🗞️ To infinity and beyond

Hey Halifax,

Twice in the last few months now Katy Perry has boldly gone where no woman would ever want to go because both are embarrassing in their own unique ways.

First, she became the object of public ridicule with her very earnest “astronaut” experience aboard Air Bald Daddy Bezos. And now…she’s allegedly dating Justin Trudeau. I mention this not in a “make fun of Katy” way, but in more of a “does she need a wellness check?” way. Because each of these pieces of information I can digest separately, but served together I’m like…

@cutekitten37

Cat: What was I just going to do? #cat #fyp #cute #funny #funnyvideos #catsoftiktok

The pair were spotted enjoying a meal at upscale eatery Le Violon—recently voted Canada’s best new restaurant— in Montreal’s Le Plateau neighbourhood. TMZ was the first to report the sighting, sharing photos of the duo leaning over the table while in conversation. Ohhhhh la la.

While there, Perry and Trudeau enjoyed the chef’s menu, including tuna and tomatoes, beef tartare, lobster and asparagus, gnocchi and lamb.

I gotta say, the Orlando Bloom to Justin Trudeau pipeline is one of the most random I’ve ever considered, but here we are: The singer’s dinner with Trudeau comes just weeks after a July 4 statement confirmed the end of her relationship with actor Orlando Bloom. Trudeau and his wife—Sophie Gregoire Trudeau—separated in August 2023 after 18 years of marriage.

You know what they say, the best way to get over a hot actor is to get under a flop nepo baby. Or something…

Have a great day out there!

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌦️ 26°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 19°

Next Day: ☀️ 24°

7-day forecast

🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

💨 Here is Halifax’s Air Quality Index and the smoke report.

NEWS

Nova Scotia kids turn dreams into business

Two young performers from Nova Scotia are taking entrepreneurship into their own hands, proving that passion, sustainability, and hard work can go hand in hand.

Ten-year-old Grace Duplissea of Halifax and 12-year-old Frankie Parnell of New Glasgow are not just kids with big dreams. They are budding entrepreneurs determined to fund their modelling and dance careers, one scrunchie, leg warmer, and closet clean-out at a time.

The Coast’s Warren D’Silva caught up with these young entrepreneurs as they launch sustainable ventures to fund their careers in showbiz.

🤔 Need To Know

💉 Health officials in Nova Scotia say the measles outbreak in the province’s northern zone has risen by five cases to 35.

🛍️ Industry officials say Halifax is enjoying a record-high number of visitors this summer, as the city becomes a must-see destination among Canadian travellers—but the tourism isn’t the price bargain it once was compared with the rest of Canada.

👩‍⚕️ An IWK Foundation survey is being shared far and wide, as women in the Maritimes express their frustrations with the quality of women’s health care—the issues raised include dangerously long wait times, miscommunication, and a lack of patient follow-up.

🌊 Steps from the Halifax harbourfront — enjoy stunning water and cityscape views, spacious apartments, and convenient in-suite laundry for the ultimate downtown living experience. 👉 Book your viewing at Peninsula Place or call 902-706-8301.*

🦈 Dive into Monsters of the Abyss, on now ‘til Sept 7! Explore prehistoric and modern aquatic predators. Don’t miss it!*

🏊‍♂️ Make a splash at Southpoint Apartments! Enjoy the perfect south end Halifax location just moments to downtown. Stylish apartments, seasonal pool and easy transit access! 👉 Book your personal tour today or call (902) 707-2928.*

🏆 Last chance to nominate your favourite restaurant, producer, product, culinary ambassador, and server for the annual Taste of Nova Scotia Awards!*

✨ Discover upscale living in downtown Halifax! The iconic Paramount welcomes you to enjoy spacious surroundings, rare for downtown along with excellent resident amenities, & great walk score! 👉 Book your tour or call 902-707-0319.*

*Sponsored Post

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MUSIC

This Halifax hip-hop artist will liberate your mind and soul

The 2024 Hopscotch Festival that took place in October of last year brought Danny Brown and Jadakiss to Atlantic Canada’s biggest city.

And yet, it was another artist who stole the spotlight when he raised Palestine’s flag to the audience, having them chant “Free Palestine,” before delivering the set of a lifetime, hyping up the crowd while uniting them with one common idea: liberation.

This artist was BASYL. A Palestinian rapper with smooth, melodic flows, he began in the Halifax music scene a little over two years ago. In 2025 alone, he’s managed to sell out his first headline gig, release a killer four-track EP Love Bombers, and is releasing a brand new single and music video on Aug. 1.

