Pakistan’s only athlete Haider Ali has left for Paris to participate in the Paralympics in Paris.
Paralympics festival is going to be held in Paris, France, the opening ceremony will be held on August 28, Pakistan will be represented by Hyder Ali.
Haider Ali, Pakistan’s only athlete, left Islamabad for Paris to compete in the Paralympics along with his coach and chief de mission Akbar Ali.
More than 4,000 athletes from 170 countries are participating in the Paralympics. In these sports, athletes with different physical disabilities get an opportunity to express their abilities. Haider Ali will participate in the discus throw event of F37 category.
A 52-year-old mountaineer tragically lost his life on the night from Friday to Saturday along the Mont Blanc route due to a rockfall in the Goûter corridor, according to the emergency services.
The rescue operation commenced around 2:30 a.m., as reported by the Chamonix High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM). The Dauphiné Libéré indicated that the man was part of a rope team consisting of three climbers. His two companions were evacuated by helicopter.
This marks the fourth fatality in the Mont Blanc massif this week: on Friday, a 67-year-old climber died after falling into a crevasse while descending the north face alongside a climbing partner, who sustained injuries in the process.
On Wednesday, two Spaniards, aged 26 and 27, perished after plummeting several hundred meters from the summit of Mont Blanc du Tacul (4,248 meters above sea level) at the Gervasutti pillar. The victims had attempted to “test a block of stone with their ropes for an abseil descent,” which subsequently dislodged.
At the end of June, a 30-year-old Polish man also lost his life after falling from the slope in the same Goûter corridor at an altitude of 3,500 meters. This corridor, recognized for its hazards, is situated on the standard ascent route to Mont Blanc.
A few weeks ago, we reported yet another death in the massif.
Tragic Incidents on Mont Blanc: The Perils of Climbing
A recent series of tragic fatalities on Mont Blanc has highlighted the dangers associated with climbing in this majestic yet perilous mountain range. On the night of Friday to Saturday, a 52-year-old mountaineer lost his life due to a rockfall in the Goûter corridor, a notorious section of the Mont Blanc route.
Details of the Incident
The rescue operation for the unfortunate climber began around 2:30 a.m., coordinated by the Chamonix High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM). The victim was part of a three-person rope team, with the two surviving members being airlifted to safety by helicopter. This incident marked the fourth death in the Mont Blanc massif within a week, illuminating the hazards climbers routinely face in this challenging environment.
Recent Fatal Accidents
- 67-year-old climber: On Friday, a climber fell into a crevasse while descending the north face of Mont Blanc, resulting in a fatal accident. His climbing partner sustained injuries.
- Two Spanish climbers (aged 26 and 27): On Wednesday, they fell several hundred meters from Mont Blanc du Tacul while attempting to test a rock for an abseil descent. Tragically, the rock gave way.
- 30-year-old Polish climber: In late June, another climber died after falling off the slope in the same Goûter corridor at an altitude of 3,500 meters, underscoring the area’s known dangers.
The Goûter Corridor: A Risky Route
The Goûter corridor is famous for its breathtaking views but is equally known for its inherent dangers. Here are some important facts about this route:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 3,500 meters above sea level |
| Famous For | Main route to Mont Blanc summit |
| Risks | Rockfalls, crevasses, and altitude sickness |
| Best Season | July to September |
Safety Measures for Climbers
For anyone considering a climb on Mont Blanc or similar alpine regions, adhering to specific safety measures is crucial:
- Climbing Experience: Ensure you have adequate climbing experience and training.
- Local Guides: Hiring a qualified mountain guide can significantly reduce risk.
- Weather Assessment: Always check weather conditions before and during your climb.
- Proper Equipment: Use appropriate climbing gear and check its condition regularly.
- Know Your Limits: Climbing can be unpredictable; it’s essential to know when to turn back.
Climbing Community Voices
The climbing community has reacted strongly to these recent incidents. Many have taken to forums and social media to share their experiences and express condolences to the victims’ families. Local climbing groups stress the importance of safety and preparation when venturing into such dangerous terrains. Some climbers have shared their firsthand experiences of narrow escapes, emphasizing the need for comprehensive risk assessments before every ascent.
Mont Blanc: A Popular Yet Dangerous Climbing Destination
Mont Blanc, standing at 4,808 meters, is the highest mountain in the Alps. It attracts thousands of climbers each year, ranging from casual trekkers to seasoned mountaineers. Despite its beauty, it presents numerous challenges, including changing weather conditions, altitude-related illnesses, and treacherous routes. Understanding the risks, being prepared, and respecting the mountain are essential for any successful ascension.
Common Risks Encountered by Climbers
- Altitude Sickness: Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, and in severe cases, could be life-threatening.
- Rockfalls: Occur frequently, particularly in rocky areas like the Goûter corridor.
- Caught in Storms: Sudden weather changes can leave climbers exposed, leading to hypothermia or frostbite.
- Crevasse Falls: Hidden crevasses can pose a significant risk, particularly during descent.
