For the first time, Bangladesh Cultural Festival 2016 begins today at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). The 18 day (January 1-18) long cultural festival, aiming to build an artistically and culturally rich, creative and humanistic Bangladesh, will take place at Nandanmancha.

Yet another year has passed away. Everyone, especially the people of glamour world, is keenly waiting to welcome the New Year. In a chit-chat with the Daily Star, some of them talked about their plans for 2016. Excerpts:

Guns N' Roses, who became one of the top-selling bands in history despite a brief heyday..

A Chinese publisher pulls a translation of Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore's poems after it sparked controversy for racy content.

Motorhead frontman Lemmy has died aged 70, two days after learning he had cancer, the British band has announced.

Syed Shamsul Haque, fondly called Syed Haque, is one of the few litterateurs who tremendously enriched Bangla literature in the post-Rabindranath era.

Science-fiction writer George Clayton Johnson, who co-wrote the 1967 dystopian novel Logan's Run, passes away aged 86.

The Force remains strong with the new "Star Wars" movie, which is on track to top $1 billion in global ticket sales this weekend, making it the fastest-ever film to reach that level.

Celebrated litterateur Syed Shamsul Haq steps into 80 today (December 27). Marking his 80th birthday, Syed Haq Jayanti Parishad will hold a special programme at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy today at 6pm.

Star Arts & Entertainment brings you the golden opportunity to ask your favourite personalities from the cultural fraternity questions you

Richard Marx and Daisy Fuentes wed in a pre-Christmas ceremony in Aspen, Colorado.

Yesteryears Hindi cinema superstar Sadhana, known for her powerful performances in hits like "Hum Dono", "Love in Simla" and "Waqt", dies at her residence in Mumbai after a brief illness.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan turned Santa Claus for children on Christmas.

A 10-day Sangsad Nattya Utsab-2015 concluded in Savar, on the outskirts of the capital on Wednesday night. Held at Enam Medical College Hospital auditorium the event came to an end with a call to protest against militancy through theatre.

Going to the Cooper's bakery early morning, one found the first Christmas tree. “One has to work even on Christmas ma'am,” the serving girl complained.

Leading theatre troupe Loko Natyadal will stage two productions, “Leelaboti Akhyan” and “Sonai Madhob”, at Ganga Jamuna Theatre Festival in Kolkata.

Seasoned film star Shabnur will be seen in a new television commercial of Euro Star Crockeries. Shooting for the TVC, directed by Ahmed Elias, wrapped up recently at FDC.

Artistes -- be on TV, concert stages or through their artwork -- reach out to us and become our favourite people, without any personal connection whatsoever. We know them through their volume of work, and the signature things that make them special. How often is it that we have wondered what these favourite personalities are behind what we see on the screen and on stage? We all have questions we want to ask them.

For the fourth consecutive time, a three-day Kathak Dance Festival '15 will begin this evening at 6pm at the main auditorium of Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban. Organised by the Kathak Dance Community, noted litterateur Selina Hossain will inaugurate the festival running till December 26.

To preserve and promote the songs of legendary folk singer Abdul Alim, Abdul Alim Foundation has undertaken an initiative where