Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.
But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)
FEMA Says That It Won’t Remove Aid From Puerto Rico
CNN reports that, despite reporters suggesting otherwise, FEMA is not leaving its relief efforts in a post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico. The agency will continue distributing portions of its 46 million liters of water and four million meals to island residents. That amount of supplies is believed to be enough to support residents until their situation improves.
However, other reports say that many Puerto Ricans are still in need of support and worry if FEMA relief is sufficient. Jorge Pratts, a volunteer with the organization Operation Blessing, said to CNN, “The cry for help comes from fathers and mothers, people in their 60s, 70s and 80s. It’s a very, very delicate situation that we’re going through. FEMA is not being sensitive at all, and they’re not understanding what’s going on here.”
FEMA will continue providing food and water to communities on the island that need them. A spokesperson said the Jan. 31 ending date “was mistakenly provided.”https://t.co/GQWfWLxMr8
— NPR (@NPR) January 31, 2018
BBC Pay Gap Is Addressed in Parliament
Former BBC editor Carrie Gracie called out the organization’s managers in Parliament on Wednesday for running a “caste system” in regards to gender inequality in employee payment. The New York Times reports that Gracie spoke at a hearing of a parliamentary committee focused on culture and media, saying, “If we’re not prepared to look at ourselves honestly, how can we be trusted to look at anything else honestly? The credibility of management is damaged.”
Gracie previously made headlines for quitting the BBC after accusing it of “breaking equality law.” Since her departure, several male journalists at the broadcasting company have seen their salaries reduced, but 170 female employees reportedly said they had “no confidence” in the managerial focus on staff pay.
Carrie Gracie, a BBC editor who quit over #EqualPay, offers stunning testimony to Parliament https://t.co/cEtgI0zWuk
— Karla Adam (@karlaadam) January 31, 2018
Applebee’s Will Sell $1 Bahama Mamas for All of February
Applebee’s is a go-to place for deals on alcohol, and after offering $1 Long Island Iced Teas throughout December, the restaurant chain will now offer the $1 cocktail “DOLLARMAMA” for all of February. The drink is essentially a Bahama Mama, containing white rum, pineapple, orange and lime juices. It’s quite the heavy drink, but if your Valentine’s Day is particularly chilly, now you have the perfect solution for warming up!
Who’s coming with me https://t.co/HizoDnPrYm
— Lauren Brownlow (@lebrownlow) January 31, 2018
What to look out for…
Happy Black History Month! February kicks off this annual celebration of African-American history that, amidst our current political and social situations, we should recognize more than ever before. Catch up on how this title came to be and, if you’re planning to be in D.C. this month, check out what cultural events are taking place there in honor of the month. See if your local area is planning any special celebrations, too!