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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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Heightened Tensions Prompt Partial U.S. Embassy Evacuation in Iraq

The United States is preparing to partially evacuate its embassy in Baghdad due to escalating security concerns in the region. The decision comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with stalled nuclear negotiations and threats of retaliation from Tehran.

According to sources, non-essential embassy staff and military dependents will be allowed to leave Iraq and other locations across the Middle East, including Kuwait and Bahrain. The evacuation is expected to be carried out through commercial means, though U.S. military assistance remains on standby if required.

The move follows statements from Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, who warned that Iran would target U.S. bases in the region if nuclear talks fail and military action is taken against Tehran. The uncertainty has already impacted global markets, with oil prices surging by more than 4% in response to the evacuation reports.

While the U.S. State Department has not disclosed specific threats prompting the evacuation, officials emphasize that personnel adjustments are regularly reviewed to ensure safety. Iraq, which hosts approximately 2,500 American troops, has seen heightened instability since the onset of the Gaza conflict in 2023, with Iran-aligned groups repeatedly targeting U.S. forces.

As diplomatic efforts remain uncertain, the partial evacuation signals growing concerns over potential regional escalation and the safety of American personnel stationed in Iraq and neighboring countries.

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