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AP News Digest 3 a.m.

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AP News Digest 3 a.m.
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AP News Digest 3 a.m.

2024-08-03 15:00 Last Updated At:15:11

Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the-minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan in AP Newsroom.

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FILE - Jimmy Donaldson, the popular YouTube video maker who goes by MrBeast, wears a Lionel Messi jersey as he stands in a sideline box at the start of an MLS soccer match between Inter Miami and CF Montreal, March 10, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. MrBeast is facing complaints about the safety of contestants from the preliminary rounds of his ambitious “Beast Games" game show, which boasts 1,000 competitors hoping for a $5 million grand prize. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the-minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan in AP Newsroom.

FILE - Steven Tyler of Aerosmith performs during night one of their "Peace Out: The Farewell Tour" on Sept. 2, 2023, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The band said Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, that Tyler's voice has been permanently damaged by a vocal cord injury last year and the band will no longer tour. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Steven Tyler of Aerosmith performs during night one of their "Peace Out: The Farewell Tour" on Sept. 2, 2023, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The band said Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, that Tyler's voice has been permanently damaged by a vocal cord injury last year and the band will no longer tour. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Vietnamese President To Lam delivers a speech during a news conference held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party, which elected Lam as the new Communist Party Chief, the country’s most power role, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, Hanoi, Vietnam. (Duong Van Giang/VNA via AP)

Vietnamese President To Lam delivers a speech during a news conference held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party, which elected Lam as the new Communist Party Chief, the country’s most power role, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, Hanoi, Vietnam. (Duong Van Giang/VNA via AP)

Roger Heim, right, and Terry Smith, second from right, both of Valrico, Fla., fill sand bags in preparation for a weekend storm at the Edward Medard Conservation Park in Plant City, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Roger Heim, right, and Terry Smith, second from right, both of Valrico, Fla., fill sand bags in preparation for a weekend storm at the Edward Medard Conservation Park in Plant City, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, people react during the launching ceremony of the Ukrainian Navy's Ada class corvette "Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi" in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. This vessel was constructed for the Ukrainian Navy at a shipyard in Turkey. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, people react during the launching ceremony of the Ukrainian Navy's Ada class corvette "Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi" in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. This vessel was constructed for the Ukrainian Navy at a shipyard in Turkey. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

Guerschon Yabusele, of France, hangs on the rim after a dunk against Germany in a men's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Guerschon Yabusele, of France, hangs on the rim after a dunk against Germany in a men's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Japan's Masaru Yamada celebrates after winning the men's team epee semifinal match against the Czech Republic at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Japan's Masaru Yamada celebrates after winning the men's team epee semifinal match against the Czech Republic at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Left Gyoergy Grozer, Anton Brehme, and Moritz Karlitzek, of Germany block the ball during the Group C men's volleyball match between Argentina and Germany at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Left Gyoergy Grozer, Anton Brehme, and Moritz Karlitzek, of Germany block the ball during the Group C men's volleyball match between Argentina and Germany at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Algeria's Imane Khelif, right, walks beside Italy's Angela Carini after their women's 66kg preliminary boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Algeria's Imane Khelif, right, walks beside Italy's Angela Carini after their women's 66kg preliminary boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Children attend a swimming camp organized by the Grand Bleu Association which facilitates access to the sea for marginalized children in Marseille, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. Marseille, a millennia-old port, is a crossroads of cultures and faiths, where the sea is ever present but not equally accessible, and the beauty and cosmopolitan flair rub shoulders with enclaves of poverty and exclusion even more intimately than in the rest of France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Children attend a swimming camp organized by the Grand Bleu Association which facilitates access to the sea for marginalized children in Marseille, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. Marseille, a millennia-old port, is a crossroads of cultures and faiths, where the sea is ever present but not equally accessible, and the beauty and cosmopolitan flair rub shoulders with enclaves of poverty and exclusion even more intimately than in the rest of France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

