Virulent E. Coli Strain Spreads in Germany and Puzzles Health Officials

Cucumbers from Spain were left in crates as suppliers in several European nations halted entry. By ALAN COWELL and WILLIAM NEUMAN BERLIN - An unusually lethal strain of E. coli bacteria has infected more than 1500 people in Germany, mystifying public


E.coli epidemic continues to gather pace with almost 200 new cases reported over the last 24 hours amid a bad-tempered spat between Berlin and Madrid over Spanish cucumbers. Yesterday authorities confirmed more than 1500 infections with

Spain: PM Zapatero rules out early general election - Spain socialites faces worst election ever.

Spain's ruling Socialist party is licking its political wounds, after voters punished the government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in local and regional elections.

The Spanish prime minister wanted to maintain a robust welfare state while handling the demands of the global economy. His decision to abandon the former in favour of the latter goes a long way to explaining the Socialists' local election disaster

A crushing defeat for the ruling Socialist Party in regional elections over the weekend has thrust the bond market's attentions back on Spain, but market participants say it might be too early to press the alarm button.

Spectators Flee as bull rage into crowds.

Is THIS the red rag that set the bull off? Man in England shirt dives for safety as beast goes on rampage through Spanish crowd

So close: The enraged beast tears through the fencing - inches away from the terrified onlookers

Brave: A man grabs the bull's tail in a vain attempt to control it 

Resting his chin in his hands and enjoying the Spanish sun, this man in a red England shirt has no idea that he is about to come face to face with a rampaging, enraged beast.

Seconds later he is fleeing for his life as one bull leaps into the stands at a bullring and charges through the crowd.

At least 40 people were injured when the 1,100lb animal scaled the perimeter fence in Tafalla, Spain

Spain captain embraces TV reporter girlfriend live on air after World Cup win

Joy: Miss Carbonero asks Casillas how he feels about his World Cup triumph

That's my answer! The goalkeeper plants a kiss on his glamorous girlfriend

Gotcha! Iker Casillas surprises Sara Carbonero with a kiss during a live interview

What a difference a World Cup win makes.

At the beginning of the South Africa 2010 tournament – after Spain’s shock defeat by Switzerland – the Spanish captain Iker Casillas was berated by his TV reporter girlfriend Sara Carbonero.

But six games later, after lifting the trophy and being asked about the triumph, all was forgiven as the goalkeeper kissed and made up on live TV.

Fan punched to ground by security guard after storming pitch to cover World Cup trophy with a hat

Pitch invasion: 'Jimmy Jump' bursts on to the grass and attempts to throw a hat over the World Cup trophy

Lightning reaction: A security guard runs on to the pitch to stop Jaume Marquet Cot

Security alert: Jump is punched to the ground by a security guard

A serial pitch invader was punched to the ground by a security guard as he stormed the Soccer City ground and threw a hat over the solid gold World Cup trophy before last night's final.

Notorious Barcelona fan Jaume Marquet Cot - known as 'Jimmy Jump' - fell to the floor after being knocked out with one hit as he ran across the grass to the ceremonial stand 10 metres from the team dug-outs.

WORLD CUP 2010: Holland striker Dirk Kuyt blasts 'cheating Howard Webb' for handing World Cup to Spain

Dirk Kuyt pointed the finger of blame for Holland's World Cup final defeat by Spain at English referee Howard Webb.

Webb brandished 13 yellow cards and one red - a record for a final - in a fiery encounter which saw Andres Iniesta's extra-time goal secure a 1-0 win for Spain.

WORLD CUP OFFICIAL LINE: Tetchy final made it impossible for Howard Webb to shine

An honour: Referee Howard Webb, with assistant referee Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey, were the first all English team to officiate the World Cup final since 1974

Missed: Nigel de Jong escaped with just a yellow card for this kick on Xabi Alonso. Webb was poorly positioned at the time

Supporting Howard Webb this World Cup has been easy. But it is impossible to shine in a game like this one — tetchy, physical and tense.

Overall, he did ok but will wince when seeing the Nigel de Jong tackle in his debrief.
How many of the Dutch can say they were true to their football history when there were a record 13 yellow cards and one red? It’s easy to blame the ref, but Holland’s tactics were shameful.

Fernando Torres dons Liverpool scarf in Spain's World Cup party amid fears he'll quit for Chelsea

Pure delight: Fernando Torres lifts the World Cup trophy in Johannesburg

Pain game: Torres is taken off the field on a stretcher after being injured

Liverpool received a huge boost in their bid to hold on to Fernando Torres after the striker was pictured with a Reds scarf draped around his neck in the World Cup celebrations.

WORLD CUP 2010: Champions Spain return to a hero's welcome in Madrid

Main men: Spain's players pose with the World Cup trophy on their flight

World champions Spain received a hero's welcome as they touched down in Madrid today.

After winning the World Cup by beating Holland 1-0 in Johannesburg on Sunday night, the jubilant players arrived to a rapturous reception at Barajas airport.
A big crowd roared with delight as the players - led by skipper Iker Casillas holding the trophy - walked down the steps on to the tarmac.

Germany 0 Spain 1: Head boy Carles Puyol thunders La Roja into first World Cup final

Floored genius: Carles Puyol (bottom right) thunders Spain into the ascendancy

Close run thing: David Villa (right) almost connects with Andres Iniesta's (unsighted) centre

Spain needed a 73rd minute goal from defender Carles Puyol to edge past Germany 1-0 on Wednesday and set up a World Cup final against Holland.

Puyol climbed above the defence to head the winner from a Xavi corner and send Spain to their first World Cup final.

Cesc Fabregas a doubt for Spain's semi-final against Germany after suffering leg injury in training

 Bench warmer: Cesc Fabregas, who has yet to start at the World Cup, could be out of contention for the semi-final

Cesc Fabregas is a doubt for Spain's World Cup semi-final against Germany on Wednesday after injuring his right leg in training, a Spanish team spokeswoman said.

She said in a short statement that an X-ray had shown no bone damage and 'his participation had not been ruled out' for the second semi in Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Joachim Low will tell Germany to stifle Spain duo Andres Iniesta and Xavi

Duelling pistons: Germany will look to deny Xavi and Iniesta space to dominate

Germany coach Joachim Low believes that neutralising Andres Iniesta and Xavi will be the key to his side's hopes of upsetting Spain in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final in Durban.

The Barcelona pair played major roles when Vicente del Bosque's team were crowned European champions two years ago and have again figured heavily in South
Africa.

WORLD CUP 2010: Cristiano Ronaldo's spitting mad at TV camera after Portugal exit

Spitting mad: Cristiano Ronaldo vents his anger in defeat in the most  unsavoury manner by spitting at TV camerman

Cristiano Ronaldo ook out his frustration by spitting towards a TV camera following Portugal's exit last night.

The Real Madrid winger spat at the feet of a cameraman who was trailing him at the final whistle.
Ronaldo endured a particularly poor night and appeared not to take kindly to being the focus of attention as he trudged off the pitch.

WORLD CUP 2010: Paraguay 0 Spain 1 - Five star David Villa seals a semi-final showdown with Germany

Hauled down: Gerard Pique (front) pulls down Oscar Cardozo for the first penalty

Catching practice: Iker Casillas plucked Oscar Cardozo's spot kick out of the air.Priceless: David Villa pounces to fire his fifth goal of tournament

David Villa underlined his reputation as the hottest striker in world football with a dramatic late winner that broke Paraguay hearts and confirmed quarter-final winners Spain as favourites to left their first World Cup.

Villa produced an ice-cool finish on 82 minutes after dogged Paraguay had threatened to pull off another great shock in this tournament of surprises.