Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' A-list guests run for cover as pre-wedding party is hit by huge freak thunderstorm
Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' A-list guests like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner were forced to take cover on Thursday as the couple's pre-wedding party was hit by a huge freak thunderstorm.
The lavish event held at the Madonna dell Orto cloisters marked the start of the billionaire couple's lavish three-day wedding in Venice, Italy, which will come to a close on Saturday.
However, Thursday night's star-studded soiree was brought to an early end due to the intense downpour.
Guests dived for cover under the vaulted cloisters as lightening bolts flashed across the sky and thunder rumbled overhead at the end of what was a torridly humid day with temperatures nudging 96.8° Fahrenheit.
Torrential downpours and a strong wind left guests soaked as they then dashed for water taxis which had been scrambled a good 45 minutes ahead of the midnight finish time.
The strong gusts of winds whipped table cloths away and sent waiters scurrying for umbrellas to protect the VIP attendees.
Thursday night's star-studded soiree was brought to an early end due to the intense downpour; Sanchez and Bezos pictured leaving the party
Torrential downpours and a strong wind left guests like Kim and Khloe Kardashian (pictured) soaked as they then dashed for water taxis which had been scrambled a good 45 minutes ahead of the midnight finish time
One onlooker said: 'It just goes to show you can have all the money in the world but you cant control the weather - although an Italian saying says a wet bride is a happy and lucky bride.'
Kim, 44, and her younger sister Khloe, 40, struggled to stay dry in their couture gowns as their security team guided them to their designated water taxi.
Kylie, who is the younger half-sister of Kim and Khloe, reacted to the weather by sharing a photo of her rain-soaked water taxi to her Instagram Story.
Bride-to-be Lauren was surrounded by tuxedo-clad gentleman carrying blue umbrellas over her as she carefully stepped on to her awaiting boat.
The TV personality, 55, had on a striking off-the-shoulder dress with a dramatic gold corset cinching in her already tiny waist.
Bezos, 61 — who popped the question in 2023 with a $3 million engagement ring — was seen following closely behind Lauren with an umbrella over his head.
In footage obtained by DailyMail.com, Lauren appeared to be in high spirits despite the rain ending their soiree early.
Once inside the water taxi, she was seen sharing a laugh with Bezos as the downpour intensified.
Singer Ellie Goulding was also spotted standing out in the rain as she and a fellow guest waited patiently for their boat.
Bezos and Sanchez are set to tie the knot on Friday, June 27 in Venice, Italy after a two-year engagement.
The Amazon billionaire and his bride-to-be are said to have invited 200 people to their three-day Italian wedding.
Along with Kim Kardashian, Ellie Goulding, Khloe Kardashian and Ivanka Trump, the star-studded guest list includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom and Tom Brady.
Earlier this week, a copy of the couple's invite was leaked with one very specific request made on behalf of the couple.
They've asked guests not to buy them any presents and told them they'll be making donations to multiple charities working to stop Venice from sinking on attendees' behalf instead.
Bezos is thought to be spending roughly $15 to $20 million on his and Sanchez's Italian nuptials.
On Thursday, a source closely connected to the organization of the week's events revealed to DailyMail.com exclusively that Bezos and Sanchez are already legally married.
The lavish event held at the Madonna dell Orto cloisters marked the start of the billionaire couple's lavish three-day wedding in Venice, Italy, which will come to a close on Saturday
'They have been married for at least a month, more than a month. The marriage is fully legal and took place in America under American law,' the insider revealed.
They added: 'When they were planning the wedding, they were clear about the fact that they were already secretly married.
'There is no application for a wedding license from the couple because it was not required.
'Whatever happens at the wedding on Friday, it will not be a wedding. Under Italian law, it will not be a wedding celebration, any vows said or rings exchanged will have no legal meaning.'
The source also claimed that Jeff had personally confirmed that he and Lauren are already legally married, and that they had also signed a pre-nuptial agreement to protect his $244 billion fortune.
Greenpeace and the UK-based collective Everyone Hates Elon have joined protests in Venice attempting to disrupt, or even prevent, the planned wedding celebrations of Amazon founder Bezos this week.