FILE - This Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 courtroom drawing by artist Janet Hamlin and reviewed by the U.S. military, shows Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, center, and co-defendant Walid Bin Attash, left, attending a pre-trial session at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. The man accused of being the main plotter in al-Qaeda's Sept. 11, 2001 attacks has agreed to plead guilty, The Defense Department said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Janet Hamlin, Pool, File)

FILE - This Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 courtroom drawing by artist Janet Hamlin and reviewed by the U.S. military, shows Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, center, and co-defendant Walid Bin Attash, left, attending a pre-trial session at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. The man accused of being the main plotter in al-Qaeda's Sept. 11, 2001 attacks has agreed to plead guilty, The Defense Department said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Janet Hamlin, Pool, File)

Crews work to clean debris and repave roads, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The parties in lawsuits seeking damages for last year’s Maui wildfires have reached a $4 billion global settlement, a court filing said Friday, Aug. 2. The agreement comes nearly one year after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed 102 people and destroyed the historic downtown area of Lahaina on Maui. The Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire burned thousands of homes and displaced 12,000 people. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Crews work to clean debris and repave roads, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The parties in lawsuits seeking damages for last year’s Maui wildfires have reached a $4 billion global settlement, a court filing said Friday, Aug. 2. The agreement comes nearly one year after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed 102 people and destroyed the historic downtown area of Lahaina on Maui. The Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire burned thousands of homes and displaced 12,000 people. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

An Iranian woman holds up a poster of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh with Arabic writing: "Congratulations Haniyeh!" during his funeral ceremony and of his bodyguard, after they were killed in an assassination blamed on Israel on Wednesday, at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

An Iranian woman holds up a poster of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh with Arabic writing: "Congratulations Haniyeh!" during his funeral ceremony and of his bodyguard, after they were killed in an assassination blamed on Israel on Wednesday, at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Israeli activists surround Alice Kisiya, center, as they try to enter her family's land, after the Palestinian family was forcefully evicted by Israeli settlers backed by soldiers who declared it a closed military area, in the West Bank town of Beit Jala, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Israeli activists surround Alice Kisiya, center, as they try to enter her family's land, after the Palestinian family was forcefully evicted by Israeli settlers backed by soldiers who declared it a closed military area, in the West Bank town of Beit Jala, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Pedestrians walk past a campaign mural featuring President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernardo Suarez)

Pedestrians walk past a campaign mural featuring President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernardo Suarez)

Reporter Evan Gershkovich is greeted on the tarmac by his mother, Ella Milman, as President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris look on at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., following his release as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the United States, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Reporter Evan Gershkovich is greeted on the tarmac by his mother, Ella Milman, as President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris look on at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., following his release as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the United States, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after speaking at a campaign rally, July 31, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pa. Trump returns to Georgia on Saturday, Aug. 3, to hone in on Vice President Kamala Harris, his newly minted general election opponent, in a state that both major parties now see as up for grabs, yet again. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after speaking at a campaign rally, July 31, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pa. Trump returns to Georgia on Saturday, Aug. 3, to hone in on Vice President Kamala Harris, his newly minted general election opponent, in a state that both major parties now see as up for grabs, yet again. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

FILE - Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at a Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority gathering in Houston, July 31, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

FILE - Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at a Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority gathering in Houston, July 31, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

TOP STORIES

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ELECTION 2024-HARRIS — Vice President Kamala Harris says she’s ready for the fight against Republican Donald Trump after securing enough votes from Democratic delegates to become her party’s presidential nominee. The Democratic Party chair announced Friday that Harris had the votes. The online voting process doesn’t end until Monday, but Harris’ campaign marked the moment Friday when she crossed the threshold to have the majority of delegates’ votes. Harris is poised to be the first woman of color at the top of a major party’s ticket. The Democratic Party’s convention in Chicago begins Aug. 19. By Will Weissert, Seung Min Kim and Chris Megerian. SENT: 620 words, photos. WITH: US-ELECTION-2024-HARRIS-VP — Kamala Harris is interviewing six potential vice president picks this weekend, AP sources say. SENT: 510 words, photos, video; ELECTION 2024-HARRIS-FUNDRAISING; ELECTION 2024-HARRIS-CODE-SWITCHING; ELECTION 2024-THE LATEST (sent).

