Dallas pastor Steven L. Lawson of the Trinity Bible Church was faraway from his place this week efficient instantly, the church introduced on its web site.

After being knowledgeable that Lawson had an “inappropriate relationship, Trinity Bible Church mentioned they approached Lawson with this data.

“A number of days in the past, the elders at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas have been knowledgeable by Steve Lawson of an inappropriate relationship that he has had with a lady,” the church mentioned in an announcement. “The elders have met with Steve and can proceed to come back alongside him and pray for him with the final word objective of his private repentance. Steve will not be compensated by Trinity Bible Church of Dallas.”

The church didn’t element the character of the connection or determine the lady.

Extra:An inventory of Texas pastors who resigned in 2024 after accusations of misconduct

Who’s Steven L. Lawson?

In accordance with his profile on OnePassion Ministries, the place he serves as president and founder, Lawson, 73, spent over 40 years as a pastor in Arkansas and Alabama earlier than changing into the lead preacher at Trinity Bible Church in Dallas.

Lawson graduated from Texas Tech College and holds a Grasp of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, in addition to a Physician of Ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary. In accordance with his OnePassion profile, he has authored 33 books and preached in over 14 nations.

Lawson is married with three sons and a daughter.

— USA TODAY contributed to this report.

DULUTH, Minn.– This well-known birding spot is kicking off their hottest weekend of the yr!

Hawk weekend is catering to the hen fanatics within the Northland by celebrating one of many busiest migration weeks.  Particularly, the arrival of broad-winged hawks might be highlighted this weekend.
Hawk Ridge has been taking part in analysis and teaching programs for over 50 years. Individuals from throughout migrate to Duluth for this occasion as nicely.

“That is an internationally recognized hawk watching location. We’ve had folks from Duluth. We’ve had folks from Florida, Maine, one in all my favourite visitors was from Switzerland, and so they had by no means seen a bald eagle. So, they’re telling me, we’d prefer to see a bald eagle. And I say, nicely, there’s one proper there! So, they had been capable of see that. And that simply makes me completely satisfied to share that with them.” defined Sara DePew, lead naturalist at Hawk Ridge.

The pageant caters to new and skilled birders alike.
Some actions you may stay up for are nature hikes, as nicely as packages on quite a lot of birds corresponding to swans, eagles, and naturally hawks.
Hawk weekend continues by means of Sunday.

Topline

Nike shares jumped Friday as buyers responded positively to a reshuffling on the sneaker large’s prime management publish, as buyers hope incoming CEO Elliot Hill can reverse the fortunes of the inventory beneath incumbent John Donahoe.

Key Details

Huge Quantity

–16.5%. That’s how a lot Nike inventory returned to buyers from when Donahoe took the helm via Thursday’s shut, in comparison with an 87.3% return for the S&P 500, in keeping with FactSet information, accounting for dividends. It was additionally a down stretch for rivals like Adidas (-26.6% return over the interval) and Lululemon (10.4%).

What Went Flawed Beneath Donahoe?

The tip of Donahoe’s tenure as Nike CEO, which adopted stints as the highest govt at software program agency ServiceNow and on-line resale platform eBay, coincides with dismally low expectations for Nike in its fiscal yr ending Might 2025. Consensus analyst estimates anticipate Nike to report a 4.8% annual decline in income, its first year-over-year drop since 2010 (excluding the pandemic-affected 2020) and a whopping 21.8% drop in income. In recent times, Nike has handled broader points like a more durable battle for market share in an more and more crowded sportswear area and declines in its essential China enterprise as many retailers within the nation flail. However observers traced Nike’s complications to a wobbling model status. Many tied this to Donahoe’s management — Bloomberg revealed a characteristic story final week titled “The Man Who Made Nike Uncool” — with criticism centering round Donahoe’s technique to chop ties with retail companions and a shift away from innovation within the firm’s sneakers and athletic clothes. Bernstein analyst Aneesha Sherman mentioned Thursday of Donahoe’s doomed tenure: “The blame appears to fall solely on CEO John Donahoe’s lack of a product/sports activities background, which hampered his means to make product choices. However in our view the problem wasn’t that Donahoe couldn’t himself make choices on product, however moderately that the company focus shifted away from product.”

