Latest news with #MikeStewart
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
American Express Announces Major Update to Cards
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. American Express has announced it will make its "largest investment ever" in refreshing its Platinum credit cards for U.S. consumer and business customers. The upgrade is set to roll out later this year, focusing on enhancements to travel, dining and lifestyle benefits, and is aimed at attracting more millennial and Gen Z customers, which together accounted for a significant portion of total U.S. consumer spending last quarter. "Once we launch the updated cards in the fall, customers will get the full info about the new benefits and services," an American Express spokesperson told Newsweek. Why It Matters The investment underscores escalating competition in the U.S. premium credit card market, especially as rivals like JPMorgan Chase unveil similar new features. The updates are seen as a strategic move to appeal to a younger, high-spending demographic and to maintain American Express' competitive edge in the lucrative premium card sector. American Express has announced it will make its "largest investment ever" in refreshing its Platinum credit cards for U.S. consumer and business customers. American Express has announced it will make its "largest investment ever" in refreshing its Platinum credit cards for U.S. consumer and business customers. Mike Stewart/AP What To Know American Express said it would expand its global lounge network by opening new Centurion Lounges in Newark, Tokyo and Salt Lake City, increasing the total to 32 worldwide. The company is also securing new brand partnerships to enhance lifestyle and travel benefits for Platinum cardholders, including at restaurants, wineries, venues and hotels. The refresh will extend to the Business Platinum Card, with features such as enhanced business rewards, flexible spending limits, virtual cards and advanced cash flow management tools to support business growth. American Express' announcement comes days after JPMorgan Chase said it is revamping its Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, a major competitor to the Platinum Card. The cards are popular in the U.S., and American Express has 56.4 million cards in America alone. What People Are Saying An American Express spokesperson told Newsweek: "We are always looking for ways to make Platinum Membership even better for our Card Members and plan to refresh the Consumer and Business Platinum Cards later this year. We have no additional details to share. "Updating our Cards is part of our long-term strategy to regularly refresh our products to meet the changing needs of our Card Members. Our CEO has spoken about this strategy many times in our quarterly earnings. We last updated the Consumer Platinum Card in July 2021 and Business Platinum in October of that same year." Howard Grosfield, group president, U.S. Consumer Services: "More than 40 years ago, we introduced the Platinum Card, and we continue to offer Platinum Cards with global servicing, unique benefits and experiences that our card members love Platinum Card benefits and services resonate across generations, particularly with millennial and Gen Z who accounted for 35 percent of total U.S. consumer spending last quarter. We're going to take these cards to a new level, not only in what they offer in travel, dining and lifestyle benefits, but also in how they look and feel, to meet the evolving needs of our customers." What Happens Next American Express expects to roll out the new benefits and features on its consumer and business Platinum Cards later this year.
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
U.S. cities brace for large crowds at anti-Trump 'No Kings' demonstrations
Published Jun 14, 2025 • 4 minute read A demonstrator holds a sign during a "No Kings" protest, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Atlanta. Photo by Mike Stewart / AP Photo PHILADELPHIA — Cities large and small were preparing for major demonstrations Saturday across the U.S. against President Donald Trump, as officials urge calm, National Guard troops mobilize and Trump attends a military parade in Washington to mark the Army's 250th anniversary. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account A flagship 'No Kings' march and rally are planned in Philadelphia, but no events are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., where the military parade will take place on Trump's birthday. The demonstrations come on the heels of protests flaring up around the country over federal immigration enforcement raids that began last week and Trump ordering National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles where protesters blocked a freeway and set cars on fire. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades while officials enforced curfews in Los Angeles and Democratic governors called Trump's Guard deployment 'an alarming abuse of power' that 'shows the Trump administration does not trust local law enforcement.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Governors and city officials vowed to protect the right to protest and to show no tolerance for violence. Republican governors in Virginia, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri are mobilizing National Guard troops to help law enforcement manage demonstrations. There will be 'zero tolerance' for violence, destruction or disrupting traffic, and 'if you violate the law, you're going to be arrested,' Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin told reporters Friday. In Missouri, Gov. Mike Kehoe issued a similar message, vowing to take a proactive approach and not to 'wait for chaos to ensue.' Nebraska's governor on Friday also signed an emergency proclamation for activating his state's National Guard, a step his office called 'a precautionary measure in reaction to recent instances of civil unrest across the country.