RUSSIA-PRISONER-SWAP-KREMLIN-GAINS — In the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War, Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a clear, morale-boosting message to his security services: If you get caught, Russia will bring you home. For the Kremlin, Vadim Krasikov, the hitman imprisoned in Germany for killing a former Chechen militant in Berlin, was perhaps the key component in the exchange that saw eight Russians swapped for 16 Westerners and Russian dissidents who had been imprisoned in recent years. By Joanna Kozlowska. SENT: 890 words, photos. WITH: UNITED STATES-RUSSIA-PRISONER SWAP-HOW IT HAPPENED — The 24-person blockbuster prison swap required the U.S. to regroup after the unexpected death in February of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who’d been seen as a key cog in a potential exchange. SENT: 1,480 words, photos; RUSSIA-PRISONER-SWAP — Dissidents freed in swap vow to keep up fight against Putin and recount details of release. SENT: 1,130 words, photos; RUSSIA-PRISONER-SWAP-THINGS-TO-KNOW (sent).

VENEZUELA ELECTION — An Associated Press review of vote tally sheets released by Venezuela’s opposition indicates their candidate won significantly more votes in the presidential election than the government has claimed. The opposition coalition says the tally sheets released Friday were gathered from more than 80% of electronic voting machines used in Sunday’s election. They cast serious doubts on the government’s declaration that President Nicolás Maduro won. The tallies have long been considered the ultimate proof of election results in Venezuela. By Regina Garcia Cano, Joshua Goodman and Angeliki Kastanis. SENT: 1,120 words, photos, video, audio. WITH: VENEZUELA ELECTION-CHORIZO — Twenty-four hours after polls closed, the opposition leader announced her coalition had gathered more than two-thirds of national vote tally sheets showing Maduro had lost. SENT: 1,150 words, photos, video.

UNITED STATES-MIDEAST TENSIONS — The Pentagon has announced the U.S. will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region. President Joe Biden is making good on his promise to beef up the American military presence to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies and to safeguard U.S. troops. Friday’s announcement also said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the European and Middle East regions. By Lolita C. Baldor and Tara Copp. SENT: 630 words, photos. WITH: ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS — Thousands of mourners on Friday converged around the flag-draped coffin of Hamas’ slain political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in the emirate of Qatar as the fallout from his death in an alleged Israeli attack surged with breathtaking speed. SENT: 1,140 words, photos, audio.

HAWAII-WILDFIRE-SETTLEMENT — A court filing says the parties in lawsuits seeking damages for last year’s Maui wildfires have reached a $4 billion global settlement. The agreement comes nearly one year after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed 102 people and destroyed the historic downtown area of Lahaina on Maui. The Aug. 8 wildfire burned thousands of homes and displaced 12,000 people. More than 600 lawsuits have been filed over the deaths and destruction caused by the fires. By Audrey McAvoy, Jennifer Sinco Kelleher. SENT: 630 words, photos.

GUANTANAMO-SEPT-11-DEFENDANTS — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has overridden a plea agreement reached earlier this week for the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and two other defendants, reinstating them as death penalty cases. The move on Friday night came two days after the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, announced that the official appointed to oversee the war court had approved plea deals with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two accused accomplices in the attacks. Austin nullified the agreements. By Ellen Knickmeyer. SENT: 550 words, photos.

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PARIS OLYMPICS

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OLY-REL-MARSEILLE-CONTRASTS — Marseille, host of the 2024 Olympics sailing competition, is a city of contrasts. It’s a millennia-old port, crossroads of cultures and faiths, where the sea is ever present but not equally accessible, and the beauty and cosmopolitan flair rub shoulders with enclaves of poverty and exclusion. SENT: 1,180 words, photos.

