The Cleveland Browns (2-8) have struggled throughout the season, and they face another tough test on Thursday against the Steelers (8-2). Are there any Browns worth starting on Thursday? It’s hard to bet on anyone on offense for the Browns at this point. Cleveland is averaging just 16.2 points per game, which is 31st in the NFL. That said, Jameis Winston has recorded decent numbers since replacing Deshaun Watson, who is out for the remainder of the 2024 season with an achilles injury. Winston has thrown for more than 300 passing yards and multiple touchdowns in two of his three starts. Cedric Tillman has been his most consistent target, but he’s hard to trust. The wideout caught just three passes for 47 yards in last week’s loss to the New Orleans Saints. Veteran running back Nick Chubb also hasn’t looked like the player that he was in previous years. Since returning from injured reserve, Chubb has logged just 163 rushing yards and one touchdown in four games. Cleveland’s defense might struggle with Pittsburgh’s multi-faceted offense, too. Russell Wilson has thrived as the Steelers’ starting signal caller, and Najee Harris is having a career resurgence in their backfield. Winston is probably the Browns’ best play on Thursday, as he has shown that he can still put up big numbers. Tillman and Chubb have potential for big games, but it’s hard to expect them to go off, seeing how stagnant Cleveland’s offense has been.Most world countries remain Russia’s military allies and partners, Russian President Vladimir Putin said addressing the defense ministry board meeting in Moscow on December 16. "[W]e need to continue to further expand military and military-technical cooperation with allies and partners who are ready and willing to work with us, which includes most countries around the world." That is false. Moscow’s formal alliances are limited to five ex-USSR states-members of Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization, or CSTO, that include Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Beyond CSTO, Moscow is engaged in transactional military partnerships with China, Iran, India, and North Korea. By comparison, NATO has 32 members. Additionally, Russia is dealing with a broad spectrum of international sanctions intended to weaken its military industrial capabilities and aimed at forcing the Kremlin to halt the war in Ukraine. Declining arms exports, international isolation, and the constraints of ongoing wars in Ukraine and Syria further undermine Putin’s claims of extensive global influence. Instead of representing a majority, Russia’s military relationships reflect a concentrated and declining sphere of influence, shaped by pragmatic and often transactional ties. Russia's strategic partnerships are important in their own right, but they represent only a small portion of the global community. They include China, India, Iran, North Korea, and Syria [until the December 8 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime]. Russia and China have fostered a close strategic relationship, particularly in defense and technology. However, this partnership does not constitute a formal military alliance. Both nations have cooperated on military exercises and arms deals but maintain independent geopolitical goals. Historically a significant buyer of Russian arms, India’s reliance on Russia has decreased in recent years as it diversifies its defense procurement to include the United States, France, and Israel. While India remains a key partner, its broader geopolitical stance remains non-aligned. Under Putin, Russia has strengthened military ties with Iran, particularly in regard to drones and missile systems. This relationship has grown amid shared opposition to Western policies but lacks the scope of a formalized alliance. Since September 2023, North Korea has supplied Russia with up to 5 million artillery shells, exceeding Russia’s annual production. Russia also has deployed North Korean KN-23/24 missiles, though with high failure rates. In June, they signed a strategic partnership, and in October, 10,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia to train and fight against Ukraine. Russia supported Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria since 2011, providing political backing and military aid. From September 2015 to December 2024, Russia’s direct military involvement bolstered Assad’s position. Following Assad’s overthrow in December, however, this alliance dissolved. Estimates of Russia's financial support for the Assad regime vary from more than $20 billion to $27.5 billion over nine years. On the South American and African continents, Russia’s partnerships are limited to a few nations, such as Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua. These relationships are exceptions rather than the norm in the regions largely influenced by Western powers. Russia has leveraged arms sales and private military contractors such as the Wagner Group to maintain influence in parts of Africa. These engagements are primarily transactional, though, and they lack the depth of formal alliances. In the Asia-Pacific region, apart from India and China, Russia’s military partnerships are minimal. Countries like Japan, South Korea, and Australia remain aligned with the United States and its allies. Russia’s arms exports dropped by 53% between 2014–18 and 2019–23, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). In 2019, Russia exported arms to 31 countries, but by 2023, this number dwindled to just 12. In 2019–23, 68% of the total Russian arms exports went to Asia and Oceania. India and China dominated as recipients, accounting for 34% and 21%, respectively. This trend demonstrates that Russia’s influence is concentrated in a few key markets and highlights its reduced global reach in defense trade. Furthermore, competition from other major arms exporters, such as the United States and France, combined with the impact of sanctions and logistical challenges, has significantly curtailed Russia’s ability to expand its arms trade. The current geopolitical landscape further disproves Putin’s claim. The United Nations comprises 193 member states. Most of these nations are not aligned with Russia militarily or engaged in terms of military-technical cooperation. In contrast, many are either neutral or part of Western alliances, such as NATO and the European Union, which directly oppose Russian policies.
