By Mark John and Philip Blenkinsop PARIS/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - France threatened on Wednesday to block the start of free trade talks between the European Union and the United States if movies and digital media are not kept out of the negotiations. Two days before EU countries are supposed to give the go-ahead for negotiations, France said it would veto the talks unless the sector - that it sees as crucial to its cultural identity and under threat from Hollywood - is excluded.

By Mark John and Philip Blenkinsop PARIS/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - France threatened on Wednesday to block the start of free trade talks between the European Union and the United States if movies and digital media are not kept out the negotiations. Two days before EU countries are supposed to give the go-ahead for negotiations, France said it would veto the talks unless the sector - that it sees as crucial to its cultural identity and under threat from Hollywood - is excluded.

MONTREAL - The worst economic crisis since World War II has demonstrated the resilience of the euro, the former head of the European Central Bank said Wednesday. "It was so bold the setting up of the euro that nobody would trust that it could be solid," Jean-Claude Trichet told reporters after speaking to the Conference of Montreal. "But it proved it could be solid." "What was less solid was the economic union," he added.

KARLSRUHE, Germany - A top European Central Bank official rejected accusations that the bank had exceeded its powers while fighting the financial crisis, telling Germany's supreme court its bond-buying program is only meant to ensure its monetary policy works. The Federal constitutional Court was holding a second day of hearings to weigh allegations that the ECB's plan to purchase government bonds amounted to financing for governments, which is illegal for the central bank. Critics also say it exposes taxpayers to potential losses and threatens the ECB's independence.