Latest news with #SanchezBezos
Korea Herald
10 hours ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
'Kisses yes, Bezos No,' protesters say, as Bezos wedding bonanza stirs controversy in Venice
VENICE, Italy (AP) — Hundreds of protesters marched through Venice's central streets on Saturday to say "No" to billionaire Jeff Bezos, his bride and their much-awaited wedding extravaganza, which reached its third and final day amid celebrity-crowded parties and the outcries of tired residents. On Friday, the world's fourth-richest man and his bride Lauren Sanchez Bezos tied the knot during a private ceremony with around 200 celebrity guests on the secluded island of San Giorgio. The wedding, however, angered many Venetians, with some activists protesting it as an exploitation of the city by the billionaire Bezos, while ordinary residents suffer from overtourism, high housing costs and the constant threat of climate-induced flooding. As the two newlyweds prepared for the final party Saturday evening, hundreds of Venetians and protesters from across Italy filled Venice's tiny streets with colorful banners reading "Kisses Yes, Bezos No" and "No Bezos, no War." Venice has around 50,000 residents. The demonstration contrasted with the expensive wedding bonanza, seen by critics as an affront to the lagoon city's fragile environment and its citizens, overwhelmed by throngs of tourists. "We are here to continue ruining the plans of these rich people, who accumulate money by exploiting many other people ... while the conditions of this city remain precarious," said Martina Vergnano, one of the demonstrators. The protest organizers claimed that their planned protest had forced the relocation of Saturday's party from a supposed initial location to a former medieval shipyard, the Arsenale. Bezos donated 1 million euros ($1.17 million) each to three environmental research organizations working to preserve Venice, according to Corila, the Venetian environmental research association. But many protesters blasted the move as a clear attempt to appease angry residents. "We want a free Venice, which is finally dedicated to its citizens. ... Those donations are just a misery and only aimed at clearing Bezos' conscience," said Flavio Cogo, a Venetian activist who joined Saturday's protest. Details of the exclusive wedding ceremony Friday night were a closely guarded secret, until Sanchez Bezos posted to Instagram a photo of herself beaming in a white gown as she stood alongside a tuxedo-clad Bezos. Athletes, celebrities, influencers and business leaders converged to revel in extravagance that was as much a testament to the couple's love as to their extraordinary wealth. The star-studded guest list included Oprah Winfrey and NFL great Tom Brady, along with Hollywood stars Leonardo Di Caprio and Orlando Bloom, tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates and top socialites, including the Kardashian-Jenner clan. Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and their three children also joined the celebrations. The bride and groom stayed at the Aman Venice hotel on the Grand Canal, where Bezos posed for photos and Sanchez Bezos blew kisses to the press. "The planet is burning but don't worry, here's the list of the 27 dresses of Lauren Sanchez," read one protest slogan, a reference to the bride's reported wedding weekend wardrobe. It featured a mermaid-lined wedding gown by Dolce & Gabbana and other Dolce Vita-inspired looks by Italian designers, including Schiaparelli and Bottega Veneta. The city administration has strongly defended the nuptials as in keeping with Venice's tradition as an open city that has welcomed popes, emperors and ordinary visitors alike for centuries.
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Business Standard
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
'Kisses yes, Bezos no': Protests erupt in Venice over Bezos wedding bash
Hundreds of protesters marched through Venice's central streets Saturday to say No to billionaire Jeff Bezos, his bride and their much-awaited wedding extravaganza, which reached its third and final day amid celebrity-crowded parties and the outcries of tired residents. On Friday, the world's fourth-richest man and his bride Lauren Sanchez Bezos tied the knot during a private ceremony with around 200 celebrity guests on the secluded island of San Giorgio. The wedding, however, angered many Venetians, with some activists protesting it as an exploitation of the city by the billionaire Bezos, while ordinary residents suffer from overtourism, high housing costs and the constant threat of climate-induced flooding. As the two newlyweds prepared for the final party Saturday evening, hundreds of Venetians and protesters from across Italy filled Venice's tiny streets with colourful banners reading Kisses Yes, Bezos No and No Bezos, no War". The demonstration contrasted with the expensive wedding bonanza, seen by critics as an affront to the lagoon city's fragile environment and its citizens, overwhelmed by throngs of tourists. We are here to continue ruining the plans of these rich people, who accumulate money by exploiting many other people while the conditions of this city remain precarious, Martina Vergnano, one of the demonstrators, said. The protest organisers claimed a victory after Saturday's wedding party, which was initially to be held in central Venice but which they said was later moved to a former medieval shipyard, the Arsenale. Bezos donated 1 million euros (USD 1.17 million) each to three environmental research organisations working to preserve Venice, according to Corila, the Venetian environmental research association. But many protesters blasted the move as a clear attempt to appease angry residents. We want a free Venice, which is finally dedicated to its citizens. Those donations are just a misery and only aimed at clearing Bezos' conscience, Flavio Cogo, a Venetian activist who joined Saturday's protest, said. Details of the exclusive wedding ceremony Friday night were a closely guarded secret, until Sanchez Bezos posted to Instagram a photo of herself beaming in a white gown as she stood alongside a tuxedo-clad Bezos. Athletes, celebrities, influencers and business leaders converged to revel in extravagance that was as much a testament to the couple's love as to their extraordinary wealth. The star-studded guest list included Oprah Winfrey and NFL great Tom Brady, along with Hollywood stars Leonardo Di Caprio and Orlando Bloom, tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates and top socialites, including the Kardashian-Jenner clan. Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner, and their three children also joined the celebrations. The bride and groom stayed at the Aman Venice hotel on the Grand Canal, where Bezos posed for photos and Sanchez Bezos blew kisses to the press. The planet is burning but don't worry, here's the list of the 27 dresses of Lauren Sanchez, one protest slogan read, a reference to the bride's reported wedding weekend wardrobe. It featured a mermaid-lined wedding gown by Dolce and Gabbana and other Dolce Vita-inspired looks by Italian designers, including Schiaparelli and Bottega Veneta. The city administration has strongly defended the nuptials as in keeping with Venice's tradition as an open city that has welcomed popes, emperors and ordinary visitors alike for centuries.
