Monthly Archives: March 2024

ImageSource Unveils ILINX AI for Intelligent Process Automation – PR Newswire

Posted: March 4, 2024 at 7:32 am

OLYMPIA, Wash., Feb. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Process innovation leaderImageSource proudly introduces ILINX AI, the latest addition to the ILINX enterprise platform, that gives organizations the ability to apply intelligent process automation to their content and data-driven business processes. ILINX AI uses content understanding, predictive analytics, and generative AI to enrich communications and transform transaction-heavy business processes, enabling organizations to realize tangible benefits in analytics, efficiency, productivity, and enhanced customer experiences.

Terry Sutherland, CEO of ImageSource, says artificial intelligence has been part of ImageSource intelligent document processing for years. But new AI capabilities, such as machine learning and large-language models, have expanded the opportunities for organizations.

"Today, our customers are looking for ways to responsibly and productively leverage tools like generative AI and predictive analytics," saysSutherland. "ILINX AI gives organizations tremendous flexibility to apply intelligent process automation where it makes the most sense, where they see value, and where they can learn the most from it. This is a long game, and we're partnering with our customers to deliver value quickly with ILINX AI and evolve every day."

ILINX AI utilizes existing content within an organization, as well as data in motion, to intelligently route information to the right person, process, or system, extract historical knowledge to power generative AI, and analyze multi-system information to make predictions and assist with smarter decision-making.

"ILINX is an incredible tool set for orchestrating the intake, utilization, and integration of content and data," says ImageSource CTO Randy Weakly. "Now, we can apply ILINX AI anywhere in the business process to augment those services and further optimize automation, enhance communications, and help organizations deliver superior user experiences."

The use cases for ILINX AI are vast, and customers are already working with ILINX to improve complex business processes. ILINX AI uses the intelligence of patterns from content and transactions to provide exceptionally accurate anomaly detection and give organizations the ability to create exceptional customer experiences by reserving the human touch for the most impactful parts of their customer relationships.

"We're incredibly proud to help our customer-partners harness AI to reimagine the customer-facing interactions they carry out every day." CEO Terry Sutherland says, "ILINX AI is a game-changer; it's highly configurable and trainable and empowers organizations to predict outcomes and speed up business processes-empowering their systems of record."

Paired with the ImageSource approach to partnering with customer-partners and creating long-term strategic vision, ILINX AI is a foundational tool for organizations looking to accelerate their digital transformation.

About ImageSourceImageSource, Inc. makes process innovation easy with advanced solutions built on ILINX, the world's most flexible process-improvement platform, delivered by a team of experts committed to customer-partner success. Leveraging proven technology and deep implementation expertise, ImageSource empowers leading enterprises and government organizations to reduce risk, modernize operations, unlock revenue, and transform the customer experience. For more information, visitwww.imagesourceinc.com, or call (360) 943-9273

SOURCE Imagesource, Inc

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Gen AI isn’t the only tech driving automation in banking – Finextra

Posted: at 7:32 am

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has surged into the mainstream and is poised to revolutionize operations in the banking sector. Several factors have fueled this surge, notably the exponential growth in data volume and complexity, heightened pressure for swift and precise decision-making, and the imperative for transparency. While generative AI is going to be invaluable with helping banks summarize large populations of data, and you may need to whisper this, its not the only technology driving automation in the banking sector.

AI Begins with Context

In risk modeling, selecting input data points, or features, holds paramount importance, often surpassing the choice of model or algorithm. In an industry bound by stringent regulatory requirements for modeling transparency and explainability, the scope for model selection is frequently constrained, elevating the significance of input features as the primary determinants of model success or failure. Therefore, the pivotal inquiry becomes: how can we imbue our features with maximal contextual relevance?

Network-based features emerge as a strong mechanism for infusing copious amounts of information into models while upholding the imperative for transparency and explainability. One effective approach entails leveraging bespoke document-entity networks to generate features that delineate the interconnectedness of businesses and individuals. For example, utilization of network features, depicting relationships between companies and their directors, can serve as pivotal inputs for machine learning shell company detection models, in some cases yielding a 20% enhancement in performance compared to relying solely on record-level features.

The outputs of such models predictions pertaining to shell companies and the agents orchestrating their formationhold implications for bolstering risk detection efforts across Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), and Fraud mitigation domains.

By leveraging a composite AI tech stack banks can integrate subject matter expertise with a range of machine learning and deep learning techniques, alongside access to vast structured and unstructured industry data. This comprehensive approach enhances adaptability, accuracy, and effectiveness of models. Leveraging expertise and domain knowledge throughout the model development process ensures high accuracy and trust in solving complex business problems. In short, banks looking to implement AI should avoid relying on one model, technique or approach. Doing so can lead to limitations in perspective, adaptability and performance.

The Importance of Network Features

Networks offer a versatile framework for modeling entity relationships across various contexts. For instance, networks depicting payment transactions between parties can unveil telltale signs of financial malfeasance. By scrutinizing specific patterns within the networksuch as cycles of transactions with similar magnitudesbanks can unearth risks that would otherwise evade detection when examining transactions in isolation. Moreover, when supplemented with a repository of known instances of fraud, network features like the frequency of U-turn or cyclic payments can fortify supervised learning models, augmenting their predictive capacity for future risk scenarios.

One particularly salient network for modeling corporate risk is the organizational legal hierarchy, encompassing directors, shareholders, and subsidiaries. Fundamental attributes such as network size, connection density, and hierarchical layers serve as invaluable dimensions for segmentation and feature generation in supervised learning models, enhancing our ability to discern and mitigate potential risks effectively.

For investigators and analysts, its here that graph analytics comes into its own by allowing them to analyze, visualize and understand hidden connections across disparate datasets. Crucially its scalable and intuitive, allowing teams to traverse billions of edges without compromising on throughput with high frequency querying.

Entity Resolution is Transforming Bankings Future

Entity resolution leverages advanced AI and Machine Learning techniques to parse, cleanse, and standardize data, enabling the identification of entities across disparate datasets reliably. This process involves clustering related records, aggregating attributes for each entity, and establishing labeled connections between entities and their source records. Compared to traditional record-to-record matching approaches, entity resolution offers significantly enhanced efficacy.

