The 30 best beach scenes in pop culture history, from “Barbie ”to“ Baywatch”

The 30 best beach scenes in pop culture history, from "Barbie "to" Baywatch"

Jay Maidment; John Springer Collection/Corbis/Corbis via Getty; Warner Bros. The beach is a surprisingly versatile location to stage a scene. The bright sunny skies and crystal-clear blue waves of the sea make for a visually arresting image, which can either be complemented by characters having fun and enjoying some me-time or contrasted with conflict. Just look at the musical party vibes ofBeach Blanket Bingo(1965), the iconic make-out sesh inFrom Here to Eternity(1953), and the terror of a killer shark inJaws(1975), and you'll see the endless possibilities a beach sequence can provide. The beach can be sexy, terrifying, relaxing, tense, or all of the above; regardless, it's a place where things arehappening. Ahead, we look at some of our favorite beach scenes from film and TV we can't help but think about whenever we bust out the sunblock and set foot on that coarse sand. The most famous, most essential beach scene in film history has to be Deborah Kerr andBurt Lancaster's forbidden embrace in Fred Zinnemann'sFrom Here to Eternity. The iconic scene, in which the adulterous lovers kiss like there's no tomorrow — maybe because there kind of isn't — was originally written with them standing up; it was reportedly Lancaster's idea to shoot it lying down, with water washing over them. —Mary Sollosi There are beach scenes, and then there are beachseries. That'sBaywatch. The legendary TV show lasted for 11 seasons, inspired a2017 film adaptation, and made a red one-piece the most iconic piece of swimwear on the planet. —M.S. Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures Forget the Barbie Beach House,Greta Gerwig's candy-colored comedy spectacular is a whole beachexperience. As we get to know the many wonderful qualities of Barbie (Margot Robbie), we also learn a few facts about Ken (Ryan Gosling)...namely that his job is "just beach." The film features multiple great beach scenes, including Ken and his rival challenging each other to a "beach off," Barbie and Ken visiting Venice Beach in the real world, and an all-out beach war/interpretive dance between the Kens at the film's climax. —Kevin Jacobsen François Truffaut's seminal French New Wave classic ends with the troubled young hero Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Léaud), who has never seen the ocean, running away to the beach. He slows down to take a few steps in the water, walks back toward the shore, and then looks directly into the camera for one of the most iconic freeze-frames in film history. —M.S. Sure, Maverick (Tom Cruise) and his fellow badass fighter pilots-in-training have the need for speed — or whatever — but, thankfully, directorTony Scottnever forgot that we have the need for sweaty, homoerotic beach volleyball. And directorJoseph Kosinskidid not disappoint with his equally as sensual callback to the original beach scene —this time playing football— in 2022'sTop Gun: Maverick. —M.S. One of the sweetest, swooniest scenes in the dreamy romance of Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) in this weepie based on theNicholas Sparksbook takes place at a beach (and features some seriously perfect 1940s swimwear). Now say it:If you're a bird, I'm a bird.—M.S. Fresh off her Oscar win for 2001'sMonster's Ball,Halle Berry's next step was to join theJames Bondfranchise in 2002'sDie Another Dayas NSA operative Jinx. In the grand tradition of Bond girls — most notably Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder in 1962'sDr. No— Berry rocked a bikini to make a showstopping entrance on the beach. —M.S. Columbia Pictures Not to be outdone, James Bond himself got an eye-turning beach scene inCasino Royale(2006).Daniel Craigleft fans shakenandstirred in his first 007 film, as the dashing agent walks out of the water in nothing but a pair of short blue swimming trunks. —K.J. David James/DreamWorks Not all beach scenes have to do with vacations. WithSaving Private Ryan,Steven Spielbergset out to makethe most realistic war movie he possibly could. The invasion of Normandy sequence — in which our heroes are among the American soldiers storming Omaha Beach during WWII — is one of the most brutal battle scenes ever caught on film. —M.S. 20th Century Fox Film Corp/Courtesy Everett Even if you haven't seen this Oscar-winning British sports drama, you likely know that iconic synth-y Vangelis score and the running scene that goes along with it. Often parodied but rarely equalled, the flashback in the first scene ofChariots of Firefinds a group of enthusiastic athletes running down a beach ahead of the 1924 Olympics. —K.J. "Wax on, wax off" gets a lot of attention, butThe Karate Kid's beachside training scene, in which Daniel (Ralph Macchio) works on his balance while developing his "crane technique," is a thrilling step in his evolution. —M.S. No book, song, or weekday matinee movie was ever just a throwaway period detail onMad Men. So naturally, when Don Draper (Jon Hamm) appears in the season 6 opener on a Hawaiian vacation with his beautiful young wife, Megan (Jessica Paré), he's reading Dante'sInferno— which is a much better indication of his state of mind than the heavenly beach setting might suggest. —M.S. Steven Spielberg's classic shark movie is thegreatest summer blockbuster of all timefor a reason. The suspenseful scene, in which Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) watches a crowd of beachgoers first playing in the water and then turning to run from the terror beneath the surface, is a classic of great white proportions. —M.S. It's one of the great twists in cinematic history: Set centuries into the future, a group of astronauts who had been in hibernation while traveling at light speed land on a strange planet where apes rule over humans. In the film's final moments, our heroes manage to escape the simian overlords and reach freedom on a beach — where they find the remains of the Statue of Liberty, revealing that the foreign planet was their own all along. —M.S. One of the most memorable, mostWes Anderson-y sequences in