Canadians are feeling a renewed sense of patriotism after President Donald Trump threatened to make their country the 51st state and slapped tariffs on their exports.

Those in Canada reported significantly higher levels of national pride than those in several European countries, including the UK and France, in a new Politico poll.

The poll, conducted by Public First, found that 52 percent of Canadians are very proud of their nationality — a stark contrast to public sentiment less than two years ago.

Canada’s Angus Reid Institute reported in December 2024 that the percentage of Canadians who say they are “very proud” of their nationality dropped from 78 percent to 34 percent since 1985.

“For progressive leaders around the world, Canada may show that there is a way to capture a message of national pride that does not alienate key voters,” Seb Wride, principal at Public First, told Politico.

“But it also shows the challenge in doing so, if what it takes is a geographical neighbor dramatically turning up the temperature as much as Canadians feel Trump has.”

Trump had been floating the idea of acquiring Canada — and other sovereign territories — since before returning to office.

“Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social in December 2024.

When he began his second term a month later, a more imminent threat loomed — a trade war.

In February 2025, Trump signed an executive order imposing 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada. Then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced tariffs on more than $100 billion of US goods in response.

Trump imposed the 25 percent tariffs against Canada under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. A year later, the Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed under this 1977 law, ruling that they were unconstitutional.

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a trade pact that Trump negotiated during his first term, went up for renewal Wednesday.

Months-long negotiations between the three countries are likely to ensue as the US pushes for changes to reduce its trade deficits with Canada and Mexico, the Associated Press reported.

While Canada seems to feel a collective sense of pride amid Trump’s aggressive tactics, a majority of Canadians in Politico’s poll note that the country is still divided.

Thirty-nine percent viewed the friction as worse than they can remember, while 27 percent believed the country experienced deeper rifts in the past.

By JAMES COHEN, SPORTS REPORTER and DANIEL MATTHEWS AT THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA STADIUM

Updated: 00:25 BST, 2 July 2026

Taylor’s 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl, dropped in October 2025, with a flurry of lovestruck lyrics about her now fiancé.

She reminisced about date nights spent on ferris wheels, and dreamt of raising kids in a house with “a driveway with a basketball hoop”. There’s also an entire song about his, ahem, manhood.

On the promo trail, she was peppered with questions about the wedding, but gave away very little, except to tell the BBC’s Graham Norton it wouldn’t be a small affair.

Since those interviews, Team Taylor has gone quiet.

A rumoured wedding date of 13 June 2026 passed without incident. A few days later, a flurry of activity at Swift’s Rhode Island mansion had fans speculating that a bachelorette party was in full swing.

Then the New York Times reported that Swift had hired the entirety of Madison Square Gardens for a mega event just before Independence Day weekend.

According to officials with knowledge of the booking, the plans involve an intimate gathering of about 100 people on Thursday 2 July, followed by a more extravagant celebration with about 1,000 guests the next day.

TV cameras have captured trucks unloading drapes, lights, food and even a “40-inch mirror ball”.

Tabloids are speculating about wedding performers and bridesmaids. – but we’ll only know for sure, when Taylor decides it’s time.

And given that she’s recently been spotted at New York’s Electric Lady recording studios, there’s even speculation that confirmation could come in the form of a wedding song.

Watch this space.

And, of course, not to forget a paddle in the sea and an ice-cream!

All these summer moments have been captured by members of our Press Camera Club.

This month they were tasked with taking photos that summed up summer for our monthly prize competition.

Poppy in a patch of poppies and wildflowers – long hot summer – photo by Jenny Molloy

We had some wonderful entries and are sharing our favourite five here.

Our winner – who will receive a £50 cash prize – is Sarah Gabbatiss for a beautiful photo of her daughter running through a field of flowers.

Sarah Gabbatiss took this photo of her daughter picking wildflowers at The Petal Patch near Selby

Well done Sarah and all our runners-up.

Join our club

WOULD you like to see your photographs in The Press and online?

More than 2,500 readers have joined The Press Camera Club, which launched in June 2017 and brings together talented photographers from across York and North and East Yorkshire to share their work, swap tips and take part in themed monthly prize competitions.

Summer by the river means one thing – ice cream. Photo by Lisa Young

To join the free club, simply search for ‘The Press Camera Club’ on Facebook – we’d love to see what our region looks like through your lens.

We will feature pictures from our camera club in The Press and online regularly.

If you like seeing photos of York, please follow us on Instagram too @york.press.