Rather than attempting to directly link every source record, organizations can introduce new entity nodes as central points for connecting real-world data. High-quality entity resolution not only facilitates linking internal data but also enables the integration of valuable external data sources, such as corporate registries, which were previously challenging to match accurately.

Integration of entity resolution technology within the banking sector marks a significant leap forward, enabling banks to transition from batch-based processes to nearly real-time product-and-service offerings across omnichannel service frameworks. This evolution can go beyond counter-fraud to encompass all customer interactions through various touchpoints, including call centers, branches, and digital channels, ensuring a seamless and dynamic customer experience.

Generative AI has an important role to play

Over the next year, I do expect to see generative AI assistants leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) to become increasingly prevalent within banking. Generative AI allows an intuitive and conversational interface, enhancing efficiencies for analysts engaged in risk identification within investigations. For organizations, the potential advantages are substantial, as this AI assistant empowers all analyst personnel to perform at the level of the most seasoned investigators. Many of these assistants will be LLM-agnostic, allowing businesses the flexibility to employ their preferred models, whether proprietary, open source, or commercially available models like ChatGPT from OpenAI. When integrated with other aspects of the composite AI stack it will support entity resolution, graph analytics, and scoring capabilities, unlocking unprecedented potential by enabling natural language queries and prompts.

Crucially, all generative AI products cannot act as a bolt-on or in isolation to wider AI automation. The results that it will generate are only as good as the data, context and entity resolution technology on which its built. Banks looking to implement generative AI should think more broadly about how different technologies fit into their AI automation tech stack.

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Gen AI isn't the only tech driving automation in banking - Finextra

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Winning the Game: Essentials skills to survive AI, LLMs and Automation – DataDrivenInvestor

Posted: at 7:32 am

We are all living somewhere in between these words. Bounded by a legitimate fear of what's true and whats fake, it is fascinating and frightening at the same time to witness these technological miracles. I only thought CGI existed in movies. But like seriously! Is this even happening, I mean what went so right that AI today can make reality morph?

Back in 2019 when I was 1 year deep into conversation designing, somebody could have asked me at gunpoint, can I imagine a world in 4 to 5 years where all your content needs will be taken care of, realistic images can be generated with just a few lines of text and your job getting haunted by AI? I would have thought they had too many pints last night. How can someone be so ready to figure out the possibilities these AI systems would bring?

It took me a whole lot of time and thinking to figure a way out rather way in this changing wind and rising tides. I even rode the layoff train. What worked out for me was a small mindset that is: I have the skills to navigate. What are those you might ask! In this article, Ive tried accumulating my thoughts to live the big buck dream. Unless you are a genius, an awesome content creator, or blessed with a utopian life, these pointers might help:

Dont think the winning shot requires you to work hard. That is already getting taken care by AI. Work smart. Swap out those outdated strategies stuck to your head. Dont just strive for perfection by rigor alone. Show you are unique in your approach and thought process. People love these traits. Learn, unlearn and relearn the world and what is changing.

AI might get you from point A to point B but the road taken might not always be the road to be taken. Consequence of actions is still something only we humans can determine and figure out. Your emotional intelligence is the ultimate playlist. As these innovations create more independence and dependency on tech, its high time to connect with people and understand emotions. Only then you can bring that unique human touch to roles where algorithms fear to tread.

As AI takes center stage, ethical considerations become the heartbeat of the party. You need to navigate the moral maze of bias, transparency, and responsible tech. There are tons of examples where AI getting biased and saying something its not meant to. While these AI systems play around, someone needs to mark the boundaries and create rules of engagement, something that has created a lot of interest and in turn opportunities.

Think about building bridges not just cubicles. Forget traditional silos, dress codes and strict log-in times. Its time to collaborate with everyone around you. Master the art of interdisciplinary teamwork, something that is not only good for any business but its gonna take you places. Cue the fireworks!

Nothing beats the aura of a creative flair in your work. AI can automate, LLMs can generate but nothing can bring sense without your creative virtuoso. It's a priceless skill, something no one can take it away from you. Just perfect it with time. Thrive in style.

Today I work as Senior Experience Designer with Publicis Sapient. I design conversations everyday. Automation and AI didnt make me helpless, oh darn well it could. My bridge is into creating experiences for people who rely on humans to figure out kinds of stuff unless done by AI. Wish this helps!!

PS: This article is ChatGPT free, written with pure grit and creativity.

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Winning the Game: Essentials skills to survive AI, LLMs and Automation - DataDrivenInvestor

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Automation tools Archives – Milwaukee Community Journal – The Milwaukee Community Journal

Posted: at 7:32 am

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor

Tyler Perry was planning an $800 million expansion of his studio in Atlanta. Now the plans are on hold. Why? Because a new text-to-video artificial intelligence (AI) model. The new AI model by ChatGTP entitled Sora creates video from a text prompt.

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter on Feb. 23, Perry, who is worth over $1 billion, said that the new technology will cause job loss in the movie industry. The question of how artificial intelligence technology will impact employment across fields is a growing concern.

In the creative fields around special effects and animation design, artificial intelligence is all but certain to cause impact and create job loss. But there are other jobs that are likely to be impacted.

With the rise of e-commerce and automated checkout systems, traditional retail roles may diminish. Cashiers: Similar to retail salespersons, automated checkout systems are reducing the need for human cashiers. Telemarketers: AI-driven chatbots and voice recognition systems are increasingly handling customer inquiries. Data Entry Clerks: Automation tools can handle routine data entry tasks more efficiently. Bookkeepers and Accounting Clerks: AI can automate many financial tasks, potentially reducing the need for manual bookkeeping.

Over the years, Tyler Perry has expanded his talents from filmmaking, television production, and writing. He established Tyler Perry Studios, one of the largest film production studios in the United States, located in Atlanta, in2006. Perrys films often explore themes of faith, family, and resilience, resonating strongly with Black audiences.

Some of Perrys notable films include: Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005), Madeas Family Reunion (2006), Why Did I Get Married? (2007), and For Colored Girls (2010).

