Mexico City  - A rockfall in a Mexica

Mexico City  - A Mexican beauty queen arrested last December on suspected connections to illegal drugs was Friday released without being charged, the prosecutor's office said.

Laura Elena Zuniga, 23, who is Hispanic America Queen 2008 and was to represent Mexico in the Miss Universe 2009 pageant, was suspected of membership in a criminal organization, possessing illegal weapons and criminal violations of public health.

But prosecutors said Friday that they had not found any evidence that she was involved in criminal activity.

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.