the filmmaker's delightful coming-of-age comedy is when 12-year-old runaways Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward) dance and kiss on the beach. Setting the mood is Suzy's favorite yé-yé record, Françoise Hardy's "Le Temps de l'Amour," the lyrics of which translate roughly to, "It is the time for love, the time for friends, and for adventures." —M.S. Joshua Logan's film adaptation of the belovedRodgersandHammersteinWWII-set musical gets its best beach moment in nurse Nellie Forbush's (Mitzi Gaynor) song, "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair." Of course, though Nellie lathers and rinses admirably, it's a task much easier sung than done, and pretty soon she's belting "I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy" as if she had never shampooed him away at all. —M.S. In the throes of a midlife crisis, George (Dudley Moore) becomes infatuated with his dentist's daughter, Jenny (Bo Derek), and follows her to Mexico on her honeymoon. His interest becomes a full-blown obsession when he spots her running on the beach, wearing a nude swimsuit. If we were grading these scenes on a scale, this iconic beach moment would earn a perfect 10. —M.S. Ingmar Bergman's classic, based on his own play, opens and closes with a famous pair of scenes by the sea. Because what better destination for a chess game for your life — that is, playing against Death — than a beach? —M.S. 20th Century Fox InKathryn Bigelow's crime drama, FBI Agent Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) spends a lot of time on the beach undercover with a group of surfers suspected of being bank robbers. Johnny finds himself drawn in by the surfers' way of life, leading to a memorable final scene in the rain where the agent allows the group's leader, Bodhi (Patrick Swayze), to ride a killer wave rather than capture him. —K.J. This might not be one of thebestbeach scenes ever, but it is, in its way, one of the most significant. This season 5 episode ofHappy Dayssees Fonzie (Henry Winkler) on water skis, jumping over a shark (while still wearing his leather jacket, naturally). The ridiculous and out-of-character episode was widely derided but never forgotten, as it inspired the phrase "jumping the shark." —M.S. It's the ultimate summertime romance: He's (Tom Hanks) a disillusioned New Yorker; she's (Daryl Hannah) a mermaid. And we might see it again! Agender-swapped remakeofRon Howard's charming rom-com fantasy was announced in 2016, withChanning TatumandJillian Bellnamed as leads. In February 2023,Deadline reportedthe film was still happening and had found a new screenwriter — Bell was still attached, but Tatum was not mentioned. —M.S. After the success ofMcG's 2000Charlie's Angelsmovie, all three Angels (Drew Barrymore,Cameron Diaz, andLucy Liu) returned for this 2003 sequel — and were joined byDemi Mooreas a fallen former Angel. Moore's Madison makes a memorable entrance, meeting Diaz's Natalie on the beach while theBeach Boys' "Little Surfer Girl" plays. —M.S. For Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), the man who was wrongly imprisoned and then "crawled through a river of s--- and came out clean on the other side," freedom means a beautiful Mexican beach. At the end of the movie, when fellow prisoner Red (Morgan Freeman) finally convinces the authorities he's been "rehabilitated," he meets Andy there for a joyful reunion. —M.S. When uptight Aurora (Shirley MacLaine) goes on a lunch date with retired astronaut Garrett (Jack Nicholson), he convinces her to drink with him, and then, somehow, they end up driving his convertible on the beach — her foot on the pedal and his on the wheel. "I'm not enjoying this!" she cries, braking and accidentally throwing him into the water. —M.S. You know the best way to ease the pain of a jellyfish sting? Joey (Matt LeBlanc) does, but can't bring himself to do it when Monica (Courteney Cox) gets stung on theFriends' trip to the beach. Chandler (Matthew Perry) steps up to the plate and gets the job done...to the detriment of his campaign to get Monica to date him. "I think you're sweet, and you're smart, and I love you," she tells him at the end of the season 4 opener. "But you will always be the guy who peed on me." —M.S. Who can blame Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) for becoming obsessed with Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) and the charmed life he leads, considering this irresistible beach moment where he meets Dickie and his fiancée Marge Sherwood (Gwyneth Paltrow) on the Mediterranean shore? —M.S. While Joe (Tony Curtis) has a close relationship with the woman he loves, Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), there's just one problem: Sugar thinks he's "Josephine," the female saxophonist in their all-women band. To win Sugar's heart in return, Joe poses as snobby millionaire Shell Oil Junior on the beach, pointedly appealing to just about every one of her weaknesses with his performance. Telling "Junior" about her band, Sugar says their music is "real hot." "Well, I guess some like it hot," he replies, unimpressed. "I personally prefer classical music." She's a goner. —M.S. In one ofThe Office'sall-time best episodes, Michael Scott (Steve Carell) thinks he's going to get a promotion. So, he decides to find his successor by taking his staff on a day trip and making them compete in "beach games" (of course); the "beach games" are held at a lake (ofcourse). —M.S. Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a humble maid for a wealthy Mexican family, experiences the heartbreak of losing her baby in childbirth. After saving one of the family's sons from drowning, they all embrace her in a prolonged, meaningful hug on the beach, providing an emotional catharsis for all involved. —K.J. There are movies with beach scenes, and there are '60s teen beach party movies. One of the most quintessential of the subgenre is William Asher'sBeach Blanket Bingo, starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. There's not much to say about the thin plot, but who cares? There are teens. At a beach. Partying. —M.S. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byLiam Oneel

