NY Times: The 10 Best Books of 2005.

Gtalkr is a flash-based website to access Google Talk.

U2 is not just a rock band; they are a multimillion-dollar, multinational media company. I am not a U2 fan, but I really liked the song Vertigo from their latest album.

NY Times says American pharmaceutical companies are now using cheerleader to sway doctors to their brands. No science degree is needed. A sexy girl is all what they are asking for. So, I have to study for six years at this crappy college, and then some hot chick will come and steal my job? No, thank you. I’m leaving this college!

I am not sure how football is popular among Saudi females, but reading this story in Asharq al-Awsat (Arabic) made me wonder. The story talks about a secret suggestion by some high officials in the ministry of education to reschedule the final exams for schools so they don’t conflict with the World Cup. The story talks about the first term final exams, which will be between January and February, while the World Cup will take place in Germany in the summer. The final exams of the second term are expected to conflict with the World Cup, but, apparently, the two females reporters did not have time (or curiosity) to go online and check some simple facts like this, or at least go and ask someone who knows.

Our friend Noura has posted something about Saudi girls getting married to non-Saudis, and later she deleted it. Anyone knows what that was about?

Arab News reports that Saudi students with scholarships to study in the United States are struggling to get their visas in time for admission. It is not just the US. Thanks to the September 11 bombers, Saudis are struggling to get visas for every country. I have been trying to apply for a UK visa for about two weeks, and every time I think I’m done, they surprise with another request. Many of the requirements they asked for were not even mentioned on their website or on the application form.