In addition to his film work, Perry has created successful television series such as Tyler Perrys House of Payne and The Haves and the Have Nots.

Now like so many others in an ever-changing industry impacted by changing technology, Perry will navigate changes brought on by AI.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the publisher of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered. She can be contacted at[emailprotected]and on twitter at @LVBurke

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Mason Shaw wins credit-card roulette, but skidding Wild can’t get win in his NHL return – The Athletic

Posted: at 7:29 am

ST. LOUIS Mason Shaw was out to dinner with one of his best friends, Connor Dewar, and fellow teammates Marc-Andre Fleury, Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, Jake Middleton, Ryan Hartman and Alex Goligoski on Friday night when John Hynes name flashed across his caller ID.

A week before the trade deadline, you typically dont want to receive a call from the head coach or the GM of your hockey team, but Shaw figured this was going to be the call he had been waiting for since the beginning part of last month when the Minnesota Wild tore up his AHL deal and re-signed him to an NHL deal.

Get ready to go, kid, and be buzzin, the Wild coach told the 25-year-old 336 days after he tore an ACL for the fourth time in his young hockey career.

If a years worth of rehab wasnt excruciatingly long enough, Shaw had to bide his time for 16 days to make his season debut since re-signing. The Wild were winning and fighting for a playoff spot, so he didnt get to play. But with Freddy Gaudreau suddenly needing to be removed from the lineup Saturday after enduring a nagging injury for some time, Shaw was suddenly an NHL player again.

Sometimes you gotta be patient and wait for things in life, whether its hockey or away from it, Shaw said. I think last night you kind of realize that youre gonna get the chance to play in the NHL again and thats all Ive wanted from day one of this recovery process was to get a chance to play in the NHL again.

I think last night before the game, you appreciate what youve given yourself and what youve worked back to, but at the end of the day once we get to the rink its just hockey again and were in the middle of a fight right now.

That was the shame of the Wilds 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center, a third straight defeat to continue a weeklong destruction of their season after climbing to within two points of a playoff spot only seven days earlier.

What an accomplishment for Shaw on Saturday night, yet the teams biggest example of unparalleled determination couldnt even celebrate because the Wild are keenly aware of what theyve done to themselves with successive losses to the Hurricanes, Predators and Blues. Nashville won for an eighth straight time, meaning the Wild in one measly week have gone from two points back to 10 points back of the Preds for the top wild-card spot and eight back of the Kings for the bottom wild-card spot.

I think everyone in this room is doing the best to just put their head down and work, and obviously you want to be on the winning side of these games, but just let the chips fall where they may, Shaw said.

Shaw wasnt talking about wins and losses here.

He was talking about the uncomfortable feeling teammates like Dewar and Brandon Duhaime are dealing with knowing that their names are being floated in trade banter. Every game could be their last in Minnesota with the Wild only having two games before Fridays 2 p.m. trade deadline (Sunday against San Jose and Thursday at Arizona).

Dewy 1 and Dewy 2 are on expiring deals. Shaw is back in the lineup. Marat Khusnutdinov is on his way from Russia to Kazakhstan for an appointment to get his U.S. work visa finalized so he could cross the Atlantic and join the Wild next week hopefully in time for the teams trip to Arizona and Denver.

The Wild brass, even though everybodys talking a good game that theyre still in the playoff race, know the reality of this situation. They are likely ready to punt on this close to being lost season and begin a mini roster reset as long as Gaudreaus injury and an undisclosed one sustained by Marcus Johansson on Saturday night dont cause Bill Guerin to change his mind with the need to keep healthy bodies around. Remember, Pat Maroon hasnt played since before the All-Star break and isnt close to returning, and Marcus Foligno was injured during the second game after the break and isnt close to returning. He was in St. Louis on Saturday to see a specialist for his injury, and Hynes said an update should come soon.

Its obviously a stressful time of year, Shaw said of Dewar and Duhaime. Those are some of your best friends and teammates, so to see them going through it, its hard. But at the end of the day, we try to do our best to let the noise be what it is. Whoever it is, we know what we sign up for when we sign these contracts and what can come with it. Not an easy time of year, but its part of the game.

Shaw is just content to be able to play this game again.

He skated on the left side of Jake Lucchini and Vinni Lettieri, played nine shifts totaling 7 minutes, 6 seconds of ice time, had four shot attempts and two hits. He was on the ice for one goal in the first period, but that was a bad bounce when a deflected puck hit the near post, ricocheted back into Fleury and over the goal line by about an inch.

There were plays he wanted back, like when he continued a first 10-minute trend for the entire Wild team by forcing a pass to Lettieri when he was ahead a play.

Thats probably an opportunity where if I was to do that again, I would have shot that puck or taken it to the net, he said. But the game happens fast. And obviously at the NHL level, it happens even faster. So, to do that again, I definitely would have shot that one.

Shaw admitted he had trouble sleeping Friday night, but he said he was calm before the game.

It felt like I was just straight back where I was supposed to be, he said. Certainly, youd like a few things back in the game like you always would when youre on the losing side of things. But (lets) see what (Sunday) brings, I guess.

If he was thinking he may not be playing, he shouldnt worry about that.

Hynes ruled Gaudreau out for the home game against the Sharks. And if Johansson cant play he left the game after a five-second shift in the first period and never returned, the Wild will need to recall a forward or play seven defensemen by dressing Dakota Mermis or Goligoski.

Teammates were downtrodden after the loss, but it wasnt lost on them what type of achievement Shaw made by being back on an NHL ice surface for the first time since April 1.

Its spectacular, Dewar said. I cant put it into words. Everyone knows Mason and just his character, so Im lucky to be able to call him a friend.

Those friends gave Shaw knuckles after he hung up the phone with Hynes the night before.

These guys have been my biggest supporters through all this, Shaw said. Whether I was in Iowa or in the summer, theyve always been making sure theyre reaching out to me and taking the time to appreciate what Im going through.

Best yet, Shaw and his dinner dates Friday night played credit-card roulette to settle up their expensive tab.

