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








Panic at the bullring: Terrified onlookers flee for their lives after a bull leapt over a barrier and ran wild among spectators in Tafalla, Navarra, northern Spain

Distraction tactics A cape is thrown at the beast in an effort to distract it. The bull was caught and later lifted out of the ring with a crane and killed

Fear: A man prepares to shield a young child from the advancing bull, blood visible on its horns (above and below)

Panic at the bullring: Terrified onlookers flee for their lives after a bull leapt over a barrier and ran wild among spectators in Tafalla, Navarra, northern Spain

Too close for comfort: The creature charges, leaving people with little room for escape

I'm an England fan, get me out of here! The fan - who by now has lost his sunglasses - puts valuable feet between him and the bull

It's go time: Lucky for the fan, the bull stumbles over the fence - giving him an extra split second to leap up and flee

OMG: The Lion comes face to face with 1,100 pounds of fury as the bull leaps over the perimeter fence. The England fan must have been able to feel the creature's hot breath in his face

Among the injured was a ten-year-old boy, who was taken to hospital with serious stomach wounds. One man was gored in the back.The incident happened during an event attended by about 3,500 spectators, in which contestants known as recortadores try to get a bull to charge at them so they can dodge it.

But the bull jumped out of the ring, clearing two barriers before landing in the stands and lurching through the screaming crowd, charging at everything it could.
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He appeared to be taking particular aim at the man in the England jersey.

But, despite the phrase 'like a red rag to a bull', the animals are actually colour blind. When a matador waves his red cape in the ring, it is the movement, not the colour, that attracts the creature.

One brave spectator even grabbed the bull by the tail in an attempt to slow it down. The animal had already tried to jump into the stands twice.

After damaging a horn, it was about to be returned to the corral and replaced with another bull when it tried a third time and succeeded.

The panic on Wednesday lasted for several minutes before handlers managed to rope the bull and bring it under control. It was later killed.
Most of the injuries were minor and were treated by medical staff on site, but five victims were taken to hospital in the regional capital of Pamplona, best known for its annual San Fermin running of the bulls festival. Three were still being treated last night.

Among the walking wounded was Inaki Zunzarren, who was badly bruised. He said: 'The bull caught me and hurled me against the concrete seating.'

The incident comes at a time when Spain is split over whether bullfighting should be outlawed.

Last month Catalonia became the first major Spanish region to ban it after a heated debate that pitted animal rights against traditional culture.

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.


Spanish Inquisition: Casillas squares up to Miss Carbonero after his side's shock World Cup defeat against Switzerland in their first game of the tournament

Blushing beauty: Miss Carbonero wipes her face and looks abashed afterwards

Glamorous: Miss Carbonero - voted world's sexiest reporter - before the match

On top of the world: Casillas lifts the World Cup trophy after helping Spain beat Holland 1-0

The passionate embrace came after the World Cup winner broke down in tears and Miss Carbonero, 25, offered him time to compose himself.
Taking her by surprise, he grabbed the glamorous sports presenter – voted the sexiest in the world - as he said: ‘No, this is what I want to do.’

Casillas, 29, was named man-of-the-match after making two outstanding saves to keep his country's tournament dreams alive against Holland.
Andres Iniesta's extra-time winner then broke Dutch hearts as Vicente Del Bosque's team clinched the title following a tense and scrappy match.
Spain scored four minutes before penalties would have been required to decide the winner.

Tears filled the captain’s eyes as the final whistle was blown – and, as Spain’s road to victory was anything but easy, this could probably be expected.

In their first game against Switzerland, they lost 1-0 and as sudden doubts emerged over the Spaniards’ chances, Miss Carbonero left her boyfriend squirming in an interview as she asked him: ‘How could you muck this up?’The Real Madrid star responded: 'I don't know what to say,' he said, unable to look her in the eye. 'I don't know if this defeat will have consequences. The dressing room is fed up.'

He then slunk off feeling somewhat abashed.

But last night the tables were finally turned as Miss Carbonero, a reporter for Spanish TV station Telecinco, was the one looking embarrassed.

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.


Game over: Marquet Cot is held on the ground by security officials

Shock: Officials and football fans look astonished as Marquet Cot lies on the floor.Floored: The pitch invader falls to the ground after being hit by a security guard

Facing jail: Jump is carried from the Soccer City grounds and is charged by police

The joker, who is in his mid-30s, sprinted across the turf wearing a black T-shirt with writing that said 'Jimmy Jump against racism' while holding his trademark red Catalan hat.
After being punched to the ground, he was carried down the tunnel by seven stewards, past astonished players and officials who were lining up ready to take to the field.