in

June 21, 2025

The 30 best beach scenes in pop culture history, from “Barbie ”to“ Baywatch”

The 30 best beach scenes in pop culture history, from "Barbie "to" Baywatch" Jay Maidment; John Springer Collection/Corb...

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Why Was “28 Years Later ”Shot on an iPhone? Inside the Thriller's Surprising Filming Method

Why Was "28 Years Later "Shot on an iPhone? Inside the Thriller's Surprising Filming Method

Miya Mizuno/Columbia Pictures 28 Years Later, the third installment in the28 Days Laterfranchise,was primarily filmed with several iPhones The director, Danny Boyle, prioritized using iPhones to give the film an authentic feel 28 Years Later, which premiered on June 20, picks up 28 years after the rage-inducing virus first caused havoc on the world The virus has returned. After nearly 20 years, the third installment from the28 Days Laterfranchise,28 Years Later, is finally coming to theaters. The movie, which premiered on June 20, picks up 28 years after the rage-inducing virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory and nearly destroyed everything. The sequelfollows a group of people who survived the virus and moved to a quarantined island off the coast of Britain. However, the island's peace gets uprooted after someone leaves the protected area and "discovers secrets, wonders and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well," according to the film's synopsis. In the first movie, directorDanny Boylepurposely used a camcorder that reflected that time period to make the footage feel more realistic and like a documentary. When it came to the third film, Boyle wanted to remain consistent, so he and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle filmed with several iPhones rather than traditional high-tech cameras. "It's very light, it's cheap, and it allowed us to go to places that were very remote and bore very little evidence of human presence for many, many, many years," Boyle toldIndieWirein June 2025. In addition to using up to 20 iPhones at the same time, he also utilized drones and Panasonic cameras, as well. Here's everything to know about why and how28 Years Laterwas filmed on an iPhone. Sony Entertainment One of the reasons28 Days Laterbecame such a hit when it premiered in 2002 was because Boyle purposely used a camera that was of the times. When he filmed the first movie, Boyle used eight Canon XL-1 digital cameras and became one of the first directors to shoot a movie in the documentary style, according toWired. "I was shocked how violent it was, and I was very proud of how visceral it was, and I thought, 'Yeah, we did the right thing,' " Boyle told IndieWire of the first film. "Using those cameras that we did, I felt very liberated by using them for that kind of story because it wasn't trying to mimic big, American action movies, and yet it turned out to appeal to big American action movie fans." When it came to making the third installment, Boyle knew that he wanted to maintain that same realistic sense, but the digital cameras he previously used were too outdated so he went with today's version of an everyday digital camera — an iPhone. "I was very proud of that, and I wanted some of this to have an element of that again, but it would be obtuse to use that low grade of technology now when 4K is available on all our phones," he explained to the outlet. "You only have to switch it on in your settings, and you can have cinema-quality recordings. So, we wanted to use that technology." In addition to the artistic element of using iPhones, Boyle explained that it was also a more realistic choice. They filmed in extremely rural parts of England and Scotland, so it was important for them to travel light. "It is a huge advantage because it allowed us to do these rigs that they've now released footage of. It was lovely to be able to use that, and it's flexible; it's a poor man's bullet time," he explained. "It's basicallyThe Matrixrig but flexible and portable, and you can park it in different places. It's an easy technology to switch on. It's a bit of a nightmare for syncing and all that kind of stuff in post, but it's a beautiful thing to use." Sony Entertainment While a majority of the film was shot with iPhones, the film's crew purposely used several at a time at various angles to capture many shots simultaneously. Boyle toldIGNthat he and Mantle assembled custom rigs to hold several iPhones at once. "As it's a horror movie, we use it for the violent scenes to emphasize their impact," Boyle explained. One of the rigs held eight iPhones at a time, while a second held 10 and a third 20. "One for eight cameras, which can be carried very easily by one person, one for 10 cameras, and one for 20," Boyle explained of the rigs. "I never say this, but there is an incredible shot in the second half [of the film] where we use the 20-rig camera, and you'll know it when you see it ... It's quite graphic but it's a wonderful shot that uses that technique, and in a startling way that kind of kicks you into a new world rather than thinking you've seen it before." Sony Entertainment The28 Years Laterfilm crew used various iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Maxes, according toWired. The devices can "shoot Apple ProRes video in log color profile at 4K resolution," per the outlet. The iPhone's advanced camera let filmmakers capture high-resolution photos and footage with high contrast and shadows. Although the device's cameras have developed over the years, the filmmakers most likely still used video software to enhance the images. Sony Entertainment While Boyle purposely used iPhone cameras to give off a more authentic appearance, he and the crew used other cameras, as well. The director clarified to IndieWire that in addition to utilizing several iPhones, they also used "lots of different cameras." "Sony are desperate for us to say, 'Don't let everybody say it's just shot on the iPhone,' " Boyle told the outlet. "It isn't just shot on the iPhone, but it is a huge advantage." Sony Entertainment While28 Days Laterwas one of the first films to use a commercialized digital camera that was popular at that time,28 Years Lateris not the first film to primarily use iPhones. Other movies that have mainly been shot on iPhones includeTangerine(2015),Unsane(2018),Sleep Has Her House(2017) andHigh Flying Bird(2019), among others. 28 Years Laterpremiered in theaters on June 20, 2025. It is also available for preorder on Apple TV+. Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

June 21, 2025

Why Was “28 Years Later ”Shot on an iPhone? Inside the Thriller's Surprising Filming Method

Why Was "28 Years Later "Shot on an iPhone? Inside the Thriller's Surprising Filming Method Miya Mizuno/Columbia Pictures 28 Y...

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Duckett and Pope lead England reply after India all out for 471 at Headingley

Duckett and Pope lead England reply after India all out for 471 at Headingley

LEEDS, England (AP) — England negotiated Jasprit Bumrah to reach 107-1 after bowling out India for 471 by tea on day two Saturday of the test series opener at Headingley. Opener Ben Duckett, 53 not out, and Ollie Pope, 48 not out, were spearheading England after Zac Crawley was dismissed by Bumrah in the first over. Bumrah, the world's best fast bowler, got Crawley to nick to first slip then turned his attention on Duckett and Pope. Both batters squirted edges through vacant spaces in the slips cordon and Duckett survived an lbw review on 1 and was dropped on 15 by Ravindra Jadeja at backward point. Then the batters could breathe after Bumrah completed his first five-over spell during the best bowling conditions of the match yet. It clouded over after lunch, and began raining lightly, forcing the stadium lights on. Then the innings break was delayed for 40 minutes because of the rain sprinkles. Once Bumrah rested, sloppy fielding, including errors by Bumrah and captain Shubman Gill, helped Duckett and Pope milk singles on a pitch that offered little threat as the clouds broke up. The only scare was for Pope on 34, when he narrowly survived an lbw review by Mohammed Siraj on the umpire's call. At tea, Pope was 48 off 63 balls. Duckett reached his 19th test fifty with his eighth boundary, swept behind square. India went to lunch on 454-7, losing four wickets in the morning including Gill for 147 and Rishabh Pant for 134. Those two combined for 209 runs. After lunch, India's tail didn't last long. The 471 total was underwhelming seeing as India was 430-3 and 550 looked on the cards. India's last seven wickets fell for 41 runs in 68 balls. The main beneficiary was pacer Josh Tongue with 4-8 in 17 balls. India's innings was the first in a test in England where a side scored three hundreds and three ducks. ___ AP cricket:https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

