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Weather & Environment

Wildfires live updates: Dry lightning could threaten Western Oregon

Firefighters were making progress against several significant wildfires, but a coming change in conditions could allow fires to quickly spread.

— NYT > Top Stories

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Fauci honored with new bobblehead: ‘Facepalm edition’

You know you’re famous when there are multiple bobbleheads honoring your likeness.

 

 

— FOX News: Janine Puhak

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Trump scorns his own scientists over virus data

A public scolding of the C.D.C. chief was only the latest but perhaps the starkest instance when the president has rejected not just the policy advice of his public health officials but the facts and information that they provided.

 

— NYT: Peter Baker

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Chris Rock addresses Jimmy Fallon’s blackface controversy: ‘He didn’t mean anything’

Chris Rock broke his silence on the controversy that surrounded “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon after a video resurfaced of him doing an impression of Rock in blackface in a 2000 sketch on “Saturday Night Live.”

 

— FOX News: Tyler McCarthy

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Sports & Gaming

Allied Esports’ VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series researches 1.7 million unique viewers

Most-Watched Legend Series Event in Allied Esports History Drives 400% Increase in New Users and 300% Increase in Deposits on VIE.gg Platform

VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series and Allied Esports Odyssey Tournaments Combine to Drive Record Viewership and Follower Growth Over Five-Week Period

IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Allied Esports, a global esports entertainment company and a subsidiary of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AESE), drew 1.7 million unique viewers for the VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series tournament, which ended Sunday, September 13. The two-week competition, which also generated over 1 million hours watched and reached 98,000 peak viewers, is the company’s most-watched Legend Series event since the tournament series was created in 2017.

The professional Counter-Strike tournament, which was produced from Allied Esports’ HyperX Esports Studio in Hamburg, Germany, was a global event reaching esports audiences across multiple continents and languages. Allied Esports worked with various partners to broadcast the tournament on Twitch in six languages – English, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, French and German – and on Chinese streaming platform HUYA, which carried both English and Chinese streams.

The tournament capped a historic five-week period for Allied Esports’ online tournament streams. The VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series and the Allied Esports Odyssey, an official tournament in Riot Games’ VALORANT Ignition Series that ran August 11-16, combined for 4 million unique viewers and 2 million hours watched. The two tournaments also generated a total of 37,000 new followers across Allied Esports’ Twitch channels, an increase of 68% since August 10, to raise the combined total of followers to 91,044. Allied Esports’ social platforms, including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, generated a net audience increase of 4,900% and engagement increase of 486% compared to the previous five-week period.

“The VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series is a great example of the ability of our tournaments to deliver dedicated content to an enthusiastic, engaged audience, and we will continue to develop these brands to meet the needs of partners as the esports industry continues to evolve,” said Frank Ng, CEO of Allied Esports Entertainment. “This tournament was an excellent start to our partnership with Esports Entertainment Group, as we introduced their wagering platform to millions of people around the world, and we look forward to creating more valuable content with them in the near future.”

The VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series tournament was Allied Esports’ first Legend Series event to include a licensing partner and title sponsor through its partnership with Esports Entertainment Group. As a result, Esports Entertainment Group saw a 400% increase in new users and a 300% increase in deposits on the VIE.gg platform compared to the same period in the prior month.

Each broadcast during the VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series tournament prominently featured a wagering component, including dynamic live odds that were on display for the entirety of each match.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the viewership numbers for the VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series, a new benchmark for Allied Esports and a great introduction of our VIE.gg brand to fans around the world,” commented Grant Johnson, CEO of Esports Entertainment Group. “Working with the team at Allied Esports on this tournament has been a great experience, and we’re already in discussions for the next event.”

The online event was also the first esports tournament registered for legal betting in the state of New Jersey, an announcement that was made by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) on September 2.

The VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series featured 16 Counter-Strike teams from multiple European countries, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region and South America, including seven teams ranked in the top 50 globally. Kazakhstan’s Winstrike, which jumped from No. 60 in the world at the start of the tournament to No. 34, defeated 32nd-ranked Heretics from France 3-0 in the best-of-five Grand Final to secure the first VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series title and €17,000 of the €50,000 total prize pool. Every game from the two-week tournament can be watched in full at youtube.com/alliedesports.

Allied Esports’ original Legend Series tournament brand was designed to expand the competitive ecosystem and total prize pool for teams ranked outside of the first tier. The VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series was Allied Esports’ seventh edition of the CS:GO Legend Series and the 13th Legend Series event overall, with previous versions of the series featuring VALORANT, League of Legends, Call of Duty, Overwatch and FIFA.

About Allied Esports

Named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company, Allied Esports International, Inc. is at the forefront of esports entertainment with a global network of properties designed to serve as competition battlegrounds, community experience hubs and content production centers.

Through direct operation or membership in the Allied Esports Property Network, the world’s first esports affiliate program, Allied Esports’ facilities span North America, Europe, China and Australia, and include the world-renowned HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas, a fleet of mobile arenas, the HyperX Esports Trucks, and the HyperX Esports Studio in Hamburg, Germany.

Allied Esports’ properties serve as the home to a number of online and offline proprietary productions and events, including Friday Frags and Saturday Night Speedway, as well as original partner programs like the Simon Cup.