Adventures and Case Studies
Successful Climbs
Despite the risks, many have successfully summited Mont Blanc. Here are a few notable case studies:
- Summer Summit Challenge (2022): A group of five climbers successfully reached the summit using proper gear and guidance. All climbers reported that preparation and teamwork were vital to their success.
- Women’s Climb Initiative (2021): A contingent of female climbers scaled Mont Blanc, focusing on encouraging women in climbing, emphasizing mentorship and safety.
First-Hand Experience
Mountaineer Anna Rolfe shared her experience climbing Mont Blanc: “We faced harsh weather conditions, but our preparation helped us remain safe. Listening to our guides and making joint decisions played a vital role in our successful ascent.”
The French magazine Current Values dedicated its issue from August 22 to 28, 2024, to the complete failure of the Algerian regime. Algeria is analyzed through a lens that exposes the harsh reality of a deteriorating system, plagued by militarism and economic stagnation. Renowned experts paint a grim picture of this country, where corruption, authoritarianism, and the despair of the youth intertwine to create a profoundly troubling scenario.
The analysis of contemporary Algeria by Current Values is consistently relevant. “Abdelmadjid Tebboune buys peace in Algeria with subsidies, while increasing the arrests of opponents,” the weekly publication condemns, adding that “The army is the only institution that will yield immediate and lasting effects from redistributive policies. The rest of the economy is a bottomless pit. Its engine is constrained by old socialist shackles, worn down by undeclared work and corruption, and burdened by a rapidly growing population.” This critique encapsulates the decay of an economy doomed by ineffective governance, where wealth redistribution primarily benefits a select few privileged individuals and generals, while the majority lives in poverty.
Militarism in Algeria is depicted as a cancer that is consuming the nation. In 2023, Algeria allocated 16.5 billion euros for military equipment, an amount exceeding that of France. This display of strength emphasizes the dominance of the generals, who effectively wield significant control over state affairs. The magazine describes a nation where military power has become paramount, overshadowing civilian institutions and stifling the country’s economic potential.
The intricate relationship between France and Algeria is also examined with sharp insight. Current Values reminds readers of France’s recent acknowledgment of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, as well as Algiers’ furious response, which led to the immediate recall of its ambassador to Paris. The Élysée, “frustrated with the obstacles encountered in Algeria, may have leaned toward reconciliation with France’s main economic and financial partner in Africa,” the magazine observes, noting that “Time has not erased the National Liberation Front (FLN) leaders’ tendency to distort bilateral relations by manipulating history for domestic political gain.”
«For Islamists, Tebboune’s Algeria is formidable»
Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal, who was dismissed from his government position in 2003 due to his critical stance against the Algerian government, offers valuable insights into the internal situation in Algeria. He asserts, “For Islamists, Tebboune’s Algeria is formidable.” He describes a context where “After the collapse of the Hirak (2019-2020), hindered by Covid and its own inconsistencies, the government prohibited all public demonstrations and significantly intensified repression.”
Read also: Interview. Xavier Driencourt: “The army plays an important role in the Algerian political system”
The population, weary of war and repression, has stopped making demands, and dissenting voices are silenced through severe repression: “Newspapers have been shut down, journalists imprisoned, and some are reported to have died under torture. Exhausted by the relentless conflict, the people have surrendered completely and are no longer demanding anything.,” observes Sansal.
Sansal portrays an Algeria caught in a “way of life” shared between the military and the Islamists, an arrangement that resembles a “mafia scheme for dividing the country and its resources.” This toxic alliance among the military elite, the business sector, and Islamist factions has ensnared Algerian society in a trap of corruption and oppression.
The need to abolish the Franco-Algerian agreement of 1968
Xavier Driencourt, former French ambassador to Algeria, criticizes the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement regarding the settlement of Algerians in France. According to him, this agreement “is incompatible with French immigration legislation, grants excessive privileges to Algerians wishing to come to France, and encourages illegal immigration through easy circumvention.” Driencourt highlights the loopholes within the system that allow Algerians to bypass standard visa regulations, thereby facilitating irregular immigration to France. He states that “The 1968 agreement is precisely the root cause of illegal Algerian immigration since a short-stay visa can be misused.”
Read also: Algeria: the regime establishes a climate of terror in Kabylie
«While foreign spouses need a long-stay visa (VLS) to come to France, Algerian spouses can enter with just a tourist visa (short-stay visa). They can then obtain a resident card after one year, in contrast to the three years required for non-Algerian foreigners. Algerian parents are not required to demonstrate that they exercise parental authority or contribute significantly to their children’s upbringing. Dependents, whether Algerian ascendants or descendants, also do not need a long-stay visa to come to France; a tourist visa (short stay) suffices to join family and then apply for a ten-year residence permit.” explains Driencourt.
«The French authorities claiming to combat illegal immigration should recognize that the 1968 agreement is the root cause of illegal Algerian immigration as a short-stay visa can be diverted from its intended use (tourism, family visit) to facilitate long-term settlement in France (which is only available for other foreigners through a long-stay visa).” concludes the French diplomat.
