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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey gambling regulators have handed out $40,000 in fines to two sportsbooks and a tech company for violations that included taking bets on unauthorized events, and on games that had already ended. In information made public Monday, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement fined DraftKings $20,000. It also levied $10,000 fines on Rush Street Interactive NJ and the sports betting technology company Kambi. According to documents released by the state, Rush Street accepted 16 bets worth $1,523 in Nov. 2021 on a college basketball game between the University of North Carolina-Asheville and Tennessee Tech University after the game had already concluded with a UNC victory. Kambi told the enforcement division that a trader had failed to manually remove that game from its betting markets, saying it had stopped receiving messages from its own sports data provider due to a network connectivity error. Kambi said it has updated its guidelines and retrained its traders to prevent a recurrence. Kambi, which is based in Malta, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Monday. Rush Street declined comment, and DraftKings had no immediate comment Monday. DraftKings stopped using Kambi in 2021. In March 2022 Rush Street took seven bets totaling just under $2,900 on three Magic City Jai Alai games after the results were already known. Kambi told the division it experienced a connectivity issue that allowed the bets to be accepted after the games were over. An explanation of what Kambi did to address the situation was blacked out in documents released by the division. A month earlier Rush Street took 13 wagers worth $8,150 with pre-match odds on a Professional Golf Association match after the event had already begun. In this case, Kambi told the division a newly hired trader failed to enter the correct closing time time for bets on the event. The trader and a supervisor underwent retraining. DraftKings was fined for taking bets on unapproved events including Russian basketball for nine months in 2020 and 2021. It eventually voided over $61,000 in bets and returned the money to customers after being directed to do so by the state. In this case, Kambi told the division it misidentified this particular Russian basketball league as one that was approved for wagering in New Jersey. DraftKings told the state it did not catch the error, either. In 2020, DraftKings accepted 484 wagers on unapproved table tennis matches. Kambi incorrectly enabled the events for wagering without conditions required by the state, the division said. In Feb. 2022, the division said DraftKings took pre-season NFL bets involving specific players but did not give the state specific information on what information was to be included in the bets, drawing 182 wagers worth nearly $7,000 that were later voided and refunded to customers. ___ Follow Wayne Parry on X atThe ability to easily record your screen is one of the great Chromebook functions people may not be aware of . You can record yourself playing a game, record meetings, make visual guides, or show bugs you've encountered in games or code. You can either record with the computer's native tool by pressing Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows followed by the Screen Record button that appears or you can use a variety of programs powered by Google. While it may be easy to start recording, is it just as easy to stop screen recordings? Just like starting a screen recording, stopping a screen recording is also straightforward in most cases. Official Chromebook Help simply states to select the Stop Recording symbol (a red box) at the bottom right of your screen. If you don't see the Stop Recording symbol, it's possible that you have the Auto-Hide Shelf setting toggled on. This is a setting that hides the bottom shelf while recording to keep the screen clear. If turned on, the Stop Recording symbol won't be visible — along with the rest of the shelf — until you shake the mouse a bit or scroll it over where the shelf appears. To turn off Auto-Hide Shelf, right click on the shelf (or where it usually showed) and select "Always Show Shelf." If you're still having issues, there are other easy workarounds. You can also use a keyboard shortcut if you don't want to move your cursor during the screen recording or can't find the Stop Recording symbol — Search + Shift + X. Often seen as simple, the Chromebook actually has a lot of functions people may not be aware of – this includes a lot of easy-to-install Chrome extensions. If you prefer to use an extension to screen record, there's plenty of Chrome extensions to use on top of what comes with the Chromebook. These are great Chrome extensions to consider if the Chromebook's built-in screen recorder keeps giving you problems. Loom is a great option for work-focused screen recording since it's able to record the screen and the user simultaneously — and luckily there's a free version. For simplicity's sake, GoFullPage is a great screen recorder if you just want the entire screen in one click. It's also free but is focused on very straightforward tasks. Businesses should take a look at Nimbus — this Chrome extension allows for watermarks and branding on captured recordings. For more money a month, there's also project management tools. Screencastify has remained a popular pick as well due to its easy ability to share screen recordings, even inspiring engagement with an interactive question tool.Inspire Exhibition, Science Fair From Dec. 5