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Lumina Gold Announces Concession Extension Until 2049live Updated 1m ago Playoff hopes on the line? Army and Notre Dame will face off tonight in Yankee Stadium in a huge game in the College Football Playoff chase. Kickoff: 7 p.m. Where to watch: NBC. Streaming: Try Fubo for free. Latest odds: Notre Dame, -15.5 . Subscribe to The Athletic on an exclusive offer here . Watch today’s game on Fubo and find the best ticket deals on StubHub . How the Irish stayed on schedule SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Twelve thoughts on Notre Dame’s 35-14 win over Virginia, which keeps the Irish on schedule for a one-loss season and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Continue reading here. GO FURTHER Final thoughts on Notre Dame’s win vs Virginia: Irish stay on track for CFP, hat tip to Jack Kiser
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Violence erupted in Mozambique’s major cities after the Constitutional Council confirmed Daniel Chapo’s victory in the disputed 9 October presidential elections, killing at least 21 people, including two police officers. Mozambique’s Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a news conference in Maputo on Tuesday that the unrest was triggered by the court’s announcement the day before. The wave of violence and looting was mainly led by young supporters of defeated candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who secured 24% of the vote, while Chapo won 65%. “In the last 24 hours, 236 acts of violence were recorded throughout the national territory that resulted in 21 deaths, of which two members of the police force also died,” Ronda said, adding that 13 civilians and 12 police were injured. According to the minister, 25 vehicles were set on fire, including two police vehicles, while 11 police subunits and a penitentiary were attacked and vandalised, and 86 prisoners were released. Footage circulating on various social media platforms showed protesters burning and looting shops in the capital Maputo and the city of Beira, where some city officials were reported to have fled the city. The Decide Electoral Platform, a Mozambican civil society group monitoring the elections, reported that over 150 people have been killed in protests since 21 October. Of these, 34 were killed between 4 and 10 December, with the protests showing no signs of easing. Human rights groups have criticised the Mozambican authorities for what they describe as a brutal crackdown on protests that began peacefully against the elections, which opposition parties claim were rigged. International observers have also reported irregularities in the vote. In response, the EU expressed deep concern over the post-election violence in the country. In an official statement, Brussels urged all parties to show “restraint” and avoid actions that could further heighten tensions. “We also call for accountability and justice to tackle instances of human rights violations,” said the EU, which sent a 180-member Electoral Observation Mission (EU EOM) to monitor the Mozambican elections, identifying several “irregularities”. “EU EOM noted irregularities during the counting of votes and unjustified alteration of election results. It called on the electoral bodies for the maximum transparency of the counting and tabulation process,” the statement added. Euronews
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Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa are not available for the San Francisco 49ers when they enter Green Bay with designs on finding their finishing kick on Sunday afternoon. Purdy is out with a right shoulder injury and won't leave the sideline at Lambeau Field, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday, when he also declared Bosa out and confirmed journeyman Brandon Allen would make his 10th career start at quarterback. "Outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon. But it's his second year (with the 49ers)," Shanahan said. "Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play." Shanahan said the 49ers are "a little surprised" Purdy experienced tightness and discomfort in his shoulder after an MRI exam on Monday that showed no long-term cause for concern. "The way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week," Shanahan said of Purdy's long-term prognosis. Allen's last NFL start on the road was with the Bengals at the Ravens in 2020. Allen completed 6 of 21 passes for 48 yards with two interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 0.0 in a 38--3 loss. "It's definitely an opportunity for me to go out and play well and put our guys in a good position to win the game," Allen said Friday. "And obviously