Singer Cesaria Evora, dubbed the “Barefoot Diva” for often performing without shoes, has died in her native Cape Verde at the age of 70.  The musican, forced to retire earlier this year due to ill-health, began her career singing in the bars of Mindelo in the West African island nation.  Evora did not begin her recording career until 1988, and won a Grammy Award in 2004 for her album Voz D’Amor.

She was famed for singing songs of longing with her rich contralto vocals.
Her sultry voice was often compared to blues star Billie Holliday
Her fourth album, Miss Perfumado, was her breakthrough hit in 1992. It sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide, and resulted in a number of tours. She released 10 albums in all.

FROM Vanity Fair

Beyonce was introduced by Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris who told the crowd,
“She is always pushing the envelope with her boundless energy and talent.

“She carries the torch lit by our father and it gives me great pleasure to introduce this woman.”

“Steve died peacefully today surrounded by his family. In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year ofSteve’s illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories. We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief,” the family said.

Here are the updates from CNN:

Follow the latest developments here:
[Updated at 11:12 p.m.] Davis has been executed, a prison representative has said. The time of death was 11:08 p.m. ET.
[Updated at 10:55 p.m.] Davis’ execution is expected to begin between 11:05 to 11:10 p.m. ET, the Georgia Department of Corrections says.
[Updated at 10:36 p.m.] People who’d been protesting for hours across the street from the prison where Davis will be executed are chanting, “We are Troy Davis,” CNN’s David Mattingly reported.
[Updated at 10:21 p.m.] The U.S. Supreme Court has denied Davis’ motion for a stay of execution.
Word of the Supreme Court’s decision comes more than three hours after Davis was scheduled to be executed, and more than four hours after Davis’ attorneys had filed the motion.
With the ruling, Georgia is expected to proceed with Davis’ execution.
[Updated at 10:07 p.m.] The daylong gathering across the street from the prison by Davis’ supporters has turned into a candlelight vigil, CNN’s Gustavo Valdes reports. Hundreds still are waiting for a resolution. Some are praying, and some others are singing.
[Updated at 9:41 p.m.] The Rev. Raphael Warnock said he was standing with Davis’ relatives on the grounds of the prison when they heard the execution wouldn’t happen at the scheduled time.
“I was standing with the family at about 7 p.m. By that time, of course, naturally, we were expecting the worst,” Warnock, a pastor to Davis’ family, told CNN’s Piers Morgan. “Suddenly we began to hear cheers from the crowd across the way, and the word came that the execution had been delayed.
“Certainly we’re glad that Troy Davis is still alive, but we are still witnessing, in my estimation, a civil right violation and a human rights violation in the worst way unfold before our very eyes. This is Troy Davis’ fourth execution date. I’m glad that he’s alive, but that in and of itself is cruel and unusual punishment. America can do much better than this.”
Asked if Davis had had what would have been offered as a last meal, Warnock indicated that Davis might have skipped it.
“I do know that on the last time he received an execution warrant, he refused his last meal,” Warnock said. “I spoke earlier tonight with his nephew … and he said his uncle would refuse his last meal again today. He has continued to insist that this is not his last meal. I must say to you that he evinces a faith that is just amazing, even to me as his pastor.”

I hope that Troy was really guilty of the crime, because if he was in fact innocent as many believe, Karma will be terrible for all those involved.

Troy Davis executed – This Just In – CNN.com Blogs

SAO PAULO (AP) — Leila Lopes from Angola was crowned Miss Universe Monday night, smoothly handling an interview question about what physical trait she would change if could, while wearing a strapless cream-colored gown.

Lopes, Angola’s first winner, beat out 88 other competitors to win the title during the 60th anniversary of the world’s biggest beauty pageant. She replaces last year’s winner, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico. “Thank God I’m very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Lopes said when asked her interview question. “I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life.”