THOUSANDS of runners packed the cobbled streets of Pamplona yesterday as they took on the bulls for the third of eight planned runs.

Five small bombs exploded on highways close to the Spanish capital, Madrid, today following a warning call in the name of the armed Basque group Eta, the Interior Ministry said.

At least 14 firefighters died while trying to control a forest blaze that destroyed about 12,000 acres of woodland and forced hundreds of people to evacuate their villages in drought-stricken Spain.

At least 14 firefighters died today while trying to control a forest blaze that destroyed about 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres) of woodland and forced hundreds of people to evacuate their villages in drought-stricken Spain, an Interior Ministry spokesman said.

Charging bulls tossed, gored and terrified human daredevils today as this year’s San Fermin festival served up its longest and most dangerous run yet, with at least four people gored.

SPANISH voters overwhelmingly endorsed the European Union constitution in a referendum yesterday - but turnout was only about 41%, an exit poll said.