Madrid - Spanish movie profes

San Sebastian, Spain - A bomb planted by suspected activists of the militant Basque separatist group ETA exploded overnight in the Basque town of Lazkao, causing no injuries, regional officials said Monday.

The blast did, however, cause serious damage to the local headquarters of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's Socialist Party, which is believed to have a good chance of winning Sunday's regional elections.

An anonymous caller speaking in the name of ETA warned a road rescue service about the bomb 1.5 hours before it went off.

Madrid  - Two weeks ago everybody in Spain agreed that the battle for the Spanish Liga title was all over.

After breaking all the records in the first half of the season, Josep Guardiola's brilliant Barcelona were 12 points ahead of Real Madrid.

Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi, Xavi and company were breaking all the points and goals records, while waltzing through each game with elegance and authority.

Madrid  - Barcelona suffered their second league defeat of the season on Saturday 2-1 at home to lowly Espanyol, for whom ex-Barca star Ivan de la Pena was the two-goal hero.

At the same time, Real Madrid were scoring their ninth straight win by thrashing hapless Betis 6-1, with all the goals coming in a breathless first half.

These results bring the Liga race back to life because second-place Real are now just seven points behind Barca, who held a 12-point lead two weeks ago.

Madrid  - Barcelona's Eric Abidal will be out of action for around two months, after tearing the abductor muscle in his right thigh in Saturday's shock 2-1 defeat at home to local rivals Espanyol.

Abidal was stretchered off after just 24 minutes after a clash with Espanyol's Sergio Sanchez. A preliminary exploration by the Barca doctors suggests that he will be out for around eight or nine weeks.

Abidal, 29, will miss the upcoming Champions League round of 16 clash against Olympique Lyon, his former club.

Madrid  - Barcelona suffered their second league defeat of the season on Saturday 2-1 at home to lowly Espanyol, for whom ex-Barca star Ivan de la Pena was the two-goal hero.

At the same time, Real Madrid were scoring their ninth straight win by thrashing hapless Betis 6-1, with all the goals coming in a breathless first half.

These results bring the Liga race back to life because second-place Real are now seven points behind Barca, who held a 12-point two weeks ago.

"Tonight's games really brings the league back to life," said Real striker Gonzalo Higuain, who opened the scoring against Betis.