Each players credit card went into the middle. Middleton lost, meaning he had to pay for it all.

That was maybe the cherry on top for me was I didnt have to grab the bill, Shaw said, laughing.

(Photo: Scott Rovak / NHLI via Getty Images)

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Mason Shaw wins credit-card roulette, but skidding Wild can't get win in his NHL return - The Athletic

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Russian Roulette: Why Macron raised the stakes on Ukraine – RTE.ie

Posted: at 7:29 am

At the Ukraine summit in Paris on Monday, President Emmanuel Macron made a startling announcement.

"We will do whatever it takes to ensure that Russia cannot win this war," he told reporters.

"Everything is possible," he said, including sending Western troops to Ukraine.

It seemed a clear escalation in the West's support for Kyiv. It has also signalled a decisive shift by President Macron.

In late 2021 he was the holdout leader exhausting every diplomatic initiative to get Vladimir Putin to change course, even warning against the west "humiliating" Russia.

Now he was presenting himself as the standard bearer of a more robust European response as the war enters its third year.

The Paris summit, at which Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland had sent mine clearing units to Ukraine, came on the heels of the second anniversary of Mr Putins invasion, the death of Russian anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, and the setback on the battlefield with Russian troops capturing the strategically important city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region.

French officials insist that an acceleration in a French-led response has been evolutionary and not an overnight conversion.

In particular, Paris believes Russia has intensified its aggressive behaviour, not just in Ukraine, but in Africa and the Caucuses, and in overt disinformation campaigns targeting EU citizens which officials say can be traced to Moscow (in particular, the spray-painting of 200 Star of David symbols on buildings in Paris).

While the EUs response in February 2022 has been largely unified, with 13 sanctions packages against Russia, some 80 billion in economic and military support and the taking in of 4.3 million Ukrainians fleeing the war, Mr Macron is said to have realised it is no longer enough, not least because Ukrainian frontline troops are at the point of physical exhaustion.

The change of gear reflects a deeper French anxiety: that a Russian victory would be catastrophic for Europe, that countries in Africa and Asia would come to the conclusion that neither the US, under a possible second Trump administration, nor Europe have the appetite to attempt to guarantee peace and stability in the world.

For France to interpret a new geopolitical role which looks to Eastern Europe is a significant departure.

"While France had long opposed the geopoliticisation of EU and NATO policies toward the Eastern neighborhood," writes David Cadier, assistant professor of international relations at Sciences Po for Carnegie Europe.

"It is now openly embracing and even promoting it. Previously, approaching the post-Soviet space as an object of hard-power competition as done by the Kremlin or the George W Bush administration was seen in Paris as detrimental to these countries security and to Europes stability and independent agency," he says.

President Macron signalled that change in a speech in Bratislava in May last year, during which he virtually apologised for not taking eastern European warnings about the Russian threat seriously, and for his over-egged overtures to Vladimir Putin on the eve of the invasion.

The speech asserted not just a need, according to the French president, to "forge a more sovereign European capacity when it comes to energy, technology and military capabilities", but also to anchor Ukraine, as well as Moldova, Georgia and the Western Balkans, in the European political and military sphere (in July last year France supported Ukraines accession to NATO and in December all 27 EU leaders, with the exception of Hungarys Viktor Orbn, agreed to open EU accession negotiations with Kyiv).

The Bratislava speech went down well in central and eastern Europe, where unhappiness about high-handed French attitudes going back to Jacques Chirac has long festered.

A survey of diplomats, academics and journalists by the Think Visegrad foundation detected "a real, concrete and significant change in Frances policies towards Ukraine, Russia, and their region".

This is not cost-free for President Macron at home or abroad.

At home his comments after Mondays meeting were attacked by the far-right and far-left, who accused him of escalating the conflict.

French voters are evenly divided between those who believe Europe should support Ukraine in recapturing Russian-occupied territories and those who believe Europe should push Ukraine towards the negotiating table, according to a poll by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).

There was pushback too from Frances allies on the notion of NATO or EU member states sending troops.

"Everyone must do more for Ukraine," Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz said after the meeting, but "one thing is clear: There will be no ground troops from European states or NATO".

NATO officials have echoed the sentiment, while the US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said: "President [Joe] Biden has been clear that the US will not send troops to fight in Ukraine."

On Tuesday, the French foreign minister Stphane Sjourn told the Assemble Nationale that there was no question of French troops deploying to Ukraine to combat Russian soldiers.

A French presence could involve "mine clearance, cyber defence, the production of weapons on site[which] could require a presence on Ukrainian territory, without crossing the threshold of fighting. Nothing should be ruled out".

French officials insist Mr Macron is using strategic ambiguity to keep Russia off-balance.

On Wednesday, Vladimir Putin threatened European countries with nuclear attack if ground troops entered Ukraine.

"Macron wants to send a signal of strength to Russia," says Jana Puglierin, Senior Policy Fellow with ECFR Berlin.

"But for deterrence to work, it must be credible. By stating that he does not rule out the use of ground troops, he has unnecessarily introduced a potential for division into NATO, whose member states are extremely sceptical on this issue. This is no way to promote European unity and strength," she says.

However, the reference to sending troops overshadowed other highly significant moves on President Macrons part.

He appeared to drop a long-standing French demand that the European defence sector should be prioritised when sending weapons to Ukraine, including the one million artillery shells the EU promised Ukraine but which has not yet been delivered, rather than sourcing them from producers elsewhere.

At his news conference on Monday evening, President Macron told reporters that France was leading the so-called "Artillery Coalition", one of six endeavours through which western countries team up with Ukraine to meet its needs across a range of military capabilities, which also include ground-air defence, armour, air forces (led by the US and the Netherlands) and maritime security.

Ukraine is suffering from an acute shortage of artillery shells, being able to fire one tenth of what Russia can deploy, an asymmetry which has been blamed for the loss of Avdiivka and for high Ukrainian casualties.

"All of us at the table have undertaken to dig down to the bottom of the stocks that remain available," Mr Macron told reporters, "to identify third countries that can be brought on board, in the various categories of ammunition, and also reach out when it comes to all new solutions that are put forward, to solicit third countries".

