London

British Ambassador in Bucharest Paul Brummell says in an interview with AGERPRES that he wants the Romanians who come to the UK to be well enough prepared for this experience, adding that homeless wandering the streets of London are unwelcome.

Photo credit: (c) ALEX MICSIK / AGERPRES FLOW

The euro fell to a one-week low against the dollar on Friday on concerns that a crucial meeting on Greece's request for a six-month loan extension could end without easing the country's funding crisis.

By Nick Gentle and Yuji Nakamura

Europe?s benchmark equity index traded near a seven-year high and the euro fell before talks on further funding for Greece resume, while oil headed for its first weekly loss in a month as record US supplies reinforced concern over a glut. Japanese stocks extended a 15-year high.

We saw Juliette Binoche for the first time in Krzysztof Kieslowski’s “Three Colours: Blue” movie and we fell in love with her talent. The French actress has visited Greece many a time and is a huge fan of ancient drama. In a few weeks, the actress will be acting out Antigone, in London the famous Sophocles ancient tragedy, this time directed by Ivo Van Hove.

European stocks advanced amid investor speculation that Greece and its euro-area creditors may reach a compromise agreement on its bailout.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.3 percent to 378.14 at 8:05 a.m. in London. Stocks were little changed on Tuesday as a rise in makers of food and drinks offset a drop in Greek equities.

Athletics global governing body is to launch a doping crackdown on elite marathon runners after scandals involving top Kenyan and Russian stars.
      
Organisers of the top races in London, New York, Boston, Chicago, Tokyo and Berlin have agreed to finance extra testing of top runners by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
      

By David Goodman

As if Mario Draghi doesn't have enough problems already.

Europe is trying to avert a crippling bout of deflation. Germany wants austerity and less stimulus. And Greece is demanding to renegotiate the terms of its bailout, a move that has revived the risk of the euro area splintering.

By David Goodman & Lucy Meakin

Greece's government bonds declined for a second day as talks between the nation and euro-area finance ministers ended abruptly and without an agreement on financial support for the nation.

By Nikos Chrysoloras, Marcus Bensasson & Christos Ziotis

The standoff between Greece and its creditors on how to proceed on its bailout program risks triggering a simultaneous cash and credit crunch, which could drive the country out of the euro area.

Here's how a worst-case scenario could unfold:

The euro weakened Tuesday after the showdown debt talks between Greece and its creditors collapsed, raising the prospect the country will be dumped out of the eurozone.

However, many equity markets were unfazed by the trouble in Europe as trade begins to wind down in several Asian bourses before the Lunar New Year holiday at the end of the week.