Since the beginning of time or, at least, pop music, only a few have earned the designation of "song of the summer."
These are the earworms that lodge deep into the brain, pushing past genre preferences and reminding listeners: A hit is a hit. With so much variety, though, it's getting harder to crown a single song of the summer. So The Associated Press is offering 2024 predictions across categories — with past winners for reference.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to feature at six European Championship tournaments when he captained Portugal to a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their opening game on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old Ronaldo, who made his tournament debut at Euro 2004 where Portugal reached the final, already had the records for the most goals (14) at the tournament, while he extended his appearance record to 26 games. He helped Portugal win the title at Euro 2016.

Portugal defender Pepe became the oldest player to feature at a European Championship after helping his team to a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their opening game on Tuesday.
Pepe was 41 years and 113 days old, taking the record from the previous holder, Hungary goalkeeper Gábor Király. Király was 40 years and 86 days old when he played against Belgium in the round of 16 at Euro 2016.

The opening round of group matches at the European Championship is complete.
Here are some things we learned:

The football world is waiting to discover how long France superstar Kylian Mbappé will be out of the European Championship after breaking his nose.
The diagnosis is fairly encouraging from two of his teammates.

Japan's exports surged 13.5% in May, faster than expected growth helped by a weak yen and strong demand in the U.S. and Asia.
Finance Ministry data reported Wednesday showed that the trade deficit totaled 1.22 trillion yen ($7.7 billion), down nearly 12% from 1.38 trillion yen a year earlier. Imports grew 9.5%, year-on-year, to nearly 9.5 trillion yen ($60 billion).

The post-pandemic surge in global sales of luxury handbags, shoes and apparel is set to stall this year amid a creativity crisis and price hikes as brands shift focus to the biggest spending customers, a new study by the Bain consultancy said Tuesday.
Bain is forecasting flat worldwide luxury sales in 2024 following a slight first-quarter dip, according to the study commissioned by the Altagamma association. The consultancy cited political uncertainty during a presidential election year in the United States as well as economic uncertainty in China that has brought on a phenomenon of "luxury shaming."

Nine people were killed and more than 40 injured when a fire set off explosions at a military ammunition depot in Chad's capital, an official said Wednesday.
Government spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah said 46 people were being treated for various injuries after the explosions jolted residents from their sleep late Tuesday in the Goudji district of the capital, N'Djamena. The situation has been brought under control, Koulamallah said.

Greek authorities urged residents on Wednesday to evacuate an area on the fringes of Athens where a large wildfire was fanned by strong winds.
The fire service said more than 40 firefighters, assisted by six water-dropping aircraft, were trying to control the blaze near Vari, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of central Athens.

Russian forces have escalated attacks near Toretsk, a frontline town in eastern Ukraine that has remained relatively calm over recent months of fighting, officials and AFP journalists reported Wednesday.
Overwhelmed and outgunned Ukrainian forces have struggled to hold the line in the eastern Donetsk region, which the Kremlin claims is part of Russia.
