U.S. decision to withdraw troops dismays some Somalis

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Conflicting reports over release of Cuban doctors by Somali militants

  The Somali government has denied reports widely circulated by both local and international media that two Cuban doctors held captive for over a year by suspected Somali militants have been released. “Somalia has denied that two Cuban doctors held hostage by Al-Shabaab were released. Our interview with Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Isse Awad goes on air in 10 minutes,” Prominent VOA journalist Harun Maruf said in a tweet. Earlier, Maruf also tweeted that the Cuban government had also denied the release of the doctors, citing a report by AFP. Reports by both AP and AFP earlier in the day indicated the doctors had been released. Both Kenyan and Somali media outlets widely reported on the story too. The two Cuban doctors were abducted in a daring attack in the northeast Kenyan town of Mandera near the Somali border in April last year.
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Kenya-Somalia leaders summit postponed over Coronavirus fears

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A summit between Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somalia counterpart, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo in Nairobi has been postponed indefinitely. President Farmajo was scheduled to travel to Nairobi on Saturday to hold talks with Kenyatta on Monday. Kenyatta recently invited Farmajo for a meeting in Nairobi in order to de-escalate tensions between the two countries after Mogadishu accused Nairobi of protecting fugitive Jubbaland security minister, Abdirashid Janan, whose forces clashed with federal government troops in the border town of Bula Hawo. It is not clear what prompted the postponement of the meeting but the announcement came after Kenya registered its first officially confirmed Coronavirus case. Kenyan Health Cabinet Secretary announced today that a 27-year old woman tested positive for the deadly virus. The woman, who arrived in the country on 5 March came from the US via London.
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Genesis of Music in Somalia

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The first major form of modern Somali music began in the mid-1930s, when Somaliland was a part of the British Somaliland protectorate. This style of music was known as dhaanto, an innovative, urban form of Somali folk dance and song. This period also saw the rise of the Haji Bal Bal Dance Troupe, which became very influential over the course of its long career. Introduction of melody in modern Somali song is credited to Abdullahi Qarshe, who is recognised for introducing the kaban (oud) as an accompaniment to Somali music. Qarshe is revered by Somalis as "father of Somali music". Many qaraami songs from this era are still extremely popular today. This musical style is mostly played on the kaban (oud). Prominent Somali kaban players of the 1950s include Ali Feiruz and Mohamed Nahari.  Bands such as Waaberi and Horseed have gained a small following outside of the country. Others, like Ahmed Ali Egal, Maryam Mursal and Waayaha Cusub have fused traditional...
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