byLiam Oneel

in

June 21, 2025

Duckett and Pope lead England reply after India all out for 471 at Headingley

Duckett and Pope lead England reply after India all out for 471 at Headingley LEEDS, England (AP) — England negotiated Jasprit Bumrah to rea...

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NBA Finals Game 7 history: Thunder-Pacers in 20th winner-take-all matchup

NBA Finals Game 7 history: Thunder-Pacers in 20th winner-take-all matchup

LeBron James has played in the past two NBA Finals Game 7s, winning both. First with Miami beating San Antonio in 2013 and then with Cleveland toppling Golden State. TheBoston Celticshave been involved in eight Finals Game 7s – the first one in 1957 and the most recent in 2010 – and they are 7-1. The Lakers have also played in eight Game 7s in the Finals – two as the Minneapolis Lakers and six as theLos Angeles Lakers. In 19 Game 7s in the Finals, the Celtics and Lakers have played each other five times. And on Sunday, June 22, theOklahoma City Thunderwill play theIndiana Pacersin Oklahoma City (8 p.m. ET, ABC) in the20th Game 7 in NBA Finals history. Take note: the home team is 15-4 in Game 7 of the Finals, and Game 7 of the Finals has produced special performances. Here's a brief history of the 19 Game 7 of the NBA Finals: James had a game-saving block, Kyrie Irving made a game-deciding 3-pointer. James finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and Irving scored 26 points. James won his third Finals MVP. James had 37 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the series finale that was made possible by Ray Allen's overtime-producing 3-pointer in Game 6. Kobe Bryant's performance wasn't efficient (6-for-24 from the field) but it was effective – 23 points (11-for-15 on free throws) plus 15 rebounds. It was Bryant's second Finals MVP and his fifth and final title. In another low-scoring Game 7, Finals MVP Tim Duncan had 25 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. In the first of consecutive titles for the Rockets, Hakeem Olajuwon delivered 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. He earned Finals MVP, averaging 26.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 blocks, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals. In a chaotic finish, Michael Cooper scored the final basket on an assist from Magic Johnson as fans and photographers began walking onto the court before the clock expired. Johnson had 19 points and 14 assists, and Finals MVP James Worthy had a monster triple-double: 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists. Finals MVP Larry Bird had 20 points and 12 rebounds and was one of three Celtics who scored at least 20 points (Cedric Maxwell 20 points, Dennis Johnson 22 points). Five Bullets players scored at least 13 points led by Bob Dandridge's 19 points and Finals MVP Wes Unseld's 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Dave Cowens had 28 points and 14 rebounds, and Finals MVP John Havlicek had 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals. Known as the Willis Reed game because an injured Reed hobbled onto the court, inspiring his teammates and Knicks fans. Though Reed missed Game 6 and didn't play the second half of Game 7, he was named Finals MVP. Walt Frazier delivered 36 points and 19 assists in the finale. Headed into Game 7, Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke had a victory celebration plan, which infuriated Lakers star Jerry West. John Havlicek scored 26 points, Sam Jones added 24 and player-coach Bill Russell had six points, six assists and 21 rebounds. Wilt Chamberlain had 18 points and 27 rebounds for the Lakers and, after averaging 37.9 points, 7.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds, West was named Finals MVP – the only player from a losing team to win the award. Bill Russell had 25 points and 32 rebounds, John Havlicek contributed 16 points and 16 assists and Sam Jones scored 22 points for the Celtics. It was the final game as Celtics coach for legend Red Auerbach. Bill Russell collected 30 points and 40 rebounds. Yes, 40 rebounds, which canceled out Elgin Baylor's 41 points and 22 rebounds for the Lakers. Los Angeles' Frank Selvy missed a jump shot at the end of the fourth quarter that would've won the game for the Lakers had the shot went through the hoop. Bill Russell had 22 points and 35 rebounds, Bob Cousy had 19 points and 14 assists and Frank Ramsey had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics. This started the Celtics' unprecedented dynasty. Tom Heinsohn had 37 points and 23 rebounds, Bill Russell had 19 points and 32 rebounds and Bob Cousy had 12 points and 11 assists. It is the only Finals game to go two overtimes, and Bob Pettit (39 points, 19 rebounds) missed a shot at the final buzzer that would've forced a third OT. Seven Nationals players scored at least 11 points led by George King's 15 points and Billy Kenville's 15. Red Kerr and Dolph Schayes each had 13 points and 12 rebounds. This was the first season of the 24-second shot clock. King's free throw with 12 seconds left won the game. George Mikan had 11 points and 15 rebounds and Clyde Lovellette had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers. George Mikan led the Lakers with 22 points and 19 rebounds. Arnie Risen contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Royals. Some historic players were involved in this Finals: Dick McGuire, brother of Al; Ernie VanDeWeghe, father of Kiki; Red Holzman, the famous Knicks coach who played for the Royals; Nat Clifton, one of the NBA first Black players; and Harry Gallatin, who was one of David Stern's favorite players when the one-time NBA commissioner was a kid. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:How many Game 7s in NBA Finals history? Full list of winners, matchups

byLiam Oneel

in

June 21, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 history: Thunder-Pacers in 20th winner-take-all matchup

NBA Finals Game 7 history: Thunder-Pacers in 20th winner-take-all matchup LeBron James has played in the past two NBA Finals Game 7s, winnin...