OLY-REL-BOATS-FOR-GOD — Little model boats hang from the ceiling and maritime paintings adorn the walls of the basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde, which from the highest hill dominates the bay of Marseille where sailing regattas are being held for the 2024 Olympics. SENT: 620 words, photos.

OLY-BVL-CONVICTED-RAPIST — The Dutch Olympian who was convicted in 2016 of raping a girl in England advanced to the knockout round of the beach volleyball tournament on Sunday or Monday. SENT: 410 words, photos.

OLY--BOX-IMANE KHELIF-CAREER — Algerian boxer Imane Khelif landed in the middle of a divide about gender in sports after her Italian competitor, Angela Carini, pulled out seconds into their bout at the Paris Olympics. SENT: 1,140 words, photos. WITH: OLY-BOXING-LGBTQ FEARS — LGBTQ+ athletes, officials and observers warned that a deluge of hateful comments misidentifying a female boxer in the Paris Olympics as transgender or a man could pose dangers for the LGBTQ+ community and female athletes; OLY-BOXING-CONTROVERSY — Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan won her opening Olympic boxing bout. (both sent)

OLY-BRK-BREAKING ROOTS COMMUNITY — Breaking is debuting as a sporting event in the 2024 Paris Games as part of an effort to attract younger viewers. But outside the Olympic arena, some in Paris’ local breaking scene feel skeptical of the subculture being co-opted. SENT: 1,250 words, photos.

You can find Summer Olympics 2024-The Daily Rundown in your CMS or in AP Newsroom.

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RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR — Kyiv officials say Ukraine has taken delivery of a second Turkish-built navy corvette, though it is unclear how the warship might be used in the war against Russia. SENT: 310 words, photos.

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MORE NEWS

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TROPICAL WEATHER — A storm system brewing over Cuba on Friday could bring torrential rain and flooding to the Florida peninsula this weekend. SENT: 600 words, photos.

US-ATTORNEYS GENERAL-FRANCE — About half the U.S. state attorneys general have traveled to France for an event cosponsored by a group largely funded by companies. The trip to Normandy in late July and early August could be a chance for the top state law government lawyers to interact with representatives of companies that they sometimes seek to regulate. SENT: 1,060 words, photo.

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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ELECTION 2024-TRUMP — Donald Trump returns to Georgia to campaign in a state that both Democrats and Republicans see as up for grabs yet again. Trump’s event alongside his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, comes just days after Vice President Kamala Harris rallied thousands in the same basketball arena at Georgia State University in Atlanta. SENT: 580 words, photo. Rally at 5 p.m.

ELECTION 2024-MICHIGAN — National attention has turned to Michigan for the presidential race, but voters will also have a major say in determining which major party controls Congress next year. The general election lineup for an open U.S. Senate seat and two competitive congressional races will be solidified in next week’s party primaries. SENT: 900 words, photos.

ELECTION-2024-ARIZONA-GLANCE — The Democratic primary in Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District narrowed to a margin of just 0.21 percentage points Friday, within the range of an automatic recount. SENT: 1,090 words, photos.

JUSTICE-DEPARTMENT-ELECTION-SECURITY — The U.S. Justice Department is committed to sharing with social media companies information it picks up about efforts by foreign governments to influence this year’s elections, a deputy attorney general said Friday. SENT: 510 words, photos.

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NATIONAL

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WILDFIRES — Firefighters battling California’s largest wildfire of the year are preparing for treacherous conditions entering the weekend. The forecast calls for possible thunderstorms that may unleash fire-starting lightning and erratic winds that could erode progress made over the past week. SENT: 780 words, photos, audio.

URANIUM TRANSPORT-NAVAJO — Arizona’s governor on Friday said a uranium producer has agreed to temporarily pause transport of the mineral through the Navajo Nation after the tribe raised concerns related to a safety plan. SENT: 490 words, photos.

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INTERNATIONAL

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VIETNAM-POLITICS — Vietnamese President To Lam was confirmed as the new chief of the Communist Party after his predecessor died July 19. State media said Saturday that To Lam will be general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country’s most powerful political role. SENT: 150 words, photos.

