Thousands line the streets of Simoncelli's hometown for tragic MotoGP star's funeral

Marco Simoncelli was laid to rest in Coriano on Thursday, the village where he was born and lived.
The Italian MotoGP rider died on Sunday after suffering fatal wounds during a crash on the Sepang track at the Malaysia event.

Simoncelli lost control of his Honda at turn 11 and swerved across the track, straight into the path of compatriot Valentino Rossi and American rider Colin Edwards.

More than 20,000 fans paid their respects on Wednesday, filing past his coffin at the Coriano Theatre.

Hometown hero: Thousands of fans follow Simoncelli's coffin through the town of Coriano

Large crowds gathered on Thursday outside the church in Coriano where the funeral was held to bid farewell to the 24-year-old - nicknamed Sic.

Members of the motorsports world, family and friends were present at the funeral while thousands watched it on national television, including those who saw it on big screens set up in Coriano's village square.

Among those present at the service was his close friend and seven-time world champion Rossi, Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo as well as Gresini Racing Team boss Fausto Gresini.

Grief-stricken: Simoncelli's parents arrive at the Santa Maria church 

Gresini said: 'We must do what we are doing, to be close to the family and honour Marco for what he has done.

'Perhaps we didn't consider just how much he was loved, we thought we knew it, but the number of people that have come here has been truly great.


'This is comforting even though we have a lot of pain inside.'

Close friend: Valentino Rossi (centre) arrives in Coriano

Two of Simoncelli's motorbikes - a Gilera 250 and a Honda - guarded the coffin while his helmet with the number 58 was placed above the casket.


Red balloons with the number 58 were released outside the church and there were numerous banners.

One read: 'Sic -58- you will remain always in our hearts.'

Icon: Young riders wait for Simoncelli's coffin to pass

Rossi took Simoncelli's Honda out of the church with Simoncelli's coffin, carried by his friends, right behind it as fans applauded outside the church.

The Italian's death was the first fatality in the MotoGP since Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from injuries sustained at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.

Respect: Simoncelli's coffin is surrounded outside the church

Goodbye: Simoncelli's coffin is carried, while his girlfriend Kate Fretti (bottom) watches on

The coffin of Honda MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli is seen during his funeral service at a church in Coriano October 27, 2011.

 Paolo (R) and Rossella Simoncelli, the parents of Marco Simoncelli, attend the funeral service of their son at a church in Coriano October 27, 2011.

 The coffin of Honda MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli arrives for his funeral service in Coriano October 27, 2011.

Napoli's supporters hold a banner depicting Honda MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli during their Serie A soccer match against Udinese at San Paolo stadium in Naples October 26, 2011.



(Dailymail.co.uk)
(Ibtimes.com)

More about → Thousands line the streets of Simoncelli's hometown for tragic MotoGP star's funeral

10 Wisata Pulau Terindah di Dunia

Dikutip dari Travel + Leisure, berikut 10 pantai terindah di dunia untuk periode tahun 2011.

1. Santorini, Yunani

Tak hanya pantai dan laut Yunani yang indah, lokasi ini dipercantik susunan pemukiman yang didominasi warna putih dan biru. Banyak digunakan untuk setting film karena keramahan penduduk dan suasananya yang relatif tenang.

2. Bali
Kekayaan wisata milik bangsa ini sudah tak diragukan lagi popularitasnya di mancanegara. Tak hanya pantai, keindahan hamparan sawah juga menjadi daya tarik istimewa dari pulau dewata ini.

3. Cape Breton, Kanada
Kepulauan yang terletak di propinsi Nova Scotia, Kanada ini memiliki pantai yang cenderung sejuk karena posisinya lebih didominasi oleh pegunungan. Diperkaya dengan budaya musik Celtic Folk khas penduduk sekitar.

4. Boracay, Filipina
Pantai Boracay telah menerima banyak penghargaan dari banyak majalah travel akan keindahan panoramanya hingga industri perhotelannya yang berkonsep alami. Terletak di bagian selatan Manila dan mulai ramai dikunjungi di Asia setelah Bali.

5. Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia
Salah satu kekayaan alam Australia yang menyajikan pemandangan bawah laut terbesar di dunia. Dengan lebih dari 3 ribu spesies yang hidup di habitat koral, tempat ini juga menjadi destinasi menyelam dan snorkeling.

6. Sicily, Italia
Kekayaan budaya seni, literatur, makanan, arsitektur hingga bahasa terasa begitu beragam di sini. Dengan pemandangan laut Mediterania dan berkembangnya bisnis properti, dijamin akan memanjakan mata para turis yang datang berkunjung.

7. Big Island, Hawaii
Pulau ini merupakan pulau yang terbilang baru diekspos dari sekian banyak gugusan kepulauan Hawaii. Dengan kekayaan objek wisata seperti gunung laut tertinggi dan taman nasional terbesar, memberikan variasi petualangan yang baru.