Recommended reading:

Paddling by the sea at Saltburn – photo by Christine Hainsworth

New competition theme:

The new competition theme for July will be #Holidays26 – please use this hashtag when posting your images on Facebook and also please provide a short caption.

The deadline will be the end of July and we will announce the winner in early August.

Good luck!

Redcar and Cleveland was recently named the North East’s “coffee capital” in a study conducted by Manchester marketing agency Dark Horse, and it’s easy to understand why.

A wave of independent coffee shops are turning areas like Middlesbrough and Redcar into must-visit destinations for coffee lovers, and we have compiled a list of five Teesside cafe’s you need to try.

1. Off The Ground Coffee, Middlesbrough

Off the Ground Coffee, Middlesbrough. (Image: Tees Valley Combined Authority)

A speciality coffee shop on Grange Road, Off The Ground has built its reputation on expertly made, ethically sourced coffee and a rotating selection of baked goods. It feels more like a coffee bar than a café‑restaurant, making it ideal for people who care about the brew itself.

2. Café Etch, Middlesbrough

Café Etch, Middlesbrough. (Image: Cafe Etch)

Tucked away on Gilkes Street, Café Etch is an independent spot where the focus is firmly on drinks and cake. Reviewers praise the quality of the coffee, the homemade bakes and the relaxed, creative décor, making it a natural stop for a mid‑morning or afternoon pick‑me‑up.

3. De Melo, Middlesbrough

De Melo, Middlesbrough. (Image: De Melo)

On Linthorpe Road, De Melo is a family‑run venue that locals know for coffee, ice‑cream and desserts. Customer reviews frequently highlight it as a go‑to for a latte and something sweet with a range of treats on offer.

4. Cacau Brazilian Patisserie, Redcar

Cacau Brazilian Patisserie, Redcar. (Image: Tees Valley Combined Authority)

Cacau is an independently run patisserie in Redcar, consistently ranked among the town’s best cafés. It specialises in Brazilian‑inspired cakes and pastries, paired with good coffee, and is regularly recommended to visitors looking for somewhere a bit different for their sweet fix.

5. Route 1 Coffee House, Redcar

Route 1 Coffee House, Redcar. (Image: Route 1 Coffee House)

Route 1 Coffee House offers a modern, relaxed setting for locals and visitors of the seaside town. It features near the top of local “best coffee” lists, with customers praising the friendly service and quality of the drinks.

An honourable mention goes to Headland Espresso, a newer spot on the Stray between Marske and Redcar that’s fast earning a reputation for speciality coffee paired with an unbeatable sea view.

Independent coffee shops and cafés are quietly putting the North East on the map as a friendly, down‑to‑earth destination for people who care about an authentic brew and a freshly baked slice of cake.

The display known as ‘David Bowie: On Tour,’ features 100 relics related to the famous performer and icon.

A selection of these items has never been publicly shown previously.

Recommended reading:

The display is set to come to Ferens Art Gallery in Hull from February to May 2028.

Including artifacts from Bowie’s distinct Ziggy Stardust era, the collection boasts costumes designed by Freddie Burretti and Kansai Yamamoto.

One notable feature of the exhibition is an acoustic guitar utilized during Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust days.

David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust-era acoustic guitar, dating from the 1970’s (Image: David Parry/PA Media Assignments)

Several key members of David Bowie’s Ziggy‑era band, the Spiders from Mars, were Hull musicians, giving the city a direct stake in one of rock’s most famous line‑ups.

Lead guitarist Mick Ronson was born and raised in Hull, working for the council parks department before Bowie recruited him, and went on to become central to the sound and arrangements on albums such as Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust.

Bassist Trevor Bolder, also from the Hull area, joined Ronson in the Spiders from Mars and played on the core Ziggy‑era records, later enjoying a long career with Uriah Heep.

Drummer Mick “Woody” Woodmansey hailed from Driffield and completed the Yorkshire rhythm section, meaning Bowie’s most iconic band was anchored by a trio of musicians rooted in the Hull and East Riding scene.

The exhibition will be divided into four sections.

Along with the already mentioned items, there will also be concept art for the cover of Low, Bowie’s apartment keys from Berlin – where he worked on albums like Low and Heroes, and a Grafton Alto saxophone, Bowie’s first instrument, bought by his father in 1961.

The Natasha Korniloff-designed costume Bowie wore in the 1980 Ashes To Ashes video and a clapperboard from The Man Who Fell To Earth (1975) will also be on showcase.

