Argentines find cocaine in hollow metal bolts (AP)

Syrian army shells Hama, seizes central square (AP)

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US hikers in Iran court, hope for end to ordeal (AFP)

Iran holds new hearing for US hikers: report (AFP)

Suspect in New Hampshire to face NY triple murder charges (Reuters)

The Institutional Revolutionary party's return to power | Rodrigo Camarena

The party that ruled Mexico for seven decades by a combination of autocracy, populism and clientelism has made progress harmful

As the largest democracy in the Western Hemisphere held its 235th Monday, its southern neighbor, Mexico, back the specter of a return to autocratic past.

Following Sunday's race for Governor of the State of Mexico (which surrounds Mexico City) were released, the result was unequivocal. The center-left Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) - which ruled Mexico without interruption for 71 years - decimated the opposition in a landslide victory with 62.6% of the votes cast against the Party of the Left Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), 21.1% and 12.4% for the Party of Mexico President Felipe Calderon of National Action (PAN).

PRI candidate Ávila Eruviel has long been a favorite to win the election for governor. The PRI has governed the state since the early 20th century and expectations for his removal from power quickly faded after the PAN and the PRD was unable to continue its electoral alliance against the party (as they had done successfully in five of eight gubernatorial elections held last year). While less than half the voters of the state participated in the elections this weekend, and only 24% of state residents voted for the PRI, the victory of Avila was secured through a strong involvement State employees and the support of powerful teachers' unions in the country. "Many are in the race for the State of Mexico as a reference for the 2012 presidential election, in which the current governor of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, has the lead in the polls early.

• term as Governor Peña Nieto of Mexico State was defined by the major public works and a media campaign to promote it, while the state of crime rampant poverty and other social ills were often attributed to the administration of President Calderón of the country.

The PRI victory for democracy in Mexico state representative demonstrates how little progress has been in Mexico since 2000, when the country was liberated from the domination of the PRI on Mexican politics. The elections in Mexico State were marred by charges of vote-buying by local authorities, the abuse of state resources and violations of rules of election expenses. Avila campaign was also accused of receiving a number of illegal donations in kind by the media and religious groups and the support of businessman Jorge Hank Rhon, who has long been under investigation by the Justice Department Agreement and U.S. DEA drug is suspected of money laundering (even though no charges have been paid).

For many, the elections in the State of Mexico has shown powerful electoral machine of the PRI to work and brought back memories of Mexico, once dominated by the PRI in the past, where the party won the questionable elections in perpetuity by large margins. The PRI victory also led to focus the weaknesses of Mexico's electoral institutions, which continue to face strong partisan influence and lack of oversight - that electoral rules, both toothless and difficult to implement.

As Mexico approaches the presidential elections of 2012, many people believe that the PRI is set to return to Los Pinos (the Mexican equivalent to the White House). Opposition parties have not indicated who their candidates in 2012, it is almost certain, however, are not going to ally against the PRI in 2012. If the current political calculation remains unchanged, the old guard of Mexico could see a return to power in the form of the young and well cared-Peña Nieto.
While supporters of the PRI wants to watch the game to regain the presidency - "make things happen" (as a motto promises PRI) - a market dominated by the PRI, of course, Mexico will see a return to patronage and populist policies iconic seven decades of the party and, more recently, the mandate of Governor Peña Nieto in the State of Mexico. PRI patina of age may receive a new enamel - by telegenic young politicians like Avila and Peña Nieto - but the party still has a long way to go to show that he has shaken to its authoritarian past and can govern democratically

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Timeline: Strauss-Kahn case

A chronology of events surrounding the arrest of former IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn

May 13 Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF Managing Director, controls in room 2806 at the Sofitel luxury in the center Manhattan.

May 14 He said that around noon, the housekeeper of 32 years, enters the result, he felt empty and had an attack place after she opened the bedroom door and found Strauus-Kahn, naked. She complained to her supervisor, who called police. In the afternoon, Mr. Strauss-Kahn, left the Sofitel hotel in a hurry for a date lunch with his daughter, shortly after the time when he is accused of perpetrating the attack.

May 14 Around 4:40 p.m. Strauss-Kahn, took off a few minutes flight Paris consolidated before takeoff from JFK Airport in New York and stopped. He is accused of sexually assaulting a maid in his suite. He asks: "What is it?" And 15 minutes later, said: "I have diplomatic immunity."

May 15 economist age 62, is accused of "criminal sexual act, unlawful imprisonment, attempted rape" of the unidentified this woman away from a hotel employee.

May 16 between Manhattan Criminal Court hearing. A New York judge accepted the prosecution argument that Strauss-Kahn is a flight risk and ordered him held without bail in jail in New York Rikers Island.

May 17 Strauss-Kahn is on suicide watch at Rikers Island. U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the French "is obviously not in the position to run the IMF."

May 18

• The alleged victim, an immigrant from the African nation of Guinea, is the in camera testimony at a hearing before a grand jury. She denies that he had consensual sex Strauss-Kahn. New York police conduct forensic investigations of the hotel suite.
May 18

Strauss-Kahn resigns as head of the IMF and denies all charges.

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