Latest news with #ANP
eNCA
4 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
'Make America Gay Again': Amsterdam pride gets political
Thousands of people gathered for Amsterdam Pride march on Saturday in a festive and political mood, stressing the need to defend LGBTQI+ rights increasingly under threat around the world. Organised by the Pride Amsterdam foundation, the march kicked off a week of festivities in the Dutch capital, which culminates next weekend in a huge parade on the city's famous canals. "We have an amazing pride, because it's on the canals, it's very unique, so it's very famous," said Ben Thomas from Amsterdam, current holder of the title Mister Bear 2024, awarded to men with luxuriant facial hair. "People are not so aware about the march, because it has turned into too much of a party and does not so much focus on why we do it," added the 44-year-old, who teaches young refugees. "We're not just here to party, but we're here to be equal citizens. We're here for our rights!" Decked out in dashing and brightly coloured clothes, the demonstrators marched through the city centre in festive mood, brandishing rainbows or banners reading "Make America Gay Again" or "Protect the Dolls" -- a reference to the rights of transgender women. "It's important to be here, to show up. With all the stuff that's going on in the world, it's getting really scary, especially in America," said Dani van Duin, a 44-year-old IT specialist who identifies as a lesbian woman. Since his return to power, US President Donald Trump has rolled back many rights enjoyed by transgender people. But the situation is also becoming less comfortable even in the Netherlands, said Van Duin. "People are just repeating hate speech from the right wing, and they don't think anymore," she told AFP. Lina van Dinther, a 21-year-old student, came to march with two friends and celebrate her transgender identity. "And also to hopefully improve the transgender situation in the Netherlands," she added, draped in a blue, pink, and white flag that represents her community. ANP/AFP | Ramon van Flymen The young woman said the waiting list for a clinic offering transition surgery can be as much as six years. "It's a pressing issue that needs to be addressed," she told AFP. At the end of the march, in Amsterdam's leafy Vondelpark, Frederique Emmerig, dressed in a summery dress, looks around her in wonder. "In my city, I feel like I'm the only one. It's very lonely." Pride marches are organised in many global cities around the world, linked to the Stonewall riots which erupted in New York in June 1969, the founding mobilisation of the LGBTQI+ movement. By Stéphanie Hamel
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Brazil's ANP updates oil reference price rule in step that may raise royalty payments
RIO DE JANEIRO, July 24 (Reuters) - Brazil's oil regulator ANP approved on Thursday new rules to set the reference price for oil produced in the country, a step that could increase the collection of royalties from oil firms. The reference price serves as a basis for calculating taxes on oil sales within the country and for collecting royalties, and new rules to set it have been under discussion since 2022. ANP's resolution will come into effect on September 1, impacting distribution of royalties in November. Last month, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, said the change, if approved by the end of July, should yield 1 billion reais ($181.30 million) in extra revenue to the government in 2025. The request was unpopular among oil companies but received wide support from Refina Brasil, an association for private refining firms, because the lack of an update to the rules had made it more advantageous for companies to export oil than to sell it to Brazilian refiners. ($1 = 5.5158 reais)
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Multi-party confab on security today
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government is set to host an All Parties Conference (APC) on law and order today at the Chief Minister's House in Peshawar. Invitations have been sent out by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to political parties and representatives from various schools of thought. However, three major political parties — Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Awami National Party (ANP) — have declined to attend. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) acknowledged receiving the invitation but is yet to confirm attendance, while Jamaat-e-Islami has announced it will participate. The APC has been convened to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the province. Chief Minister Gandapur emphasized the need for a joint strategy to counter terrorism, stating, "Restoring peace is a collective responsibility. The re-emergence of terrorism is alarming and must be confronted unitedly. We must rise above differences for the sake of peace." ANP Provincial President Mian Iftikhar Hussain said his party would have participated had the APC been called by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as a political entity. "This is a government-led initiative, and decisions are already pre-determined. Therefore, ANP will not take part," he remarked. PPP Provincial President Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha dismissed the APC as a symbolic exercise, citing what he called a "non-serious" provincial government. "They should focus on public issues instead of protests and sit-ins," he added. JUI-F spokesperson Abdul Jalil Jan also confirmed the party will not attend the APC. Meanwhile, PML-N provincial spokesperson Ikhtiar Wali claimed the party has not yet received a formal invitation. He also noted that the prime minister has summoned a tribal Jirga today.
Business Recorder
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
ANP opposes any military operation in KP
PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain strongly opposed any military operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which can harm peaceful People instead of anti-state elements. Mian Iftikhar in a statement here on Sunday expressed deep concern over the prevailing security situation in the province, stating that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was filled with militants. He said that militants were present in every district and city of the province, with Buner being declared a 'province' by militant groups. He questioned the effectiveness of military operations, stating that if 21 previous operations had not brought peace, it was unclear how a 22nd operation would succeed. He criticized the federal government's failure to implement the National Action Plan, which was designed to tackle militancy and restore peace. He emphasized the need for targeted operations against the militants, who had made lives of people rather than targeting innocent civilians. He also rejected any peace negotiations that prioritize the safety of militants over civilians. He said that the security situation was going from bad to worse but both the federal and provincial governments were least bothered to take immediate steps for restoration of peace. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
ANP sounds alarm over autonomy threat
The Awami National Party (ANP) has announced the convening of a National Jirga in Peshawar on July 26 to address the deteriorating law and order situation, rising incidents of terrorism and target killings, and the party's opposition to the proposed 26th Constitutional Amendment. Speaking at a press conference at Bacha Khan Markaz following a meeting of the party's provincial cabinet, ANP Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that elders from all walks of life, particularly those from the merged tribal districts, would be invited to the Jirga. He warned that the delay in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, attempts to seize control of natural resources, and efforts to roll back the 18th and 25th Constitutional Amendments are all part of a larger conspiracy to undermine provincial autonomy. "This land belongs to our forefathers, and as citizens of this country, we have every right to demand control over our resourceseven if some don't like it," said Mian Iftikhar. He added that new laws aimed at controlling mineral wealth, revival of the tribal Jirga system, and attacks on the 18th Amendment are deliberate efforts to push the tribal areas back into underdevelopment. Calling for justice, he demanded the formation of a judicial commission headed by a Supreme Court judge to investigate the assassination of Maulana Khanzeb, with representation from the martyr's family in the commission. "No one has been arrested so far. If facts are withheld or manipulated, the ANP will expose the truth to the public," he warned. Mian Iftikhar said the National Jirga would formulate a strategy on how to effectively raise these issues at the national level. He stressed that ANP's struggle is not personal, but a fight for peace, ideology, and sovereignty. "We have sacrificed over 1,200 lives. Our workers were targeted, and still, we remained silent. But now, we will not stay silent anymore," he asserted. Calling for political unity, he said it is time for all parties to come togethernot for votes or power, but for the future of coming generations.
