Singer bows out of inauguration
Broadway star Jennifer Holliday, known for her Tony-winning role in Dreamgirls, backs out as a performer at the presidential inaugural following protests from her gay and black fans. Holliday says she hadn’t considered that singing at a Thursday concert by Washington’s Lincoln Memorial would be judged as a statement of support for Trump.
Syrian city is under assault
Islamic State militants launch their biggest assault in a year on government-held areas of the city of Deir el-Zour, government and opposition activists say.
‘Great Americans’ or MLK Day?
The city of Biloxi, Miss., sparks a debate about the holiday honoring late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. after announcing on social media that city offices would be closed Monday for “Great Americans Day.” Facing criticism, the city first defends the holiday reference. A day later, Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich calls for the city to recognize the holiday with the King name.
China isn’t budging on Taiwan
China’s Foreign Ministry rejects Trump’s suggestion he might use support of Taiwan as a bargaining chip, saying the “one China” policy is “non-negotiable.”