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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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U.K. Threatens Palestinian State Recognition Amid Gaza Crisis

                                            British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

U.K. Sets September Deadline for Israel to Act on Gaza Ceasefire

In a bold diplomatic move, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom will formally recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and takes concrete steps toward peace in Gaza.

Starmer convened a rare summer Cabinet meeting to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He stated that recognition would be granted before the United Nations General Assembly unless Israel ends hostilities, halts annexation in the West Bank, and recommits to a two-state solution.

The announcement follows mounting international pressure, especially after French President Emmanuel Macron declared France would recognize Palestinian statehood in September. Starmer emphasized that Hamas must also disarm, release hostages, and accept exclusion from Gaza’s future governance.

Israel swiftly condemned the U.K.'s stance, calling it a “reward for Hamas” and warning it could undermine ceasefire negotiations.

This shift marks a significant departure from the U.K.’s long-held position that Palestinian recognition should be part of a negotiated peace. With over 140 countries already recognizing Palestine, Britain and France would become the first major Western powers to do so unilaterally.

The final decision will hinge on developments before the UNGA meeting in September, as Starmer’s government assesses whether Israel and Hamas have made meaningful progress toward peace.


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