Venice Wedding Extravaganza: Bezos-Sanchez Nuptials Met by Climate Protests

Venice, Italy – The highly anticipated wedding celebrations of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are unfolding in Venice, drawing both global attention and significant protests. CNN Senior International Correspondent Melissa Bell reported from the city, noting the scorching heat and the tight-lipped nature of the event's organizers. On the first day, a host of celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Bill Gates, and Channing Tatum, were seen arriving for preliminary events held at the historic Madonna dell'Orto Church in a quieter part of Venice. The day concluded with a drenching thunderstorm, though it did little to clear the heat or the skies for the subsequent festivities. Today, the couple is expected to tie the knot on San Giorgio Island. However, organizers have maintained strict secrecy regarding exact locations, guest lists, and timings. This measure is reportedly aimed at keeping not only journalists and paparazzi at bay but also a growing contingent of protesters. Extinction Rebellion activists have converged on Venice, staging demonstrations against wealth inequality and climate change, coinciding with the high-profile event. Protesters were seen engaging in various acts of dissent, including one individual hanging from a lamppost and others displaying signs with messages like "The 1% Owns 45% Global Wealth." The group has vowed to disrupt the events, with a major protest march from the train station to the city center planned for tomorrow. Journalists covering the event face challenges navigating Venice's waterways to track developments amidst the secrecy and protest activities.