8. Kauai
Masih di Hawaii, Kauai menyajikan pengalaman wisata yang berbeda dengan ekplorasi historis, mulai dari kota kecil Hanapepe dan Koloa yang dihuni penduduk lokal, hingga pantai ala surga di Poipu dan Hanalei Bay.

9 Maui

Kembali ke Hawaii, pulai ini terpilih berulang kali sebagai 'Best Island' oleh majalah Conde Nast Traveler selama belasan tahun. Dengan air laut hangat hingga seni dan budaya Kahului, membuat turis tak akan melupakan liburannya.

10. Galapagos

Dengan populasi 23 ribu orang, pulau ini masih tergabung dalam Ekuador. Keindahan taman nasional hingga pantai yang dulu menjadi persinggahan para bajak laut juga menyimpan banyak misteri bagi para turis.

(Wolipop)

More about → 10 Wisata Pulau Terindah di Dunia

Marco Simoncelli Crash: Video and Photos of Death of Aggressive Italian Motocross Rider

Before motorsport enthusiasts could come to terms with the horrific 15-car wreck that claimed the life of Dan Wheldon at the IndyCar Series finale last Sunday, the tragic news of the death of Marco Simoncelli, an Italian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, rocked the racing circuits.

Marco Simoncelli, 24, one of the top motocross riders in the world, was killed in a gruesome crash involving two fellow riders at a MotoGP race held at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Simoncelli was taken to the medical center at the Sepang circuit where he died of chest, head and neck injuries, organizers told the media.

In fourth position on lap two, Simoncelli's bike veered across the race path, his helmet came off and collided with Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, who were just behind him. Edwards skidded and fell but managed to rise. Rossi managed to retain his balance, though his bike was forced off the track. What we see next in the video is Simoncelli laying on the track motionless. Edwards sustained a dislocated shoulder.  

The race was immediately red-flagged following the accident.

Simoncelli was taken by ambulance to the circuit's medical centre but at 16:56 local time it was announced that he had died from his injuries. Later, at a press conference involving members of the MotoGP Race Direction, Medical Director Michele Macchiagodena said that Simoncelli sustained "a very serious trauma to the head, to the neck and the chest" and was administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 45 minutes.

"He was already unconscious when the medical team arrived," MotoGP medical director Michele Macchiagodena told The Washington Post. "We attempted to resuscitate him but failed. He died 45 minutes later."

Reports are that the Italian rider lost control of his bike when he was coming out of a right-hand bend at the Sepang circuit. He appeared to have lost his balance as he drifted back across into the middle of track, which led him into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. Both riders hit Simoncelli, whose helmet got knocked off during the collision.

"Simoncelli was transported by ambulance to the circuit medical centre where the medical staff worked to resuscitate him," a MotoGP statement said. "Despite their efforts, Marco sadly succumbed to his injuries at 4:56pm local time.

Simoncelli, was regarded an aggressive rider who was involved in a collision just five months ago.

During the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, Simoncelli collided with Dani Pedrosa while they were battling for second. In the resulting crass, Pedrosa broke his collarbone and Simoncelli received a ride-through penalty, eventually finishing fifth. Simoncelli initially rejected blame for the crash, claiming he braked no later than normal, and that he left Pedrosa room. Before the next race, however, he accepted that he needed to reflect on his riding style.

"Everybody involved in MotoGP extends its deepest condolences to Marco's family, friends and team at this tragic loss."

It was Simoncelli second season competing in Moto GP for the Honda team. He came eighth in the overall standings in his debut campaign in 2010, according to ESPN, which also reported that Simoncelli's death is the first fatality in MotoGP since Daijiro Katoh died as a result of injuries he received in the Japanese MotoGP in 2003.

More about → Marco Simoncelli Crash: Video and Photos of Death of Aggressive Italian Motocross Rider

Mariah Carey shares adorable never-before-seen photos of twins Monroe and Moroccan after their TV debut

She has kept them under wraps for six months after becoming a mother.

But now Mariah Carey has given the world a look at her beautiful twin babies Moroccan and Monroe for the first time. 

The singer created a website called Dembabies.com to give fans a glimpse into the never-before-seen family album of her adorable children.

It's Dembabies! Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon created a website to share pictures of their six-month-old twins Moroccan and Monroe

From pictures of the twins in little duck outfits, to a shot of Mariah and Nick Cannon dressed up as The Incredibles, with Moroccan and Monroe clad in matching outfits, the six-month-old babies couldn't look cuter in the intimate shots.

Mariah and Nick wrote on the website: 'We deliberated for so long about how to reveal the first pictures of our babies to the world.

'We just didn't want to do the typical thing and display them in a tabloid (not that there's anything wrong with that).

What a family: One of the pictures shared showed Mariah and Nick dressed up as The Incredibles, with the twins in matching outfits

Radiant: Mariah looked overcome with joy in this shot taken just hours after she gave birth to the twins

'We decided to share this beautiful experience with you in a special intimate portrait of our family.'