NORTH-KOREA-FLOODING — North Korean leader accuses South Korea of a smear campaign over floods and hints at rejecting aid. SENT: 380 words, photos.

CHINA-BRIDGE-COLLAPSE — The death toll has risen to 38 from the partial collapse of a highway bridge in northwestern Shaanxi province on July 19 that plunged two dozen vehicles into a rushing river, China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported Friday evening. SENT: 210 words, photos.

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BUSINESS

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COCA-COLA-BACK-TAXES — Coca-Cola Co. said Friday it will pay $6 billion in back taxes and interest to the Internal Revenue Service while it appeals a federal tax court decision in a case dating back 17 years. SENT: 330 words, photo.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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MUSIC-AEROSMITH — Aerosmith retires from touring, citing permanent damage to Steven Tyler’s voice last year. SENT: 310 words, photos.

PHILANTHROPY-MRBEAST — YouTube’s biggest star MrBeast is facing complaints about the safety of contestants from the preliminary round of his ambitious “Beast Games” game show, which boasts 1,000 competitors hoping for a $5 million grand prize. SENT: 810 words, photo.

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SPORTS

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GIANTS-REDS — Blake Snell pitched his first career no-hitter on Friday night, striking out 10 as the San Francisco Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0. SENT: 660 words, photos.

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HOW TO REACH US

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The Nerve Center can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1600. For photos, ext. 1900. For graphics and interactives, ext. 7636. Expanded AP content can be obtained from AP Newsroom. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 844-777-2006.

FILE - Jimmy Donaldson, the popular YouTube video maker who goes by MrBeast, wears a Lionel Messi jersey as he stands in a sideline box at the start of an MLS soccer match between Inter Miami and CF Montreal, March 10, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. MrBeast is facing complaints about the safety of contestants from the preliminary rounds of his ambitious “Beast Games" game show, which boasts 1,000 competitors hoping for a $5 million grand prize. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

FILE - Jimmy Donaldson, the popular YouTube video maker who goes by MrBeast, wears a Lionel Messi jersey as he stands in a sideline box at the start of an MLS soccer match between Inter Miami and CF Montreal, March 10, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. MrBeast is facing complaints about the safety of contestants from the preliminary rounds of his ambitious “Beast Games" game show, which boasts 1,000 competitors hoping for a $5 million grand prize. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

FILE - Steven Tyler of Aerosmith performs during night one of their "Peace Out: The Farewell Tour" on Sept. 2, 2023, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The band said Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, that Tyler's voice has been permanently damaged by a vocal cord injury last year and the band will no longer tour. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Steven Tyler of Aerosmith performs during night one of their "Peace Out: The Farewell Tour" on Sept. 2, 2023, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The band said Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, that Tyler's voice has been permanently damaged by a vocal cord injury last year and the band will no longer tour. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Vietnamese President To Lam delivers a speech during a news conference held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party, which elected Lam as the new Communist Party Chief, the country’s most power role, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, Hanoi, Vietnam. (Duong Van Giang/VNA via AP)

Vietnamese President To Lam delivers a speech during a news conference held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party, which elected Lam as the new Communist Party Chief, the country’s most power role, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, Hanoi, Vietnam. (Duong Van Giang/VNA via AP)

Roger Heim, right, and Terry Smith, second from right, both of Valrico, Fla., fill sand bags in preparation for a weekend storm at the Edward Medard Conservation Park in Plant City, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Roger Heim, right, and Terry Smith, second from right, both of Valrico, Fla., fill sand bags in preparation for a weekend storm at the Edward Medard Conservation Park in Plant City, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, people react during the launching ceremony of the Ukrainian Navy's Ada class corvette "Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi" in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. This vessel was constructed for the Ukrainian Navy at a shipyard in Turkey. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, people react during the launching ceremony of the Ukrainian Navy's Ada class corvette "Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi" in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. This vessel was constructed for the Ukrainian Navy at a shipyard in Turkey. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