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Key moments from the sixth week of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial

Key moments from the sixth week of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial

NEW YORK (AP) — The sixth week of theSean "Diddy" Combs'sex trafficking trial was shortened by a holiday and a juror's illness as prosecutors nearly concluded their case, setting the stage for a one- or two-day defense presentation next week. In the trial's first five weeks, jurors repeatedly heard testimony about drug-fueled marathon sex events described as "freak-offs" by one of Combs' ex-girlfriends and as "hotel nights" by another. In the sixth week, they were shown about 20 minutes of video recordings from the dayslong events. Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges in the trial, which continues Monday. Here are key moments from the past week: Jurors watch videos of 'freak-off' sex marathons they had heard so much about Jurors largely kept their reactions muted when they were shown about20 minutes of recordingsmade by Combs of his then-girlfriends having sex with male sex workers at the elaborately staged"freak-offs" or "hotel nights." Prosecutors say the events were proof of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges because Combs coerced his employees, associates and even his girlfriends to recruit and arrange flights for sex workers while his workers obtained drugs, stocked hotel rooms with baby oil, lubricant, condoms, candles and liquor and delivered cash. In her opening statement, defense lawyer Teny Geragos had called the videos "powerful evidence that the sexual conduct in this case was consensual and not based on coercion." Prosecutors played about 2 minutes of the recordings before the defense team aired about 18 minutes of the videos. The public and the press were unable to observe whether the prosecutors or defense lawyers had the better arguments after the judge ruled that neither the recordings nor the sound could be seen or heard by anyone except lawyers, the judge and the jury. Several jurors seemed to cast their eyes and sometimes turn their bodies away from the screens directly in front of them while the recordings played. The jurors listened through earphones supplied by the court, as did Combs and lawyers. A juror is ejected from the panel by a judge who questions whether he has an agenda Judge Arun Subramanian started the week by dismissing a juror whose conflicting answers about whether he lived in New Jersey or New York convinced the judge he was a threat to the integrity of the trial. Subramanian said the juror's answers during jury selection and in the week before he was excused "raised serious concerns as to the juror's candor and whether he shaded answers to get on and stay on the jury." "The inconsistencies — where the juror has lived and with whom — go to straightforward issues as to which there should not have been any doubts, and the answers also go to something vital: the basic qualifications of a juror to serve," the judge said. Residents of New Jersey would not be permitted to sit on a New York federal jury. A day before Subramanian ruled, defense lawyers argued fiercely against dismissal, saying that replacing the Black juror with a white alternate juror so late in the trial would change the diverse demographics of the jury and require a mistrial. The jurors are anonymous for the Combs trial. It wasn't the only issue regarding jurors for the week. The judge, angered by a media report about the questioning of another juror the week before that occurred in a sealed proceeding, warned lawyers that they could face civil and criminal sanctions if such a leak happened again. That juror was not dismissed. And Wednesday's court sessionhad to be canceledafter a juror reported "vertigo symptoms" on the way to the courthouse. A defense lawyer predicts a presentation measured in hours rather than days Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo seemed to close the door on any chance Combs would testify when he said Friday that the defense presentation would be finished Tuesday or Wednesday the following week, even if prosecutors don't rest until late Monday. It is not uncommon for defendants to choose not to testify at criminal trials. Besides being exposed to cross-examination by prosecutors, the testimony can be used by the government against the defendant should there be a need for a retrial. Also, if there is a conviction, the judge can conclude that the jury believed the defendant lied on the stand. Another former Combs' employee requires immunity to testify about working for him Brendan Paul, fresh off the college basketball courts where he once played in a cameo role for Syracuse University, joined Combs' companies as a personal assistant in late 2022 and was warned by a friend who had worked for Combs about what was ahead. "He told me to get in and get out," Paul recalled for the jury, citing the endless days and always-on-edge existence. "If you have a girlfriend, break up with her. And you're never going to see your family." The friend also instructed him to "build a rolodex of clientele and get out," he said. Paul said he worked 80 to 100 hours a week for a music power broker who received "thousands and thousands" of text messages and emails a day. He was paid $75,000 salary initially, but it was raised in January 2024 to $100,000. He said Combs told him he "doesn't take no for an answer" and wanted his staff to "move like Seal Team Six." Several times, Paul said, he picked up drugs for Combs and knew to keep his boss out of the drug trade because "it was very important to keep his profile low. He's a celebrity." The job came to an abrupt end in March 2024 when Paul was arrested at a Miami airport on drug charges after a small amount of cocaine that he said he picked up in Combs' room that morning was mistakenly put in his travel bag as he prepared to join Combs on a trip to the Bahamas. The charges were later dropped in a pretrial diversion program. Paul said he hadn't seen Combs since.

byLiam Oneel

in

June 21, 2025

Key moments from the sixth week of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial

Key moments from the sixth week of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial NEW YORK (AP) — The sixth week of theSean "Did...

