Washington, Feb 11 : With the religious police in Saudi Arabia banning the celebration of Valentine''''s Day, the prices for red roses have gone up along with other items on the black market. The BBC reports that the ban applies to the sale of any gifts that is involved with the romantic holiday, with shopkeepers saying that they have been warned to remove all red items from their stores.

Islamabad, Feb. 11: Pakistan expects more from the United States in return for its cooperation against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and this message was amply conveyed to President Obama's Special Envoy on Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke during his meetings with the leadership here.

Washington, Feb 11 : On February 24th, sky gazers will be treated to the spectacle of a rare green comet, as it would be make its closest approach to Earth that day.

According to a report in Discovery News, the comet, found by Quanzhi Ye, a meteorology undergraduate student at China's Sun Yat-Sen University in July 2007, has vivid green hues.

The color is caused by gases spewing off the comet nucleus as it heats up during its trip toward the sun. The gases glow green in sunlight.

Quanzhi Ye made the find in July 2007 while studying a picture taken by a Taiwanese astronomer working at the Lulin Observatory, for which the comet was named.

It became visible this month.

Islamabad, Feb. 11: Pakistan expects more from the United States in return for its cooperation against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and this message was amply conveyed to President Obama's Special Envoy on Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke during his meetings with the leadership here.

Statements issued by both Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani after their respective meetings with Holbrooke, emphasized the need to "expedite" a new, multi-billion dollar U. S. aid package, and "the importance of enhanced cooperation in defense and intelligence sharing."

Holbrooke said only that he was there "to listen and learn the ground realities of this critically important country."

Washington, Feb 11 : When men and women talk through technology, it''s the ladies who're more expressive, that's the conclusion of a new study.

Researchers at Indiana University have found that when men and women text message each other in a public, interactive dating market, it is the women who use more non-standard, expressive language techniques.

Washington, Feb 11: After Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama will grace Vogue''''s March cover.

The Washington Post has reported that the First Lady will appear on the front of the magazine.

She posed for photographer Annie Leibovitz last month at the Hay-Adams Hotel, where the first family stayed before the inauguration, reports Us magazine.

The first lady wore a silk dress designed by Jason Wu, who also designed her inaugural gown.