Twilight in the Desert - Amazon 

Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy (Amazon)

Good book and extremely relevant in the shadow of $60 oil. Mr. Simmons is casting doubt over Saudi (Aramco) ability to increase production to levels it claim.
Mr. Simmons's critics say that, by relying on technical papers, he has biased his survey, since geologists like to concentrate on problem wells the way that doctors focus on sick patients. Still, the experience in America and the rest of the world shows that oil fields don't last forever.
Nevertheless, someone has started asking questions in regard of non-transparent Saudi reserves. And that is an achievement by itself. The markets, which usually price-in future events seems to have already started discounting Saudi’s role of being the World’s Oil Central Banker.

Charter steers Iraqis down a dangerous path (FT)

Cellphones Catapult Rural Africa to 21st Century - New York Times

Excellent article from NY times regarding the impact of mobile telephones on Rural Africa. The African mobile telecom providers are thriving in an environment where demand is insatiable and need to build extensive infrastructure is negligible compared to building extensive landlines in the vast rural regions of Africa.

WSJ.com - Goldman Raises Oil Price Forecast to $67/Bbl For 2005

WSJ reports that Investment bank Goldman Sachs (GS) sharply raised its forecasts for oil prices this year to $67 a barrel and said they will average an even higher $68/bbl in 2006. The bank's commodities unit cited tightening fundamentals and rising investment risks for the higher prices.

The report contrasts with March's headline-grabbing report from Goldman's equities analysts who warned prices could spike to $105/bbl.
The commodities unit had previously forecast prices for U.S. crude futures averaging $53.50/bbl in 2005 and $55/bbl next year.

Sudanese Vice President Garang Dies in Helicopter Crash

FT writes : John Garang, a former rebel leader who became Sudan’s vice president last month, has been killed in a helicopter crash, raising huge concerns about a peace process that ended a 21-year civil war in Africa’s largest country.

Wall Street Journal reports more on the specifics of the accident :
Ugandan, Sudanese and Kenyan troops have been hunting for the helicopter since early Sunday, after it failed to reach its destination in southern Sudan on Saturday. The official said the aircraft was one of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's personal helicopters and likely crashed because of poor weather in the area.

Reuters reports on the Riots following the Death of Garang : Thousands of southern Sudanese, wielding knives and bars, looted shops and clashed with police in the streets of Khartoum on Monday after learning of the death of ex-rebel leader John Garang, witnesses said.

Comments:
Accusation will fly irrespective that Garang death was mainly a genuine accident. Garang was symbol of the south. His death at a crucial time will put further pressure on an already factitious SPLA. The timing of the death, will unfortunately, put further strain on the Government in the North whom already suffering from a multitude of international sanction related to Durfour. What is agreed is that it will be very difficult to find another leader from the South to fill in the huge vacuum left by Garang's death.