- US wants end to Israel-Hezbollah war 'as soon as possible'
- Van Dijk talking to 'right people' over Liverpool contract
- Vietnam's top leader pushes anti-corruption fight
- Arteta urges Arsenal to use Bournemouth 'pain' against Shakhtar
- Rabada fastest to 300th Test wicket, as Bangladesh all out for 106
- Stock markets mostly fall, oil jumps as China cuts rates
- France bristles at painkiller maker's sale to US fund
- Moldova narrowly votes for EU membership amid fraud claims
- Erdogan rival Gulen dies in exile at 83
- Man Utd's Ten Hag relishing Europa League clash with Mourinho
- Amnesty says migrant workers exploited at Carrefour Saudi stores
- Fethullah Gulen: ex-Erdogan ally who became public enemy number one
- Rabada takes 300th Test wicket as Bangladesh all out for 106
- Seoul demands 'immediate withdrawal' of North Korean troops in Russia
- WHO to evacuate 1,000 Gazan women, children for urgent medical care
- Israel bombs Hezbollah-linked finance group in Lebanon
- Erdogan's rival Fetullah Gulen dies in exile aged 83
- Gauff-led USA pitted with Canada at season-opening United Cup
- Cuban leader warns against unrest over nationwide blackout
- Asian markets mixed as traders digest China rate cut
- Sanofi pursues sale of painkiller after political controversy
- Trump heads to hurricane-hit N. Carolina, Harris in swing state push
- Rabada takes 300th wicket as Bangladesh stumble to 60-6 at lunch
- Alpacas, hecklers and climate warnings: King Charles visits Australia's capital
- Moldova EU vote too close to call, president blames 'foreign interference'
- Sartorially suave alpaca sneezes on King Charles
- In a first, France welcomes Russian army deserters
- Storm Oscar hits eastern Cuba as island grapples with blackout
- New Zealand basks in 'golden 48 hours' after sporting triumphs
- UN biodiversity summit opens with call for 'significant' funding
- Dodgers beat Mets to set World Series showdown with Yankees
- Liberty rally to top Lynx in overtime for WNBA title
- US, Canada warships pass through Taiwan Strait
- Asian markets fluctuate as traders digest China rate cut
- Naomi Osaka season over because of injury
- Toll from attack in India-controlled Kashmir rises to seven: reports
- Simmering Bellingham set for Dortmund reunion in Champions League
- World Cup winner Kerr thanks 'grandmas' for T20 inspiration
- Dortmund identity crisis ahead of European rematch with Real Madrid
- China's central bank cuts two key rates to boost economy
- BHP goes on trial in London over 2015 toxic Brazil mine disaster
- Pakistan passes constitutional amendments aimed at courts
- Fungi finding: mushroom hunters seek new species and recognition
- Beware: US election disinformation masked as 'breaking news'
- Celtics seek repeat, Lebron and son unite as NBA season opens
- Poston holds off Ghim for PGA Tour triumph in Las Vegas
- Unbeaten Chiefs march past 49ers, Lions hand Vikings first loss
- Moldova president blames interference for potential EU referendum loss
- King Charles to spotlight conflict, climate in Australian capital
- UN chief seeks 'significant' funding at summit to save nature
England begin quest to deliver on great expectations at Euro 2024
England manager Gareth Southgate said his side must be "exceptional" to end a 58-year major tournament title drought as they kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday.
England must cope with the pressure of being hyped as one of the favourites for the tournament as Southgate aims to finally steer a richly-talented generation to glory.
Tens of thousands of England supporters have arrived in Gelsenkirchen, in western Germany, eager to see a show from their team after a shock 1-0 defeat by Iceland in their final warm-up match.
England are aiming to make amends after losing the final of Euro 2020 to Italy on home soil at Wembley.
Under Southgate they have also come close at two World Cups and the England boss has acknowledged this could his final opportunity for major tournament success.
But strong performances from Germany and Spain in winning their opening games have shown the scale of the task awaiting England.
"There are a lot of good teams in this tournament. We have to be exceptional to progress through the group and have the opportunity to go further," said Southgate at his pre-match press conference.
"Our focus is to qualify from the group. When you're trying to achieve exceptional things you have to break it down into chunks.
"Our first priority is to get through the group and work from there."
Despite a remarkable goalscoring record at club and international level, England captain Harry Kane is yet to win a major trophy in his career.
"Winning a trophy for your country would be the pinnacle of every career," said Kane, who scored 44 times in his debut season at Bayern Munich.
"It hasn't quite happened yet but it makes me more determined and hungry to go out and do that, starting with this summer.
"We have the opportunity to go out and do that and I'm looking forward to trying to make that happen."
England are expected to cruise through Group C, which also contains Denmark and Slovenia, who face each other earlier Sunday in Stuttgart.
- Mitrovic threat -
There is little for Southgate to fear based on Serbia's performance in qualifying.
Dragan Stojkovic's side won just four of their eight qualifiers, losing twice to Hungary and being held on both occasions by Bulgaria.
However, they have a striker in form in Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is well known to Premier League fans from his eight years in England with Newcastle United and Fulham.
Mitrovic has scored 40 goals in 43 games since joining Saudi side Al Hilal, helping them to an unbeaten domestic treble.
"He's an outstanding goalscorer," said Southgate. "We have to be ready to deal with some exceptional players across the pitch."
Serbia coach Stojkovic is aware of the challenge facing his side, but said England had to prove their status as pre-tournament favourites once the action gets underway.
"The team that tries to be the champion of Europe," said Stojkovic on what he expects from England.
"They have to do it on the pitch. You can say this or that and make all kind of forecasts, but all that has to be shown on the field to prove yourselves."
The match has been declared as "high risk" by German police and the first real test of the tournament for the security forces.
Supporters will only be able to access reduced-strength beer at the Arena AufSchalke.
England's opening game at Euro 2016 against Russia saw running battles between hooligans.
The Euro 2020 final was also marred by ugly scenes as ticketless fans stormed the entrances to Wembley.
Hooliganism has also been a recurring theme at Serbian international matches and both managers called on the fans to enjoy what Southgate described as a "carnival of football".
Stojkovic added: "Football is something special for people to enjoy and I'm sure both sides will be very happy to be at the stadium."
Sunday's first game sees the Netherlands and Poland meet in Hamburg in Group D.
On Saturday, reigning champions Italy began their campaign by beating Albania 2-1 in Dortmund, despite falling behind to the fastest ever goal at the tournament, scored after just 23 seconds.
Spain beat Croatia 3-0 in Berlin in the same Group B, while Switzerland defeated Hungary 3-1 in Cologne in Group A.
M.Fischer--AMWN