' Jeff Bezos is the second-richest man in the world yet is reported to pay a 1.1 percent true tax rate,' the two groups said in a joint statement.
'The multi-million-dollar wedding is reportedly happening over three days, with the wedding ring alone worth as much as $5million.'
Guests dived for cover under the vaulted cloisters as lightening bolts flashed across the sky and thunder rumbled overhead
A spokesperson from Everyone Hates Elon said: 'As governments talk about hard choices and struggle to fund public services, Jeff Bezos can afford to shut down half a city for days on end just to get married.'
'If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax,' one gigantic banner read in St. Mark's Square.
Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro and regional governor Luca Zaia have spoken out in favor of the nuptials, which have been dubbed, 'the wedding of the century,' pointing out that the celebrations are expected to bring $23-34million to local businesses.
'This is a city that handles 150,000 people a day,' Zaia told Italian daily Corriere della Sera. 'George Clooney, François-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek, Alexandre Arnault, Elton John and many others got married here.'
Bezos has also pledged to make sizable charity donations, including $1.16million to Corila - an academic consortium dedicated to studying Venice's lagoon ecosystem - according to Corriere della Sera and Italy's ANSA news agency.
Earlier this month, anti-Bezos banners were hung in Venice from St. Mark's Tower with 'Bezos' in blue capital letters and a red X over it as part of a 'No Space for Bezos' campaign, a play on Bezos' Blue Origin spaceflight venture.
More outrage was sparked Thursday as Bezos and Sanchez's wedding guests descended upon the Madonna dell Orto for the rain-soaked pre-party.
The chaos caused by the star-studded event reportedly forced canals to shut down and tourists to cancel reservations in Venice.
Her tweed Oscar de la Rente dress looked dangerously close to bridal white in the dim lighting
The dress' skirt was a darker shade of pink that gradually lightened up the bodice until it was nearly white
According to one business owner who runs a kayak renting service in the area, the bridges were 'closed off' to make way for Lauren, Jeff, and their guests, leaving customers unable to reach them.
'We had a party of clients booked for Thursday night. But they were unable to get through to us because the bridges were all closed off,' they shared.
'Despite them having booking, the police wouldn't let them pass. It was party of five Americans, and they had booked an hour and a half for $100 each and so we had to cancel.
'The party involved was on a tight schedule and couldn't rebook so we will have to refund them and so we have lost money.'
In addition to the bridges, the Venice local claimed that the canals were also shut gown and that police on jet skis turned them around when they tried to get through.
They added that there was 'no real notification from the council that the canal would be closed.'
'I don't begrudge [Jeff and Lauren] for getting married, but this has cost us money and of all the places in Venice they had to choose the one by us,' they added.
Photos also showed police presence all over the Italian city, including officers on jet skis in the canals, as water taxis went back and forth taking Lauren and Jeff's guests from their hotels to the event.
The newly-minted bachelor, 47, was spotted leaving the Madonna dell Orto cloisters with a mystery woman after guests were forced to end early following a freak thunderstorm in Venice
The newly-minted bachelor, 47, was spotted leaving the Madonna dell Orto cloisters with a mystery woman after guests were forced to end early following a freak thunderstorm in Venice
Once inside the boat, Bloom was caught wrapping his arm around the brunette
For the soiree, which was also attended by Kim Kardashian, Bloom rocked a chic beige suit and white button-up
The star looked to be in high spirits despite the recent news of his and Perry's split
Lauren was seen being sheltered as she exited the venue amid the rainy and stormy weather
She appeared to be in good weather despite the weather woes as she exited the venue
Bezos is thought to be spending roughly $15 to $20 million on his and Sanchez's Italian nuptials
The chaos caused by Thursday's starry pre-wedding party reportedly forced canals to shut down and tourists to cancel reservations in Venice
Around 20 activists were seen protesting hours before the pre-wedding party in St Mark's Square, the iconic heart of Venice.
Protesters held signs that read, 'We are the 99 percent we have the power,' 'the planet burns,' while someone even waved an extinction rebellion flag.
