Xi Jinping wraps up his Southeast Asian charm offensive

Chinese President Xi Jinping is wrapping up a tour this week of Southeast Asia where he has been selling the idea of China as a force for economic stability and prosperity. He has also criticized President Donald Trump's trade policies as destructive to the global economy. We'll look at how that message is being received. Also, Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars in the the electric vehicle industry in preparation for a post-oil future. And, the legacy of Indigenous runner Tom Longboat lives on at this year's Boston Marathon, which kicks off on Monday.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

As Haiti celebrates 200 years of independence from France, Thursday marks a particularly fraught anniversary. On April 17, 1825, Haiti and France signed the Indemnity Agreement, requiring Haiti to pay France to compensate slave-owning colonists for Haitians' freedom. Now, Haitian activists want their money back. Also, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is headed to Paris to discuss the war in Ukraine. And, Canada's new professional women's soccer league just kicked off its first season.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A federal court in Denver has found a former member of Gambia’s military guilty of torturing five people accused of involvement in a failed coup against the West African country in 2006. This constitutes a rare prosecution in the United States for torture committed abroad. Also, the UK's Supreme Court passed a ruling on the meaning of the word "woman" as used in the country's Equality Act from 2010. In a unanimous decision, the court said that "woman" refers to people assigned the female gender at birth, and does not extend to transgender women. Critics of the decision say it marks a "huge blow" to the rights of trans people across the country. Also, more than 1,000 Israeli spies and soldiers, past and present, have petitioned their government to cease military actions in Gaza. And, Sweden's annual tradition of watching the migration of moose on TV.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Tuesday marks two years since civil war broke out in Sudan. Fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has created an immense humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced, and hundreds of thousands facing famine. A look at how things reached this point in Sudan, and where the country is headed. Also, Mexican border cities like Tijuana are emptying out as migrants give up trying to enter the US. And, the Ghanaian government is reforming the country's gold export market.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This past weekend, Iran and the US held their first round of talks about Iran's nuclear program. Both sides described the talks as "positive" and "constructive." The two delegations will convene in Rome for a second round of talks later this week. Also, Tijuana's uphill battle to keep its waterways and beaches free of sewage and pollution. And, the existential threat faced by two of France's most beloved cheeses.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez becomes the de facto trade representative for much of Europe, on a visit to China. And white storks arrive in Europe every spring, and they're starting to arrive earlier. Experts say that's because of climate change. Plus, why historic homes in Iran are being turned into boutique hotels, restaurants and cafes.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The US and Russia carried out a prisoner swap earlier today, resulting in the release of US citizen Ksenia Karelina. Also, hippos in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are dying of a surprising cause: anthrax. And, a look into the struggle to get aid into earthquake-devastated Myanmar. Plus, a Japanese town is using trading cards inspired by Pokémon to build connection between generations. Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

President Donald Trump has paused his sweeping new tariffs, with one exception: those levied on China. Beijing is retaliating by hitting US goods back. How Chinese leadership sees the escalating trade war. Also, how new banana products could help transform agriculture in Uganda. And what exactly makes Jamaican rum Jamaican?Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The Palestinian Red Crescent is demanding an international investigation into the Israeli attack last month on a convoy of ambulances and emergency workers in southern Gaza that killed 15 people. Also, Sussex University in the UK is offering a new degree called Climate Justice, Sustainability and Development. And, the US and DRC close in on a new minerals deal. Plus, a look at how collaboration in space is still possible amid geopolitical tensions.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Heavy US tariffs against much of the world will kick in on Tuesday at midnight. Few will be hit has hard as Cambodia — where nearly a third of the country’s economy is generated by selling goods to Americans — as Cambodian exports to the US are set to face a 49% tariff. Also, Doctors Without Borders reports that 1/5 of all primary care visits in Gaza deal with illness caused by a lack of access to clean water as the enclave faces acute water shortages amid an Israeli blockade. And, the Ivory Coast bans wigs for this year’s national beauty pageant in favor of natural hair styles. Plus, British Bengali musician Tara Lily’s debut album is inspired by the ocean waves of Goa and nightlife in Mumbai.Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices