Sidney Poitier, Hollywood's first major Black movie star and the first Black man to win the best actor Oscar, has died at 94, prompting an outpouring of grief from the entertainment industry and beyond.

Stars including Denzel Washington along with current and past US presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama led emotional tributes as news broke Friday of the death of the celebrated thespian.

"He was a gentleman and opened doors for all of us that had been closed for years," said Washington, a two-time Oscar winner, in a statement to.

"To Sir... with Love. Sir Sidney Poitier R.I.P. He showed us how to reach for the stars," tweeted Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg.

Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis said it was "with great sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of Sidney Poitier," confirming the passing of the dual US-Bahamian citizen.

Poitier died at his home in Los Angeles late Thursday, according to Davis' director of communications Latrae Rahming. The spokesman did not immediately respond to questions about the cause of death.

The first male Black star nominated for an Academy Award with 1958's "The Defiant Ones," Poitier won his groundbreaking Oscar six years later for "Lilies of the Field."

At a time of racial tension in America in the 1950s and 1960s, Poitier balanced success with a sense of duty to choose projects that tackled bigotry and stereotypes, including his 1967 classics "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "In the Heat of the Night."

"For me, the greatest of the 'Great Trees' has fallen: Sidney Poitier," wrote Oprah Winfrey.

Another Oscar-winning actress, Viola Davis, said Poitier's "dignity, normalcy, strength, excellence and sheer electricity... showed us that we, as Black folks, mattered!!!"

Biden called him a "once-in-a-generation actor and advocate whose work carried so much dignity, power, and grace that it changed the world on and off the big screen."

'Opened doors'

Poitier was awarded an honorary Oscar in 2002 for his "extraordinary performances" on the silver screen and his "dignity, style and intelligence" off of it.

On television, he portrayed icons of history such as South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela and the first Black justice on the US Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall.

And in 1997, he took up a ceremonial post as Bahamian ambassador to Japan.

He was awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the country's highest civilian honor -- by Obama in 2009.

"Through his groundbreaking roles and singular talent, Sidney Poitier epitomized dignity and grace, revealing the power of movies to bring us closer together. He also opened doors for a generation of actors," tweeted Obama.

"Michelle and I send our love to his family and legion of fans."

Prime Minister Davis said: "Our whole Bahamas grieves and extends our deepest condolences to his family."

"We admire the man not just because of his colossal achievements, but also because of who he was. His strength of character, his willingness to stand up and be counted and the way he plotted and navigated his life's journey."

'One of a kind'

Poitier was married to his second wife Joanna since 1976 and had six children as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"Sidney Poitier. What a landmark actor. One of a kind" said "Westworld" star Jeffrey Wright.

"He blazed a tremendous path for thespians such as me. I am forever grateful," added veteran actor Colman Domingo.

And messages poured in from beyond Hollywood, with Bollywood star Anil Kapoor praising "my childhood idol, lifelong inspiration & star of some of my favorite films."

"A great friend, I learned a lot from watching Sidney and how he carried himself with such grace and class," tweeted basketball legend Magic Johnson.

"It was a privilege to call Sidney Poitier my friend," wrote Washington, adding: "God bless him and his family.”

Sangeet Oikko Bangladesh, the umbrella organisation for several of the country's music-related groups, has honoured the eminent Rabindra Sangeet artist Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, who has recently been named as one of the distinguished recipients of India’s prestigious "Padma Shri" award by the Government of India.

On Monday (February 5) evening, the representative team of Sangeet Oikko Bangladesh congratulated the iconic singer at her residence in the capital with floral greetings on behalf of the organisation.

Secretary Generals of the organisation Shahid Mahmud Jangi and Naquib Khan, alongside Sangeet Oikko’s Publicity and Publication Secretary, National Film Award-winning lyricist Zulfikar Russell, went to felicitate Bannya, who is also the President of the organisation.

Bannya received Bangladesh's highest civilian award, the Independence Award, in 2016 for her contribution to the country’s music. This time, the eminent artist was awarded India's fourth highest civilian honour, the 'Padma Shri' for her distinguished service in the field of art.