Essential Quote

“The turnaround will take time, however the market shall be extra forgiving beneath a brand new chief,” wrote Sherman. Wall Avenue’s impatience was mirrored within the firm’s most up-to-date monetary outcomes, because the inventory tanked 20% in June to a 4-year low when Nike disclosed it anticipated a ten% annual decline in gross sales for the quarter ending in August.

Additional Studying

ForbesNike Inventory Tanks 20% To 4-12 months Low: Why The Sneaker Large’s StrugglingBy Derek Saul

Donahoe was lauded for deftly main the shoe big via the COVID-19 pandemic, and this was mirrored on the time within the firm’s share value. After Donahoe took the helm in January 2020, Nike’s inventory greater than doubled, peaking at an all-time excessive of $177.51 in November 2021. It’s been a steep fall from grace since, nevertheless, with the inventory down 24% year-to-date and hovering simply above the $80 mark at Thursday’s shut. As of Friday morning, the inventory was up 6% and buying and selling just under the $86 threshold.

Donahoe, the previous CEO of eBay and ServiceNow and an alum of consulting big Bain & Firm, was employed to carry Nike totally into the digital age. Beneath his watch, Nike ruthlessly reduce out middlemen, ending relationships with greater than half of the corporate’s retail companions and limiting the move of sneakers to locations like Amazon, Zappos and even Foot Locker, as detailed in a latest characteristic from Bloomberg.

At first, the transformation labored. Final 12 months, the corporate posted report gross sales of $51 billion.

Since then, nevertheless, longtime opponents like Adidas and Puma, in addition to upstarts resembling Brooks, Hoka and On, have taken up shelve house as Nike has upset followers accustomed to the corporate churning out new fashions.

At its newest earnings name in June, Nike stated it anticipated gross sales to drop 10% throughout the present quarter, far worse than the three.2% decline analysts had anticipated.

Plans of $2 billion in cost-cutting, which included shedding 2% of Nike’s workforce, didn’t stem the tide. Insiders complained a couple of mind drain at an organization recognized for fiercely defending its historical past and its innovator standing.

Buyers consider Hill can lead turnaround

Buyers seem optimistic, although, that the Oregon-based firm can discover one other gear underneath Hill, who began at Nike as an intern within the Nineteen Eighties and final served as president of the corporate’s client and market division.

“In our view, Nike wants somebody with a contemporary perspective to guide it via the subsequent technique and speed up the give attention to product,” Lorraine Hutchinson, a managing director and retail analyst at Financial institution of America, wrote in a word Friday morning. “We expect Hill’s [30-plus-year] historical past with the corporate in senior roles throughout the group bodes nicely for the hassle to rejuvenate innovation, rekindle wholesale relationships, and rebuild gross sales. We keep our Purchase ranking and suppose this announcement is step one ahead to speed up the turnaround.”

Nike co-founder and chairman emeritus Phil Knight additionally weighed in, saying Hill’s understanding of the corporate is strictly what the shoe maker wants.  

“We’ve received lots of work to do,” he stated, “however I’m trying ahead to seeing Nike again on its tempo.”

As Fortune’s Amanda Gerut reported, Nike is giving Hill a $27 million payday to make that occur. Shareholders will hope to see a bang for his or her buck.

Ranked Huge Ten applications sq. off Friday when the No. 22 Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0) host the No. 24 Illinois Combating Illini at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Each groups have been dominant to open the season. The Huskers are coming off a 34-3 win over Northern Iowa in Week 3, and heralded freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola has been nearly as good as marketed. The Illini are coming off a 30-9 win over Central Michigan and have allowed solely 26 factors in three video games. Nebraska received final yr’s matchup 20-7. Nebraska is 3-0 in opposition to the unfold this season, whereas Illinois has two covers and a push. 

Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. The Huskers are favored by 7.5 factors within the newest Illinois vs. Nebraska odds through SportsLine consensus, whereas the over/beneath is 42.5 factors, down from opening at 46.5. Earlier than making any Nebraska vs. Illinois picks, it’s essential to see the Week 4 school soccer predictions and betting recommendation from SportsLine’s Jimmie Kaylor. 

Kaylor is an NFL, school soccer and DFS professional for SportsLine, who has coated the NFL and school soccer for near a decade as a member of the Professional Soccer Writers of America. His background as a former school soccer All-American and NFL participant offers him a singular perspective when constructing his fantasy lineups and locking in his betting picks. He has his finger on the heartbeat of the school soccer panorama and has been cashing in massive for the final two years. 

Kaylor destroyed the books in school soccer in 2023, netting a whopping 57.9 items whereas posting a 107-45-2 file. Anybody who adopted his picks completed the season approach up.

Now, Kaylor has dialed in on Nebraska vs. Illinois on Friday and simply revealed his picks and predictions. You may head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Listed here are the school soccer odds and betting strains on the unfold, cash line and over/beneath for Illinois vs. Nebraska:

• Illinois vs. Nebraska unfold: Nebraska -7.5
• Illinois vs. Nebraska over/beneath: 42.5 factors 
• Illinois vs. Nebraska cash line: Nebraska -330, Illinois +257
• Illinois vs. Nebraska picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Nebraska can cowl

The Huskers have been dominant on the defensive aspect of the ball in 2024. The Blackshirts have allowed simply 20 whole factors via three video games, and so they have been significantly spectacular on the road of scrimmage. Matt Rhule’s protection is permitting simply 70.3 speeding yards per recreation, and the unit has racked up 9 sacks.

Offensively, the Huskers have been balanced and environment friendly. True freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola deservedly will get a number of the eye, and enters this matchup finishing 73.8% of his go makes an attempt for 670 yards, 5 touchdowns and one interception. Nebraska additionally averages 171.3 yards per recreation, with sophomore operating again Dante Dowdell (184 yards, three touchdowns) main the way in which. See which group to choose right here. 

Why Illinois can cowl

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema isn’t any stranger to massive video games. Bielema was the pinnacle coach at Wisconsin from 2006-2012 and at Arkansas from 2013-2017. Throughout that point, Bielema coached the Badgers to a few Rose Bowl appearances, two convention titles, and he has led his groups to quite a few stunning upset victories. 

Just like the Huskers, Illinois has been excellent on the defensive aspect of the ball and environment friendly on the offensive aspect. The Illini are permitting 277.3 whole yards per recreation and solely 8.7 factors per recreation. Offensively, quarterback Luke Altmyer has excelled, throwing for 647 yards and 6 touchdowns, whereas producing zero turnovers in three video games. See which group to choose right here. 

The right way to make Illinois vs. Nebraska picks

Kaylor has analyzed Nebraska vs. Illinois from each angle and he is leaning Over on the purpose whole. He has additionally found a vital X-factor that has him leaping throughout one aspect of the unfold. He is solely sharing what it’s, and which aspect to again, at SportsLine.

So who wins Nebraska vs. Illinois in Lincoln on Friday, and what vital X-factor makes one aspect of the unfold a should again? Go to SportsLine now to see which aspect of the unfold to leap on, all from the professional who profited $5,790 for $100 school soccer bettors in 2023, and discover out.