Sanchez and Bezos arrived in Venice for their wedding on Wednesday.
Read More
Awkward! Kim Kardashian poses for photo taken by sister Khloe... but there is a hilarious catch
They were photographed outside the luxurious five-star Aman Hotel — where some suites cost nearly $14,000 a night — after being dropped off by a water taxi along with 50 of their 200-something guests.
They hosted a drinks reception with a playlist of romantic music, blasting More Than A Woman by the Bee Gees. They then continued to play tunes like Nina Simone's I'm Feeling Good, Lovely Day by Bill Withers and Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison.
Earlier that day, in the private garden of the hotel, which is surrounded by a 10ft brick wall, staff could be heard working to erect marquees, ready for a weekend of celebrations.
They also put a VIP jetty up outside the Aman Hotel for guests to use when they arrived.
Days before their Venice arrival, Sanchez and Bezos kicked off their wedding-week by throwing a rowdy foam party on board his $500million superyacht Koru on Sunday.
Kim and sister Khloe Kardashian seen en route to the wedding party
Their mother Kris Jenner, 69, was also invited
Kendall and Kylie Jenner followed closely behind their mom and famous sisters as guests made their way to the boats, which were headed to the party venue
Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump, waved at photographers while aboard a water taxi with husband Jared Kushner
Billionaire Oprah Winfrey carefully boarded a water taxi with BFF Gayle King
R&B superstar Usher was also on hand for the invite-only festivities in Venice
Eligible bachelors Tom Brady and Orlando Bloom looked ready to party in white button-up shirts
Kim Kardashian has also recently sparked surgery speculation as she continues to flashy her very tiny waistline
As she arrived to Venice on Thursday, the TV personality showcased her sculpted midriff in a Balenciaga outfit
Her slim waist was further put on display as she later also stopped by the star-studded bash in a snakeskin Versace dress that clung to her curves and had small cutouts on the front
She once again gave a glimpse at her smaller frame as she attended a party later on Thursday while sporting a purple and white-colored ensemble with small cutouts on the sides
Winfrey - who has lost nearly 50 pounds with the aid of one of the newly popular weight-loss drugs - was seen arriving to Venice on Thursday wearing a white sweatshirt and matching sweatpants
Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com of the lavish celebration show the loved-up couple covered in little more than soap suds as they relished in the summer sunshine.
Bezos proposed to Sanchez on the same superyacht more than two years ago in 2023.
While it's unclear when exactly they started dating, Lauren and Jeff's romance was first exposed by the National Enquirer in January 2019, while they were both married to their now-exes.
Read More
Bezos' best men! Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Brady and newly-single Orlando Bloom lead chic male guests
Soon after it was revealed, the billionaire businessman divorced his wife of more than 25 years and the mother of his four children, Mackenzie Scott, while Lauren left her husband, Patrick.
At the time, the bombshell report from the Enquirer claimed that Lauren and Jeff had been involved in an eight-month affair, which involved him 'whisking his mistress off to exotic destinations on his $65 million private jet, sending her raunchy messages and erotic selfies, and having secret rendezvous at palatial private estates.'
The outlet said that it had tracked them 'across five states and 40,000 miles, tailing them in private jets, swanky limos, helicopter rides, romantic hikes, five-star hotel hideaways, intimate dinner dates and 'quality time' in hidden love nests.'
Following the Enquirer's accusations, Jeff fired back by writing a lengthy essay to the publication's CEO, David Pecker, in which the mogul accused the company of blackmailing him.
'Rather than capitulate to extortion and blackmail, I've decided to publish exactly what they sent me, despite the personal cost and embarrassment they threaten,' he wrote.
While Jeff and Lauren are set to say 'I do' in front of guests on Friday, a source revealed to DailyMail.com this week that the couple are already married; seen in 2021
The A-list couple got engaged more than two years ago in 2023
'[After] intimate texts messages from me were published in the National Enquirer, I engaged investigators to learn how those texts were obtained, and to determine the motives for the many unusual actions taken by the Enquirer.