Lyricists’ Association of Bangladesh, Singers’ Association of Bangladesh, Music Composers’ Society Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Musicians Foundation have united under the banner of 'Sangeet Oikya Bangladesh' in 2021 to protect the rights of people associated with the country’s music industry.

This organisation is working together with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Bangladesh Copyright Office to create links between all parties in music and formulate jointly developed proposals for the betterment of the industry.

The first and current committee members of the organisation include President Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, Secretary Generals Shaheed Mahmud Jangi, Naquib Khan, and Kumar Bishwajit, Finance and Department Secretary Asif Iqbal, Information Technology and International Affairs Secretary Hasan Abidur Reza Jewel, Cultural Secretary Bappa Mazumder, Publicity and Publication Secretary Zulfikar Russell, and Executive Members Manam Ahmed, Kabir Bakul, Shawkat Ali Imon, and Joy Shahriar.

India’s highest civilian honour is "Bharat Ratna," followed by "Padma Vibhushan," "Padma Bhushan" and "Padma Shri" in chronological order. These awards are conferred for special contributions in different sectors.

This year, the Indian government has nominated 132 distinguished people for the Padma Awards. Five of them are receiving the "Padma Vibhushan," 17 are receiving the "Padma Bhushan" and 110 are receiving the "Padma Shri’" award, including Bannya.

Earlier in 2021, the Indian government awarded the "Padma Shri" to the leading personalities of the cultural arena of Bangladesh, including Chhayanaut President Professor Sanjida Khatun and Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Quazi Sazzad Ali Zahir, Bir Protik.

Previously, archaeologist Enamul Haque and social worker Jharnadhara Chowdhury also received the "Padma Shri" award, while late-eminent educationist Professor Anisuzzaman and diplomat Syed Moazzem Ali received 'Padma Bhushan' from the Government of India.

Victoria Monet on Sunday won the coveted Best New Artist Grammy, beating an eclectic field including Bronx rapper Ice Spice to earn the honor.

Monet entered the night with seven nominations including one for the prestigious Record of the Year award, after her debut studio album "Jaguar II" sparked a commercial breakthrough following years in the industry.

Her Best New Artist prize brings her total win count on the night to three. The others were best R&B album and best engineered album, non-classical.

"Thank you to the champagne servers of tonight. That's my first thank you," Monet told the audience.

"Thank you to the Recording Academy voting members. This is because of you guys. You guys pressed that button, you were in your emails. Thank you so much. Thank you to my mom -- a single mom raising this really bad girl. Thank

you so much."

Born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Sacramento, California, Monet showed promise in the arts from a young age, not least as a poet and lyricist.

A frequent collaborator of Ariana Grande, Monet had many songwriting credits on Grande's studio albums, including the Grammy-nominated "Thank U, Next" and "7 Rings."

In 2021, she was also nominated in the Best R&B Song category for co-writing "Do It" by sister duo Chloe X Halle.

She cites artists including Janet Jackson, Destiny's Child, Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys as influences, as well as Sade, Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Her daughter Hazel, who was born in 2021, became the youngest Grammy nominee in history for her contribution to "Hollywood," which was nominated this year for best traditional R&B performance.

-BSS

Bruce Springsteen played a blistering duet with Jon Bon Jovi to honor the latter artist at a pre-Grammy gala Friday, as superstars including Paul McCartney danced along to an event heavy on New Jersey pride.

The two rock icons had the crowd on its feet for rollicking renditions of Bon Jovi's hit "Who Says You Can't Go Home" and Springsteen's "The Promised Land."

The star-studded gala in Los Angeles is an annual pre-Grammy tradition from MusiCares, the charitable wing of the Recording Academy that raises money to help musicians in need.

Past honorees include Dolly Parton and Joni Mitchell as well as Springsteen and McCartney.

In accepting the award, Bon Jovi heralded his friend The Boss, including to acknowledge the death of Springsteen's mother earlier this week.

"He wanted to be here tonight for me, and I'm forever grateful to you," Bon Jovi, 61, told Springsteen.

Comedian and actor Jim Gaffigan hosted the event, which was brimming with riffs on short shorts and big hair, a look elemental to Bon Jovi's rise in his heady hair band days.