we want Brock back and healthy and all that, but for time being, it is an opportunity for me." Purdy took the practice field Thursday with the intent to participate. His shoulder tightened significantly, and the 49ers ushered him off the field to meet with trainers. Purdy beat the Packers in the NFC divisional playoffs at San Francisco in January, but Allen is familiar to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. LaFleur was an assistant coach with the Rams during Allen's two-year run in Los Angeles. Allen broke into the NFL in 2016 with the Jaguars and is 2-7 in nine career starts. He went 1-2 with the Broncos in 2019 and 1-5 in six starts over two years with the Bengals in 2020 and ‘21. A victory against the visiting 49ers on Sunday would bolster the Packers' playoff chances, send a conference rival below .500 and avenge a bitter playoff defeat. Those seemingly rank in no particular order for the Packers (8-3), although they don't shy from living at least partially in the past ahead of a Week 12 showdown. San Francisco eliminated Green Bay 24-21 in the NFC divisional playoffs last season, scoring 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. "That's what you've got to sit with all offseason, is going back, watching the game, trying to see what you could have done better," Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. "What you could have done differently in that game. ... Just knowing that's the team that knocked us out, we're definitely hungry for this game." Ditto for San Francisco. The 49ers fell to 5-5 after last week's 20-17 home loss to Seattle, done in by Geno Smith's 13-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds to play. Still only a game behind NFC West-leading Arizona, the reigning conference champion 49ers are just 1-3 in division play and can ill afford to lose more ground. A visit to AFC East leader Buffalo awaits after the trip to Green Bay. While they're dealing with plenty of not-so-good news on the injury front, the 49ers do anticipate the return of other contributors. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who missed the past two games following the death of his 1-year-old daughter, practiced Wednesday. Tight end George Kittle also is eager to play after a nagging hamstring injury sidelined him against the Seahawks. "Very excited," Kittle said. "Can't pass up playing the Packers, so no, I will be out there for sure." Allen was a three-year starter at Arkansas but has been a journeyman backup since entering the NFL in 2016 as the 201st overall pick of the Jaguars. Shanahan and LaFleur have been fierce competitors since twice working together, first as low-level assistants with the Texans in 2008, then on the so-called "dream team" staff in Washington that also included Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel and Raheem Morris; and two seasons with the Falcons (2015, 2016) where LaFleur was quarterbacks coach and Shanahan called the plays. Shanahan scored the most recent win over LaFleur in January. Green Bay has won seven of the past eight regular-season meetings between the franchises. But the familiarity and shared-brain approach to offense that has the coaches completed each other's play calls has led to some tight games. The past three at Lambeau Field were all decided by three points. Green Bay, which hosts a home game on Thanksgiving next Thursday, is starting a run of three games in 12 days. They'll play back-to-back Thursday games. Their Week 14 game is at Detroit. That might make it good news for LaFleur that surprising contributors have emerged of late. Packers wideout Christian Watson had a career-best 150 receiving yards on only four catches during last week's 20-19 road win against the Chicago Bears. His diving 60-yard reception in the fourth quarter put the Packers in position for Love's go-ahead, 1-yard scoring run with 2:59 to play. Watson entered the game with eight catches for 83 yards over his previous three contests, but LaFleur assured Watson remains a "big part" of the attack. "He's a guy who's got every measurable known to man in terms of the size, the speed, and it's not like those were easy plays he was making," LaFleur said. "He was making tough, contested catches." San Francisco will aim to generate more pressure against Love than the Bears, who sacked him just once. The 49ers collected four sacks against the Seahawks, with Bosa and Leonard Floyd contributing 1.5 apiece. Recent regular-season history between the Packers and 49ers at Lambeau Field has favored Green Bay. The Packers have won seven of their past eight home games against the 49ers and are 22-11 versus San Francisco at home all-time. Green Bay leads the series 34-28-1. --Field Level Media