Briefly

FRANCE

2 experts receive friendship award

Getachew Engida, former UNESCO deputy director-general and co-president of the China-Africa Leadership Development Institute at Tsinghua University, and Jean-Marc Dublanc, CEO of Bluestar Adisseo, received the 2022 Chinese Government Friendship Award on Wednesday in an intimate ceremony in France. Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye hailed the experts as actors and builders of China's modernization. This is the highest award that commends foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization. Since its inception in 1991, 1,848 foreign experts have received the award, including 49 from 21 countries for the year 2022.

EUROPE

Parliament approves cryptocurrency rules

The European Parliament approved the world's first comprehensive rules to regulate the "Wild West" world of cryptocurrencies on Thursday, hoping to protect investors against abuse and manipulation. EU member states have already backed the legislation. The rules, now approved by a large majority of European lawmakers, hope to whip into shape an industry that has been beset by scandals and failures.

INDIA

Gujarat court rejects Gandhi's appeal

A local court in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Thursday rejected the appeal of India's main opposition Congress party's former leader who is seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case. "The court of additional sessions judge today rejected Rahul Gandhi's application for a stay on conviction which, if allowed, could have paved the way for his reinstatement as the lawmaker," an official said. Last month, Gandhi was sentenced to two years in jail for his 2019 comments made during an election rally about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's last name.

Agencies - Xinhua