For more information about Allied Esports, visit AlliedEsports.gg and follow @AlliedEsports. Allied Esports International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc.

About Allied Esports Entertainment

Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AESE) is a global leader in esports entertainment, providing innovative infrastructure, transformative live experiences, multiplatform content and interactive services to audiences worldwide through its strategic fusion of two powerful brands: Allied Esports and the World Poker Tour (WPT). For more information, visit AlliedEsportsEnt.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the control of us, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include: our ability to execute on our business plan; our ability to retain key personnel; general economic and market conditions impacting demand for our products and services; adequacy of our funds for future operations; our future expenses, revenue and profitability; our ability to develop new products; our dependence on key suppliers, manufacturers and strategic partners; and industry trends and the competitive environment in which we operate. These and other risk factors are discussed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contacts

Media Contacts:
Brian Fisher

Allied Esports

brian@alliedesports.com

Investor Contact:
Lasse Glassen

Addo Investor Relations

lglassen@addoir.com
424-238-6249

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Business

American Water’s Homeowner Services division launches new partnership with global energy provider

Iberdrola Texas selects American Home Solutions for quality, affordability, and reliability

CAMDEN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American Home Solutions, part of American Water’s Homeowner Services division, announced today it has entered into an agreement with Iberdrola Texas, a global renewable energy provider and producer of wind power. This partnership expands American Water’s Homeowner Services footprint in Texas, offering optional homeowner protection plans for individuals and families spending more time at home, placing additional stress and usage on their systems.

“During a time when we are all using our home systems more frequently, small problems can lead to significant, unplanned repairs and expenses,” said Eric Palm, President, Homeowner Services. “We are proud to be working with Iberdrola Texas to provide affordable protection plans to homeowners, covering AC units and electronic devices. American Home Solutions aims to offer peace of mind that comes with top-of-the-line customer service.”

Through the agreement, affordable home service protection plans will be offered to Iberdrola Texas customers, such as the Cooling Repair and Maintenance Plan, and Surge Protection Plan.

American Water’s Homeowner Services prides itself on quality, exceptional customer service, program coverage, and a proven track record in providing peace of mind and protecting homeowners across the country. To learn more about American Home Solutions, visit getstarted.yourhomesolutions.com/american-home-solutions.

About American Home Solutions

Pivotal Home Solutions, LLC does business as American Home Solutions in select markets. Pivotal Home Solutions, LLC is part of American Water’s Homeowner Services division, protecting homeowners from top to bottom, inside and out, including water and sewer lines, plumbing and electrical systems, HVAC maintenance and installation, and appliance repairs. American Water’s Homeowner Services brands protect nearly 2 million customers contracts across the US, including partnerships with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Orlando Utilities Commission, reaching 43 states and Washington, D.C. Pivotal Home Solutions, LLC has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. For more information about American Home Solutions, visit: getstarted.yourhomesolutions.com/american-home-solutions.

About Iberdrola Texas

Iberdrola Texas is part of the Iberdrola Group (IBERDROLA, S.A), one of the world’s largest electric integrated utility providers and a global leader in wind energy. The company produces and supplies energy to more than 100 million customers around the world. Iberdrola Texas is a leader in renewable energy that delivers 100% green electricity sourced exclusively from Texas wind farms. For more information, visit www.iberdrolatexas.com.

Contacts

Alicia Barbieri

American Water

Alicia.Barbieri@amwater.com
(609) 432-3331

Samantha Subar

Iberdrola

samantha.subar@iberdrolausa.com
214-529-4749

Categories
Business

AM Best assigns Issue Credit Rating to MetLife, Inc.’s new preferred shares

OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has assigned a Long-Term Issue Credit Rating of “bbb” to the $1 billion issuance of 3.85% fixed rate reset non-cumulative preferred stock, Series G, recently issued by MetLife, Inc. (MetLife) (headquartered in New York, NY) [NYSE: MET]. The outlook assigned to the Credit Rating (rating) is stable. Leverage and coverage ratios remain supportive of the ratings. The existing ratings of MetLife and its subsidiaries are unchanged.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media – Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2020 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Louis Silvers
Senior Financial Analyst
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5802
louis.silvers@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Rosemarie Mirabella
Director
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5892
rosemarie.mirabella@ambest.com

Jim Peavy
Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

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Big Ten announces return of 2020 college football season, after postponing due to coronavirus

Big Ten football is back.

 

— FOX News: Paulina Dedaj

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Judd Apatow accuses film industry of censorship: ‘China has bought our silence’

Filmmaker Judd Apatow gave a recent interview in which he criticized the film industry for essentially censoring content that’s critical of places like China where human rights abuses are happening.

 

— FOX News: Tyler McCarthy

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Ben Shapiro: Biden, Trump and politics in 2020 – it’s all lawn-sign virtue signaling these days

In California, there’s one lawn sign that has become quite popular.

There is one lawn sign that reads: “In this house, we believe: Black lives matter; women’s rights are human rights; no human is illegal; science is real; love is love; kindness is everything.”

The report suggests that this sign is generally plunked in the front yard “of a nice suburban home, where it acts as a sort of unearned symbol of virtue.”

 

— FOX News: Ben Shapiro