Guerschon Yabusele, of France, hangs on the rim after a dunk against Germany in a men's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Guerschon Yabusele, of France, hangs on the rim after a dunk against Germany in a men's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Japan's Masaru Yamada celebrates after winning the men's team epee semifinal match against the Czech Republic at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Japan's Masaru Yamada celebrates after winning the men's team epee semifinal match against the Czech Republic at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Left Gyoergy Grozer, Anton Brehme, and Moritz Karlitzek, of Germany block the ball during the Group C men's volleyball match between Argentina and Germany at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Left Gyoergy Grozer, Anton Brehme, and Moritz Karlitzek, of Germany block the ball during the Group C men's volleyball match between Argentina and Germany at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Algeria's Imane Khelif, right, walks beside Italy's Angela Carini after their women's 66kg preliminary boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Algeria's Imane Khelif, right, walks beside Italy's Angela Carini after their women's 66kg preliminary boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Children attend a swimming camp organized by the Grand Bleu Association which facilitates access to the sea for marginalized children in Marseille, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. Marseille, a millennia-old port, is a crossroads of cultures and faiths, where the sea is ever present but not equally accessible, and the beauty and cosmopolitan flair rub shoulders with enclaves of poverty and exclusion even more intimately than in the rest of France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Children attend a swimming camp organized by the Grand Bleu Association which facilitates access to the sea for marginalized children in Marseille, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. Marseille, a millennia-old port, is a crossroads of cultures and faiths, where the sea is ever present but not equally accessible, and the beauty and cosmopolitan flair rub shoulders with enclaves of poverty and exclusion even more intimately than in the rest of France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

FILE - This Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 courtroom drawing by artist Janet Hamlin and reviewed by the U.S. military, shows Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, center, and co-defendant Walid Bin Attash, left, attending a pre-trial session at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. The man accused of being the main plotter in al-Qaeda's Sept. 11, 2001 attacks has agreed to plead guilty, The Defense Department said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Janet Hamlin, Pool, File)

FILE - This Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 courtroom drawing by artist Janet Hamlin and reviewed by the U.S. military, shows Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, center, and co-defendant Walid Bin Attash, left, attending a pre-trial session at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. The man accused of being the main plotter in al-Qaeda's Sept. 11, 2001 attacks has agreed to plead guilty, The Defense Department said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Janet Hamlin, Pool, File)

Crews work to clean debris and repave roads, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The parties in lawsuits seeking damages for last year’s Maui wildfires have reached a $4 billion global settlement, a court filing said Friday, Aug. 2. The agreement comes nearly one year after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed 102 people and destroyed the historic downtown area of Lahaina on Maui. The Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire burned thousands of homes and displaced 12,000 people. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Crews work to clean debris and repave roads, Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The parties in lawsuits seeking damages for last year’s Maui wildfires have reached a $4 billion global settlement, a court filing said Friday, Aug. 2. The agreement comes nearly one year after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed 102 people and destroyed the historic downtown area of Lahaina on Maui. The Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire burned thousands of homes and displaced 12,000 people. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

An Iranian woman holds up a poster of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh with Arabic writing: "Congratulations Haniyeh!" during his funeral ceremony and of his bodyguard, after they were killed in an assassination blamed on Israel on Wednesday, at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

An Iranian woman holds up a poster of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh with Arabic writing: "Congratulations Haniyeh!" during his funeral ceremony and of his bodyguard, after they were killed in an assassination blamed on Israel on Wednesday, at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Israeli activists surround Alice Kisiya, center, as they try to enter her family's land, after the Palestinian family was forcefully evicted by Israeli settlers backed by soldiers who declared it a closed military area, in the West Bank town of Beit Jala, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Israeli activists surround Alice Kisiya, center, as they try to enter her family's land, after the Palestinian family was forcefully evicted by Israeli settlers backed by soldiers who declared it a closed military area, in the West Bank town of Beit Jala, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Pedestrians walk past a campaign mural featuring President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernardo Suarez)

Pedestrians walk past a campaign mural featuring President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernardo Suarez)

