Mali

Joppatowne girls lacrosse players Lisa Aquino and Chrissy Maly were treated to their share of defensive pressure in the Mariners' county matchup against the Bel Air Bobcats Wednesday. But that didn't stymiethe seniors.They combined for 10 goals to lead the Mariners to adecisive 21-15 victory over the Bobcats.Aquino and Maly were tightly marked by Bobcat defenders Carly Bivens, Jill Schultz and Laura Casey.But Aquino and Maly had too much speed, stick control, and powerful shooting for the Bobcats.

TOMBOUCTOU, Mali -- A low, wailing song reaches from the mosques of this ancient town of mud houses and sand dunes to the tent of Adama Alhadan, who sits in the flicker of a campfire, talking of rebellion."

BAMAKO, Mali -- An image evoked by mentioning the leaders who rule Africa is often this: A young military officer, after shooting his way to power, promotes himself to general. He bans political parties except the one he controls.Color portraits of the president hang in every store and restaurant. He insists on being called "doctor" or the "guide" or the "No. 1 peasant." He is the richest man in the land. He does not run for election, ever.For nearly three decades, all but a handful of African nations have been run to some degree as single-party states under a powerful authoritarian leader.

Angry parents and tax rebels summed up Monday's County Council meeting in one word: politics.Against the wishes of virtually all who spoke during a 2 -hour public hearing, a divided and contentious council voted down a resolution demanding more fiscal accountability fromthe local school board."