By Kemberley Washington, CPA, Bankrate.com (TNS) As the end of the year approaches, now’s the time to start preparing for filing your 2024 tax return in 2025. When it comes to tax strategies, generally Dec. 31 is the deadline to make changes that might lower your tax bill. One major exception is the deadline for contributing to a Roth or traditional IRA : You have until April 15, 2025, to make a contribution to a Roth or traditional IRA for tax year 2024. If you qualify for deductible IRA contributions , then a contribution to your traditional IRA can reduce your taxable income for 2024. Here are tips and strategies to prepare now for the 2025 tax-filing deadline. If you had significant changes in your life in 2024 — maybe you got married or divorced, started your own business, or had to claim unemployment benefits — your taxes may be more complicated. As a result, you might need to hire a certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent (EA) or other tax professional to prepare and file your taxes. If you decide to hire someone, it’s best to start planning for that sooner rather than later. Waiting until the calendar flips to April could cost you. The average fee for a professional to prepare and file a simple Form 1040 tax return, with no itemized deductions, is about $220, according to a survey by the National Society of Accountants in 2020-2021, the most recent data available. But that amount rises quickly for more complex returns, and varies depending on where you live. For example, a Form 1040 with itemized deductions costs an average of $432 in states on the Pacific Coast, compared with $285 in New England. No matter where you live, prices usually rise as the tax deadline approaches, so it’s smart to start searching for a tax pro soon. If you’re uncomfortable doing your taxes on your own and can’t afford a CPA, enrolled agent or other tax pro, or to pay for tax software , there are free options to consider. The IRS currently offers three ways to prepare your taxes for free: •With the IRS Free File program, the IRS partners with for-profit tax-software companies that offer free tax-prep software to eligible taxpayers so they can file their federal tax returns for free. Some taxpayers may also qualify for a free state tax filing, depending on the software provider. In January, the IRS will announce the income limit to qualify for the program for the 2025 tax season (for filing 2024 tax returns). For the 2024 tax season (2023 tax returns), taxpayers’ adjusted gross income (AGI) couldn’t exceed $79,000. •The IRS also offers its Direct File program, a free tool that allows you to file your federal income tax return directly with the IRS at no cost. The program supports simple tax returns and is available only in certain states. Check to see if you qualify here. •Another free-filing option is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. IRS-certified volunteers offer free basic tax preparation in person to people who earn less than $67,000 a year, are disabled or whose English is limited. The IRS has an online location tool for hundreds of free tax preparation sites in the U.S. (the locator tool is updated from February through April). Some VITA sites also offer online tax-prep assistance. Now is a good time to create an IRS online account. If you want to see your Form 1040 from last year, or you’re missing a prior year Form W-2 or mortgage interest statement, you can find your documents using this free tax tool. Another benefit of creating an IRS online account is that it allows you to quickly obtain your prior year’s tax information without sitting on the phone for hours with an IRS representative, says Carl Johnson, a certified public accountant in New Orleans. An IRS online account also lets you view your account balance and payment history for each year. You can also create a payment plan to settle your federal income tax debt within minutes. If you’re 73 years old and have enjoyed watching your 401(k) or IRA grow tax-free without touching it, remember that the IRS is going to want its share each year. That means you’ll have to make withdrawals — and pay income tax. If you turned 73 in 2024, plan to take your required minimum distribution (RMD) at the latest by April 1, 2025. Read this IRS bulletin for more information. The amount of your RMDs is based on your age and the year-end values of your retirement accounts. A Roth IRA has two big tax advantages over a traditional IRA : Qualified withdrawals are not considered income for federal (and usually state) tax purposes, and you don’t have to take distributions from a Roth every year once you reach age 73. Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA may save you money in the long run. Just know that when you convert an IRA to a Roth, it’s considered taxable income, which will raise your tax bill for that year. Generally, it’s best to convert to a Roth IRA when you’re in a low-income year. As tax season approaches, many people start receiving phone calls, emails and texts from entities claiming to be the IRS. Be wary, and understand that these are scams. Typically, the IRS will mail you a notice before using any other method of communication to notify you concerning issues with your tax return. The IRS won’t reach out via social media or text messaging. Relatedly, the IRS warns taxpayers to be careful when choosing a tax preparer. Taking time to vet your tax preparer is crucial to protect yourself from tax scams and fraud. Before hiring a tax professional, search that person’s name in the IRS database of federal tax return preparers to avoid dishonest “professionals.” “Taxpayers should check the tax professional’s credentials,” Johnson says. Tax pros without credentials “may take questionable positions without any degree of scrutiny or fear of losing their access to the profession,” Johnson says. Taxpayers who don’t file a tax return and owe a tax bill, or who file but don’t pay their tax bill on time, risk severe penalties. The IRS can even seize assets if necessary. Respond quickly if the IRS has been sending you letters because it found an error on your return or claims you owe back taxes. Typically, the IRS will send you a notice if you have a balance due, changes were made to your tax return, or the agency needs additional information. “If you ignore a collection letter from the IRS, you may face wage garnishments, liens, bank levies, and other adverse action. And in some cases, the amount due may increase for failure to respond,” Johnson says. Keep in mind the IRS does offer installment plans and other payment plans. Make copies of your correspondence and use only the U.S. Postal Service, the postmark from which is your proof of timeliness when responding. But whatever you do, don’t ignore the IRS because this may cause more issues in the future. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction, arguing continuing the case would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.“ In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that dismissal is warranted because of the extraordinary circumstances of his impending return to the White House. “Wrongly continuing proceedings in this failed lawfare case disrupts President Trump’s transition efforts,” the attorneys continued, before citing the “overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024.” Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but have indicated openness to delaying sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in 2029. Following Trump’s election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse the conviction, which involved efforts to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, whose affair allegations threatened to disrupt his 2016 campaign. He has denied any wrongdoing. Trump takes office Jan. 20. Merchan hasn’t set a timetable for a decision. A dismissal would erase Trump’s historic conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office. Merchan could also decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option.
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With the market at a record high, if you're not sure about which ASX shares to buy right now, then you could consider exchange traded funds ( ) instead. They provide investors with an easy way to buy a large and diverse group of shares through a single investment. But which ASX ETFs could be top options for investors in December? Three that could be worth considering are listed below: ( ) The first ASX ETF that could be a great option for investors in December is the hugely popular This ETF provides investors with access to 100 of the largest (non-financial) companies listed on the famous NASDAQ exchange. Among the high quality shares that you'll be buying a slice of are global giants such as (Google), , , (Facebook), , , , and . BetaShares highlights that this provides investors with access to a high-growth potential sector that is under-represented on the Australian share market. ( ) Another ASX ETF that could be a great option for investors in December is the . This ETF could be particularly good if you're a fan of Warren Buffett and want to follow his investment style. That's because it gives investors access to a group of fairly valued companies that have sustainable competitive advantages (or ). These are qualities that Buffett looks for when identifying investments. There are approximately 50 shares included in the index that boast these qualities at present. This includes the likes of , , , , and . ( ) If small caps are more your thing then the could be worth considering. Especially with interest rate cuts on the horizon and many analysts tipping the small side of the market to rally when the RBA takes action. This ASX ETF gives investors access to almost 200 small-cap Australian shares. However, unlike many other small-cap focused ETFs, VSO has been designed to include a range of mid and small-caps and not just the tail end of the stock market. Among its holdings are companies such as appliance manufacturer ( ), metal detector company ( ), lithium miner ( ), and property listings company ( ).Jennison Associates LLC Has $1.44 Million Holdings in The Buckle, Inc. (NYSE:BKE)Baker Mayfield mocks Tommy DeVito's celebration as the Bucs embarrass the Giants 30-7
Mick Byrne did not hold back to question why Ireland’s first five eight Sam Prendergast was not shown a red card for a high-high tackle on openside flanker Kitione Salawa. Speaking to RTE after Fiji’s 52-17 loss to Ireland in Dublin yestrday morning (Fiji time), the Flying Fijians head coach said that it would have been a red card if it was one of the players. “He’s wearing a green jerset so it starts yellow,” was Bryne’s take on the incident when interviewed by the Irish Independent. Replays seemed quite clear that Prendergast shifted his shoulder forward as it made contact with Salawa’s head. Commentator’s Theory Alan Quinlan in co-commentary, as well as Andrew Trimble and Ian Madigan in the Virgin Media studio, felt Prendrergast could consider himself fortunate. Trimble made the point that his relative slightness may have worked in his favour. The pundit pondered: “If he’s five kilos heavier I think that’s