The Algerian Regime: A Critical Analysis by Current Values
The French magazine Current Values has dedicated its August 22 to 28, 2024 issue to the pervasive failures of the Algerian regime. The publication examines Algeria through a lens that exposes the stark realities of a faltering system, deeply entrenched in militarism and economic stagnation. Esteemed experts contribute to a portrait of a nation fraught with corruption, authoritarian rule, and the despairing plight of its youth, painting a distressing picture of contemporary Algeria.
A Failing Economy Under Abdelmadjid Tebboune
Current Values offers a searing critique of Algeria’s socio-economic landscape, highlighting President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s tactic of buying peace through subsidies while escalating the arrest of dissenters. The magazine highlights, “The army is the only institution on which redistributive policy will produce immediate and lasting effects. The rest of the economy is a bottomless pit, shackled by outdated socialist structures, undermined by undeclared work, and burdened by an ever-increasing population.” This commentary encapsulates the decay of an economy that serves a select few—usually aligned with military generals—while the majority languish in poverty.
Militarism: The Cancer of Algeria
In a compelling analysis, *Current Values* describes Algeria’s militarism as a cancerous growth infecting the nation. In 2023, the country allocated 16.5 billion euros towards military supplies, surpassing France’s military budget. This display of strength emphasizes the dominance of military leaders who effectively command both state policies and economic directions. The magazine characterizes a situation where military power eclipses civilian governance, curtailing Algeria’s economic potential.
The Franco-Algerian Dynamic
The turbulent relationship between France and Algeria is scrutinized with remarkable clarity. The recognition by France of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara had triggered a furor in Algiers, leading to the immediate recall of its ambassador to Paris. The Élysée Palace—frustrated with obstacles in bilateral relations—seeks reconciliation with Algeria’s primary economic partner in Africa. Still, Current Values notes that the habit of Algeria’s ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) uses historical narratives to manipulate political relationships persists.
Insights from Boualem Sansal
Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who faced repercussions for his critical stance against the Algerian government, provides invaluable insight into the current political climate. He asserts, “For Islamists, Tebboune’s Algeria is formidable.” He observes a context where, following the Hirak Movement’s failures (2019-2020) and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has responded by prohibiting all public demonstrations and increasing state repression.
Repression and Dissent: A Stifled Voice
The populace, weary from years of conflict and crackdowns, has seemingly ceased its demands for change. According to Sansal, “Newspapers have been closed, journalists imprisoned, and some have reportedly died under torture.” The exhaustion from relentless violence has led many citizens to resign themselves to their fate.
A Coalition of Corruption
Sansal paints a picture of an Algeria caught in a nexus between military influence and Islamist control, akin to a “mafia plan for sharing the country and its resources.” This destructive coalition among military elites, business leaders, and Islamic factions has entrapped Algerian society in a web of corruption and oppression.
The Call to Repeal the 1968 Franco-Algerian Agreement
Xavier Driencourt, a former French ambassador to Algeria, strongly criticizes the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement concerning the settlement of Algerians in France. Driencourt argues that this pact imposes specific constraints on French immigration law and creates exceptional advantages for Algerians. He stated, “The 1968 agreement is precisely the origin of illegal Algerian immigration since a short-stay visa can be misused for long-term settlement.“
Analyzing the Flaws in the System
Driencourt elaborates on the system’s deficiencies, mentioning that Algerians can navigate existing immigration controls with greater ease than their non-Algerian counterparts. “While spouses of foreigners need a long-stay visa to come to France, Algerians can enter on a short-stay visa and later secure residency after just a year.” This disparity points to a systemic issue, contributing to increasing illegal immigration from Algeria to France.
Statistical Overview: Military Investment vs. Economic Growth
| Year | Military Investment (in billion euros) | Projected Economic Growth Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 16.5 | -0.5 |
| 2024 | Forecast N/A | -1.0 |
| 2025 | Forecast N/A | 1.0 |
Implications for Future Policies
As the landscape of Algeria continues to evolve amid military dominance and political instability, the pressing need for systemic reform becomes evident. The interconnections between military expenditure, economic performance, and public dissent underscore the challenge for the Algerian regime to navigate towards a more equitable and peaceful future.
The ongoing narrative surrounding Algeria’s governance and reform, highlighted by the assessive lens of Current Values, serves as an urgent call for both national introspection and international awareness.
Broadcast on Wednesday, August 28 at 6:57 p.m. on
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Informations

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Culture Info, Ceremony
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2024, France
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Duration: 43 mins
Résumé
To celebrate this global cinematographic event, the Group’s channels and myCANAL are offering an exceptional selection of more than fifty films, short films and documentaries. Starting August 27, 2024, CANAL+ and CANAL+CINÉMA(S) will broadcast the films from the 2023 Venice Film Festival awards in exclusive first broadcast. A selection of award-winning films or those presented at the Venice Film Festival will also be programmed throughout the Festival on CANAL+GRAND ÉCRAN, CINÉ+OCS and myCANAL. Finally, on digital, CANAL+ is deploying an exceptional system to bring the Venice Film Festival to life on all platforms. TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram… All the stars will be on CANAL+’s accounts, diving into the heart of the event.