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'Sports Illustrated' Model Secretly Gives Birth to Baby No. 2

'Sports Illustrated' Model Secretly Gives Birth to Baby No. 2

'Sports Illustrated' Model Secretly Gives Birth to Baby No. 2originally appeared onParade. Congratulations are in order forKate Uptonand her husbandJustin Verlander! The couple just announced that they secretly welcomed their second child earlier this week following a very low key pregnancy. According toTMZ, Upton gave birth on June 19 to a little boy they namedBellamy Brooks Verlander. The exciting news about the family's new arrival comes just as Verlander was placed on paternity leave by his team, the San Francisco Giants. The private couple seemingly never announced that they were expecting baby number two. Although they did not make a formal announcement, rumors surfaced that Upton was pregnant back in January when she was spotted sporting what appeared to be a baby bump inphotos obtained by the Daily Mail. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Upton and Verlander are already parents to six-year-oldGenevieve, whom they welcomed back in November 2018 — just a year after the couple tied the knot in a stunning Italian ceremony. Since welcoming the little girl, whom they affectionally callVivi, they have kept many of the details of their private lives under wraps. Upton has occasionally shared selected details about their daughter, including how she's just like her dad. While comparing the two, Upton shared that Vivi and her dad are both "big rule followers." "They both love a rule, and they will follow it. I'm not," Upton toldPeoplein 2024. "She is an only child and Justin is a first child, and I really think that there's a birth order thing. I'm a third child. I've never met a rule, so she doesn't get that from me." Upton added that her daughter does take after her too, especially as they both "love to dance and have a good time" and love "to be in the moment." Only time will tell how their little boy will follow in his parent's footsteps! 'Sports Illustrated' Model Secretly Gives Birth to Baby No. 2first appeared on Parade on Jun 21, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.

byLiam Oneel

in

June 21, 2025

'Sports Illustrated' Model Secretly Gives Birth to Baby No. 2

'Sports Illustrated' Model Secretly Gives Birth to Baby No. 2 'Sports Illustrated' Model Secretly Gives Birth to Baby No. 2o...

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Phillies surge past Mets with six-run seventh inning, claim first place in NL East

Phillies surge past Mets with six-run seventh inning, claim first place in NL East

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryson Stott hit a bases-clearing triple in a six-run seventh inning and the Philadelphia Phillies surged past the slumping New York Mets into first place in the NL East with a 10-2 victory on Friday night. Nick Castellanos homered for the Phillies, who opened the three-game set between division rivals with their eighth win in their last nine games. Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil homered for New York, which has lost seven straight. Reliever Reed Garrett (2-3) started the seventh for the Mets but failed to retire any of the five batters he faced after opening the frame by giving up doubles to Brandon Marsh and Trea Turner. Alec Bohm's RBI single put Philadelphia in front 4-2, ending Garrett's night. Justin Garza then surrendered an RBI single to Castellanos before Stott's drive off the wall in left-center. After Phillies starter Zack Wheeler could only get through five scoreless innings, New York took advantage against Taijuan Walker. Alonso opened the sixth by hitting a 90-mph cutter into the batter's eye in center for his 18th of the season. McNeil tied it with a drive to right. After Walker got an out and allowed a single, Tanner Banks (2-0) came in and blanked the Mets over 1 2/3 strong innings. Key Moment J.T. Realmuto followed Castellanos closely home on Stott's hit, sliding safely to the plate at nearly the same time. Key Stat 4 — Number of strong defensive plays by Phillies first baseman Otto Kemp. Filling in for injured slugger Bryce Harper, Kemp made good plays in the fifth and sixth to catch foul balls off the bat of Tyrone Taylor. In the seventh, snared Turner's long throw from second to put out Brandon Nimmo before ending the inning with a diving stop of Juan Soto's hard liner before flipping to Banks. Up Next Mets RHP Griffin Canning (6-3, 3.80 ERA) opposes Philadelphia RHP Mick Abel (2-0, 2.21) on Saturday night. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byLiam Oneel

in

June 21, 2025

Phillies surge past Mets with six-run seventh inning, claim first place in NL East

Phillies surge past Mets with six-run seventh inning, claim first place in NL East PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryson Stott hit a bases-clearing tri...

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5 biggest issues facing the NFL in 2025: Beware of greed

5 biggest issues facing the NFL in 2025: Beware of greed

Editor's note: This story is a part of a series by USA TODAY Sports called Project: June. We will publish at least one NFL-themed story every day throughout the month because fans know the league truly never sleeps. The NFL season doesn't start for several months but that doesn't mean we can't step into atime machineand look into the future. Particularly, examining some of the problems the league may face in the coming 2025 season. Some of these issues are more tactile while others are more theoretical. But they are all potentially problematic. Here are five to look out for: Hate generates interest. Not that the NFL needs more people watching. There's plenty, of course. The NFL averaged17.5 million viewers last season,down about 2% from the previous year. One of the things that has always made the league even more watchable is hating a player or team. ThePatriotswere remarkable villains during their dynastic years. Historic team. Accused cheaters. Accused football deflators. Arrogant. They were historic bad guys. There's really no entity like that now. Every team in the league is likeable. Go ahead. Name a team that's even in the same universe as those Patriots. Yes, you may hate theCowboysbecause they're the Cowboys. But Dallas hasn't beentruly relevant on the field in decades. They're too average to hate. The defending Super Bowl championEagles? Nice guys. Kansas City? Difficult to hate overall. Though admittedly there are some, well, questionabledudeson the roster. But how can you hate any team where one of the players is datingTaylor Swift? TheRavens? Quarterbacked by a hardworking, good dude in Lamar Jackson. TheRaiders? They are now led by a kind, elder gentleman. Once another villain team emerges (and thatwillhappen) the NFL will get even more interesting and, well, fun. For now the hate factor is low. There are some people who agree with what appears to be (at least partially) some backtracking on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives the league had fully engaged in after the murder of George Floyd. (If you want to read about what the NFL is doing regarding DEI, my super talented colleagueJarrett Bell recently wrote all about it.) Yes, some people will like that, but plenty won't. They are paying attention to what the NFL is doing and don't agree. If they weren't already suspicious about the league, they will be. If you don't have traditional cable, and you want access to every NFL game, you will need some six streaming services. The changing, more expensive nature to watching football might not be a long-term threat since people will adjust, but it will be an issue for some in the near future. It can be confusing and most importantly,it can be more costly to watch football in 2025. You may not have heard this news but the NFL relegated three officials back to college,according to Football Zebras,which relentlessly covers officiating. It was an anecdotal indication of what many of us know with the NFL: the officiating remains highly problematic. The league will vehemently disagree with this but watch any NFL game and you can see it. This isn't new but it's still relevant. The speed of the game is superhuman while the refs are analog. This will always be an issue in professional sports but especially in the NFL. The league has rarely paid a price for being greedy, so it plunges ahead with things like plans for an18-game season.Maybe the NFL will never pay a price for constantly pushing the money envelope. We'll see. But in normal physics there is such a thing as saturation. Next: 5 things that will go right for the NFL in 2025. All the NFL news on and off the field.Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:5 biggest issues facing the NFL: Officiating, DEI on the list

byLiam Oneel

in

June 21, 2025

5 biggest issues facing the NFL in 2025: Beware of greed

5 biggest issues facing the NFL in 2025: Beware of greed Editor's note: This story is a part of a series by USA TODAY Sports called Proj...