a red card because there’d be way more force and danger as a result. “So I think he’s been very lucky.” Madigan tacked on to that: “If that’s a Fijian player are they getting red-carded? Potentially so. “You’ve got to avoid head contact and if you’ve an opportunity to pull out- which I feel he did- you have to take it.” So it can’t just be chalked up as sour graoes that Bryne went down a similar train of thought in his post-match interview. Byrne did then accept accountability for his own side’s disciplinary failings as he eschewed the option of blaming (referee Hollie) Davidson or her crew. He said of their 17 conceded penalities and two yellows: “It was definitely on is. We just need to get better, “Sometimes our enthusiasm to get the job done, especially early on, we came in from the side of the ruck a couple of times, but at the end of the day, it’s on us. It’s not on the referee. “The 50/50s, that last try, if you have another look at it, the green jersey was holding on to the white jersey, but nothing comes from the TMO (television match official). “I’m sure if it was the other way around, you might not have got that try allowed,” Byrne said. “But that’s our job, our jon is to earn ourselves, over the next two years, the respect of World Rugby and we have to play a little bit better than we did today to get that.” Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fjEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield embarrassed the woeful Giants with his arm and legs, and if that wasn't enough, he rubbed it in by mimicking New York fan favorite Tommy DeVito's celebratory dance after scoring a touchdown. Mayfield catapulted into the end zone on a spectacular 10-yard scramble for one of Tampa Bay's four rushing TDs, and the Buccaneers beat the Giants and new starting quarterback DeVito 30-7 on Sunday, snapping a four-game losing streak and extending New York's skid to six. With both teams struggling and coming off byes, most of the focus leading up to the game was on the Giants' decisions this week to bench and then release quarterback Daniel Jones. The brash DeVito was given the starting job and asked to spark coach Brian Daboll's team, as he did last season. Instead, Mayfield provided the energy with his play and his trolling of DeVito. “Tribute to Tommy,” said a straight-faced Mayfield, who was 24 of 30 for 294 yards. “He’s a good dude, that’s why. Most of the times, I don’t know what I’m going to do. It’s spontaneous.” Mayfield was asked several times about the gesture and admitted he wanted to give Giants fans something they liked, adding he met DeVito at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February. “He had his chain blinged out, swag walking through the casino. It was awesome,” Mayfield said. “It was like a movie scene, honestly.” DeVito did nothing to help the NFL's lowest-scoring offense. He threw for 189 yards, mostly in the second half with New York well on its way to its sixth straight loss at home, where it is winless. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers dominated in every phase in a near-perfect performance that featured TD runs of 1 yard by Sean Tucker, 6 yards by Bucky Irving and 1 yard by Rachaad White. After recent losses to the Ravens, 49ers and Chiefs, Tampa Bay (5-6) moved within one game of idle Atlanta in the NFC South. “We’re hoping it builds confidence,” Mayfield said. “We have a belief that we are still sitting and controlling our own destiny.” Tampa Bay scored on five of its on first six possessions to open a 30-0 lead, and none was more exciting than Mayfield's TD run with 12 seconds left in the first half. On a second-and-goal from the 10, he avoided pressure and went for the end zone. He was hit by Cor'Dale Flott low and Dru Phillips high around the 2-yard line, and he was airborne when he crossed the goal line. The ball came loose when he hit the turf but he jumped up and flexed, DeVito-style, as the Bucs took a 23-0 lead. DeVito said players talked about the celebration in the locker room but he did not see it. Daboll was asked about the gesture and said Mayfield played well. He said the Giants' poor performance had nothing to do with Jones being released. “No excuse on that,” said Daboll, whose job is on the line despite making the playoffs in 2022. “We just didn’t do a good enough job.” “We played soft, and they beat the (expletive) out of us,” defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence added. Mayfield's favorite target Mike Evans returned to the lineup after missing three games with a hamstring injury and had five catches for 68 yards. Irving had 87 yards rushing and six catches for 64 yards. The Bucs held New York to three first downs and 45 yards in the first half, and they finished with 450 yards to the Giants' 245. DeVito had a 17-yard run in the fourth quarter to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Devin Singletary. The brash New Jersey native was sacked four times, including once in the fourth quarter, which forced him to go to the bench for one play. Buccaneers: LT Tristan Wirfs (knee) did not play and Justin Skule replaced him. ... Tampa Bay lost OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to an ankle injury in the second quarter and safety Jordan Whitehead to a pectoral injury in the fourth quarter. Giants: LT Jermaine Eluemunor (quad) and OLB Azeez Ojulari (toe) were hurt in the first quarter and did not return. Buccaneers: At Carolina next Sunday. Giants: At Dallas on Thanksgiving AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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