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The U.S. Alcohol Ban Is Now Live: Who's Exempt, Who's Shut Out, and What It Means for Your Wallet

  At 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 29, the United States stopped letting most packaged Canadian beer, wine, cider and spirits through the border. Not taxed. Blocked. It's the sharpest step yet in the alcohol front of the trade war, and it lands on a very uneven set of shoulders. Two weeks ago we walked through what was coming. Now that it's live, here's what the ban actually covers, who slips through, and what it does (and doesn't) mean for your own budget. What took effect The White House announced the measures on Sept. 8, after Canada's own retaliation tariffs kicked in. The U.S. framed them as a response to Canada's treatment of American dairy, autos and alcohol, and to provinces pulling U.S. liquor from their shelves. The ban covers packaged Canadian beer (including non-alcoholic), wine, cider and spirits, plus whey products, molasses and motorcycles over 800cc. Many of the alcohol products were already facing a 50% U.S. tariff imposed in August; the ban ...

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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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