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What to Actually Buy (or Skip) Before the Aug. 19 Tariffs Hit

  Pulished August 15, 2026 Four days out, the "stock up now" advice making the rounds is mostly aimed at exporters, not shoppers. Here's what genuinely moves the needle on your car, wine, and grocery bill — and what's just noise. At 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, a new round of U.S. tariffs is set to hit roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian exports — dairy, alcohol, and vehicles among them — unless Ottawa and Washington reach a deal first. As of this weekend, the signals are genuinely mixed. Canada's chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, told a government advisory group Friday that there's still "a significant amount of work to do," with talks expected to run through the weekend. At the same time, industry executives following the negotiations told the Washington Post the two sides are inching closer to an arrangement that would pair Canadian concessions on autos, alcohol, and dairy with commitments on energy, defence, and critical minerals — in e...

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Cardinals Prepare for Papal Conclave Amid Calls for Unity

The Vatican has announced that the conclave to elect the next pope will commence on May 7. This decision follows the funeral of Pope Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years before his passing on April 12. 

The College of Cardinals, comprising 135 electors under the age of 80, will gather in the Sistine Chapel for the secretive voting process. A two-thirds majority is required to elect the new leader of the Church, which has an estimated 1.4 billion followers worldwide. 

In the days leading up to the conclave, cardinals from diverse corners of the globe are engaging in informal meetings to foster familiarity and consensus. Many of these cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis and have had limited opportunities to interact, adding an element of unpredictability to the proceedings. 

The conclave is expected to reflect the Church's ongoing dialogue between progressive and conservative factions. While some cardinals emphasize continuing Francis' focus on social justice, others advocate a return to traditional doctrines. 

The conclave's outcome will shape the future direction of the Church, as cardinals navigate the delicate balance of unity and diversity within its leadership. 

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