Baked Courgette (Zucchini) with Feta

Spain King Welcomes Soccer Heroes Home

Tens of thousands of jubilant fans turned out in the streets of the Spanish capital Madrid on Monday to welcome home the national football team after their record-breaking victory at the Euro 2012 tournament. Spain's King Juan Carlos greeted the team at Madrid's Zarzuela Palace. He told them: "Each of you is a good player, but as a team you are formidable…You know how to play together, how to combine your own skills with those of your teammates." The team then headed off through the streets on an open-top bus for their victory parade. It seemed as though the city had been turned red and yellow as the bus made its way through the capital. Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas said: "It's one of the best days of my life."

Spain's 4-0 thrashing of Italy in the final in Kiev on Sunday made them the first ever team to win three successive major international tournaments. They won the World Cup in 2010 and have now become the first nation to successfully defend a European Championship. Their winning margin on Sunday was the biggest ever for a Euro final. Spain became the first team to win 15 straight competitive fixtures and matched Brazil's record 35-game unbeaten run from the 1990s. They also qualified for the last two major tournaments, winning every game they played. Many soccer analysts are now saying the team is the greatest ever and they could win the 2014 World Cup, for four in a row. (Breking News)

Woman claims watching 3D film made her pregnant

(The Poke)

Kayaker's lucky escape from great white shark

One kayaker had a lucky escape after he spotted a great white shark.

Walter Szulc was paddling near Cape Cod in the east of America when he saw the animal's fin behind him.
Despite being his first time in the ocean, Mr Szulc managed to stay calm and paddle quickly back to shore.
Experts think that sharks come to the area to eat seals, one of their favourite foods.
Mr Szluc said: "I saw the fin out of the water. I looked down and saw the body and realised that part of the shark was underneath me."
The beach was closed after the ocean predator was seen, but no more sharks have been spotted in the area since. (CBBC Newsround)

Learn In Your Sleep, Researchers Say

U.S. researchers suggest sleeping can help us remember things we have just learnt. A team from Northwestern University report that a 90-minute nap can help people learn a new skill. The article on their research is published in the June edition of the journal "Nature". The scientists say: "Information acquired during waking can be reactivated during sleep, promoting memory stabilization." Test volunteers practised musical tunes before and after a short sleep. During the nap, the researchers played one of the tunes the volunteers had practised, but not the other. The team found that the participants made fewer errors when playing the melody that had been played while they slept.

Study co-author Dr Paul J. Reuber points out the research might not work with learning a foreign language while you sleep. He said: "The critical difference is that our research shows that memory is strengthened for something you've already learned." He added: "Rather than learning something new in your sleep, we're talking about enhancing an existing memory by re-activating information recently acquired." However, Dr Reuber did say there were possibilities for language learners: "If you were learning how to speak in a foreign language during the day, for example, and then tried to reactivate those memories during sleep, perhaps you might enhance your learning," he said. (Breaking News)

British Singer Adele is Pregnant

British singing sensation Adele has announced she is expecting her first child. She posted on her website: "I'm delighted to announce that Simon and I are expecting our first child together. I wanted you to hear the news direct from me. Obviously we're over the moon and very excited, but please respect our privacy at this precious time." The 24-year-old star has been dating boyfriend Simon Konecki, 36, since last summer. Adele has already quashed rumours the couple are engaged. Adele recently told Britain's "People" magazine that she "really wants to be a mum". She said it was her goal to have three sons by the time she is 30 and joked that she had "better start getting on with it". (Breaking News)

Plant flowers in garden after 25 year wait

A plant which only flowers once every 25 years has come into bloom at a National Trust property in south Devon.

Gardeners noticed changes in the Mexican plant called Furcraea in the first weeks of May.
Since then it has grown a spike more than three metres tall covered with flowers and buds.
Head gardener Cat Saunders said: "I feel really lucky to be working here at this time - it's not your everyday gardening experience."
The gardeners will collect seeds from the plant to grow for a new generation of Furcraea, but of course that could be another 25-year wait. (CBBC Newsround)

Ajo Blanco

Ajo blanco, a white version of gazpacho, is believed to have originated with the moors. If a silkier texture is desired, try soaking the blanched almonds in milk before processing. This will enhance the soup's delicate creaminess.

• Serves 4 to 6
• 15 minutes preparation plus chilling time
• Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients

• 1 cup (6 oz) blanched almonds
• 4 slices crustless white bread, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes
• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 1/2 cups (20 fl. oz) cold water
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• Salt
• 1/2 cup (3 oz) seedles green grapes

To garnish

• Toasted slivered almonds
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Preparation

Combine the almonds, bread, and garlic in a food processor and blend until smooth. With the motor still running, slowly pour in the olive oil until a smooth paste is formed.

Add in the cold water and the vinegar. Process until the mixture is thin and smooth. Season with salt to taste.

Pour the mixture into a large bowl. Float the grapes on the top of the soup. Cover and allow to chill in the refrigerator.

To serve, pour the soup into individual soup bowls and garnish with the toasted almond slivers and chopped parsley, if desired. (Spain recipes)