Mattis, a retired Marine general who ran the Pentagon from 2017 to 2019 under Trump, also praised President Joe Biden’s performance last week in soothing the frayed nerves of America’s allies during his trip to Europe. Coming off a Trump tenure marked by frequently provocative remarks about longstanding U.S. allies and questions about the value of U.S. participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Mattis said, “We’ve got some making up to do....

A second half substitute in the 1-1 draw at London Stadium, the Ghanaian has taken a lot of stick for what looked like an attempt to deceive referee Martin Atkins for a penalty following a Harry Maguire challenge. Considering the fact that Everton’s Oumar Niasse was retrospectively banned for a similar act the week before, former England striker Alan Shearer has called for Ayew’s ‘simulation’ to be looked into....

In a tweet posted late Monday night, Tom Ridge shared a recent op-ed he wrote for The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he explained why he would be casting his ballot for a Democratic nominee for president for the first time. Alongside a link to the article, he wrote: “Should there still be a few of you undecideds out there - especially in Pennsylvania - I respectfully share my rationale why I’m supporting @JoeBiden....

Although the possibility that the COVID-19 virus leaked from a Chinese lab was initially dismissed by a number of prominent scientists, many scientists and President Joe Biden have recently said the theory should be investigated further. Last week, Biden ordered intelligence officials to “redouble” their efforts to investigate the pandemic’s origins—including the theory that it leaked from a top research lab in Wuhan. But Dearlove told the Telegraph newspaper’s Planet Normal podcast on Thursday that any evidence would likely have been destroyed already by the Chinese....

The All-Pro safety was traded last week to the NFC West franchise by the Jets, who landed two first-round draft picks, a 2021 third-rounder and Bradley McDougald in exchange for Adams and a fourth-round selection in 2022. Jets general manager Joe Douglas had previously expressed a wish to make Adams “a Jet for life,” with the defensive back saying at the time, “I want to be a Jet for life too....

The former Kansas player survived a horrific car accident in New York with only minor injuries, his father Jeffrey confirmed to KUsports.com. MORE: Ranking best and worst college basketball hires “Brannen was trapped inside a car as a (ride-sharing service) passenger following an accident at Major Deegan Expressway, Bronx, N.Y., and 233rd St., after arriving from Los Angeles where he had NBA team workouts,” he told KUsports. “The car was struck from behind with so much force it immediately went airborne, came down on a guardrail (with Brannen in back seat), went airborne again and caught fire....

United threw away an early lead and conceded late to lose 3-2 at the Volkswagen Arena. The defeat, combined with PSV’s come-from-behind 2-1 victory over CSKA Moscow, eliminated the Red Devils. MORE: Troubled soccer officals | FBI probing alleged $100M bribe to Blatter After United slipped from second to third in Group B, Ferdinand and Scholes were critical of van Gaal’s side, given its lavish offseason spending. “You look at the Champions League table and the teams there and you expect United to walk through and just put those sides to bed, especially at home,” Ferdinand told BT Sport....

Amir Khan, an accomplished British boxer, is 30-3 as a professional and won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics. He used to train with Pacquiao at Wild Card gym in Los Angeles. However, Khan said he believes Mayweather will win. MORE: Pacquiao’s expensive balm | Tim Tebow pays visit | Drug tests begin Mayweather “will be much smarter and he’ll pick his shots a little bit better,” Khan said, via Sky Sports....

Lou Anna Simon will step away from the school effective Aug. 31 and will receive three annual salary payments totaling $2.45 million, according to the Detroit Free Press. Simon, who currently works as a faculty member for MSU, stepped down as president after she became embroiled in the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal. She currently is facing criminal charges after she allegedly lied to police during their investigation into Nassar....

MORE: Most NFL draft picks | What to watch Kansas State hired Kill on Tuesday as an associate athletic director and chief administrator for the Wildcats’ football program. The longtime coach resigned from his job at Minnesota last fall for health reasons after repeatedly suffering seizures on the sidelines over the course of several years. The Kansas State release on his hiring describes the move as Kill entering a “new administrative phase of his career,” making it clear he is not designated as a coach-in-waiting to succeed Bill Snyder the next time he retires as the Wildcats coach....

