Delay in signing spells danger for UN aid deal

Iraq's refusal to sign the second 180-day oil-+for-food deal with the UN has thrown the future of the programme into doubt. The deal was due to be rolled over from its first phase, during which Iraq exported $2bn-worth of crude to pay for humanitarian aid and supplies, on 8 June. However, at the last minute, the Iraqi government decided it wanted to renegotiate some of the details.