US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air have launched three mobile applications designed for iPhone, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile users.
The free applications are available for download at www.alaskaair.com/mobile. Unlike the web-optimised mobile.alaskaair.com site, the applications are custom built for each device and can be downloaded directly to the smartphone.
"Alaska and Horizon Air's mobile apps offer people access to the most frequently used functions they need on the day of flight," explained Steve Jarvis, Alaska Airlines' vice-president of marketing, sales and customer experience.
The native applications provide customers with flight status information, flight schedules, flight alerts and a link to web check-in. Customers can also log in to "My Trips" to view their itineraries, change seats, check their upgrade status, and add an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan number to a reservation. The applications also give customers access to download electronic boarding passes.
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.