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Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's Daughter Speaks Out About Dad's Alleged Affairs in Rare Interview

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's Daughter Speaks Out About Dad's Alleged Affairs in Rare Interview

Lucie Arnaz shed new light on the moment she learned of her parents Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's divorce in a new interview Ball's friends previously mentioned Arnaz's infidelity in a 1991 PEOPLE cover story Desi died in 1986, while Ball died in 1989 Lucie Arnazgot candid about her parentsLucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's early Hollywood marriage in rare comments made in an interview withCBS Sunday Morning, which aired Sunday, June 15. Lucie, 73, said, "People say he had affairs. He never had an affair. He didn't even know these dames' names. They were hookers."CBS Sunday Morningcorrespondent Mo Rocca chimed in, asking, "They were transactional?" Lucie responded, "Yeah. He loved my mother, he loved his family. It was a very unique, weird problem to have. And I think that's the reason she stayed with him so long, is that she understood it. I don't think I could do what she did." She continued, "But somehow, at the time, with what they had, with what they needed from each other, they stuck it out as long as they could." Lucille and Desi ended their marriage and subsequently their hit television show,I Love Lucy,in 1960. Lucie was 8 years old at the time, and her younger brother Desi Jr. was 7. Lucie then recounted the moment she and her brother learned of their parents' separation. "We were at their house in Palm Springs, and they said that, 'We love each other, but being husband and wife part is broken, and we can't live together anymore.' " The actress recalled her younger brother's reaction to the news. "I remember that my brother said, 'But if it's broken, can't you just fix it? Can't you put stuff on it and fix it?' " Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty "And they said, 'I don't think so.' The truth of it is, Mo, they were happier after they got divorced. The screaming and the arguing and all that stuff stopped," Lucie admitted. She then revealed that as a child, she felt the need to protect her famous father's image. "I was very protective of my dad, believe it or not. I felt really sorry for my dad. I felt like he was the one that got ousted." Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a1991 PEOPLE cover storyon the late couple, the late Ball's friend Lillian Briggs Winograd recalled spending time with Ball when Arnaz died in 1986 at 69. She appeared to echo Lucie's recent comments, and that in spite of Arnaz's infidelity, Ball still felt love for him years after their divorce. "At the end, we drove down to Del Mar, where she went to see Desi a few days before he died [of lung cancer on Dec. 2, 1986]. She was very, very shook-up. She left that place and broke down and said, 'That was the one love…' " Ball died three years later in 1989. She was 77. Bob Weiskopf, a longtime writer for the couple, told PEOPLE in 1991, "Basically, Desi's attitude was, 'What the hell's the matter? I love her. When I go out with women, they're usually hookers. Those don't count.' " Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

June 21, 2025

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's Daughter Speaks Out About Dad's Alleged Affairs in Rare Interview

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's Daughter Speaks Out About Dad's Alleged Affairs in Rare Interview Lucie Arnaz shed new light on the mo...

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Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez to wed during three-day Venice extravaganza that's sparking local fury

Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez to wed during three-day Venice extravaganza that's sparking local fury