Across the board, EU and NATO members are increasing defence spending to make up for the fall in investment which followed the end of the Cold War.

However, the defence sector is struggling to replenish conventional stocks which have been shipped to Ukraine and to ensure that Kyiv has the capabilities it needs to defend itself in the long run.

"Europes defence industrial base shrank after the Cold War and is fragmented along national lines," writes Luigi Scazzieri, a Senior Research Fellow, in a paper for the Centre for European Reform (CER).

He says: "It is structured to produce in relatively low volumes and has struggled to increase its output. Lack of certainty over the trajectory of defence budgets and future orders also makes many companies unwilling to make costly investments in expanding their production capacity.

"The continuing lack of coordination between member-states in investing their defence budgets is making it difficult to generate economies of scale and has given rise to competing orders."

Russias invasion has prompted the EU to deepen defence cooperation.

In a meeting at Versailles in March 2022, hosted by President Macron, EU leaders agreed to invest "more and better in defence capabilities".

The European Commission followed up by creating a Defence Joint Procurement Task Force to identify bottlenecks and shortfalls in supply chains across different capabilities.

In July 2023, the EU adopted the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), legislation that would ensure EU funding is used to help defence firms to increase ammunition production.

The EU is currently mobilising military support to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility (EPF), an existing off-budget mechanism that reimburses member states who help Ukraine build resilience and to help civilian populations targeted by Russian drones and missiles.

Between 2022-24, the EPF has mobilised 6.1 billion for Ukraines war effort.

In a Dil answer in April last year, Tnaiste Michel Martin said Irelands contribution in non-lethal assistance (medical equipment, food, personal protective clothing and fuel) amounted to 122 million.

Ireland has also contributed to the EUs Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM Ukraine), which is also aimed at enhancing the Ukrainian Armed Forces military capability by training 15,000 members within EU member states.

EUMAM Ukraine has a mandate to provide individual, collective and specialised training to up to 15,000 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel over multiple locations in the territory of EU member states, subject to the explicit consent of each host member state.

Irelands involvement in these training missions is coordinated by a senior staff officer within the EUs Military Planning and Conduct Capability department in Brussels as well as in Strausberg, Germany.

As he arrived at the Paris meeting, Mr Varadkar told reporters that Irish Defence Forces teams had been training Ukrainian personnel in Poland in the operation of so-called Mine Flail units, vehicle-mounted equipment which clears paths through minefields by literally flailing the ground in front of them to trigger mines.

Two such units had already arrived in Ukraine.

Irelands provision of such equipment has inevitably stirred up the debate on neutrality, a policy position on which a sharper spotlight will fall as the European Union seeks ways to deepen defence cooperation in the light of Russias invasion of Ukraine and the risk that a second Trump presidency could leave Europe militarily exposed.

The EU is already cooperating more deeply on defence.

It set up the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) in 2017, while the Strategic Compass, endorsed by member states in March 2022, encourages national capitals to invest more in defence and to identify areas where member states could collectively develop new capabilities, such as through PESCO, of which Ireland is a participant.

EU diplomats tread carefully when asked about Irelands neutrality, now that we share that particular bench with only Malta, Austria and Cyprus (Sweden and Finland have joined NATO), but at a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference, Leo Varadkar was asked several times about the charge of Irish "free-riding" on European security (a charge he politely, but firmly, rebuffed).

The Irish debate, and the consultative forums on security, are being watched with interest in EU capitals, not least Paris.

Ireland and France have had a strategic and security dialogue since the former President Francois Hollandes visit to Dublin in 2016, and officials from both ministries of defence have had meetings every 18 months, including one between high-level experts in December.

Security and defence have also been discussed during official visits to Paris by both Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin as Taoisigh, and when President Macron came to Ireland in June 2021 (the French Embassy in Dublin has hosted a conference on defence and security).

French officials speak of each member state having their own "path, rhythm and objectives" when it comes to national security.

Irish officials in Brussels insist that neutrality is never questioned in diplomatic exchanges.

However, one EU diplomat observed: "We would certainly say that Ireland, like each and every other EU member state, has to now increase its defence spending and it has to think more European when it comes to defence.

"No country can consider security in isolation."

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Russian Roulette: Why Macron raised the stakes on Ukraine - RTE.ie

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13 Best Real Money Blackjack Apps 2024 – Top Mobile Blackjack Sites Reviewed – ReadWrite

Posted: at 7:29 am

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Hundreds of US sites offer blackjack apps that pay real money. Our online casino experts have narrowed down this group into the 13 best mobile platforms for money blackjack. While none of these operators provide downloadable apps, they are all accessible from mainstream web browsers and work seamlessly across operating systems.

Read through the following mini-reviews to learn more about the top blackjack apps. In this section, youll also find promo codes that you can use to claim your first deposit bonus just as soon as you sign up.

Casino facts:

Wild Casino offers blackjack play through a single site thats accessible across all mobile operating systems. This means that you can access this online casino using Android, iOS, Windows, Huawei, and any other mainstream system.

This mobile platform features a varied collection of virtual and live blackjack games that are suitable for both casual players and high rollers. However, youll need a prior understanding of the game as you wont be able to try any for free.

The main reasons Wild Casino beats other blackjack apps for real money are its collection of exclusive games, its daily tournaments, and the number of variants available. Together, these three key features make it the most popular money blackjack. Whats more, you can play all of these games on your mobile device without needing to download any software.

You can start playing blackjack games with real money using USD or crypto payments. Wild Casino has a minimum deposit limit of $20, however, this only applies to crypto deposits. For debit/credit cards and other USD banking options, youll need to deposit $25 or more.

Once you register your account, youll be able to speak to a Wild Casino support team member on live chat 24/7. However, unregistered players can only contact the team using email. Moreover, this blackjack app offers a detailed help center where you can find lots of useful information.

Using the Wild Casino mobile blackjack app youll get access to the same collection of bonuses that are found on the desktop site. In addition to a choice of welcome offers, this site provides numerous ongoing promotions that include rebates and top-ups. However, blackjack games generally only contribute a small percentage towards any wagering requirements.

