 2023, when 346 earthquakes were recorded.
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First Post
4 hours ago
- First Post
History Today: When the bikini was first introduced in Paris and revolutionised women's fashion
On July 5, 1946, Louis Réard shocked Paris — and the world — with the debut of the bikini, a revolutionary swimsuit that would become an enduring symbol of freedom and modernity, challenging social norms and redefining women's fashion — and confidence read more Contestants pose for a group photo for the swimsuit section of the Miss Universe pageant in Cancun, Mexico, May 11, 2007. File Image/Reuters As part of Firstpost's History Today series, July 5 ranks as a culturally transformative date. In 1946, in post‑war Paris, the daring debut of the bikini by engineer Louis Réard stirred waves across fashion and women's liberation. Five decades later, in 1996, Dolly the sheep was born near Edinburgh — the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell. On July 5, 1975, Arthur Ashe became the first Black man to win Wimbledon, and in 1962, Algeria officially attained independence from France after a brutal war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The bikini debuts in Paris On a sunny afternoon in July 1946, the tranquil elegance of Paris was upended by the unveiling of a swimsuit so daring it would reverberate through fashion — and cultural history. At the Piscine Molitor, a glamorous Art Deco pool in the 16th arrondissement, French engineer-turned-fashion designer Louis Réard introduced what he called the bikini — a two-piece swimsuit revealing the wearer's navel for the first time in swimwear. The aftermath of World War II set the stage for radical change in social norms. Fabric rationing during the war led to minimalist swimwear trends in the 1930s, a precursor to what was to come. Two French designers — Jacques Heim, who launched the 'Atome' swimsuit that left the navel covered, and Réard, who aimed for something far more audacious — seized upon the era's growing appetite for liberation. Réard, who ran a lingerie shop left to him by his mother near the Folies Bergère, was struck by women at St. Tropez tucking in their swimwear at the waist to tan their midriffs. Inspired, he engineered a garment with minimal fabric — just 30 square inches, connected by strings — that would break all sensual and sartorial boundaries. The choice of name was deliberate and provocative. On July 1, 1946, the US had conducted Operation Crossroads atomic tests at Bikini Atoll. Réard seized on the pun — his swimsuit would have a similarly explosive impact on fashion consciousness. Named 'bikini,' it linked a physical revelation with nuclear symbolic force. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Réard needed a grand stage: Piscine Molitor — nicknamed the 'White Ocean Liner' — an Art Deco landmark reopened after German occupation, brimming with Parisian elegance and optimism. To generate maximum attention, Réard scheduled an outdoor press preview on July 5. But no professional model would step forward for such a scandalous design. Finally, he recruited Micheline Bernardini, an exotic dancer at the Casino de Paris. At 19 years old, she became the face of this new swimwear era. Bernardini emerged onto the pool deck wearing a newsprint-patterned bikini that left her midriff — and, shockingly (at the time), her navel — bare. Micheline Bernardini wearing the first bikini in 1946. The new 'Bikini' swimming costume (in a newsprint-patterned fabric), which caused a sensation at a beauty contest at the Molitor swimming pool in Paris. She is holding a small box into which the entire costume can be packed. File Image/Hulton Archive A hush fell over the audience: 3,000 spectators and the press, stunned and captivated. It was the smallest swimsuit ever seen in swimwear, one Réard dared say could 'be pulled through a wedding ring.' The reaction was electric. Conservative European nations — Italy, Spain, Belgium — banned the garment on moral grounds. Catholic leaders denounced it as immodest. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD American newspapers initially ignored the reveal, focusing on the nuclear tests. But gradually, the bikini's shockwaves spread internationally. History Extra noted Réard's flair for publicity — skywriters advertised the bikini above Cannes with slogans like 'smaller than the world's smallest bathing suit.' Media outlets responded: Micheline Bernardini received over 50,000 fan letters, primarily from men, as the suit sparked both fascination and scandal. Despite early resistance, the bikini began to permeate beach culture — first on the Mediterranean and then globally. By the 1950s and 1960s, Hollywood icons like Brigitte Bardot and Ursula Andress wore bikinis onscreen, normalising them and reinforcing their association with youth and modern freedom. Bardot in particular popularised the bikini's French Riviera chic, while Andress's white bikini in Dr. No (James Bond) became a fashion milestone. Still in the US, the bikini remained controversial until the sexual revolution of the 1960s, when increased emphasis on sexual liberation propelled its adoption in mainstream American beaches. