Briefly: Cash-strapped EU needs more money

The European Commission says it needs an additional $11.7 billion to meet all of the commitments to the European Union in the 2012 budget.

The commission, the EU’s executive arm, adopted an amending budget last week, but it must be approved by the European Parliament and the 27 EU national leaders.

The EU says about a third of the money can be raised from antitrust fines and other penalties. However, nearly $6 billion will have to come from member states, some of which are cutting their budgets because of Europe’s financial crisis.

Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso says the money is needed to continue funding for international students and poorer regions in the EU.

The 2012 budget is more than $190 billion.

RUSSIA

Putin names new envoy to NATO

Russian President Vladimir Putin has named his deputy foreign minister as Moscow’s new envoy to NATO.

Alexander Grushko is expected to take up the position in November in Brussels, the home of the Western military alliance, Mr. Putin’s office announced last week.

Russia’s ambassador to Italy, Alexei Meshkov, was appointed to replace Mr. Grushko as deputy foreign minister.

The NATO position has been vacant since December, when Dmitry Rogozin was named vice prime minister.

Mr. Grushko will hold the rank of ambassador.

Although Russia is not a member of the 28-nation alliance. Moscow maintains relations through the NATO-Russia Council, established in 2002.

IRAQ

Vatican envoy attends Mass in historic monastery

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