Legendary country singer, songwriter and actor Dolly Parton, known for such chart-topping hits as “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You” and “9 to 5,” died Tuesday at the age of 80, according to a social media video announcement by her nephew Brian Seaver.

Parton, who had many hits on the country charts and on the Billboard Hot 100, was also a celebrated actress, starring in “9 to 5” alongside Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, “Rhinestone” alongside Sylvester Stallone and in 1989’s “Steel Magnolias,” which won a People’s Choice Award in 1990.

Among Parton’s accolades include 10 Grammys, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, an Emmy, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an honorary award given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She sold over 100 million records worldwide, according to her website, and worked with artists such as Willie Nelson, Miley Cyrus, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and, to great success, Kenny Rogers.
In recent years, Parton had been renowned for her philanthropy, using her net worth to promote literacy throughout poorer sections of the United States, including through proliferate book-giving and donations through the Dollywood Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She was recently reported to have given away her 100 millionth book to the Library of Congress.

“Inspiring kids to love to read became my mission. In the beginning, my hope was simply to inspire the children in my home county, but here we are today with a worldwide program that gives a book a month to well over 3 million children,” Parton said of the library’s mission.

“Before he passed away, my Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my Daddy,” she said.

• AI generated songs

Australia has banned music created entirely by artificial intelligence from its official charts and annual music awards, following a backlash over an AI-heavy cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.”

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) announced the changes on Tuesday, saying wholly AI-generated tracks would no longer qualify for its charts from Friday.

ARIA said it would use a new labelling system introduced by music industry organisations last month to determine the level of AI involvement in a recording.

Under the system, music is classified as “AI-Generated” when artificial intelligence creates the entirety or primary portion of the recording’s creative elements, while “AI-Assisted” applies where AI is used for only some expressive elements.

However, songs that use AI only in a supporting role will remain eligible, as the industry seeks to distinguish technology-assisted music from recordings largely created by artificial intelligence.

Under the system, music is classified as “AI-Generated” when artificial intelligence creates the entirety or primary portion of the recording’s creative elements, while “AI-Assisted” applies where AI is used for only some expressive elements.

ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd said the charts should adapt to legitimate technological developments but should not reward music produced entirely by AI using material derived from the work of other artists.

The actor died after battle with Cancer

Popular Yoruba Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, widely known as Ogogo, has died at the age of 66.

The veteran actor passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after a prolonged battle with stage 4 cancer. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Kira (also referred to as Kaira) Taiwo, during an emotional Instagram Live session in which she said, “My daddy is dead.”

The news was also announced by industry figures, including Best of Nollywood awards founder Seun Oloketuyi, who wrote: “Taiwo Hassan Ogogo is dead. He finally lost the battle of life.” Fellow actor Jide Kosoko and others also confirmed the development.

Ogogo’s family had recently appealed for specialised medical help after doctors said chemotherapy was no longer viable. Earlier rumours of his death earlier in the week were debunked by the family.

Born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State, Taiwo Hassan became one of the most recognisable faces in Yoruba cinema over a career spanning more than three decades. He was celebrated for memorable roles as warriors, stern fathers, chiefs and other powerful characters that helped shape modern Yoruba filmmaking.

His passing has drawn tributes from fans, colleagues and members of the Nollywood community mourning the loss of a veteran who entertained millions.