Reporter Evan Gershkovich is greeted on the tarmac by his mother, Ella Milman, as President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris look on at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., following his release as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the United States, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Reporter Evan Gershkovich is greeted on the tarmac by his mother, Ella Milman, as President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris look on at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., following his release as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the United States, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after speaking at a campaign rally, July 31, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pa. Trump returns to Georgia on Saturday, Aug. 3, to hone in on Vice President Kamala Harris, his newly minted general election opponent, in a state that both major parties now see as up for grabs, yet again. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after speaking at a campaign rally, July 31, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pa. Trump returns to Georgia on Saturday, Aug. 3, to hone in on Vice President Kamala Harris, his newly minted general election opponent, in a state that both major parties now see as up for grabs, yet again. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

FILE - Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at a Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority gathering in Houston, July 31, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

FILE - Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at a Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority gathering in Houston, July 31, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

DETROIT (AP) — Matthew Stafford led 31 fourth-quarter comebacks with the Detroit Lions.

On Sunday night, he nearly got one against them.

“There was a lot of adversity that we had to overcome,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “We gave ourselves a chance, but we just fell short.”

Playing behind a makeshift offensive line, Stafford, who played 12 seasons for Detroit, helped Los Angeles overcome a 17-3 deficit. His 9-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp gave the Rams a 20-17 lead with 4:35 to play, but the Lions ultimately won 26-20 in overtime.

After the Rams went ahead, the defense forced Jared Goff and the Lions into a three-and-out, giving Stafford the ball back at the 11-yard line with 4:10 to go.

Three plays later, he hit Demarcus Robinson for 6 yards on third-and-5 to keep the drive going. The Lions had to start using timeouts, and the Rams were close to clinching a Week 1 victory.

Stafford’s offensive line was riddled with injuries, though. A pair of holding penalties on backup tackle A.J. Arcuri cost the Rams in the red zone, including one that took a touchdown off the board. And on second-and-12 with 2:31 to go, a false start by Warren McClendon Jr., the other reserve tackle, pushed the Rams back 5 yards as they tried to close out the game.

Following the false start, Robinson took an end-around 7 yards, giving the Rams a third-and-10 from the 22 with 2:26 left, but Stafford narrowly missed Kupp on what would have been a massive first down.

“There were just some unfortunate things that happened,” Stafford said.

At the end of the game, the Rams were missing three starting offensive linemen — a position where they were already banged up — and No. 2 wide receiver Puka Nacua, who left with a knee injury.

Kupp did his part, catching 14 passes for 110 yards, but Stafford didn’t have Nacua when he was under pressure.

He didn’t blame the offensive line, though.

“We were already kind of thin up there, and I was proud of the guys who were playing,” he said. “They never blinked.”

After Stafford missed Kupp, the Lions extended the game. Goff drove them into position for the tying field goal with 20 seconds left in regulation, then Detroit won the coin toss in overtime.

Detroit took eight plays — seven runs and a pass to running back Jahmyr Gibbs — to win 26-20 on David Montgomery’s 1-yard rush.

“This is an opportunity for us to move forward the right way,” McVay said. “Tonight was a good indicator of the mental and physical toughness of this group.”

McVay had no interest in second-guessing one of his bigger decisions. In the second quarter, with the game tied at 3, McVay went for it on fourth-and-4 from the Lions 23 instead of trying a 40-yard field goal.

Kupp couldn’t make the catch, and the Rams lost out on points that could have made a huge difference down the stretch in another close loss to the Lions.

“That’s why we came up short the last time,” McVay said, referring to the Rams kicking three field goals in a 24-23 playoff loss to Detroit in January.

McVay didn’t have updates on his offense’s injuries and wasn’t sure if Nacua had aggravated the knee injury he dealt with in training camp.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks to the sidelines against the Detroit Lions in the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks to the sidelines against the Detroit Lions in the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) in the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) in the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford speaks to the media after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford speaks to the media after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks to the bench against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks to the bench against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

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