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New Delhi, Mar 7 : The Central Government will hold dialogue with the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) here on Thursday during which it will discuss the group''''s demands to find a lasting solution to the three-decade-old insurgency in Assam.

Union Home Secretary R. K. Singh, who will lead the government side, will hold talks with the seven-member ULFA delegation led by its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa.

Washington, Mar. 7 : The College of Cardinals that will elect the next pope has cut off formal communications with the news media.

The move comes after its private deliberations emerged in the Italian press, raising the specter of another leaking scandal similar to the one that shadowed the last year in office of Pope Benedict XVI.

Ajmer, Mar 7 : The Rajasthan Police has made adequate arrangements for the visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf to the revered shrine of Ajmer Sharif on Saturday.

Senior police officials visited the shrine in Rajasthan to meet management and strategise preparations needed ahead of the VIP''s visit.

Mumbai, March 7 - Actor Imran Khan, who is shooting for "Gori Tere Pyaar Mein" in Bangalore, says the city will always be special for him as that is where he spent some of his childhood years.

The 30-year-old studied at a boarding school in the city at a very young age. Being back in the city for a film makes him quite excited.

"I have spent a lot of my childhood in Bangalore and thus this city will always be very special to me," Imran said in a statement.

He has also been sharing his childhood memories with the crew.

Caracas, March 7 - Venezuelans are mourning the death of president Hugo Chavez while government officials make preparations for his funeral and succession.

The armed forces fired a 21-gun salute to Chavez at 8 a. m. and announced that a cannon would be fired once an hour until the late president was buried Friday.

The order for the continuous salute was given by Defense Minister Adm. Diego Molero, armed forces strategic command chief Gen. Wilmer Barrientos said.

"This is one of the top honours for a head of state," the general told VTV.

Vatican City, March 7 - Pope Benedict XVI's gold papal ring, the symbol of his power used to officially seal documents and ensure their authenticity, has been cancelled, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.

Known as the Fisherman's Ring, it was due to be destroyed with a special silver hammer after Benedict's resignation Feb 28, symbolising the end of his authority.

Earlier, Claudio Franchi, the goldsmith who crafted the ring said he hoped his work would not be destroyed once the pontiff stepped down.