'We were then approached with an offer. They said they had more of my text messages and photos that they would publish if we didn't stop our investigation.'
He shared alleged emails sent to him by Enquirer staffers, in which they described the racy images they had 'obtained during their newsgathering' in detail.
Read More
Slim Leonardo DiCaprio, 50, brings Vittoria Ceretti, 27, to Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding
'If in my position I can't stand up to this kind of extortion, how many people can?' Jeff continued.
'Of course I don't want personal photos published, but I also won't participate in their well-known practice of blackmail, political favors, political attacks, and corruption. I prefer to stand up, roll this log over, and see what crawls out.'
As for how Jeff and Lauren met, it was said that it was Lauren's husband Patrick who was the first to introduce the two at an Amazon studios party for the movie Manchester By the Sea in 2016.
Her production team was then hired to film footage for Jeff's rocket company, Blue Origin, in 2018.
'Patrick and Lauren have socialized with Jeff Bezos and his wife for a few years, because both [former] couples have houses in Seattle,' a source told Page Six after their affair was brought to light.
As for how Jeff and Lauren met, it was said that it was Lauren's husband Patrick introduced the two at an Amazon studios party for the movie Manchester By The Sea in 2016 (seen)
'Then Lauren was hired to work on one of Jeff's projects, Blue Origin, a space-launch company. She has been shooting aerial shots for Jeff.'
Despite the start of their romance being shrouded in accusations of blackmail and extortion, cheating allegations, and an explosive affair, the couple did not let it defer them.
In fact, after splitting from their respective partners, Jeff and Lauren didn't wait long to start flaunting their love all over the globe.
They were seen for the first time together publicly in May 2019, when photographers caught them enjoying a romantic date night in New York City, and they made their first official appearance as a couple at Wimbledon that July.
Since then, the couple has not tried to hide their romance, and for the last five years, they have continuously jetted off on a slew of lavish getaways together, shared tons of adorable, PDA-filled photos together on social media, gushed over one another nonstop in interviews, and attended a slew of star-studded events side by side.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Europeans are warned to stay indoors as continent goes on high alert for extreme 47C heat and forest fires and Met Office says hottest day yet is coming for UK
Europeans have been warned to stay indoors as the continent goes on high alert for extreme 47C heat - as the Met Office says the UK's hottest day yet is on its way. The mercury is set to rise to 36C on Monday in parts of the UK in what could be the hottest June day in record and the highest temperature in nearly three years. An amber heat health alert has been activated until Tuesday covering the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England, alongside Somerset - where Glastonbury is roaring ahead. And hayfever sufferers may have to lock themselves inside as a pollen bomb is set to be released on the same day - with very high levels across the south and midlands at the start of the week in what experts say will be the 'perfect storm' of misery. This week forest fires and flash floods have wrecked chaos across the continent, with warnings a heatwave is bearing down. Sweltering infernos have melted roads in Italy while raging wildfires tore through Greece. Two-thirds of Portugal will be on high alert on Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires, with 42C expected in the capital Lisbon. Residents of the southern French port city of Marseille and across Spain are also bracing themselves for 40C while it could reach highs of 39C in Rome. And it is only going to get more intense as the week goes on -with Sicily and areas of northern Italy banning outdoor work in the hottest hours of the day. In Nice, on the French Riviera, nearly 250 portable fans have been distributed to schools over the past two weeks to help cope with the heat. Temperatures could hit 31C (88F) today in southern England, with highs of 31C (88F) on Sunday, 36C (97F) on Monday and 31C (88F) on Tuesday. A so-called 'heat dome', where heat is trapped by a high-pressure system, is taking hold of the continent as well as another over eastern and central areas of the US. The conditions claimed the life of a Dutch tourist aged 34 who died from heatstroke in Mallorca earlier this week. France and Germany have been hammered by rain, hail and flooding - leaving three people dead, including a child crushed to death by a tree. Spaniards were advised by meteorologists to 'remain indoors as much as possible' and to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, while firefighters in Greece battled a wildfire that burned homes near the coastal town of Palaia Fokaia near Athens. In the UK, if the temperature reaches above 33.2C (91.8F) it would make it the hottest day of the year so far - beating the current record set last Saturday in Charlwood, Surrey. Experts say the intense heat and high pollen levels on Monday with create a 'worst of both worlds' scenario for the nation's 16 million hay fever sufferers. The South East, East of England, the East Midlands and West Midlands are expected to be the worst-hit regions with 'very high' pollen on Monday – while levels across the rest of the UK are mostly 'high'. George Sandhu, Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist for Well Pharmacy, said: 'Monday could be the worst day of the year for hay fever sufferers. 