As a result of the pre-match stunt, the famous World Cup trophy was kept under lock and key during Spain's 1-0 defeat of the Netherlands in Johannesburg.
Marquet Cot, from Sabadell, Catalonia, has previously pulled off security breaches at high-profile events including the Spanish Grand Prix, the Eurovision Song Contest and top European football matches.

A police spokesman said: 'The man is Jaume Marquet Cot, who has done this sort of thing before.
We're pretty annoyed that antics like this got in the way of the start of the match, but at least it wasn't a life-threatening situation.

'The bottom line is he has shown serious disrespect for the authorities and for the tournament. For that he will pay.'

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.


Favouring Spain? Howard Webb had no choice but to send off John Heitinga after fouling Andres Iniesta

...but is only booked by Howard Webb while the Spaniard fights for breath

Favouring Spain? Holland's Nigel de Jong takes out Xabi Alonso chest high...

Favouring Spain? Holland coach Bert Van Marwijk should be grateful his side did not have three players sent off

 
Favouring Spain? Howard Webb books Spanish defender Carles Puyol, one of five Spaniards to be shown a yellow card

 
The South Yorkshire official was booed by Dutch fans at the final whistle and
Liverpool forward Kuyt said: 'We are angry that we lost because we came so close. I know you cannot blame others, but the referee favoured 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.


I'm the boss: Webb usually let his cards do than the talking for him

Dutch protests at the goal rightly fell on deaf ears. No one, least of all Webb, could have any sympathy. The right team won.

Player management

A surprising lack of talking to the players from the first minute following Robin van Persie’s poor challenge. Usually an excellent communicator and a calming influence, Webb let his yellow cards do his talking for him. Players made it tough for him by crowding him.

Fitness

Webb’s strength is his fitness and movement; never far from the action but never in the way. Strangely out of position by the touchline in the 28th minute, he missed full impact of De Jong kick.

Assistants

Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey did what they could to assist Webb and continued to give him all the support they could. Two close but correct offside calls by Cann against David Villa proved once again that he is the best in the world. Mullarkey was also right when he kept his flag down for Andres Iniesta to score the World Cup-winning goal in extra-time.
Decision making

It’s all about getting the big decisions right. De Jong’s kick to the chest of Alonso was an obvious red — Webb can’t have seen it clearly. Van Bommel could also have seen red in the first half. The detection of fouls was excellent but the disciplinary measures taken were not.

Match management

Balance, fair play and credibility are the key to refereeing. This was a poor game, tough to handle and made more so by the approach of the players. Watching on TV, it was clear the unfair physical approach of the Dutch was allowed to stifle the Spanish flair. When the yellow card doesn’t work the red should be shown.

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.



Torres was spotted in the jubliant dressing room with the Liverpool scarf on his shoulders as he cradled the World Cup trophy in the aftermath of their victory over Holland in Johannesburg.
Barclays Premier League rivals Chelsea are desperate to bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer as they attempt to take advantage of Liverpool's failure to qualify for the Champions League.

The champions have already lodged a formal £40million bid for Torres, who has also attracted interest from Manchester City and Barcelona.

But his gesture could be viewed as an act of commitment to Liverpool as fears heighten over his future.
The Liverpool website certainly interpreted the pictures as a sign of him staying at the club. In an article headlined 'Best pic you'll see all year', it started: 'Fernando Torres showed football fans across the globe how much he loves Liverpool by parading the World Cup while wearing a Reds scarf.'

Meanwhile, Torres is set to discover how long he will be sidelined with the groin injury he appeared to suffer in the final.

Although Torres was left reeling in agony on the pitch after pullin up in extra-time, he was later spotted walking freely in the 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.


Flying the flag: The colours of the national team are on show out of the pilot's window

Heroes: Xavi (left) and Andres Iniesta enjoy the attention at Barajas airport

The players headed off for a siesta before they are due to attend a reception hosted by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in the Spanish capital.

Around a million fans are expected to line the streets of Madrid when the players take part in an open-top bus parade from 6pm UK time.The plane carrying the squad and staff - complete with a Spanish flag flying from the front - landed just before 2pm local time.

The plane was emblazoned with the word 'Campeones', while two fire engines also made a guard of honour with their jet streams.
Casillas, who cried after victory on Sunday, again appeared to be on the verge of tears as he led his team across the tarmac.

Spain won the World Cup for the first time ever after Andres Iniesta's extra-time goal at the Soccer City Stadium.