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Organizers say that one march will go to the gates of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis warned demonstrators that the 'line is very clear' and not to cross it. Governors also urged calm. On social media, Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, called for peaceful protests over the weekend, to ensure Trump doesn't send military to the state. 'Donald Trump wants to be able to say that we cannot handle our own public safety in Washington state,' Ferguson said. In a statement Friday, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, urged 'protestors to remain peaceful and calm as they exercise their First Amendment right to make their voices heard.' Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said his administration and state police are working with police in Philadelphia ahead of what organizers estimate could be a crowd approaching 100,000 people. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Philadelphia's top prosecutor, District Attorney Larry Krasner, warned that anyone coming to Philadelphia to break the law or immigration agents exceeding their authority will face arrest. He invoked civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as a guide for demonstrators. 'If you are doing what Martin Luther King would have done, you're going to be fine,' Krasner told a news conference. Some law enforcement agencies announced they were ramping up efforts for the weekend. In California, state troopers will be on 'tactical alert,' which means all days off are canceled for all officers. Why is it called 'No Kings'? The 'No Kings' theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, to support democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Protests earlier this year have denounced Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk. Protesters have called for Trump to be 'dethroned' as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president. Why are they protesting on Saturday? The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country's democracy, according to a statement by organizers. Organizers intend for the protests to counter the Army's 250th anniversary celebration — which Trump has ratcheted up to include a military parade, which is estimated to cost $25 million to $45 million that the Army expects to attract as many as 200,000 people. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The event will feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers. It also happens to be Trump's 79th birthday and Flag Day. 'The flag doesn't belong to President Trump. It belongs to us,' the 'No Kings' website says. 'On June 14th, we're showing up everywhere he isn't — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.' What is planned at the 'No Kings' protests? Protests in nearly 2,000 locations are scheduled around the country, from city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, organizers said. Demonstrations are expected to include speeches and marches, organizers said in a call Wednesday. The group says a core principle behind all 'No Kings' events is a commitment to nonviolent action, and participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any confrontation. No weapons of any kind should be taken to 'No Kings' events, according to the website. How many people are expected to participate? The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said. Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths. Sunshine Girls Golf Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Small California town of Washington overrun with off-road vehicles from out-of-towners
WASHINGTON — The small town of Washington, home to roughly 150 people in Northern California's Nevada County, is facing a big dilemma when it comes to fire safety. It's being overrun by off-highway vehicles, like ATVs and dirtbikes, mainly from out-of-towners. The biggest issue is the road where they're being launched, which provides access to a large portion of the Tahoe National Forest. Mike Stewart, the town's fire chief, is leading an effort to educate out-of-towners who park illegally and do not follow forest etiquette. Fire season is rapidly approaching, and Stewart said Washington has already had a couple of close calls. Stewart noted that the town sees around 1,500 people on the weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day. He's calling the off-road vehicles a public safety issue. "It's getting worse all the time. People don't understand the hazard to this. They think they're out in the middle of nowhere and can do whatever they want without risk, but they're risking their own lives and the public's lives," he said. Earlier this month, an off-road vehicle caught fire. The chief says they suspect the cause was someone leaving a gas tank unattended and in an irresponsible place. "They had no cell service. Let's say, if that happened on an August afternoon, that would've turned into a major wildfire. Thousands of acres, millions of dollars," Stewart said. The trucks and trailers have also completely blocked off the road in the past, making accessing a potential fire nearly impossible. Stewart said that while fire danger is a huge risk, it also goes hand-in-hand with forest etiquette, like knowing the forecast and taking your trash with you. "The county Office of Emergency Services had some resiliency grant funds I put in for to start a program called trail stewards," Stewart said. Groups of volunteers, who will be considered U.S. Forest Service volunteers, will be going out and handing out water bottles and bandanas labeled with the rules of the road to get a conversation going about education. "But there's also the law enforcement aspect of it," Stewart said. "Law enforcement is out there and law enforcement is handing out citations." The new trail stewards program will be kicking off this weekend. The chief says you can recreate in Washington as long as you aren't parked illegally and you're doing it safely and responsibly. He says the best place to park would be at the campground at the bottom of the hill.
