Overwatch

SAN FRANCISCO — Fans of the video game will soon be able to watch competitions on television under a deal announced Wednesday by Activision Blizzard and Walt Disney Co. Disney and its ESPN channels will be exclusive partners for broadcasting matches on television in the US, in the “most significant commitment” they have made to video games as spectator sport, Activision Blizzard eSports league chief Pete Vlastelica told AFP. The alliance is part of an effort to establish eSports audiences and business models akin to those in traditional sports such as basketball or football. Financial terms of the multiyear deal were not disclosed. Playoff games beginning this week along with finals taking place in Brooklyn the last weekend of July will be on Disney XD or ESPN channels, according to the programming schedule. —

Rap star Cardi B gives birth to daughter

NEW YORK — Cardi B, who has quickly risen to become one of the most prominent women in hip-hop, has become a mother, announcing Wednesday the birth of daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus. The 25-year-old New York rapper broke the news on Instagram where she posted a picture of herself pregnant, nude, and tattooed in a room full of flowers, and said her daughter was born Tuesday. Cardi B, who previously revealed the baby’s gender, had the child with fellow rapper Offset, one-third of the hard-living Atlanta hip hop trio Migos. He has three other children from previous relationships. The baby’s name clearly reflects her father, who was born as Kiari Kendrell Cephus. Migos has put out albums entitled and Cardi B has become one of the biggest new stars on the US musical landscape since the runaway success last year of her song “Bodak Yellow,” which touches on her former life making ends meet as a stripper. A Bronx native whose real name is Belcalis Almanzar, Cardi B recently returned to number one on the US singles chart with “I Like It,” which nods musically to her Latin heritage. —