'High heat and pollen are the worst of both worlds for sufferers, who should consider limiting their time outside, keeping their windows closed and taking antihistamines.' 'My best advice to sufferers is to start taking your antihistamines right now, even if you have no symptoms yet. The earlier you take them, the more your body will be prepared to fight.' The record for the UK's hottest ever June day will also be under threat, having stood for nearly half a century at 35.6C (96.1F) after being set in 1976 in Southampton. The hottest day of 2024 was 34.8C (94.6F) in Cambridge on August 12; while the peak in 2023 was 33.5C (92.3F) in Kent on September 10; and the 2022 high was 40.3C (104.5F) on July 19 in Lincolnshire - the UK's highest temperature on record. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three days in a row, with thresholds varying from 25C (77F) to 28C (82F) in different areas. Six tips for hayfever sufferers From George Sandhu, Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist for Well Pharmacy Monitor the pollen count I recommend doing a daily check so you know when you are most at risk. You can find this information on the Met Office website, which is constantly monitored Limit your time outdoors Pollen levels peak in the morning and evening, so be sure to avoid being outside then, or if necessary, only for short periods of time Keep windows closed Keep both home and car windows closed to reduce pollen entry. Use your air con rather than risk inhaling pollen particles Change your clothes regularly Pollen attaches itself to clothing when you are outside and can stay on your clothes all day. Be sure to shower and change your clothes after being outside to wash off any pollen that remains Wraparound shades I would advise wearing wraparound sunglasses to shield and protect your eyes. Sunglasses create a physical barrier between your eyes and the pollen, reducing the amount that can come into direct contact with your eyes, reducing irritation, itching, and redness, which are common hay fever symptoms. Also, with sunglasses, you're less likely to rub your eyes due to irritation from allergens, which can worsen the symptoms and lead to further inflammation or infection Consult a pharmacist If suffering from hay fever it is best to consult your local pharmacist and discuss what might be the best course of action Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said yesterday: 'From Friday onwards we're starting to once again see the heat build across England and Wales. 'Scotland and Northern Ireland are going to have a slightly different few days, some parts of western Scotland could see some heavy rain, especially on Friday, and we could potentially see some further rain towards the end of the weekend. 'On Friday, we're likely to see temperatures potentially peak around 27C or 28C in central and southern parts of England, it's going to feel quite humid. 'On Saturday, the hottest weather will be in the south east, potentially 30C. On Sunday, we're most likely to see somewhere around 30C or 31C 'It looks like the peak of the hot spell will be Monday, at the moment it's looking between 32C and 34C, there's a chance it'll be hotter than the previous (heatwave). 'Tuesday, some fresher air is going to spread across the country, but we're potentially likely to see between 31C and 33C.' Some parts of central and southern England might meet the heatwave criteria by Monday, Mr Snell added. The Met Office forecast for London on Monday is 36C. Mr Snell also said that as of Monday, some potential thunderstorms could move in, but it is too early to say where they might be. Temperatures are likely to go back down to the mid-20Cs after Tuesday, which is still above average for the time of year, the forecaster said. The UKHSA activated the amber alert amid concerns that there could be 'a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions'. The warning said 'significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures' along with 'increased demand for power exceeding capacity' and 'heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services'. It told of 'indoor environments overheating, increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings'; and 'internal temperatures in care settings may exceed recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment'. There could also be 'issues managing medicines'; 'staffing issues due to external factors'; and 'other sectors starting to observe impacts - for example, travel delays'. Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: 'We have already seen a spell of hot weather last week and temperatures are once again set to increase in the coming days, with central, southern and eastern areas of the country likely to see the biggest impacts. 