Toronto Sun
21-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Rapper Rod Wave faces dozen charges, some involving gun, in Georgia
Published May 21, 2025 • 3 minute read The Fulton County Superior Courthouse is seen, March 14, 2024, in Atlanta. Photo by Mike Stewart / AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. ATLANTA — The rapper known as Rod Wave faces more than a dozen charges, some involving a gun, after he turned himself in to sheriff's officials in Georgia on Tuesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Wave, whose real name is Rodarius Green, voluntarily surrendered to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office on warrants stemming from an April 21 police call in the Atlanta suburb of Milton, police there said. A police report obtained by the AP describes officers finding luxury cars with bullet holes in them and signs of a break-in at the home in one of Georgia's most exclusive communities last month. But it does not explain why authorities are now accusing the rapper of several crimes. 'There is no truth to these charges,' the rapper's lawyers Drew Findling and Marissa Goldberg said in a statement to The Associated Press. 'Rod Green was a victim of a burglary and committed no crimes,' they said. 'How he was even charged as a result of this situation is incomprehensible. This will absolutely be resolved favorably to Mr. Green.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. On April 21, Milton police responded to a home in the town north of Atlanta after a 911 report described 'a possible domestic disturbance,' police said in a statement. A neighbor had heard yelling and screaming, and saw a woman crying, officers wrote in their initial report. Officers determined that the call was related to a previously unreported burglary and the discharge of a firearm at the location, police said. They later obtained arrest warrants for Green, who lived there. The charges include aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit a felony, criminal damage to property and pointing or aiming a gun at someone, Fulton County Jail records show. He's also accused of tampering with evidence — a felony — and obstruction of law officers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An initial police report obtained by the AP describes what officers found at the home when they arrived April 21. A gold Mercedes SUV had multiple bullet holes in it, and a black Rolls-Royce vehicle had a single bullet hole, the report said. 'In the basement, we found a large safe that had been dragged across the floor, opened, and emptied,' an officer wrote. Green's girlfriend told officers that she had returned home and found that the house appeared to have been burglarized. In the back of the home near the swimming pool, officers found a broken window and a hammer in a bush next to it. A black Glock handgun was also found at the scene, officers wrote. The initial report does not list any suspects who might have broken in, emptied the safe or shot the vehicles, nor does it accuse Green of committing any crimes. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Green was released on bond shortly after turning himself in on the same day, Tuesday, authorities said. The 26-year-old Florida rapper is celebrated for his soul-trap sound, a unique melding of R&B and rap that has earned him 11 singles certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Four of his six albums hit No. 1 on Billboard's top R&B/hip-hop albums chart, including his most recent, 2024's 'Last Lap.' This year, he contributed the sing-song title track rap 'Sinners' to Ryan Coogler's record-breaking, critically acclaimed blockbuster of the same name. Green grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he has had at least one past scrape with the law before a domestic battery charge was dismissed in 2022. An ex-girlfriend had accused Green of entering her home in the Orlando area and choking her while their two children were in another room, according to an arrest warrant. The two had dated for about four years, and the girlfriend told investigators that Green accused her of seeing other men while they were broken up. Prosecutors later told court officials that the case was not suitable for prosecution. Canada Canada Toronto Maple Leafs Golf Columnists
Japan Today
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Today
PGA Championship sets the field for second major of the year
Billy Horschel walks off the second green during the second round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Hilton Head Island, S.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) golf By DOUG FERGUSON The PGA Championship released its field Tuesday for next week at Quail Hollow, leaning heavily on the top 100 in the world ranking and giving full consideration to players from the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League. The PGA Championship tries to get the top 100 in the world ranking, which won't be the case because No. 24 Billy Horschel announced on social media he will have hip surgery next week. The PGA Championship is May 15-18 at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina. Xander Schauffele is the defending champion and Justin Thomas is the last PGA Championship winner at Quail Hollow in 2017. LIV Golf will have 16 players in the 156-man field, the same number as last year. That includes John Catlin, a reserve who has played three LIV tournaments this year. He qualified through his Asian Tour performance. Dustin Johnson required a special invitation because the PGA takes the last five winners of the Masters, instead of a Masters champion getting a five-year exemption. Johnson won the Masters in November 2020 during rescheduling from the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the LIV players getting a spot was Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland, who joined the rival league this year. He is No. 115 in the world ranking. His lone victory was the European Open in Germany in 2023, and he spent only two weeks in the top 100 before joining LIV. Also getting special invitations were Joaquin Niemann, a three-time winner on LIV this year, and Sergio Garcia. They were notified months ago. Patrick Reed sewed up his spot with his third-place finish in the Masters. The PGA Championship does not have a specific category for the top 100 in the world ranking. It's more an unwritten tradition to fit them under 'special invitations.' Unlike the U.S. Open and British Open, the PGA chose not to create a category for LIV. That's similar to the Masters, which can invite players through its special exemptions. 'That's what we have done the last three years and continue to do so,' said Kerry Haigh, the championships director for the PGA of America. 'We have that flexibility to be able to invite those players who are deserving from whichever tour.' The PGA of America takes the top 70 from PGA points — a PGA Tour money list from the last 12 months — and then goes beyond that to fill the field. In this case, it did not go beyond the top 70, leaning more on the world ranking. The world ranking formula was changed in 2023 and is more heavily weighted toward PGA Tour events because of stronger fields. Patrick Fishburn was bumped out of the top 70 in PGA points the final week to No. 71. He also is No. 110 in the world. Fishburn winds up getting in with the Horschel withdrawal. Rico Hoey is the first alternate and likely to get in. The PGA is reserving two spots for winners of the Truist Championship and the Myrtle Beach Classic this week on the PGA Tour if they are not already eligible. In the Truist Championship, a signature event in Philadelphia, Michael Thorbjornsen is the only player not yet eligible for Quail Hollow. The PGA Championship also offered an exemption to Rickie Fowler, who has plunged to No. 125 in the world. There is a category for players in the most recent Ryder Cup — Fowler was at Marco Simone in Italy — provided they are among the top 100 in the world. Fowler's first PGA Tour victory was at Quail Hollow in 2012. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