At one point, Gaffigan even donned a teased wig and denim cutoffs, telling the audience: "When most people see Jon or me they see a piece of ass -- but that's not fair to Jon or me. There's many more dimensions."

Sporting a sparkling blazer and cowboy hat, nineties rocker Melissa Etheridge harnessed her powerful vocals for a performance of the bluesy "Blaze of Glory" in honor of the artist she told journalists on the red carpet she has "loved for years."

"Just seeing him and the band, you know for decades, just making music and keeping relevant, keeping singing the songs we love, and just, you know, being cool."

- 'Friend for life' -

Jelly Roll, the rapper turned country singer in the running for a Best New Artist Grammy, gave a spot-on performance of the glam arena rock favorite "Bad Medicine" that drew resounding applause.

Also up for Best New Artist are the husband-and-wife duo The War and Treaty, a country and blues act who brought the crowd to their feet with a heartstring-pulling duet of "I'll Be There For You."

Country-pop legend Shania Twain performed the power ballad "Bed of Roses," while Lainey Wilson, the country artist up for two awards on Sunday, staged a twangified version of "We Weren't Born To Follow."

And fellow Grammy nominee Jason Isbell smashed his performance of Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead Or Alive."

The Goo Goo Dolls, who have toured extensively with Bon Jovi, performed "This House is Not For Sale," including a power solo worthy of any guitar hero.

"He's always been generous and open, and those are the people that I admire most in this business," said Goo Goo Dolls' John Rzeznik of Bon Jovi.

"I think he truly deserves it, he's genuine about what he does, and he's always given back a lot. And I think that helps keep you sane, and it makes this worthwhile."

The night ended with an ensemble performance of the smash "Livin' On A Prayer," after Bon Jovi delivered a speech heralding the "gift" that is music.

"Every time that I strum my guitar, I'm reminded that I have a best friend for life. That instrument will never let you down," he said. "It doesn't matter if you're eight or if you're 80, if you're playing in a bedroom or at the local stadium."

"Tonight, and every night, I know how blessed I've been."

-BSS

The 36th 'National Poetry Festival-2024' will be held at Hakim Chattar adjacent to Dhaka University Central Library from February 1-2.

Poets from Argentina, Nepal, Germany, Iraq, the Philippines and other countries would participate in the festival.

Jatiya Kabita Parishad General Secretary Tariq Sujat disclosed the information at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) here today.

The slogan of this year's National Poetry Festival is "Juddho Gonohattya Shoha Na Kobita".

Poet Nirmalendu Goon, who won the Ekushey Padak, Independence Day Award and Bangla Academy Literary Award, will inaugurate the 36th 'National Poetry Festival 2024'.

President of Jatiya Kabita Parishad and Pro Vice-Chancellor of DU Prof Muhammad Samad was present at the press conference.

Convener of National Poetry Festival parishad Shihab Sarkar and various sub-committee conveners Rubi Rahman, Aminur Rahman Sultan, Dilara Hafiz, Nasir Ahmmed and Aslam Sani were also present at the press conference.

-BSS

A four-day "33rd New York International Bangla Book Fair, 2024" under the initiative of Muktadhara Foundation, will start from May 24 to 27 at Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC) in New York, the USA.

The decision was taken on January 28, as the organizing committee of the fair held a view exchange meeting at a conference hall in Jackson Heights, said a press release received here today.

Nini Wahed, Vice-Chairperson of the 'Muktodhara Foundation', its former chairperson Ferdous Sajedeen, former conveners of the New York Bangla Book Fair Committee- Saud Chaudhuruy and Golam Faruk Bhuiyan, executive members- Ranu Ferdous, Obaidulla Mamun, Semonti Wahed and publicity editor Tofazzal Liton were present at the meeting, among others.

At the meeting, it was stated that 33 publishing houses from around the world will participate in the fair and there will be more than 2,000 new books.

This year, the main attraction of the fair besides the books will be open air music sessions and short films screening. Also, there will be a whole day of celebration for the new generation as 'Youth Festival'.

'GFB-Muktodhara Literature Award' will be given for the remarkable contributions towards the Bengali literature at the fair, while the expatriate writers will be honored with 'Shahid Qadri Memorial Award' this year.

-BSS