PARIS:&nbsp;Thousands of protesters across France braved the cold on Saturday to express their anger over the persistence of violence against women and demand more public action and funds to combat the scourge. In Paris, crowds of demonstrators -- 50,000 according to organizers, 17,000 according to the police -- waved signs, chanted, danced and sang as they moved through the capital in the protests organized by the Greve feministe (Feminist Strike) collective of some 60 organizations. &ldquo;A man kills a woman every 2.5 days in France,&rdquo; read one placard distributed by the feminist collective NousToutes (All of us Women).<figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/d8643eab-513b-4cac-a05f-ce1f564629cc-France women protest1.jpg" alt="France women protest1.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">PARIS: Protesters take part in a demonstration called by the French collective NousToutes (Us all) to protest against violence against women, at Place de La Republique in Paris, on November 22, 2025. -- Photo by AFP</figcaption></figure> &ldquo;Nine out of 10 victims know their rapist,&rdquo; read another. &lsquo;Loved without being abused&rsquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;It&#39;s 2025, is it still normal to count our dead women?&rdquo; said Sylvaine Grevin, president of the national femicide victims&#39; federation, whose sister was killed in 2017, ahead of the start of the Paris demonstration. Hundreds of protesters also gathered in the cold in other cities, creating crowds awash in purple -- a color linked to feminism. &ldquo;We have the right to be loved without being abused,&rdquo; said 20-year-old student Juliette in Lille in northern France. Intimate partner femicidesThe associations behind the protests are calling for the adoption of a comprehensive framework law against violence, along with a three-billion-euro budget ($3.5-billion) to implement it. They are also calling for improved education and funding for groups that support victims of violence. According to official figures published Thursday by MIPROF, a government organization tasked with protecting women from violence and fighting human trafficking, the number of intimate partner femicides rose by 11% between 2023 and 2024, with 107 women killed by their partner or ex-partner. &lsquo;Every two minutes&rsquo;&nbsp;A woman is a victim of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault every two minutes, and every 23 seconds of sexual harassment, indecent exposure, or the unsolicited sending of sexual content, according to MIPROF. The Women&#39;s Foundation rights group estimates the minimum annual budget the government should allocate to protecting victims of domestic, gender-based and sexual violence in France is 2.6 billion euros -- equivalent to 0.5% of the state budget.

Europe

A woman is a victim of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault every two minutes, and every 23 seconds of sexual harassment, indecent exposure, or the unsolicited sending of sexual content, according to MIPROF.