David Bowie’s storyboard sketch for ‘Ashes to Ashes’ music video, dating from 1980 (Image: David Parry/PA Media Assignments)

Sir Tristram Hunt, the V&A director, said: “David Bowie: On Tour is a landmark national partnership for the V&A, bringing highlights from an extraordinary archive to audiences across the UK for the first time.

“Working with our colleagues in museums and venues nationwide, we’re opening up Bowie’s story in the places connected to his life and legacy.”

The exhibition debuts at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in Dundee, where the display is set to open in November and run until February 2027.

It then moves on to Showtown in Blackpool (June to September 2027), the Bowes Museum in County Durham (October 2027 to January 2028), and after the Ferens Art Gallery to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery (June to September 2028).

Further venues are expected to be announced in due course.

In September last year, the David Bowie Centre made its debut at the V&A Storehouse, offering a permanent home to the archive filled with unique artifacts.

The much-celebrated figure in the world of music chalked up five UK number one singles and 11 UK number one albums during his lifetime.

Costume designed by Kansai Yamamoto for David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, dating from 1972 (Image: David Parry/PA Media Assignments)

He is especially remembered for iconic tracks like Space Oddity, Ashes To Ashes, and Sound And Vision.

Constantly reinventing his sound and appearance, Bowie first gained fame in the 1970s through glam rock albums such as The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars and Aladdin Sane.

The eclectic Bowie also explored genres such as soul, dance, and jazz, collaborating with artists like Queen, Mick Jagger, and Trent Reznor.

‘Blackstar’ was Bowie’s final album, released two days before his death in 2016.

Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson chose Les Hoey to be her guest on the day.

Wishaw charity king Les Hoey joined other local heroes from across the country at the official opening of the Scottish Parliament.

Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson chose Les to be her guest on the day.

Les has dedicated decades of his life to supporting seriously ill children, young people and their families through the incredible work of the DreamMaker Foundation.

Ms Adamson said: “Through his vision, compassion and determination, Les has helped create life-changing experiences and lasting memories for children facing some of the most difficult challenges imaginable.”

On the day, King Charles praised the Tartan Army as he opened the Scottish Parliament for the first time in his reign.

The monarch hailed Scotland’s football fans for demonstrating the country’s “rich culture” and “friendliness”.

The occasion began with the Crown of Scotland being escorted down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle, before being taken into Parliament alongside the Elizabeth Sword through a guard of honour made up of young people.

The mace, Crown and sword were carried into the chamber in a procession featuring three Team Scotland athletes preparing to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer.

Speaking after the King’s speech, John Swinney, First Minister and SNP leader, welcomed the monarch and emphasised the connection between England and Scotland.

He said; “Last time we welcomed a deeply respected Elizabeth, Queen of Scots. This time we welcome with the same respect Charles, King of Scots, a new monarch rooted in the deep, rich ground of the sovereignty of a people and a place that goes back many many generations.”

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Novak Djokovic left a ball girl horrified at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic pranked a Wimbledon ball girl by feigning injury during his match with Stefanos Tsitsipas on Centre Court.

The Serbian tennis legend had just won the second set to establish a 2-0 lead on Wednesday night when he asked the young girl for some help with cutting the taping on his shoulder.

Djokovic handed his unlikely helper a pair of scissors to trim the tape. And, as she began snipping, the 24-time Grand Slam winner pretended he had been nicked by the scissors.

The youngster had a face of horror as the seven-time Wimbledon champion winced. But he quickly burst into laughter as the girl put her hand on her chest.

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Watching on the BBC’s coverage, presenter Clare Balding said: “He’s going to get help from one of the ball girls.

“Oh that’s funny. He’s joking. He’s joking. Oh you’re so funny! Poor girl, she was absolutely terrified there.

“Needle work is complete, Tsitsipas has gone off court for a bathroom break and Djokovic will be hoping very much he can wrap this up in double quick time.”

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Djokovic offered an apology for the prank during his post-match on-court interview, saying: “Stefanos went to change so I had some spare time. I’m sorry if I scared her.”

He stormed to a dominant 6-3 first-set victory under the Centre Court roof against a tricky opponent who has tumbled from No.3 to No.87 in the world rankings. He broke serve to lead 3-1 before recovering from 0-40 down to clinch the set in just 26 minutes.

The second set proved no more challenging for the seven-time Wimbledon champion and he had established a two-set lead within 63 minutes. He maintained that momentum in the third set to cruise to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory.

