"Look me straight in the eye. Your mind is emptying, your body is relaxing," says the fireman, using the calming words of hypnosis to help a trauma victim -- a technique being pioneered by fire crews in the eastern French region of Alsace.

Eurozone finance ministers meet Thursday amid sharp differences over banking sector reforms -- trying to resolve whether taxpayers or creditors pay for future bailouts.

Microsoft handed gamers a victory by backing off plans for new-generation Xbox One consoles to require Internet connections and put restrictions on playing second-hand game disks.

Award-winning US actor James Gandolfini, the burly star of classic TV mafia drama "The Sopranos", has died aged 51 in Italy, triggering a flood of tributes from the acting world and beyond.