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AIR MILES Is Gone. Here's What Actually Earns You Travel Now

  If you've been holding onto a Air Miles card waiting to redeem for a flight, the program you signed up for doesn't exist anymore — and the cards that replaced it aren't the best game in town. If you searched "best AIR MILES credit card" and landed here, there's something you need to know first: there is no such thing anymore. AIR MILES, the loyalty program that's been part of Canadian wallets since 1992, officially became BMO Blue Rewards on June 2, 2026. BMO had already stopped issuing new AIR MILES cards back in January, and every collector's Miles converted automatically into Blue Points at a rate of roughly 1 Air Mile to 15.79 Blue Points — no action needed, no lost value. That's good news if you're a longtime collector sitting on a pile of Miles. It's less good news if you were hoping to earn free flights that way going forward, because Blue Rewards was built to compete with PC Optimum and Scene+ — grocery, gas, and everyday spendi...

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Geopolitical Tensions and Rate Warnings Trigger Sharp Decline in Asian Stocks

The recent events have significantly affected Asian stock markets. Here are some key points:

  1. Iran-Israel Escalation: Reports of Israeli strikes on Iran have heightened concerns over geopolitical conditions in the Middle East. The situation escalated after explosions were reported across Iran, with some near nuclear facilities in Isfahan. This development has impacted risk appetite and contributed to the market decline.

  2. Persistent Rate Warnings: Ongoing warnings about U.S. interest rates have also played a role. Investors are closely monitoring rate decisions, which can influence market sentiment and investment strategies.

  3. Tech Stocks Hit Hard: Technology and chipmaking stocks faced steep losses. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (TSMC), a major player in the chip industry, scaled back its expansion outlook for this year. Other tech giants like SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics, Advantest Corp., and Tokyo Electron also experienced significant declines.

  4. Regional Impact: Japanese stocks (Nikkei 225 and TOPIX) were hit the hardest, followed by Australia’s ASX 200 and South Korea’s KOSPI. China’s markets (Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite) saw limited losses due to optimism over stimulus measures. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index also declined.

In summary, the combination of geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties has led to a sharp decline in Asian stocks. Investors are closely monitoring developments and adjusting their portfolios accordingly.

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