European stocks rise, London nears record high

European stock markets rose Wednesday with London jumping close to a record peak on hopes of an end to Greece's debt stand-off, dealers said. Equities were jolted higher on news that crisis-hit Athens will ask for an extension to its bailout and avoid a painful eurozone exit. In reaction, the British capital's benchmark FTSE 100 index of top companies soared to 6,921.32 points in morning deals, which was less than 30 points below its record intra-day high set in 1999. Athens' main