■ Italy
Craftsmen lacking guts
Craftsmen who make strings for violins, cellos and other musical instruments are challenging an EU ban on the use of animal gut because of fears of BSE. The Aquila company, the leading producer of strings in Italy, says it is becoming increasingly difficult to find enough raw material to make its products since the EU outlawed the use of sheep and cow intestines to halt the spread of mad cow disease. "This ban makes no sense. You can't eat a violin string -- you wouldn't want to," said Aquila's Mimmo Peruffo. The company has been forced to turn to a gut supplier in Argentina, a country the EU rates as risk-free, to continue production.
■ France
Elton John loses it again
British pop star Elton John launched an expletive-laden tirade against the press in Cannes late on Saturday while presenting an award to an actor during the annual film festival. As John presented the Chopard Trophy to Canadian actor Kevin Zegers, who co-starred in the film Transamerica with Felicity Huffman. "I sincerely believe he will be a huge star and a great actor for many, many years to come." Then, as photographers called out during his address, he added: "If you saw Transamerica ... I'm talking ... you fuckwit, fucking photographers you should be shot, you should be all shot. Thank you." After handing the award to a smiling Zegers, he added: "They are a nightmare."
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