Thousands march in France to demand action on violence against women

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani folk, Sufi, and spiritual singer Sanam Marvi captivated a packed audience at the historic Th&eacute;&acirc;tre de la Ville on Sunday night, delivering a soul-stirring performance that celebrated Pakistan&rsquo;s rich musical and spiritual traditions. The concert, jointly organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in France and Th&eacute;&acirc;tre de la Ville, drew hundreds of Parisians and members of the South Asian diaspora, all eager to witness a rare live performance by one of Pakistan&rsquo;s most powerful and acclaimed voices. Known for her deep, emotive renditions of classical Sufi poetry, Marvi&rsquo;s repertoire for the evening included verses by revered mystics such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Bulleh Shah, and Khwaja Ghulam Farid. Her powerful voice reverberated through the theater, seamlessly blending Sindhi, Punjabi, and Urdu verses, carrying messages of love, spirituality, and divine unity that transcend borders. A night of cultural diplomacy In her address to the audience, Pakistan&rsquo;s Ambassador to France, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, praised Sanam Marvi&rsquo;s performance and highlighted the growing importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening international relations. &ldquo;In today&rsquo;s world, cultural diplomacy connects people, societies, and countries,&rdquo; Ambassador Zahra Baloch remarked. &ldquo;We are delighted to see such a warm response from the French audience to Pakistani music. It is through art and culture that nations truly understand one another.&rdquo;&nbsp; The ambassador also expressed her gratitude to Th&eacute;&acirc;tre de la Ville&rsquo;s management, particularly Soudabeh Kia, Conseill&egrave;re Musique du Monde, for their longstanding efforts to showcase global music traditions. The theater, one of Paris&rsquo;s premier venues for world music, previously hosted performances by legends such as the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, further deepening its connection with Pakistani musical heritage. Music as a bridge between worlds Speaking after the performance, Sanam Marvi described the experience as deeply emotional. &ldquo;Music is the spice of life, and we love our traditional music,&rdquo; she said. Marvi was overwhelmed by the presence and appreciation of a large international crowd.&nbsp; Born in Sindh, Marvi began singing at an early age, training under the tutelage of classical musicians before rising to fame through performances on platforms such as Coke Studio Pakistan and international festivals.&nbsp; Over the years, she has become a global ambassador for Sufi and folk music, performing across South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Renewed interest in South Asian art The Th&eacute;&acirc;tre de la Ville&rsquo;s management noted that events like this are part of an ongoing initiative to introduce French audiences to diverse musical expressions from around the world. &ldquo;Music transcends language and geography,&rdquo; a representative said.&nbsp; The evening&rsquo;s success underscored not only Marvi&rsquo;s immense talent but also the growing interest in South Asian art and culture among European audiences. With every note, Sanam Marvi reaffirmed her status as a leading voice of Pakistan&rsquo;s spiritual music tradition and as a powerful symbol of the unifying force of art.

Entertainment

Pakistani Sufi singer Sanam Marvi enthralled a full house at Paris’s Théâtre de la Ville, delivering a moving performance celebrating Pakistan’s spiritual music. The event, backed by Pakistan’s embassy, highlighted cultural diplomacy and growing French interest in South Asian art.

Sanam Marvi enthrals Parisians at Theatre de la Ville, Paris

LONDON: Stock markets diverged Monday as a deepening political crisis in France sent Paris into a tailspin while a new Japanese ruling party leader buoyed shares in Tokyo.&nbsp;Gold pushed ever closer to $4,000 an ounce as the US government shutdown and expected interest cuts from the Federal Reserve boosted the precious metal&#39;s attractiveness.&nbsp;The euro fell against main rivals and French borrowing costs spiked as Sebastien Lecornu, who had been prime minister for less than a month, resigned just 14 hours after naming a largely unchanged cabinet.&nbsp;France&#39;s &quot;fractured parliament is making it nearly impossible to pass a budget that reduces the fiscal deficit&quot;, said Jack Allen-Reynolds, deputy chief eurozone economist at Capital Economics.&nbsp;&quot;With government borrowing running at more than five percent of GDP and the debt ratio rising, the risk premium on French government bonds will continue to widen,&quot; he added.&nbsp;Shares in French banks BNP Paribas, Societe Generale and Credit Agricole all shed around three percent in afternoon trading.&nbsp;The London and Frankfurt stock exchanges, however, were up in afternoon deals.&nbsp;On Wall Street, both the S&amp;P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite sat next to record highs as AI deals overshadowed concerns over a government shutdown that dragged into a second week.&nbsp;Shares in Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) jumped more than 33 percent after the chipmaker announced a multi-year partnership with OpenAI to develop AI data centres which should bring it tens of billions of dollars in new revenue over the next five years.&nbsp;In Asia, Tokyo surged almost five percent to a record high and the yen sank on bets the new leader of Japan&#39;s ruling party will loosen monetary policy to kickstart the economy.&nbsp;Sanae Takaichi, likely to become Japan&#39;s prime minister this month, has previously backed aggressive monetary easing and expanded government spending.&nbsp;The yen weakened more than one percent against the dollar and hit a record low against the euro.&nbsp;Yields on 30-year Japanese bonds rose sharply reflecting fears the country&#39;s already colossal debt will balloon further.&nbsp;After her victory Saturday, Takaichi pledged first to implement measures to address inflation and boost Japan&#39;s economy, rural areas and primary industries.