They added: 'Parenthood is absolutely the most life changing experience we could ever have imagined. The love we feel for these babies is above and beyond anything we'd ever dreamed of.'

Mariah and Nick shared the website after the twins made their TV debut with Barbara Walters on TV show 20/20 last night.

'Beyond anything we'd ever dreamed of': In a message posted on the site, Mariah and Nick talk of their love for their six-month-old twins

Meet the babies: Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon introduce little Moroccan and Monroe to the cameras for the first time on tonight's TV show 20/20 with Barbara Walters

The pair opened up their New York home to the View star, also giving an interview about their relationship and attitude towards parenthood.

Little Moroccan and Monroe, who the couple have nicknamed 'Roc and Roe' were dressed in smart clothes for their first television appearance.

Moroccan wore a smart beige suit, while Monroe, named after Marilyn, looked pretty in white dress and a matching bow in her hair. 

Adorable: Little Moroccan and Monroe looked remarkably unfazed by the attentions of the cameras

Meet my man: Little Moroccan is smartly dressed in a camel jacket as he meets chat show host Barbara Walters in tonight's show

Proud parents: Mariah admitted that she tried fertility treatments after suffering a miscarriage before giving birth to the twins

The babies perhaps took after their famous parents, not looking at all upset at the cameras, and Moroccan clearly enjoying when his mother sang a a few lines of a song to him. 


'They really respond to music,' said Mariah, while Nick said he wanted his children to have important careers, rather than work in entertainment. 


“I want to make sure we get education first,” he said. 'Society puts too much on entertainment and entertainers.

Tough road to motherhood: Mariah revealed she underwent fertility treatment before becoming pregnant with her twins

'They praise them like they’re royalty, especially in America, where it should really be about the teachers or, you know, the doctors. I want them to be able to sing as beautifully as their mother.  I want them to be able to play instruments and everything.  But I want them like Go get a Ph.D.'

'You can help them with their homework because I know I’m not going to know anything about it,' joked Mariah. 


However, it has not been all plain sailing for the singer, who revealed details of a difficult pregnancy and admitted she underwent fertility treatment after suffering a devastating and 'really tough' miscarriage. 

Singalong: Mariah tells Barbara how her twins respond to music and treats them to a song

Bundle of love: The singer beams with happiness as she gives little Monroe a cuddle 

'The main thing I did that was tough, was to go on progesterone like every month… and then when I was pregnant, I had to stay with the progesterone for 10 weeks,' she told Walters. 


'It minimises the chance of miscarriage by 50 percent.'

Nick, 31, admitted during the interview that he had concerns about his wife, whom he married in April 2008.

Adorable: Monroe and Moroccan look ultra cute in their outfits 

Proud father: Nick plays with his baby son at one point on the video 

'It was good news but it was scary news at the same time,' he admitted. 


Mariah added: 'I don't think I understood the enormity and the magnitude of what it really does to your body. Like it's not just, "Oh, you don't look pretty and you have a bump."

'Unless somebody's been through it, it's difficult to understand what I went through because my pregnancy was very unique in terms of what happened to me.'

Recollections: Mariah and Nick admit they were excited but worried when Mariah became pregnant 

Candid: The couple discussed their relationship and their hopes and dreams for their children

The couple also discussed their own relationship and Mariah's attitude to marrying for the second time after her first marriage to record executive Tommy Mottola ended.

She said that experience made her 'afraid of the concept of marriage.'

'But this is a different situation and I’m a different person,' she added.  'It’s a different time in my life.  And nobody will ever be able to steal my spirit again.  So I’m just happy to be in love and to be here.'

Proposal: Nick showed Barbara Walters where he proposed to his wife 

Nick also showed Walters where he proposed to the singer with a sparkling diamond ring, before Walters quizzed Mariah on whether she trusted her husband. 

'Sometimes. Can I trust you - you tell me?' Mariah teased. 'When he’s nice, he’s the best guy in the world.

'Other times he's not nice. He's a man Barbara! she joked, as she opened up her New York City home to the talk show host. 

The white stuff: Mariah opened up her New York home to the programme, showing a stunning music room

Walk in wonder: The diva showed the talk show host her sumptuous closet

Spacial: The star and her husband of three years showed off their spacious apartment

Dressed to impress: Monroe left looked angelic in white, while Morrocan looked smart in camel blazer

Mariah and Nick welcomed the twins on April 30, on their third wedding anniversary, at a Los Angeles hospital.

Nick also recently said that his children's personalities were already showing through, with Monroe a lot like her famous mother.

'My daughter is a diva. My son is laid back. When he wakes up, he wakes up smiling. He'll wait for a minute and if he's hungry, he'll let you know.'

(dailymail.co.uk)

More about → Mariah Carey shares adorable never-before-seen photos of twins Monroe and Moroccan after their TV debut