'Our findings show that heat, especially at the sort of temperatures we are likely to see at the beginning of next week, can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions. Experts say the intense heat and high pollen levels on Monday with create a 'worst of both worlds' scenario for the nation's 16 million hay fever sufferers. Pictured: Pollen levels on Sunday (left) and Monday (right) 'It is, therefore, important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.' The National Pharmacy Association has advised patients to store their medicine away from heat zones and direct sunlight, warning that they can lose effectiveness or cause unwanted side effects. Vice-chairwoman and pharmacist Sukhi Basra said: 'It's important we take sensible precautions, including double-checking that your medication is stored correctly in a cool dry place, as per any storage instructions, ideally below 25C, as well drinking plenty of fluids and keeping your homes cool in the hottest hours of the day. 'We know the hot weather can be more of a challenge for older people or those with certain health conditions and it's important people check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours during this period. 'If anyone has concerns at all about their health or their medication, please speak to your local pharmacy, who will be well placed to help.' Meanwhile data from Virgin Media O2 has predicted network traffic will drop as Brits head outside to enjoy the sunshine this week. Analysis of network traffic during the first heatwave earlier this month revealed that traffic fell by 7 per cent when the temperature hit 30C. Its poll found 41 per cent of UK workers admit to having pulled a sickie to make the most of hot weather, with that figure soaring to six out of ten 18 to 24 year olds. Weather expert Nacho Espinos has advised Spaniards to 'remain indoors as much as possible' and to avoid strenuous outdoor activities as the country prepares for the most extreme heatwave of the year. Emergency medical staff in Spain readied to deal with an unexpected surge in heatstroke cases, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses. In neighbouring Portugal, the national meteorological agency IPMA said the heatwave would hit from today, with temperatures passing 40C in the south of the country as well as in the central Tagus and the Douro valleys in the north. Sunday will be even hotter, the agency added, and two-thirds of the country has already been put on orange alert. Temperatures are expected to hit 42C in the capital, Lisbon. The risk of fire is at its highest inland in the northern half of Portugal, as well as on the Algarve coast popular with holidaymakers in the south. In Greece, firefighters have been battling a wildfire that burned residences and holiday houses near the coastal town of Palaia Fokaia near Athens, which has forced people to flee. Fires have burned throughout the week, where frequent wildfires and floods in recent years have been exacerbated by a changing climate. In the area of Palaia Fokaia, 130 firefighters were supported by 12 aircraft and 12 helicopters as they sought to put out flames that were whipped up by high winds. Greek police have moved to safety 40 people, firebrigade spokesperson Vasilios Vathrakogiannis told a televised news conference, adding that coastguard vessels had sailed to the area to assist with more evacuations if needed. 'Firefighters are fighting a huge battle with the flames, mainly near houses,' he said, adding that a seaside roadway running across the affected areas was protectively cordoned off. Footage showed thick grey smoke rising over the region with lush vegetation, where air temperatures soared to 38C on Thursday. Authorities said the risk of wildfires would remain high on Friday before the weather got cooler. Fields, olive groves and some houses were ravaged by the blaze around Athens. Greece has spent hundreds of millions of euros to compensate households and farmers for damage related to extreme weather and to acquire new and modern firefighting equipment to deal with wildfires, which have been made harder to contain by rising summer temperatures. It has increased its number of firefighters to a record 18,000 this year in anticipation of another difficult wildfire season. Hundreds of firefighters in Greece also battled a wildfire which burned out of control on the eastern Aegean island of Chios, with authorities issuing multiple evacuation orders. GERMANY: A woman shields herself with an umbrella on Alexanderplatz square in Berlin amid a storm on Thursday Towering walls of flames tore through forest and agricultural land on the island, where authorities have declared a state of emergency and have sent firefighting reinforcements from Athens, the northern city of Thessaloniki and the nearby island of Lesbos. By Tuesday morning, the fire department said 444 firefighters with 85 vehicles were tackling the blaze on scattered fronts. Eleven helicopters and two water-dropping planes were providing air support. Emergency services issued evacuation orders for villages and settlements in the area since Sunday, when fires broke out near the island's main town. Apocalyptic scenes captured in images and videos showed firefighters battling the flames as the wildfires raged on, while thick plumes of black smoke filled the sky. Other videos showed helicopters spraying water over smoke-filled fields. Temperatures are also soaring over 40 degrees in Italy, the Balkans and Turkey. A motorway in Northern Italy was closed as burning temperatures caused roads to melt, local media reported. Italy's health ministry warned residents and tourists on Friday of soaring temperatures across the country, and issued a red alert for 21 cities this weekend - including Rome, Milan and Venice. People were advised to not go outdoors between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm, and to seek shelter in air-conditioned public places.
Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Justin Bieber gives major hint about state of relationship with Hailey amid marital strife rumors
Justin Bieber gave insight into the status of his relationship with wife Hailey Bieber on Friday. The 31-year-old singer — whose odd behavior has fans puzzled — was active on Instagram, sharing a slew of photos from their life with son Jack Blues, 10 months. The family-of-three appeared to be soaking up quality time as they kicked off their summer outdoors near a lake. Photos shared to Justin's account, which he just changed from @justinbieber to @lilbieber, showed the model holding their son, pickleball paddles, and walking near a golf cart. While the former child star has been frantically posting a barrage of online content in recent weeks, it's been reported that the Biebers' marriage is under a lot of stress. 'Justin's been a hard person to deal with recently because of what he's going through,' a source dished to Us Weekly earlier this week. 'It's been really hard on her.' The person added: 'Family issues have clouded her success.' But according to the Instagram pictures, which Bieber spread out through multiple posts, the spouses are sticking together. Jack was dressed in a blue and white Toronto Maple Leafs jersey and a pair of jeans in several posts. In another picture, which was also posted by Hailey, the infant sat in lush green grass on a soccer field. 'Justin's going through a difficult time, and Hailey is giving him room to get himself back on track. He's doing his best, but it's tough,' a second source told the outlet. The second insider claimed the pair have been enduring more 'ups and downs' than usual and 'things have been very tense in the last month.' 'Hailey's worried about Justin, especially with a [baby at home]. He hasn't been down like this in quite some time, so there's concern,' it was revealed. There was also a photo of Jack sitting as he played near another child As Justin continues to spark concern online over his bizarre social media posts, Hailey is said to feel frustrated over his 'loose cannon' antics. But, ultimately, the person close to the couple said: 'She knows that's part of the industry and who she's married to.' 'They don't talk about divorce,' the first source insisted. The second insider confirmed the odds of them calling it quits 'are very slim, especially because of their faith.' 'Faith is a big part of their life,' the source said. 'They believe they are soulmates and meant for each other.' 'They'll do anything to make it work,' the second source emphasized. 'They are going to get through it.'
Daily Mail
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
BEST dressed celebs emerge after Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos tied the knot in lavish Venetian wedding
and Jeff Bezos show no signs of slowing down with their celebrations - and will today throw another party for their A-list guests in Venice after their 'wedding of the century' last night. The 61-year-old Amazon founder and the former journalist exchanged vows in front of nearly 200 VIPs on San Giorgio Maggiore island on Friday. Moments after saying 'I do,' the bride, 55, took to Instagram to show off her stunning Dolce & Gabbana gown as she shared a loved-up snap of her and her new husband together. The newlyweds have since emerged this morning and were all smiles as they walked through the streets hand in hand. And while the main ceremony is now behind them, the wedding is far from over as there's another extravagant party set for tonight in the Arsenale area of the city. Here, FEMAIL has taken a look at the best dressed celebs who have stepped out this morning ahead of the latest event in the multi-day extravaganza. Queen Rania of Jordan, 54, kept it comfortable but cute in a white top that boasted a cut-out across the chest which she teamed with a pair of black slacks. She let her raven tresses flow loosely and accessorized the business casual outfit with a large handbag and statement sunglasses