Business

Paris stocks slumped after French PM Sebastien Lecornu resigned, while Tokyo surged on optimism over Japan’s incoming leader Sanae Takaichi. 

Paris stocks drop as French PM resigns, Tokyo soars

ISLAMABAD: Against the romantic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and the gentle hum of Parisian chatter, the aroma of garam masala and sizzling kebabs lured passersby into a world far from the Champs-&Eacute;lys&eacute;es. The International Village of Gastronomy had transformed the heart of Paris into a global feast, and the Pakistani pavilion quickly became its crown jewel. Dressed in green and white, and lined with vibrant images of Lahore&#39;s food streets and Hunza&#39;s serene landscapes, the Pakistani stand offered more than just food. It served a slice of home for expats and a taste of discovery for curious locals. From steaming plates of chicken biryani, each grain fragrant and perfectly spiced, to golden-brown vegetable samosas with a satisfying crunch, the display was both a culinary and cultural celebration. Sweet treats like gulab jamuns and jalebi, soaked in syrup and glistening under the French sun, delighted visitors from every continent. And when thirst struck, guests reached for classic Pakistani drinks &mdash; Rooh Afza, served chilled with a splash of lemon, or refreshing mango juice that reminded many of tropical summers. The star behind this gastronomic diplomacy was Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, who inaugurated Pakistan&rsquo;s participation at the event. Standing alongside international guests and French dignitaries, she welcomed the founder of the event, Anne-Laure Descombin, and thanked her for including Pakistan in such a vibrant cultural showcase. &ldquo;This pavilion highlights not just our culinary traditions, but the spirit of Pakistan,&rdquo; Baloch said, smiling as she greeted guests and posed for photos with plates in hand. &ldquo;Diverse, warm, and full of flavor.&rdquo; The festival, now a staple in the Parisian cultural calendar, brings together over 60 global and regional cuisines, drawing more than 10,000 visitors daily. Held just steps from the Seine River, the four-day event mixes gastronomy with storytelling, inviting embassies and chefs to build bridges between cultures through their signature dishes. Curious visitors leaned in to ask about secret spice blends and family recipes passed down generations. &ldquo;Is this saffron?&rdquo; asked one French tourist, pointing at the golden hue of the biryani. &ldquo;No,&rdquo; laughed the chef, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s turmeric, our sunshine spice.&rdquo; As part of Pakistan&rsquo;s broader public diplomacy efforts in France, the event served more than food. It showcased the country&rsquo;s rich cultural identity. From the bustling food markets of Karachi to the home kitchens of Peshawar, the variety of dishes offered at the pavilion spoke volumes of the country&#39;s regional diversity. Many attendees were surprised by the balance of flavor. Heat from the chilies, depth from slow-cooked meats, and sweetness in desserts, all harmonized in perfect rhythm. By sunset, as the Eiffel Tower began to sparkle in the Parisian twilight, the Pakistani pavilion still buzzed with activity. The crowd lingered, some sipping on Rooh Afza, others enjoying their first taste of channa chaat or seekh kebab, while music played softly in the background. Baloch commended her team for their dedication, calling the event &ldquo;a celebration of cultural connection,&rdquo; adding that &ldquo;moments like these remind us how food can unite people, beyond borders and languages.&rdquo; In a city that prides itself on gastronomy, Pakistan&rsquo;s flavors didn&rsquo;t just compete, they captivated.

Food

Pakistan’s vibrant cuisine dazzled Parisians at the International Gastronomy Village near the Eiffel Tower, drawing thousands of eager food lovers.

Articles tagged with "Paris"

Thousands march in France to demand action on violence against women

Sanam Marvi enthrals Parisians at Theatre de la Ville, Paris

Paris stocks drop as French PM resigns, Tokyo soars

Biryani to Rooh Afza: Pakistani cuisine steals the spotlight in Paris