The late star created some of the most beloved country and pop songs in American music

• Alexis Petridis on Dolly Parton’s peerless career that turned country music cliches inside out

• Dolly Parton – a life in pictures

• Country music legend Dolly Parton dies aged 80 – latest updates

The death of Dolly Parton today at age 80 has the world mourning one of America’s most beloved entertainers: a generation-spanning performer and country music icon who took as much pride in her music as she did her sparkling appearance. Parton’s impressive musical output across a 60-year career and a whopping 50 albums was built on a foundation of her undeniable knack for songwriting: ranging from heartfelt lyrics to catchy hooks. Here are just 10 of Parton’s greatest contributions to the American musical lexicon.

Is it because of differences in the flour that’s being consumed? Or something to do with the European approach to getting around?

It’s not just the mass shootings you have to watch out for in the US, it’s also the lettuce – a dodgy bit of iceberg could leave you sick with cyclosporiasis. And then there are the frozen blueberries, recently recalled because of a “reasonable probability” they could “cause serious adverse health consequences or even death”. And the alfalfa sprouts that may harbour salmonella. And the fruit bars that may be contaminated with glass. I could go on: there’s been a surge in foodborne illnesses in the US this year and food recalls have been getting a lot of attention.

Europe obviously isn’t immune to foodborne illnesses either. More than 200 people have become sick in the UK this summer and one person has died because of a salmonella outbreak tied to imported eggs. Still, Europe is widely seen as having far more robust regulations and food policies than the US. There’s endless anecdata online from Americans who claim that American bread and pasta makes them feel bloated and sick, but they can eat whatever they want in Europe and feel great.

From influencers gone (really, really) bad and the outrageous Joe Exotic to the greatest reveal in television history – here are Guardian readers’ favourite real-life documentaries and whodunnits

I watched the BBC’s Unsolved: The Boy Who Disappeared when it came out and Damien Nettles, its subject, still pops up in my mind sometimes. It’s a comprehensive, empathetic and gripping investigation into a case I had never heard of. The Serial/Making a Murderer-style approach of showing the investigation, rather than just presenting information, gives the series a much more human angle. I thought it might turn up new evidence; that level of faith in the work being shown is a testament to how thorough it was. AJ, Devon, UK

Fiction sleuths are obsessed with the idea that the book, Life of M, is a flagrant riff on the actor’s life. And despite being a firm Cusk fan, Portman is reportedly not happy

Life of M, the latest book by the critically acclaimed author Rachel Cusk, is being billed by its publisher, Faber, as a “blazing interrogation of fame, power, beauty and truth” – and openly alleged as a thinly veiled portrait of Natalie Portman. For weeks before publication, speculation has swirled that its movie-star main character is based on Portman – to her reported displeasure.

With the book out this week, readers and critics alike are judging it as literature and gossip. Don’t want to read it yourself, but want to have an opinion? Here’s your crib sheet.

Critics say ownership registers are too costly and too complicated, scuppering attempts to expose alleged money laundering

Since Britain’s offshore secrecy jurisdictions caved in to pressure from Westminster to embrace corporate transparency, finding out who owns a company in one of these island havens is, in theory at least, a piece of cake.

Take the Cayman Islands.

Its council is due to merge with Leicestershire’s in 2028, and some locals are incensed. Can the county hold on to its ceremonial status – and biggest selling point?

Mysterious disappearances have been taking place lately in Rutland, an East Midlands pocket between Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire that is often considered to be England’s smallest county. Usually, there are road signs when driving into a new county welcoming you over the border. But in recent months, these have been going missing. After 10 signs vanished, the council decided to remove the remaining 17. Now there are no official “Rutland” signs at all.

The area’s MP, the Conservative Alicia Kearns, is “not sure” what the motivation behind the thefts is. But they are certainly a fitting metaphor for Rutland’s disappearing status: its council is due to merge with Leicestershire county council in spring 2028.

‘Major casualties’ feared after powerful floods in Himalayan border area sweep away houses, roads and bridges and leave hundreds missing

• ‘Major casualties’ feared after flash floods along Nepal-Tibet border

• Tell us: have you been affected by the flash floods on the Nepal-Tibet border?

The British embassy in Kathmandu said it is “deeply saddened” by flash floods in parts of Nepal and urged people in affected areas to follow local advice.

A joint statement with the embassies of Australia, the EU, Finland, France, Norway and Switzerland said:

We are deeply saddened by the devastating flooding in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts and surrounding areas.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by this disaster. We express our solidarity with the people of Nepal during this difficult time.

US tech giant agrees to establish further protections for teens such as daily usage limits and blocks on nighttime use

Meta reached an agreement to settle a landmark case brought by states across the US that accused the tech giant of addicting and harming children with dangerous products, according to a court filing released on Wednesday.

The agreement will require the social media company to pay up to $17bn. Meta agreed to establish safeguards for teenage users, including daily usage limits and nighttime blocks nationwide in the US. This is the first time Meta has been forced to change how its platforms function. As part of the settlement, the company denies wrongdoing.

Prime minister spoke to press while on visit to a Sainsbury’s supermarket in London this morning

Over 40,000 more people died on the hottest days in England between 1988 and 2025 than would be expected, according to data published by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday.

The figures do not include this summer, when England has sweltered under a succession of heatwaves and is on track to record its highest ever number of heat-related deaths. The UK Health Security Agency announced on 30 July that an estimated 2,877 people had died in the May and June heatwaves alone. The total is almost double the figure for the whole summer in 2025.

ONS data shows rising toll of climate crisis, with officials warning this summer on track to set further records

More than 40,000 extra people died on the hottest days in England between 1988 and 2025 than would be expected in normal temperatures, according to data published by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday.

The figures do not include this summer, when England has sweltered under a succession of heatwaves and is on track to record its highest ever number of heat-related deaths. The UK Health Security Agency announced on 30 July that an estimated 2,877 people had died in the May and June heatwaves alone. The total is almost double the figure for the whole summer in 2025.