Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice was ravaged by drug use and her regal image was ruined by erratic behaviour and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.

Beverly Hills police Lieutenant Mark Rosen told reporters outside the Beverly Hilton that Houston was pronounced dead at 3.55pm on Saturday (12.55pm on Sunday, New Zealand time) in her room on the fourth floor of the hotel. Her body remained there and Beverly Hills detectives were investigating.

"There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent," Rosen said.

Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, said the cause of death was unknown.

Rosen said police received an emergency call from hotel security about Houston at 3.43pm. Paramedics who were already at the hotel because of a Grammy party unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate the singer, he said.

Houston's end came on the eve of music's biggest night - the Grammy Awards. It's a showcase where she once reigned, and her death was sure to cast a heavy pall on tomorrow's ceremony.

Her longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold his annual concert and dinner today at the same hotel where her body was found, and a representative of the show said it would proceed.

Producer Jimmy Jam, who had worked with Houston, said he anticipated the evening would become a tribute to her, and he expected there to be one at the Grammys as well.

Houston was supposed to appear at the gala, and Davis had told The Associated Press that she would perhaps perform: "It's her favourite night of the year ... (so) who knows by the end of the evening," he said.

Houston had been at rehearsals for the show earlier in the week, coaching singers Brandy and Monica, according to a person who was at the event but was not authorised to speak publicly about it. The person said Houston looked dishevelled, was sweating profusely and liquor and cigarettes could be smelled on her breath.

Two days ago, she performed at a pre-Grammy party with singer Kelly Price. Singer Kenny Lattimore hosted the event, and said Houston sang the gospel classic Jesus Loves Me with Price, her voice registering softly, not with the same power it had at its height.

Lattimore said Houston was gregarious and was in a good mood, surrounded by friends and family, including daughter Bobbi Kristina.

"She just seemed like she was having a great night that night," said Lattimore, who said he was in shock over her death.

Aretha Franklin, her godmother, also said she was stunned.

"I just can't talk about it now," Franklin said in a short statement. "It's so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen."

Recording Academy President and CEO Neil Portnow said Houston "was one of the world's greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades."

"Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs," Portnow said. "A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice."

At her peak, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry. From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world's best-selling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.

Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits like The Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale.

AN ONLINE survey with the aim of helping people to find where to live has put Carlingford in the forefront as the "Best place to live in the Country".

Throughout last year a nonprofit website Likeplace.ie collected 6,000 ratings from internet users for a best and worst of life in Ireland survey.

Participants were asked to rate their community or places they visited.

The sections included sense of community, crime, economy, schools, local services and cost of living.

Carlingford was voted the best place and Donegal the best county.

Source: Argus.ie

These terrific small towns stand out in the qualities American families care about most - great job opportunities, top-notch schools, safe streets, economic strength, nice weather, plenty to do, and more.

Source: CNN

Big hearted lotto winners Colin and Chris Weir have gifted their old house to a teen mum who lives next door, we can reveal.

Chelsea McGhie, 19, and her seven-month-old daughter will be given the keys to the £220,000 detached house in Largs, Ayrshire.

The youngster lives beside the Weirs with her parents Craig and Val, and brother Jordan. She was stunned when she told about the incredible offer from the couple who scooped £161million on the Euromillions draw.

She said: "It's amazing. I'm a very lucky girl. Everyone is talking about it but it's all going over my head.

"I'm very happy but I'm not going to give any information out. I don't want to say anything more because it's private."

Chelsea's mum Val said: "They're lovely people. Everything written about them is true but we're not going to say anything. That's the way we've been since the start."

Colin, 64, and Chris, 55, have only occasionally returned to the family home since winning the Euromillions jackpot in July.

The down-to-earth couple, who have two children Carly, 23, and Jamie 22, vowed to stay in their beloved home town.

They now live less than three miles away at the £850,000 Knock House with cinema, pool and stables in 23 acres with views over the Firth of Clyde.

A source said: "They are such nice, genuine people and it seemed like the obvious solution for Chelsea as she and her baby are living with her parents. Chelsea can't believe her luck - it's as if she has won the lottery too. To be handed a £220,000 house would be incredible for anyone, let alone a teenager just starting out.

Source: Dailyrecord