Wild Casino online casino bonuses & promos:

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Casino facts:

Everygame Casino shares several similarities with Wild Casino, such as its variety of blackjack games and its download-free casino apps. Moreover, this site accepts both USD and crypto payments and provides players with a variety of bonuses, including loyalty points.

Once you join Everygame Casino, youll be able to enjoy playing your favorite virtual casino games for free or with real money. There are lots of variants available, so once youve mastered the classic version, youll be able to explore different gameplays, rules, and prizes.

Everygame Casino has a minimum limit of between $0.50 and $1. VIP tables, meanwhile, are able to accept maximum bets of up to $5,000. No matter which game you choose, youll get to enjoy a seamless blackjack app experience that is optimized for different screen sizes and orientations.

If you intend to play blackjack games with real money using debit/credit cards, Everygame Casino is probably the best site for you. Using Visa, Mastercard, and other brands, youll be able to deposit $20 or more without incurring any processing fees. Unfortunately, this casino does not accept credit card withdrawals but offers bank transfers and eCheck as alternatives.

The Everygame Casino support team is available to all players 24/7. Using live chat or email, you can get in touch with the team to resolve your issue or get your questions answered. This blackjack app also features an FAQ page thats full of helpful answers.

When you join Everygame Casino, youll find a selection of welcome bonuses available. There are also numerous ongoing promotions, including a loyalty program that delivers no deposit bonuses to active players. Unfortunately, few offers are suitable for blackjack games but are still useful if you intend to play other casino games, such as slots, poker, or keno.

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Cafe Casino is one of the top blackjack apps as it lets you play its entire virtual collection for free in demo mode. This is especially great for new players who want to learn how to play this card game and explore different strategies and variants.

Once you switch to playing money blackjack for real, youll find several reasons to stay at Cafe Casino. This site rewards all eligible wagers with loyalty points and provides mobile-friendly games that dont require any downloads.

Since you dont need to download any mobile blackjack apps, you can start playing your favorite games in seconds. This casino offers a varied choice of games, including popular variants, such as Single Deck Blackjack and Perfect Pairs. Most tables accept minimum bets of $1 and many feature optional side bets with high-value payouts.

Cafe Casino offers the highest-ranking blackjack apps that accept a $5 minimum deposit. You must use Tether to fund your account with this value, but can use several other cryptocurrencies and Player Transfer to deposit $10 or more. Credit card deposits, meanwhile, are subject to a minimum value of $20.

The Cafe Casino support team is available 24/7 and can be contacted using live chat or email. Waiting times are usually short, but if you dont wish to wait, you might want to search the blackjack apps help center for instant answers.

Unlock generous welcome and ongoing rewards that you can use on blackjack games at Cafe Casino. While these games contribute less than slots towards wagering requirements, they are still eligible for most promotions. In addition, this mobile blackjack app offers a loyalty program where every $1 wagered on blackjack leads to 1 loyalty point.

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SlotsLV is a Curacao-based casino that shares many similarities with Cafe Casino and other blackjack apps featured in this guide. For example, this platform is accessible from any web browser and does not require any software download.

In addition, active players who play blackjack games at SlotsLV are rewarded with loyalty points that can be redeemed into cash. Initially, it takes 2,500 points to get a $1 bonus, however, as players rise through the loyalty program levels, this exchange rate gets more favorable.

As one of the top mobile blackjack casinos, SlotsLV offers both virtual and live games that you can start playing with real money with bets of $1 or more. Free play mode is also available, even before youve registered an account. Using this option, youll be able to develop your playing skills and even explore all the different available variants.

Just like Cafe Casino, the SlotsLV blackjack app can accept instant deposits of $5 or more. Most cryptocurrencies and Player Transfer payments require a minimum payment of $10, while credit cards have a minimum limit of $20. Most USD banking options are subject to high processing fees so many players prefer to use crypto.

The SlotsLV Casino customer care team is available 24/7. If you ever have a question, you can get in touch quickly using live chat. If you dont wish to wait, you can use the blackjack app to send an email, look for answers on the FAQ page, or speak to other players in the community forum.

SlotsLV offers the longest welcome bonus of all blackjack apps that pay real money. New players get access to a nine-part match bonus thats worth up to $7,500. Existing players, meanwhile, can benefit from loyalty program rewards as well as referral offers, and other rewards. Blackjack games are eligible for most offers but contribute less towards wagering requirements.

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13 Best Real Money Blackjack Apps 2024 - Top Mobile Blackjack Sites Reviewed - ReadWrite

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A former Phillies executive found work as a blackjack dealer after being fired. Now he’s back in the game. – The Philadelphia Inquirer

Posted: at 7:29 am

The Phillies were thin on starting pitching in the summer of 2009 when they dispatched two members of their front office to watch Pedro Martinez pitch in the Dominican Republic. Martinez was 37, had struggled the year before, and was injured for most of the season before that. He was at home and practically retired.

The scouting reports came back to Philadelphia: Martinez still had it.

He joined the rotation in August, the Phillies won his first seven starts, and the future Hall of Famer turned back the clock with a 130-pitch outing before starting three playoff games. It was a success. And its all because Scott Proefrock had an idea.

READ MORE: South Jerseys Chuck Randall never made it to the Phillies, but the team says hes one of their pioneers

We were all just kind of sitting around, said Ruben Amaro Jr., then the teams general manager. He said, Hey, Pedro isnt doing anything. I said Call him. We were just trying to find guys. I think he had read something somewhere that he was throwing [batting practice] to kids in the Dominican.

Proefrock spent 13 seasons with the Phillies, joining them shortly after the 2008 World Series parade and staying on until he was fired in August of 2021. He thought up the idea to sign Martinez, handled the negotiations for pitcher Cliff Lees return, and was an assistant to three Phillies GMs. Proefrock specialized in knowing the ins and outs of the major-league rule book.

He was integral to some of the best teams in franchise history, hung on during the teams rebuilding process, and was there when Bryce Harper arrived. But after he was let go three years ago, the game rolled on without him.