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Réard understood that sensationalism sold. He patented the bikini on July 19, 1946, and kept fuelling its mystique through clever marketing: the wedding-ring slogan, skywriting campaigns, flamboyant promotional vehicles (like a Packard 'road yacht' carrying bikini-clad models) and celebrity endorsements. The original design — four triangles, string-joined, newsprint-clad — highlighted Réard's engineering background, merging technical minimalism with striking aesthetics. Its intentional contrast to conservative one-pieces was a statement of modernity. Decades later, Réard's bikini endures. International Bikini Day is celebrated annually on July 5, honouring the radical spirit of Réard's unveiling. The bikini remains a billion-dollar industry and a symbol of feminist empowerment and body positivity — though its cultural journey reflects ongoing tensions around modesty, sexuality and female representation. Academic studies highlight its significance: Réard's garment sparked 'a psychological link between atomic destruction and sexuality,' and scholar Diana Vreeland dubbed it the 'atom bomb of fashion.' He successfully trivialised nuclear dread by fusing it with liberation and desire. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As women reclaimed their bodies and public spaces, the bikini became host, symbol, and testament to a shifting world. Réard's engineering genius and daring marketing acumen ensured its lasting place in history — and in wardrobes worldwide. Dolly the sheep is born On July 5, 1996, at the Roslin Institute near Edinburgh, scientists made history with the birth of Dolly the Finn-Dorset sheep, the world's first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell. The world's first clone of an adult animal, Dolly the sheep, stands in her pen at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, February 23, 1997. File Image/Reuters Born from a mammary gland cell wired into an enucleated egg and implanted in a surrogate, Dolly shattered scientific dogma: mature cells could be reprogrammed to create a whole organism. Her 1997 unveiling sparked controversy and excitement. Though not the first clone, Dolly proved adult-cell cloning was viable, opening avenues in stem-cell research and ethics. She gave birth to six lambs and lived until 2003, but suffered lung disease possibly linked to premature ageing. Professor Ian Wilmut is reflected in a mirror as he poses for photographs after a news conference in Edinburgh, February 8, 2005. Wilmut who created Dolly the sheep, the world's first cloned mammal, was granted a licence to clone human embryos for medical research. File Image/Reuters Today, Dolly's preserved remains stand at the National Museum of Scotland as a symbol of scientific breakthrough. Arthur Ashe wins Wimbledon On July 5, 1975, Arthur Ashe, an American tennis pioneer, stunned the world by becoming the first Black man to win the Wimbledon Men's Singles title, defeating reigning champ Jimmy Connors in four sets (6–1, 6–1, 5–7, 6–4). Ashe, who had already made history by winning the US Open in 1968 and Australian Open in 1970, overcame discrimination and segregation en route to the Centre Court victory . STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His triumph transcended sport: Ashe became a global symbol of racial equality and leadership, publicly advocating for civil rights and AIDS awareness. His Wimbledon win remains a celebrated milestone in tennis as well as in the struggle for social justice. The main stadium of the US Open tennis tournament is named after Ashe. Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, widow of the late Arthur Ashe, sits next to a plaque that was unveiled at the formal dedication of the new Arthur Ashe Stadium at the at the US Open in New York, August 25, 1997. The tribute included over 40 past champions of the US Open. File Image/Reuters Algeria gains independence On July 5, 1962, Algeria officially gained independence from France after a protracted eight-year liberation war, marking the end of 132 years of colonial rule. The conflict began in November 1954, with the FLN waging fierce guerrilla tactics. It drew international attention for its brutality — both French repression and FLN terrorism. Following a 1962 referendum granting self-determination, France recognised independence on July 3, and Algeria celebrated on July 5 — the anniversary of France's 1830 invasion, symbolically reclaiming the date. The first President, Ahmed Ben Bella, called on Algerians to 'build history with our hands.' Independence Day remains a cornerstone of Algerian national identity. With inputs from agencies