Djokovic will meet No.25 seed Arthur Rinderknech in the third round on Friday.

Imath Uddin Choudhury, 23, has been named in a JustGiving fundraiser launched in his memory following the fatal Bradford crash

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A fundraising appeal has been established in honour of a man identified locally as one of two fatalities following a 100ft crash in Bradford.

Imath Uddin Choudhury, 23, has been named in a JustGiving campaign set up in his memory. The fundraiser states he passed away on Wednesday (July 1) after spending just over a week in hospital with severe injuries sustained in the collision.

Reports indicate an Audi A3 convertible veered off Hawksworth Road in Baildon, close to the Potter Brow Road junction, at approximately 7.24pm on Monday, June 22.

A 20 year old also lost their life at the scene. The 24-year-old driver was detained on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, while a 23-year-old passenger sustained minor injuries, West Yorkshire Police confirmed previously.

The fundraiser, initiated by the Grains Of Hope Foundation on JustGiving, had already exceeded its £2,000 goal by Wednesday, reports Yorkshire Live.

The foundation stated: “In memory of Imad, Grains of Hope Foundation is raising funds to support the most needy families in The Gambia and provide water pumps in Pakistan, helping those in need whilst creating a source of ongoing reward for him, by the will of Allah.”

They continued: “May Allah forgive Imath Choudhury, grant him Jannatul Firdaus, widen and illuminate his grave, and make every donation a means of Sadaqah Jariyah for him. Ameen.”

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Weather maps show another wave of scorching conditions ahead for the UK with highs reaching 35Cs next week on the back of record breaking temperatures in June

Brits are set for more sweltering conditions ahead with temperatures climbing towards 35C after a record breaking June.

Weather maps are turning red next week with 30 counties set to see the mercury rise to 30C or more for next Wednesday (July 8) to Thursday as a plume of hot air sweeps across England.

It comes after the UK set a provisional June temperature record of 37.7C last Friday in Lingwood in Norfolk, according to the Met Office. It beats the previous June record for the UK of 35.6C dating back to 1976 by more than 2C.

The Met Office has said temperatures in the south this week will be in the low to mid-20s before they are expected to rise to the high 20s or early 30s this weekend and into next week.

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And the latest Netweather charts show the hottest conditions next Wednesday will initially develop across central and southern England before shifting eastwards the following day, bringing the highest temperatures into London, the Home Counties, Essex, Kent and East Anglia.

On Wednesday, temperatures are forecast to climb into the low 30s across large swathes of southern and central England, with an isolated high of 35C developing across parts of Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties.

By Thursday, the zone of extreme heat expands and moves further east, according to the maps, with more counties expected to exceed highs of 30C as the mercury again soars. Large parts of the Midlands are also expected to remain above 30C, while the area of intense heat stretches across much of England.

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Further north, the maps show parts of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside nearing highs of 30C, as the warm air pushes up through England.

Across Wednesday and Thursday, the maps show the core of the heat shifting eastwards, with southern and eastern England turning deep red as temperature highs climb into the low and mid-30s.

Wales is forecast to see temperatures widely reach the mid to high 20s, while eastern Scotland could warm to around 27C or 28C. Northern Ireland, western Scotland and the far north are expected to stay cooler, largely escaping the most intense heat.

The Met Office forecast for July 6-15 says: “High pressure will dominate across England and Wales into next week, likely extending its influence across more on the northern UK with time. This will bring dry and warm conditions with plenty of sunshine for most.

“Scotland and Northern Ireland will probably see more cloud at first, with periods of rain at times. Through next week though the high pressure may extend northwards to bring periods of drier and warmer weather to Scotland and Northern Ireland. Temperatures becoming widely warm, perhaps locally hot in parts of the southeast, although not as hot nor humid as seen in the past week.”

Areas set for temperatures of 30C or more:

• Bedfordshire
• Berkshire
• Buckinghamshire
• Cambridgeshire
• Cornwall
• Devon
• Dorset
• Essex
• Gloucestershire
• Greater London
• Greater Manchester
• Hampshire
• Hertfordshire
• Kent
• Leicestershire
• Lincolnshire
• Merseyside
• Norfolk
• Northamptonshire
• Nottinghamshire
• Oxfordshire
• Somerset
• Staffordshire
• Suffolk
• Surrey
• Warwickshire
• West Midlands
• Wiltshire
• Worcestershire
• Yorkshire