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The National Weather Service (NWS) has paused language translation services of its products for non-English speakers living in the U.S., including emergency alerts.“Due to a contract lapse, NWS paused the automated language translation services for our products until further notice,” Michael Musher, public affairs specialist and a meteorologist for The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service told Fast Company in an emailed statement. According to a 2022 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English. Of them, around 42 million speak Spanish. As the Trump administration continues to seek major cuts to federal agencies, such as NOAA, the National Weather Service has been stretched thin, meaning translation services had to take a back seat. After recent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts, the Associated Press reported that National Weather Service offices have a 20% vacancy rate. The administration hasn’t commented on translation services or whether they plan to ensure they make a comeback amid its cuts to the NWS. Where should non-English speakers get weather alerts? Norma Mendoza-Denton, a professor of anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said, per AP News, alerts are the difference “between life and death” during severe weather. And what’s even more frightening is that there aren’t a ton of other places non-English speakers can get translated weather updates, even when severe weather strikes. While there are many apps that provide weather alerts, few offer built-in translation services. One that does is AccuWeather. In 2021, AccuWeather partnered with Rubric, a translations company, for global weather updates in over 100 languages and dialects. Online, Accuweather has a 24/7 livestream, and provides “notifications of government issued watches, warnings, advisories, statements and other alerts that are issued by the relevant countrys government weather or civil protection services,” the site reads, noting that users can customize the types of alerts they receive.A representative for AccuWeather told Fast Company, “A localized description of the type of severe warning is displayed in the language the user has selected on their device. For example, a Spanish-language-app user will receive a warning description for flash-flooding in their area in the language they selected on their device.” The representative added, “We have no indication at this time that the changes at NOAA will impact AccuWeathers services. We remain committed to providing the highest levels of service to the public, the media, and our clients.” The AccuWeather app is available for iPhone and Android in the App Store and on Google Play.In 2022, the Weather Channel launched a free 24/7 Spanish-language weather streaming service, the Weather Channel en Espaol. But last year, Allen Media Group pulled the plug on the channel. AMG spokesperson told Media Moves at the time, As part of Allen Media Groups extensive cost-cutting measures, the Weather Channel en Espaol will cease operations on December 31, 2024. While there is currently not a national weather channel offering non-English weather reports in the U.S., residents should also look to their local news outlets, as some may offer news apps with translated weather updates and alerts.
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E-Commerce
Low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines has reportedly signed a deal with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) to start flying deportation flights from Arizona this May, a move the company’s CEO has acknowledged is controversial, according to the Associated Press. Avelo CEO Andrew Levy said, we realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic,” but the airline’s flights would be part of a long-term charter program to support the DHS’ deportation plans, which would help with expansion and protect jobs. Meanwhile, some upset customers are taking to social media in protest. On Bluesky, one user posted, “Nope. They fly a route I take and its closer to home but Ill travel further and fly American.” Many others used the hashtag “#BoycottAveloAirlines to register their dismay. Fast Company has reached out to Avelo Airlines for comment on the backlash. In addition, more than 4,000 people have signed a Change.org petition to boycott the budget airline until it halts plans to carry out deportation flights. Avelo said it will use three Boeing 737-800 planes out of Mesa Gateway Airport, near Phoenix for those flights. The online Change.org boycott petition was created by New Haven Immigrants Coalition, which is located in the same town as Avelo’s main East Coast airport hub, Tweed New Haven Airport. The AP reported that the city’s Democratic Mayor Justin Elicker has also called Levy and urged him to reconsider the flights.
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E-Commerce
China said Tuesday it would fight to the end and take countermeasures against the United States to safeguard its own interests after President Donald Trump threatened an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports. The Commerce Ministry said the U.S.s imposition of so-called reciprocal tariffs on China is completely groundless and is a typical unilateral bullying practice. China, the world’s second-largest economy, has announced retaliatory tariffs and the ministry hinted in its latest statement that more may be coming. The countermeasures China has taken are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and maintaining the normal international trade order. They are completely legitimate, the ministry said. The U.S. threat to escalate tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake and once again exposes the blackmailing nature of the U.S. China will never accept this. If the U.S. insists on its own way, China will fight to the end,” it added. Analysts and traders worry about a global trade war Trump’s threat Monday of additional tariffs on China raised fresh concerns that his drive to rebalance the global economy could intensify a financially destructive trade war. Stock markets from Tokyo to New York have become more unstable as the tariff war worsens. Trumps threat came after China said it would retaliate against U.S. tariffs he announced last week. If China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated! If Trump implements his new tariffs on Chinese products, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods would reach a combined 104%. The new taxes would be on top of the 20% tariffs announced as punishment for fentanyl trafficking and his separate 34% tariffs announced last week. Not only could that increase prices for American consumers, it could also give China an incentive to flood other countries with cheaper goods and seek deeper relationships with other trading partners, particularly the European Union. Chinese people worry, but keep faith with their country On the streets of Beijing, people said they found it hard to keep track of all the announcements, but expressed belief in their country’s ability to weather the storm. “Trump says one thing today and another tomorrow. Anyway, he just wants benefits, so he can say whatever he wants,” said Wu Qi, 37, who works in construction. Others were less sanguine. Paul Wang, 30, who sells stainless accessories, including necklaces, bracelets, and tongue studs to Europe, said the European market was now more important after the extra U.S. 50% tariffs and he would be watching to see which other firms in his field would be competing in that space. Jessi Huang and Yang Aijia, whose companies import chemicals from the U.S., said the tariffs, including potential Chinese retribution, could force them to close up shop. It would be very hard and very likely to have a layoff, maybe even closing, Huang said, I might not be able to find another job if I get laid off. China isn’t out of options to retaliate China still has a range of options to strike back at the Washington, experts said, including suspending cooperation on combating fentanyl, placing higher quotas on agricultural products and going after the U.S. trade in services in China such as finance and law firms. U.S. total goods trade with China was an estimated $582 billion in 2024, making it the top trader in goods with the U.S. The 2024 deficit with China in goods and services trade was between $263 billion and $295 billion. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian appeared to give short shrift to talk of dialogue with the Trump administration. I don’t think what the U.S. has done reflects a willingness for sincere dialogue. If the U.S. really wants to engage in dialogue, it should adopt an attitude of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, Lin said. In Hong Kong, where stocks were slightly higher Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee blasted the latest U.S. tariffs as bullying, saying the ruthless behavior has damaged global and multilateral trade and brought great risks and uncertainties to the world. Lee said the city would link its economy closer to Chinas development, sign more free trade agreements, attract more foreign companies and capital to Hong Kong, and support local enterprises in coping with the impact of the tariffs. Associated Press writers Chris Megerian, Josh Boak, Fu Ting, Christopher Bodeen, and Kanis Leung contributed to this report.
Category:
E-Commerce
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