Jeff Bezosand fiancée Lauren Sanchez's highly anticipated nuptials are just around the corner. The 61-year-old billionaire and the 55-year-old former TV journalist will reportedly tie the knot during a three-day wedding extravaganza in Venice, Italy, next week with numerous high-profile guests, including celebrities, politicians and business leaders. Bezos and Sanchez reportedly met in the mid-2010s and went public with their relationship in 2019 after Sanchez separated from Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell and Bezos divorced his Mackenzie Scott. The pair announced their engagement in May 2023 after Bezos proposed to Sanchez with a 30-carat pink diamond ring estimated to be worth between $3 million and $5 million. Mystery Couple Mistaken For Jeff Bezos And Lauren Sanchez At Cannes Though the preparations have mostly been kept under wraps, Sanchezshared a glimpseof her wedding plans during a November appearance on "Today." Read On The Fox News App "I'm veryexcited about it,thinking about the dress. I have to say, I do have a Pinterest. I'm just like every other bride," Sanchez told hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb. "I never thought at 54 — I'm going to be 55 — that I'd be an author, that I'd be getting married. I mean, life is just beginning," she added. Bezos has denied any involvement in the wedding planning. "Oh, God, no. Do I look that dumb?" hetold Voguein 2023. In March, Sanchez's older brother Paul Sanchez shared his excitement over the upcoming nuptialswith TMZ, which he compared to the royal wedding of the late Princess Diana and then Prince Charles. "I think it's gonna be like a Princess Di thing," Paul said. "Just huge and fun and just a blast. "I'm thrilled beyond belief," he added. "It's gonna be an amazing event. It's gonna be star-studded and fun." However, the upcoming festivities have some Venice localsup in armsover fears of disruptions in a city already affected by mass tourism. Early protests have already been held, and some Venetians have posted banners decrying the event and Bezos on historic landmarks around the city. More demonstrations are expected during the celebrations. Here's everything to know about what has been called the "wedding of the year." In March, thecity of Venice confirmedit would host the lavish affair. At the time, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said Venice is "mutually working and supporting the organizers to ensure that the event will be absolutely respectful of the fragility and uniqueness of the city." City officials said it will be "easy" for Venice to "accommodate" the couple's nuptials "without any disruption whatsoever to the city, its residents and visitors," noting only around 200 guests "will have been invited" to the Amazon founder and his fiancée's nuptials. Venice, home to sites like the Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Basilica, is home to about 50,000 people and gets around 20 million visitors yearly, mostly day-trippers from cruise ships or other cities. Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News Officialstold NBCearlier this week that about 30 of the 280 water taxis have been reserved for the wedding festivities, and only three or four hotels will be used for the event. According to the BBC, wedding organizers have booked the entire island of San Giorgio Maggiore, which is located across from Venice's famed St. Mark's Square. Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez Get And Give Philanthropy Awards People magazinereported that the official ceremony will take place on Bezos'$500 million yacht, Koru,which will be anchored in the Venetian lagoon. According toArchitectural Digest,Bezos first commissioned Koru in 2018, and it was delivered to the Blue Origin founder in 2023. At 417 feet long, Koru is the largest sailing yacht in the world, according to the outlet. Koru is accompanied by a $75 million support vessel named Abeona, which features a helipad and a hangar. Bezos proposed to Sanchez while aboard Koru in May 2023,she told Voguein November of that year. In August 2023, Bezos and Sanchez hosted a star-studded engagement party on Koru when it was anchored off the coast of Positano, Italy. Guests who attended the event includedBill Gates,Leonardo DiCaprio, Queen Rania of Jordan, Ari Emanuel, Kris Jenner and Tobey Maguire. The exact dates for the wedding have not been revealed, though Luca Zuin, spokesperson for themayor of Venice, told CNNthis week it will be held from June 24-26. In a report published Friday, a source told theDaily Mailthe island of San Giorgio Maggiore will be "'off-limits to visitors" from June 24-29. In March, Puck News reported Bezos and Sanchez hadmailed wedding invitations. There is expected to be a star-studded guest list, with friends of the couple making appearances. Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Mick Jagger, Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Eva Longoria, Gayle King and Jewel are among the stars expected to attend, according to multiple reports. In addition, Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner are said to have been invited along with Joshua Kushner and wife Karlie Kloss and Fox Sports journalist Charissa Thompson. In addition to Sanchez's brother Paul, members of the couple's family are also expected to be in attendance, including their children. Bezos shares three sons and one daughter with Scott, while Sanchez and ex-husband Whitesell are parents to son Evan, 18, and daughter Ella, 17. Sanchez also shares son Nikko Gonzalez with former professional football player Tony Gonzalez. According toThe Associated Press,Bezos and Sanchez are sourcing 80% of their wedding vendors locally. Two historic Venetian companies will add artisanal touches to the celebration, including Rosa Salva, the city's oldest pastry maker that has been in business since 1876, and Laguna B, a design studio known for its distinctive handblown Murano glass prized by fashion and design clients. Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez Show Off Blue Origin Flight Suits That Bring 'Spice To Space' Antonio Rosa Salva, the sixth generation in his family to run the business, said the wedding order of a selection of surprises for goody bags was an important recognition of his family's long tradition of baking Venetian specialties dating back nearly 150 years. The pastries include the bussola buttery biscuit that was long a fisherman's staple and small zaletti cookies, made from the Veneto region's cornmeal, flavored with raisins and lemon zest. However, the Daily Mail reported Rosa Salva would not be creating the couple's wedding cake. According to the AP, Laguna B would not disclose what its master glassblowers on Murano have created for the wedding, but the company is known for distinctive glassware that at times features an undulating lip – no two alike. Venetians have already staged protests inadvance of the eventwith more expected during the proceedings. Some locals have united under the protest group named "No Space for Bezos," according tothe BBC. The outlet reported Wednesday that protesters have posted anti-Bezos banners from the bell tower of the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica and the Rialto Bridge. Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter "Venice is being treated like a showcase, a stage," Federica Toninelli, a No Space for Bezos activist, told the BBC. "And this wedding is the symbol of the exploitation of the city by outsiders," she added. "Venice is now just an asset." Though most of the details surrounding the wedding have been kept secret, one Venice citizen said, "We have our moles," according toThe New York Times. According to the NYT, Toninelli said one of the wedding venues could be The Misericordia, a famed event hall. "Bezos will never get to the Misericordia," she said during a protest. "We will line the streets with our bodies, block the canals with lifesavers, dinghies and our boats." Venice To Play Host To Bezos, Sanchez Wedding, City Says "We have to block Bezos. We have to block this idea of this city as atourist haventhat has driven up housing costs so that most ordinary Venetians can no longer afford to live here," she said, according to the NYT. Despite the backlash, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro told The Associated Press Venice is taking pride in playing host tothe celebrations. "We are very proud,'' Brugnaro said. "I don't know if I will have time [to meet Bezos and Sanchez], or if he will, to meet and shake hands, but it's an honor that they chose Venice. Venice once again reveals itself to be a global stage.'' In a statement to NBC Wednesday, city hall officials said Venice is prepared for the festivities. "The city is fully accustomed to hosting high-profile events of this nature and scale, including other celebrity weddings, international summits such as the G7 and G20, as well as traditional events like the Festa del Redentore and the Venice Biennale," the statement said. "The celebrations, attended by 250 guests, will blend into the daily rhythm of a city that, with dignity and respect, welcomes thousands of visitors from around the world while safeguarding the quality of life for its residents, workers, and students. "Protest initiatives are in no way representative of the majority of citizens, who are proud that Venice has been chosen as thewedding location". Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source:Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez to wed during three-day Venice extravaganza that's sparking local fury

byLiam Oneel

in

June 21, 2025

Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez to wed during three-day Venice extravaganza that's sparking local fury

Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez to wed during three-day Venice extravaganza that's sparking local fury Jeff Bezosand fiancée Lauren Sanchez...

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