Ukraine says it hit Russian oil sites and military airfield in drone strikes
Ukraine’s military says it struck an oil refinery, storage facility and military airfield inside Russia, in one of its largest cross-border drone op...
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will hold a referendum on provincial separation in 2026 if citizens collect enough petition signatures, amid growing dissatisfaction with federal policies and calls for greater provincial autonomy.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced Monday that she will hold a referendum on separation from Canada next year if citizens successfully gather the required number of petition signatures.
In a livestreamed speech, Smith said while she favors a “sovereign Alberta within a united Canada,” she recognizes the mounting frustration among Albertans toward Ottawa’s policies. “These are not fringe voices. They are loyal Albertans,” she stated. “They’re frustrated, and they have every reason to be.”
The announcement comes days after her United Conservative government introduced legislation lowering the threshold for citizen-led referendums. The proposed changes reduce the required number of signatures from 20% of registered voters to 10% of voters from the last general election—approximately 177,000 people—and extend the collection period from 90 to 120 days.
Smith criticized the federal Liberal government for what she described as a decade of harmful economic policies, especially toward Alberta’s oil and gas sector. She argued that Liberal leadership has locked Alberta’s resources within the country and undermined its economy, all while enabling foreign regimes to dominate global energy markets.
Although she reiterated her willingness to negotiate in “good faith” with the federal government, Smith said her administration will create a negotiation team to demand better treatment for Alberta, including guaranteed access to tidewater for energy exports.
The premier also announced the launch of the Alberta Next panel, which will host town halls across the province. Some of the most popular ideas from those discussions may also be put to a referendum in 2026.
Her remarks followed a pro-separation rally in Edmonton over the weekend and came in the wake of the federal Liberal Party’s re-election. Smith stressed that her government’s actions are not a reaction to electoral results but to long-standing policy grievances.
She also reaffirmed her commitment to Indigenous rights, amid warnings from First Nations leaders that Alberta lacks the legal authority to separate lands protected under treaties that predate the province’s creation.
Smith is expected to hold a press conference on Tuesday to answer further questions.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
'Superman' continued to dominate the summer box office, pulling in another $57.25 million in its second weekend, as theatres welcome a wave of blockbuster competition following a challenging few years for the film industry.
Ukraine’s military says it struck an oil refinery, storage facility and military airfield inside Russia, in one of its largest cross-border drone operations since the war began.
Armenia and the United States will conduct joint military exercises in Armenia from 12 to 20 August, focusing on peacekeeping and medical evacuation tasks, the Armenian Defence Ministry said.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 2nd August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
BRICS is no longer just a club of emerging economies, it’s evolving into a global power bloc. With more countries joining and dozens lining up, BRICS+ is challenging Western dominance and reshaping how the world does business, diplomacy, and development.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva can call him “anytime” as tensions rise over new U.S. tariffs and sanctions on a Brazilian judge.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment