Published Monday, May 6, 2024 | 10:25 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | 12:05 a.m.
PARIS (AP) — How do you smooth over trade tensions with the all-powerful leader of economic powerhouse China? Charm him with a bottle of Cognac or two. That seemed to be French President Emmanuel Macron’s strategy with his carefully selected gift list for visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping. China recently opened an anti-dumping investigation into European brandy. It’s seen as retaliation for EU investigations into Chinese subsidies for electric cars and medical devices. Those disputes were central to talks between Xi and Macron on Monday. The two leaders then exchanged gifts as part of the protocol of formal state visits.
NEW YORK (AP) — A jewel thief wanted in connection with crimes committed from Florida to South Korea stole a diamond ring worth $255,000 from a Tiffany store in New York by switching it with a cubic zirconia replica. Authorities say the theft took place on March 4 at a Tiffany store in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center complex. According to a criminal complaint filed by the district attorney’s office, Yaorong Wan asked an employee to let him see several pieces, including the quarter-million-dollar ring. Wan left without buying anything and the employee put the ring back in the display case. Wan was arrested Friday and arraigned Saturday in Manhattan criminal court on grand larceny charges.