Its amazing how you fall off the face of the Earth, Proefrock said. Its not anyones fault. The season and the year in baseball have a rhythm to it. You get busy doing the things you have to do, and its easy to just move on to the next person you have to deal with.

Thats how a former Phillies executive spent eight months as a blackjack dealer.

Proefrock, 63, worked at two casinos the Horseshoe in Baltimore and the Hollywoodin York, Pa. while waiting for another job in baseball. In between the casinos, Proefrock spent 10 months as a bank teller near his home in the Baltimore suburbs.

I really enjoyed dealing, Proefrock said. We worked on tips, so you try to be as friendly as possible and start conversations. My former life would come up sometimes, and that would start some conversations.

He was in the majors for more than 30 years, helping five teams the Pirates, Braves, Devil Rays, Orioles, and Phillies decide when to hit and when to stand. But after the Phils let him go, Proefrock could not find another seat at the table.

Experience has become sort of a four-letter word, Amaro said. Theres people in the game, running organizations and heading departments who honestly dont know baseball all that well. And they dont want to admit that they dont know baseball. So a lot of them, in my mind, have decided all of us were doing it wrong. Thats the sad part. People with experience and institutional knowledge, they were shunned.

Unable to land a gig, Proefrock asked the Major League Baseball commissioners office to keep him in mind if they heard of any job openings. He liked the casino but wanted back in his old game.

Finally, he was dealt a good hand. An owner of two teams in the Frontier League an independent league of 16 teams that partners with MLB was looking for someone to oversee the day-to-day operations of his teams.

Proefrock already knew the baseball side and was willing to learn more about the business aspect of a ball club. He was all in. Proefrock was hired in December by owner Brian Kahn and splits his time between the Windy City Thunderbolts outside Chicago and the expansion New England Knockouts in Brockton, Mass.

The rosters are being assembled Tommy McCarthy, the son of Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy, is signed to the Knockouts and opening day is in May. Proefrock resigned from the casino, saying he would go back if baseball busts again.

Its nice to be able to have fun and be back in baseball again, Proefrock said. But listen, I had fun at the casino. I really liked dealing. Im sure my wife would say I have other vices, but my only vice that I know of is gambling. Its a lot more fun losing someone elses money than losing your own.

I wanted them to win. Its not my money. The more they win, the better they tip.

Proefrock worked five days a week at the casino, 4 a.m. to noon, because it would not interfere too much with his schedule. He already went to bed early, so the start time was not much of an adjustment, and he would have his afternoons open. It wasnt baseball, but it was a good fit.

When I was in the game before, all I thought about was baseball 24/7 and it never seemed like work because that was my passion, Proefrock said. The best part about the casino was that I didnt think about it until I got there and I didnt think about it at all after I walked out at the end of my shift.

But at some points, it gets really sad when people tell you Im thousands of dollars in the hole and I have to pay my rent. That stuff happens, and sometimes that can be depressing, honestly.

Proefrock was at a Frontier League meeting when another owner told him that their clubs were in the business of making memories for the fans. Tickets are cheap, promotions are plenty, and the games are meant to be family entertainment. Sounds good, Proefrock said.

But the more I thought about it, I said How about we make memories for the players as well? Proefrock said.

Most of the leagues players are undrafted college players entering professional baseball for the first time. Others are players who tasted the minors and want to get back.

I think theres things we can do to help them get the most out of their abilities, Proefrock said.

Proefrock started calling some of his friends, baseball lifers who he said were either aged out or waged out of the game they loved. Like him, they werent ready to walk away. They just needed a team.

Proefrock pitched the idea of hiring Larry Rothschild and Chuck Hernandez two longtime big-league pitching coaches as consultants. Kahn agreed.

READ MORE: Phillies are replacing Dollar Dog Nights after 27 seasons with a buy-one, get-one promotion

Now when we recruit players, we can say Hey, youre going to have access to these guys, Proefrock said. Not only to their knowledge. But if you show them you can do something, youre going to have access to their network. If they see someone who can do something, theyre going to pick up the phone and say, Hey, you need to come look at this guy to someone they know in a major-league organization.

Hernandez will work with the Knockouts, while Rothschild is with the ThunderBolts. They will attend spring training and visit with their team once a month during the regular season, providing feedback to players and staff. Theyll watch games from home and communicate with the team throughout the season. Proefrock used his new job to find seats at the table for others like him.

They still have something to offer, Proefrock said. They have experience, knowledge, and wisdom to pass on. Baseball is their identity, and that was taken away from them. They still want to be involved, and they still have something to offer. I just picked up the phone.

Proefrock, then an executive with Baltimore, had tickets to Game 4 of the 2008 World Series when Amaro asked to meet him. He got up from his seat Proefrock was sitting with Ned Rice, then an Orioles staffer and now a Phils assistant GM and found Amaro on the concourse.

We were talking when Joe Blanton hit the home run, Proefrock said.

Amaro was then a candidate to replace Pat Gillick as general manager, and Proefrock agreed to join him if he landed the gig. Amaro soon did, and Proefrock moved north after three seasons with the Orioles.

I met Peter Angelos one time, Proefrock said of the Os owner. I shook his hand at spring training. One time.

So consider Proefrocks surprise on his first day in Philadelphia when David Montgomery then the Phillies president spent an hour in his office. Montgomery wanted to get to know the new guy, asking him questions about his life and career.

READ MORE: Owner John Middleton on Phillies huge offer to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, saving the powder for July, and more

You can talk to anyone that was there. The atmosphere, the environment that he created, was unlike anything Ive ever experienced, Proefrock said.

Everyone told me, It will be the best place youll ever work. And I would tell that story in front of David and I would say, They were wrong. Because its even better than what they said. And it was.

Those years, most fun Ive had in the game. Its a shame with the teams that we had, we couldnt close the deal, Proefrock said.

The closest the Phils came during Proefrocks time was 2009, when Martinez the three-time Cy Young Award winner they found in the Dominican started two games in the World Series loss to the Yankees. Martinez faded against New York but had been excellent in the National League Championship Series. Proefrocks idea helped the Phils win a second pennant in a row.