The Coast’s music reporter Brendyn Creamer has more with BASYL on his newest single and music video.

🗞️ In Other News

🚨 A group of drivers were fined after trying to get around the scene of a collision in HRM on Tuesday—eight vehicles drove around a police cruiser, onto the shoulder and through the scene, despite the lights and verbal commands from officers.

🏊‍♀️ A new program across four beaches in the province is offering free personal flotation devices to all goers, in the hope of making the lifesaving tools more accessible.

👋 Canadian Tire has laid off an unknown percentage of its corporate workforce—it has eliminated some corporate roles and expanded others as a part of their transformation to “better compete in a new era of retail.”

🛌🏻 A new student residence at the Nova Scotia Community College’s Ivany campus in Dartmouth is now complete and ready to welcome students this fall—the facility overlooks the harbour and will have space for 200 students.

SPONSORED BY CRAFT NOVA SCOTIA

Craft Nova Scotia Presents Figments of the Imagination

Craft Nova Scotia proudly reopens the Mary E. Black Gallery with Figments of the Imagination—a bold ceramic showcase by NSCAD students and grads. Curated by Rachel de Condé, this forward-looking exhibition celebrates innovation, material mastery, and the vibrant future of contemporary craft in Nova Scotia.

🗓️ Things To Do

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🗓 EXTENDED! Neptune Theatre's Mamma Mia!: On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The storytelling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an unforgettable show. A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget! | Held over until Sept. 14 |

🗓 Emancipation Day 2025: Emancipation Day is the day The Slavery Abolition Act became law in the British Empire (including Canada) and ended the practice of slavery for millions of African people and their descendants around the world. The Act became law on Aug. 1, 1834 marking the first Emancipation Day. The Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, partnered with African Nova Scotian Affairs would like to invite you to the Halifax Waterfront to commemorate and celebrate this historical day. | Aug. 1 | 11am |

🗓 Halifax Live Comedy Club Presents An Evening of Comedy with Brian Stollery: Observational, autobiographical and hilariously self-deprecating, Brian Stollery’s brand of comedy reveals the underlying absurdity of everyday life in a way that’s as scathingly honest as it is fast paced and energetic. | Aug. 1 and 2 | 7pm | $20 |

Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected].

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢➡️ The MSC Vanessa container ship arrives in Halifax from unknown seas at 6:15am and  leaves for New York at 5pm.

🚢 The Algoberta oil tanker arrives in Halifax from Sarnia at 8:15am.

🚢➡️ The Pictor container ship arrives in Halifax from Portland, ME at 8:15am and leaves for Argentia at 3pm.

🚢➡️ The Majestic Princess cruise ship arrives in Halifax at 9:30am and leaves for Canadian seas at 8pm.

➡️ The Algoscotia oil tanker leaves Halifax for Corner Brook at 1pm.

➡️ The Algotitan oil tanker leaves Halifax for St. Ramould D’Etchemin, Quebec at 6pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍔 Get ready for The Bacon Truffle QP at Wave Foods—a permanent pop-up inside The Local: quarter pound beef smash burger, truffle parm aioli, bacon, melty cheese, lettuce, pickle on a brioche bun.

🦐 Summer is for seafood! Studio East has you covered and then some with their Atlantic Seafood Pot-au-Feu: Nova Scotia scallops, cod, prawns, PEI mussels, red Thai curry sauce, bok choy, sweet soya, jasmine rice, carrot ginger jam, crispy onions, cilantro.

👀 In Case You Missed It

👚 Madeleine Villa—a queer Italian-Canadian entrepreneur and longtime sustainable fashion advocate—opened the doors to Esmé & Evee on July 5. With her first month of operations aligning with Pride Month, Villa decided to donate a portion of her profits to local causes. So far she’s donated over $4,000, including a recent $500 donation to the Rainbow Refugee Association of Nova Scotia. The Coast’s Warren D’Silva sat down with Villa to get the full scoop on her new vintage boutique and her mission to give back.

🪲 Another year calls for another generation of Japanese beetles—experts say the higher numbers in recent years could be due to the warm temperatures.

🚨 Police say a man is facing a number of charges after a pair of hit-and-runs over the weekend—on Sunday afternoon, officers responded to reports of a vehicle involved in two crashes, one in Dartmouth and the other in Halifax.

That’s it!

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