Edmonton Journal
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
These are the celebs attending Jeff Bezos' Venice wedding
Article content VENICE, Italy — The Venice wedding bonanza of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos reached its third and final day Saturday after the couple tied the knot a day earlier in front of around 200 celebrity guests in a secluded area of the lagoon city. Details of the much-anticipated wedding ceremony Friday night were kept tightly secret, until Sanchez Bezos posted to Instagram a photo of herself beaming in a white gown as she stood alongside a tuxedo-clad Bezos, the world's fourth-richest man. Article content Athletes, celebrities, influencers and business leaders converged to revel in extravagance that was as much a testament to the couple's love as to their extraordinary wealth. A string of water taxis cut through the lagoon to bring Bezos, Sanchez Bezos and their guests to the tiny San Giorgio island, across the lagoon basin from St. Mark's Square, where the couple held their private ceremony. Paparazzi in their own boats followed close behind in a controlled chase, trying to capture the couple and their guests on camera, as police on personal watercraft patrolled a no-go zone. The celebrations are expected to end later Saturday with a large party in a former medieval shipyard, amid high security. Most guests arrived between Thursday and Friday. The star-studded list included names like Oprah Winfrey and NFL great Tom Brady. Here's a look at the who's who of the Bezos-Sanchez Bezos nuptials. Article content The bride and groom are staying at the Aman Venice hotel on the Grand Canal, where the groom posed for photos and the bride blew kisses to the press. Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and their three children arrived Wednesday. Other celebrities on the guest list include: — Queen Rania of Jordan arrived in Venice on Thursday for the wedding, but she wasn't accompanied by her spouse, King Abdullah II, the monarch of Jordan. — Kim Kardashian, her sister Khloe and mother Kris Jenner were seen arriving at the Madonna dell'Orto event Thursday evening. — Kylie and Kendall Jenner — Mick Jagger — Leonardo Di Caprio — Orlando Bloom — Bill Gates — Diane von Furstenberg and her husband Barry Diller — Usher — Jewel Kilcher — Sydney Sweeney The wedding has divided Venice, with some activists protesting it as an exploitation of the city by the billionaire Bezos while ordinary residents suffer from overtourism, high housing costs and the constant threat of climate-induced flooding. Latest National Stories
Vancouver Sun
20 hours ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
These are the celebs attending Jeff Bezos' Venice wedding
VENICE, Italy — The Venice wedding bonanza of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos reached its third and final day Saturday after the couple tied the knot a day earlier in front of around 200 celebrity guests in a secluded area of the lagoon city. Details of the much-anticipated wedding ceremony Friday night were kept tightly secret, until Sanchez Bezos posted to Instagram a photo of herself beaming in a white gown as she stood alongside a tuxedo-clad Bezos, the world's fourth-richest man. Athletes, celebrities, influencers and business leaders converged to revel in extravagance that was as much a testament to the couple's love as to their extraordinary wealth. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. A string of water taxis cut through the lagoon to bring Bezos, Sanchez Bezos and their guests to the tiny San Giorgio island, across the lagoon basin from St. Mark's Square, where the couple held their private ceremony. Paparazzi in their own boats followed close behind in a controlled chase, trying to capture the couple and their guests on camera, as police on personal watercraft patrolled a no-go zone. The celebrations are expected to end later Saturday with a large party in a former medieval shipyard, amid high security. Most guests arrived between Thursday and Friday. The star-studded list included names like Oprah Winfrey and NFL great Tom Brady. Here's a look at the who's who of the Bezos-Sanchez Bezos nuptials. The bride and groom are staying at the Aman Venice hotel on the Grand Canal, where the groom posed for photos and the bride blew kisses to the press. Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and their three children arrived Wednesday. Other celebrities on the guest list include: — Queen Rania of Jordan arrived in Venice on Thursday for the wedding, but she wasn't accompanied by her spouse, King Abdullah II, the monarch of Jordan. — Kim Kardashian, her sister Khloe and mother Kris Jenner were seen arriving at the Madonna dell'Orto event Thursday evening. — Kylie and Kendall Jenner — Mick Jagger — Leonardo Di Caprio — Orlando Bloom — Bill Gates — Diane von Furstenberg and her husband Barry Diller — Usher — Jewel Kilcher — Sydney Sweeney The wedding has divided Venice, with some activists protesting it as an exploitation of the city by the billionaire Bezos while ordinary residents suffer from overtourism, high housing costs and the constant threat of climate-induced flooding. One group called Extinction Rebellion staged a small protest in St. Mark's Square on Thursday featuring a masked bride and groom and people holding posters decrying climate change and income inequalities. 'The planet is burning but don't worry, here's the list of the 27 dresses of Lauren Sanchez,' read one, a reference to the bride's reported wedding weekend wardrobe. Protesters said that their plans to disrupt the arrivals of guests at one of the wedding venues forced organizers to move the event to the more secure Arsenale area beyond Venice's congested center. The city administration has strongly defended the nuptials as in keeping with Venice's tradition as an open city that has welcomed popes, emperors and ordinary visitors alike for centuries. Bezos donated 1 million euros ($1.17 million) each to three environmental research organizations working to preserve Venice, according to Corila, the Venetian environmental research association. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