I didnt agree with him all the time, but I loved the fact that he wasnt afraid to give his opinion about stuff, Amaro said. As Pat Gillick used to say all the time: Were paid for our opinions. Pedro was Scotts idea. And thats cool. It was a product of people not being afraid of expressing themselves.

Its something that should be created in every front office and every business. How else would you learn? People give lip service to Thinking outside the box. Well, if you dont let people be heard, how can they think outside the box?

He threw some stupid ideas out there, too, Amaro said. So did I. We all did. But you dont get to the good ones without going through the stupid ones.

Montgomery was back in Proefrocks office a few years later, sitting on the couch and listening while the assistant GM hammered out a contract with Lees agent. The move was a stunner, as Montgomery had ordered the front office to keep negotiations quiet. Whatever they did, the president supported them.

He made this motion of these waves, Proefrock said. Like these waves are crashing over me. Im getting overwhelmed. I had so much fun with those guys.

The casino in York allowed dealers to wear sports jerseys on Sundays, so Proefrock manned his table while wearing his sons powder blue Mike Schmidt shirt. But he needed a new top when his son returned to college. Proefrock, during a visit to Citizens Bank Park, asked whether they had any of those God-awful, ugly burgundy jerseys they wore as throwbacks in 2019.

It didnt have a number on the back, Proefrock said. But you know what it did have? It had the DPM [memorial] patch for David. That was really cool. I was proud to wear that more for the patch than the ugly burgundy.

READ MORE: Murphy: Can the Phillies unseat the Braves? Heres the route to a title in the NL East

The former Phillies executive dealt cards while wearing a Phillies jersey with his old boss initials while he waited to return to the game he loved. Hes finally back in baseball. And Proefrocks title president is the same as Montgomerys with the Phils.

The man who was on Proefrocks sleeve when he was hoping to get back is now on his mind as he starts a new chapter in baseball.

Its always fun to win, but we had fun regardless, Proefrock said. Even when things started to go south, we were still having fun. David Montgomery was just a wonderful, wonderful man.

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A former Phillies executive found work as a blackjack dealer after being fired. Now he's back in the game. - The Philadelphia Inquirer

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Denny Hamlin won major blackjack grand prize in Las Vegas – On3.com

Posted: at 7:29 am

Good luck is already on Denny Hamlins side this weekend in Las Vegas. Last night he won a $300K blackjack tournament grand prize. Will he hit it big and win in the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend as well?

You know, it feels like every year NASCAR goes to Vegas and Denny walks away with a huge prize. On his Instagram, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver shared his trophy and a few shots from the tournament itself.

I dont even want to know how much money Denny Hamlin had to put up to play in this tournament. In fact, it hurts a little to know he walked away with all of this cash. Thats about enough money to build a Next Gen car from scratch, by the way

Denny Hamlin is going to hope he can keep the good luck going this weekend. Intermediate tracks are strong for Toyota, at least they were last year. However, last year Sin City was dominated by Hendrick Motorsports.

If there is a driver not in a Chevy that can win this race, it is likely the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE.

After the great Truck Series race last night, Im very excited to see the Xfinity and Cup Series races this weekend. Denny Hamlin hit it big on the blackjack tables, now its time to get his car out on the track and do what he does best, race.

Early on in practice, Denny Hamlin is one of the quickest in the field. Ty Gibbs is putting up similar lap times, at least in single-lap speed. We will know a lot more after qualifying today, but early on, the Toyotas do look strong.

The Pennzoil 400 should be a really fun race. Now, it likely wont give us a three-wide finish at the line like Atlanta last week, but fans should be happy to see NASCAR at Las Vegas. This track spreads the field out wide and gives drivers options in a race.

Today we will see Cup Series qualifying as well as the Xfinity Series race. Then on Sunday, the Pennzoil 400 will go green at 3:30 PM EST. Will Denny Hamlin come up flush or go bust?

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Denny Hamlin won major blackjack grand prize in Las Vegas - On3.com

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Despite Red Flags, Sportsbooks Say Caleb Williams Is Lock To Go #1 In NFL Draft – Outkick

Posted: at 7:29 am

PublishedMarch 3, 2024 12:43 PM EST|UpdatedMarch 3, 2024 12:43 PM EST

The Chicago Bears currently hold the #1 pick in the NFL Draft. Most experts expect them to keep that pick and make the first selection. However, even if they ultimately trade the pick, sportsbooks are clear: the team that selects number one is taking USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

As someone who covers the NFL Draft, I can honestly say that Williams is a very tough evaluation. He has all the physical gifts that teams covet in a potential franchise quarterback. However, there are some issues with his personality and leadership abilities. Plus, there are some holes in his college tape, too.

Despite that, sportsbooks agree that he's going to be the #1 pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25 in Detroit, Michigan. Most likely, the team that plays its home games around 250 miles west of Detroit the Chicago Bears will select Williams.

Sportsbooks say USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams is a near-lock to go #1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

(Jessica Alcheh/USA TODAY Sports)

According to OddsChecker.com, the longest odds at any sportsbook on Williams to go #1 is -910 at Bet Rivers (implied odds: 90% chance). The shortest odds are on FanDuel, who have installed Williams as a whopping -1600 (94% implied odds) to be the first pick in the NFL Draft.

Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 before struggling a bit in his final season at USC. He's big, strong, athletic and has a very strong arm. All great qualities.

But, there are questions about his pocket presence. No quarterback had more time to throw per dropback in college than Caleb Williams. Ever. In fact, the next closest to him? Current Bears quarterback Justin Fields.

Look, I've written at length already about Williams' off-the-field issues that also could manifest on-the-field in the NFL.

And, when you add that to some concerns about his actual on-field concerns, there should be real alarm bells going off for NFL teams.

Playing in the Pac-12 and generally facing no great defenses helped him. He's not going to be able to avoid NFL pass rushers like he did in college.

But, teams fall in love this time of year. According to the sportsbooks, no one is falling out of love with Caleb Williams in time for the NFL Draft.

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Despite Red Flags, Sportsbooks Say Caleb Williams Is Lock To Go #1 In NFL Draft - Outkick

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