THANKS. WELL, NEBRASKA FOOTBALL GEARS UP FOR A BIG GAME AGAINST BIG TEN OPPONENT ILLINOIS. AND AS ANDY JUST SAID, IT’S THE 400TH SELLOUT AT MEMORIAL STADIUM, A TRADITION THAT’S BEEN GOING ON FOR MORE THAN SIX DECADES. KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN’S DAYVON TAYLOR HAS MORE ON THE HISTORY OF THE SELLOUT. THE FIRST SELLOUT GAME TOOK PLACE IN 1962, WHEN NEBRASKA PLAYED MISSOURI AT MEMORIAL STADIUM. SINCE THEN, MEMORIAL STADIUM HAS EXPANDED SEVERAL TIMES, AND ITS CAPACITY HAS GROWN MORE THAN 50,000 SEATS. NEBRASKA HAS WON EVERY MILESTONE GAME, STARTING WITH PENN STATE IN 1979 AND ENDING WITH LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE IN 2009. FOR THE TEAM’S 300TH CONSECUTIVE SELLOUT GAME. NEBRASKA BEAT ILLINOIS LAST SEASON IN CHAMPAIGN, BUT THE HUSKERS HAVE NOT BEAT ILLINOIS IN LINCOLN SINCE 2018, WHEN THEY WON 54 TO 35. THE HEAD COACH, MATT RHULE, SAYS THAT FAN LOYALTY WEIGHS ON HIM, AND HE SAYS THAT IT’S HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT HIM AND HIS TEAM ARE DOING THEIR BEST PART. WE WORK HARD, WE WORK HARD AT RECRUITING, WE WORK HARD AT FOOTBALL, WE WORK HARD AT RELATIONSHIPS. WE WORK HARD AT BEING PART OF THE CAMPUS AND PART OF THE UNIVERSITY SETTING. RIGHT? WE WORK HARD TO BE A PART OF THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, AND I THINK IF YOU CAN TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE TO WORK HARD, YOU HAVE A CHANCE. AND SO THAT’S WHAT OUR FANS ARE. YOU KNOW, PEOPLE IN NEBRASKA WORK HARD. AND SO WE’VE JUST TRIED TO COME HERE AND HAVE OUR WORK ETHIC MATCH THE WORK ETHIC OF THE STATE. QUARTERBACK DYLAN RAIOLA IS LOOKING FORWARD TO TONIGHT’S GAME WHILE REMEMBERING HIS VERY FIRST NEBRASKA GAME. NEVER GETS OLD WALKING IN THAT STADIUM AND IT’S SOLD OUT AND I KNOW WE’RE GOING TO NEED HIM FOR THIS GAME. SO I KNOW THEY’LL SHOW OUT. YOUR FIRST GAME YOU WENT TO? I DON’T REMEMBER WHO THEY PLAYED, BUT I WAS A I WAS A LITTLE BABY AND I JUST REMEMBER AFTER THE GAME ROLLING AROUND IN THE END ZONE, THAT’S ALL I REALLY REMEMBER. NEBRASKA AND ILLINOIS WILL TAKE THE FIELD TONIGHT STARTING AT 7 P.M. THE GAME CAN BE WATCHED ON FOX NETWORK, BUT BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE KETV MOBILE APP AND TUNE IN TO LATER BROADCAST. THERE, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO FIND THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY’S GAMES. ALSO, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GAME OR NEED TO KNOW ANY INFORMATION ABOUT STADIUM POLICY, YOUR NEWS LEADER HAS YOU COVERED, YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE RIGHT NOW KETV.COM AND FIND MORE INFORMATION ON OUR HOME PAGE. LIVE

Nebraska gears up for four-hundredth sellout throughout Friday’s night time sport towards Illinois

Up to date: 4:16 PM CDT Sep 20, 2024

Nebraska soccer gears up for the four-hundredth straight sellout sport at Memorial Stadium. The Huskers have offered out each sport at Memorial Stadium for greater than six many years, starting with a sport towards Missouri on Nov. 3, 1962. Because the sellout streak began, the stadium has undergone a number of expansions. Capability has grown by over 50,000 seats. In 1962, there have been 31,080 seats, and the present capability is at 82,841. ‘It will be full’: Tom Shatel says Nebraska’s four-hundredth straight sellout signifies Husker followers’ loyalty. Learn extra.Nebraska has been victorious in each milestone sellout sport, with the newest in 2009 when the Huskers defeated Louisiana-Lafayette. Head coach Matt Rhule mentioned the Husker followers’ loyalty is unmatched. “It is not simply the sellouts. It is coming that early and staying late,” Rhule mentioned. “It is unreal. So, that loyalty, that zeal, as I’ve mentioned since day 1, it is one thing we really feel humbled by.”Nebraska has not received its Massive Ten opener since 2019, a 42-38 win towards Illinois, in Champaign.Kickoff is at 7 p.m. on Friday night time on FOX.Click on right here for the most recent headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

LINCOLN, Neb. —

Nebraska soccer gears up for the four-hundredth straight sellout sport at Memorial Stadium.

