Mexico City  - The sixth World Meeting of Families started Wednesday in Mexico City, in the presence of Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

Some 7,500 pilgrims from 98 countries attended the opening ceremony alongside Calderon and high officials of the Roman Catholic Church.

For five days, families from around the world, 22 Roman Catholic cardinals and over 60 bishops and archbishops are set to take part in a Theological-Pastoral Congress.

Washington - President-elect Barack Obama said Monday he will work to strengthen relations with Mexico and efforts to cooperate on drug trafficking, security and immigration.

Obama met with Mexican President Felipe Calderon at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, upholding the pre-inaugural tradition of sitting down with the leader of the United States' southern neighbour.

"My administration is going to be ready on day one to work to build a stronger relationship with Mexico," Obama said.

The two men also discussed the ongoing financial crisis and how they can work together to pull their economies through the downturn. Global warming and energy security were also topics.

Washington - President-elect Barack Obama met with Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Monday, keeping with the pre- inaugural tradition of sitting down with the leader of the United States' sout

Mexico City  - Three decapitated men were found early Friday next to a tomb in the northern Mexican city of Tijuana, after an anonymous comment about the location of the bodies was post on a news website.

The tip was posted late Thursday at a discussion forum of www. tijuanapress. com. The content of the message suggested links to organized crime.

Police found the bodies wrapped in plastic, while the heads were in a black bag. The victims, believed to be between 20 and 40 years old, were not immediately identified.

Mexico City  - Mexico's inflation rate was 6.53 per cent in 2008, its highest in eight seven years, the Mexican Central Bank said Thursday.

In 2000, Mexico recorded an annual inflation rate of 8.96 per cent. In 2007, it was 3.76 per cent, closer to the country's long- term goal of 3 per cent per year.

The forecast for the new year remained grim as the country's economy would not grow in 2009, the Finance Ministry warned. With its close economic ties to the United States, the Mexican economy is also suffering the impact of the global financial crisis.