The Pearland Police Department said investigators identified Hamilton, 50, and Monica Jordan, 44, after they were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide. MORE: Notable 2015 sports deaths | College hoops player drowns Police say Hamilton had been shot more than once and Jordan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, while the couple’s 14-month-old child was found unharmed in the home. Hamilton spent 13 years in the big leagues (seven with the Brewers), hitting ....

In a PBS interview transcript, shared with Newsweek before its airing on Friday, Rice tells Firing Line host Margaret Hoover that she is “humbled and honored to be among the extremely accomplished women who are reportedly being considered” to become Biden’s vice president. “I certainly would say yes,” Rice said when asked whether she would accept an offer from Biden. “I want to help enable [Biden] to become the next president of the United States in any way I can and to support him if he wins in any way I can, because I believe that’s what is vitally important for the future of our country....

Two years after playing his final game, Walker filed for bankruptcy in 2010 and had to sell his championship ring. MORE: Highest-paid athletes | Jimmy Butler choses money up front “I thought I was set for the rest of my life,” Walker told CNNMoney. “My story is sad. It’s sad to see other guys work so hard throughout their life – and then they just lose it in two or three years....

On the latest “I Am Athlete” show, the six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver discussed the differences in contract structures for NBA and NFL players with Channing Crowder, Chad Johnson and Fred Taylor. The conversation heated up when Marshall declared that most NBA players don’t have fully guaranteed contracts. Marshall’s co-hosts tried to cut him off, but he was already in too deep. MORE: Did Paul Pierce’s IG Live video cost him his ESPN job?...

Ronda Rousey made her MMA debut on Aug. 6, 2010, defeating Hayden Munoz in 23 seconds by armbar for Combat Fight League. She competed two more times on the amateur circuit before making her pro debut against Ediane Gomes at King of the Cage on March 27, 2011. It took Rousey a little bit longer, winning in 25 seconds by armbar. Rousey is undefeated in 12 fights. She was the Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion before she was made the UFC champion in late 2012 after parent company Zuffa bought the now-defunct company earlier that year....

In his never-before-published 2018 interview with Last Testament: In His Own Words author Peter Seewald, the 93-year-old ex-Pope claimed contemporary society is in the middle of “formulating an anti-Christian creed.” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI pushed his views against homosexuality and human genetic research, even though his beliefs would allegedly exclude him from the rest of the modern world. “A hundred years ago everyone would have seen it as absurd to talk about homosexual marriage....

Queiroz, who had an ill-fated spell at the Bernabeu in 2003-04 and also served as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United, has been in charge of Iran since 2011. The middle-eastern nation were the first Asian team to qualify for Russia 2018, but after being drawn against Portugal, Spain and Morocco in Group B Queiroz laid out a stark choice for those in charge. “I’m here to say Iran needs a special local preparation,” the coach said on a video posted on his official Facebook page....

After winning player of the year honors in Australia’s National Rugby League, the 27-year-old Hayne decided to take a shot at the NFL. He signed a three-year contract with the Niners in March and then impressed coach Jim Tomsula during a May minicamp. MORE: Top 10 49ers of all time | Stop talking about what Ray Rice ‘deserves’ That praise continued on Wednesday during San Francisco’s first fully padded practice of training camp....

During an appearance on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Bayh, who served in Congress during the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton, touted his suggestion that the two opposing sides of the ongoing impeachment inquiry should reach a solution to avoid a partisan “food fight.” However, he admitted he doesn’t believe that’s likely to happen. “It probably is in the president’s best interest to say ‘Look, I’ll participate, I’ll make all my witnesses available if you’ll agree to just let the voters decide next fall; issue a report, don’t impeach me....

If you don’t recall, House was James’ teammate during the 2010-11 season with the Heat when Miami reached the NBA Finals. It was House’s final season in the league, and he didn’t contribute much, averaging 6.5 points in 17.5 minutes per game. Appearing on Wednesday’s episode of “Undisputed,” House says James can’t be considered the greatest of all time since he “quit” on the team in the 2011 Finals against the Mavericks....