The Huskers have offered out each sport at Memorial Stadium for greater than six many years, starting with a sport towards Missouri on Nov. 3, 1962.

Because the sellout streak began, the stadium has undergone a number of expansions. Capability has grown by over 50,000 seats. In 1962, there have been 31,080 seats, and the present capability is at 82,841.

‘It will be full’: Tom Shatel says Nebraska’s four-hundredth straight sellout signifies Husker followers’ loyalty. Learn extra.

Nebraska has been victorious in each milestone sellout sport, with the newest in 2009 when the Huskers defeated Louisiana-Lafayette.

Head coach Matt Rhule mentioned the Husker followers’ loyalty is unmatched.

“It is not simply the sellouts. It is coming that early and staying late,” Rhule mentioned. “It is unreal. So, that loyalty, that zeal, as I’ve mentioned since day 1, it is one thing we really feel humbled by.”

Nebraska has not received its Massive Ten opener since 2019, a 42-38 win towards Illinois, in Champaign.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. on Friday night time on FOX.

Click on right here for the most recent headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

FloridaRepublican U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz is as soon as once more on the heart of a scandal following newly unsealed civil court docket paperwork that allege he attended a drug-fueled get together in 2017 involving a 17-year-old lady. In keeping with authorized filings, a number of eyewitnesses corroborated the small print, which positioned Gaetz on the get together hosted by his shut ally, lobbyist Chris Dorworth.

The court docket paperwork embody sealed affidavits from three girls who testified that Gaetz was current at a celebration the place unlawful medication, together with cocaine and ecstasy, had been used and that sexual actions came about involving an underage lady, NOTUSreviews. One of many witnesses, known as “Okay.M.,” described the get together as involving a gaggle of adults and the 17-year-old, recognized solely as “A.B.,” who was bare on the occasion. In keeping with NOTUS, one other witness, Gaetz’s former girlfriend, confirmed his attendance and geolocation knowledge additional substantiated the congressman’s presence that evening.

The brand new filings come within the wake of a 2021 confession letter written by Joel Greenberg, a former Seminole County tax collector and shut affiliate of Gaetz, which claimed that the 2 males had paid for intercourse with a number of girls, together with a minor. The letter,obtained byThe Each day Beast, detailed how Greenberg had facilitated the funds for Gaetz and described a number of Venmo and Money App transactions made to the underage lady, alongside different girls. Greenberg is at the moment serving an 11-year jail sentence after pleading responsible to prices together with intercourse trafficking.

Gaetz has not been charged with a criminal offense.

Federal prosecutors started investigating Gaetz in 2020 after Greenberg’s arrest however in the end selected to not press prices towards the congressman, citing issues over the credibility of witnesses.

Greenberg’s confession letter, written in late 2020 whereas searching for a presidential pardon from then-PresidentDonald Trump, gives damning particulars about Gaetz’s function. Within the letter, Greenberg admitted that he and Gaetz had each engaged in sexual actions with a minor, who was 17 on the time. Greenberg additionally detailed the monetary transactions used to pay the ladies, together with Venmo funds that Gaetz allegedly despatched to him to rearrange the encounters.

Within the messages, Greenberg admitted to arranging sexual encounters for Gaetz and referenced efforts to safe a pardon for each males within the remaining days of the Trump presidency.

The brand new revelations about Gaetz come simply days after the congressman defended Trump’s false assertions abouttransgender youth from the spin room after the presidential debate with Vice PresidentKamala Harris inPhiladelphia. In a post-debate interview with The Advocate on September 10, Gaetz backed Trump’s debunked declare that colleges are performing gender-affirming surgical procedures on kids—a baseless allegation that has been repeatedly dismissed by training and medical consultants.

Gaetz sidestepped the factual inaccuracies when questioned in regards to the falsehood, focusing as a substitute on what he described as “parental rights.” “In locations like California and Washington, if a mum or dad doesn’t have the precise gender-affirming strategy to their very own kids, they’re vulnerable to dropping parental rights,” Gaetz stated, echoing the far-right speaking factors he and Trump have embraced. No proof helps the notion that kids are receiving gender-affirming surgical procedures in colleges.

Gaetz is dealing with growing stress, each legally and politically. The Home Ethics Committee is at the moment investigating Gaetz for his alleged involvement in paying girls for intercourse. Whereas Gaetz has averted felony prices to this point, the Ethics Committee might censure and even expel him from Congress, relying on the findings.

Again in June, Republican congressman Matt Gaetz acquired some unlucky information when the GOP-controlled ethics committee stated—in a press launch!—that it was nonetheless investigating the Florida lawmaker, who was the topic of a 2021 Justice Division probe into whether or not he’d had intercourse with a minor and transported her throughout state traces. The committee was particularly wanting into allegations that he had “engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper presents, disbursed particular privileges and favors to people with whom he had a private relationship, and sought to hinder authorities investigations of his conduct.” And this week the dangerous information continued on that entrance!

On Friday, NOTUS reported that courtroom paperwork filed the day prior cited affidavits from three eyewitnesses who stated the congressman had attended a drug-heavy intercourse get together in 2017 with “the 17-year-old lady on the middle of the alleged intercourse trafficking scandal.”

The minor, who was a junior in highschool on the time, arrived in her mom’s automotive for a July 15, 2017, get together on the Florida house of Chris Dorworth, a lobbyist and good friend of Gaetz’s, in accordance with a courtroom submitting written by protection attorneys who interviewed witnesses as a part of an ongoing civil lawsuit Dorworth introduced in 2023…. One eyewitness cited within the courtroom filings, a younger lady known as Okay.M., offered a sworn affidavit that claimed the teenage lady was bare, partygoers had been there to “interact in sexual actions,” and “alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy…and marijuana” had been current. The teenage lady was recognized within the filings solely as A.B.

Dorworth instructed NOTUS in a textual content message that he “by no means met” the 17-year-old, “not as soon as in my life.” He additionally claimed, “She is…mendacity about Matt Gaetz.”

The Home ethics probe into Gaetz initially started below former Speaker Nancy Pelosi; it was later paused because of the Justice Division investigation. (The congressman has repeatedly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.) In February 2023, prosecutors introduced the choice to not cost the Florida lawmaker, and the Home reopened its probe shortly thereafter. Earlier this yr, The New York Instances reported that former Gaetz ally Joel Greenberg, who pleaded responsible in 2021 to expenses together with intercourse trafficking, was cooperating with the ethics committee’s investigation. Vainness Truthful has reached out to Gaetz’s workplace for remark. The congressman doesn’t seem to have remarked on the newest revelations.

Shock: GOP congressman defends Trump’s remarks preemptively blaming Jews if he loses in November

As we speak in WTF is incorrect with the Republican Get together

Elsewhere!

Professional-Trump Georgia election board votes to require hand counts of ballots

The Washington Submit • Learn Extra

With abortion in focus, Harris’s occasion with Oprah prompts cheers and tears

The Washington Submit • Learn Extra

DeSantis deploys authorities sources to combat Florida abortion modification

Politico • Learn Extra

Trump’s Impulse After Robinson Bombshell Report: Ignore, and Energy By means of

NYT • Learn Extra

NY magazine correspondent positioned on go away for relationship with RFK Jr.

Politico • Learn Extra

In Jan. 6 Case Submitting, Trump Attorneys Once more Demand Dismissal

NYT • Learn Extra

Senate chief Schumer strikes to avert shutdown after Home Speaker’s “flop”

The Guardian • Learn Extra

A large child penguin named Pesto is inhaling fish and profitable followers

NPR • Learn Extra

[JACK AYLMER]

MORE THAN 13 THOUSAND PLAYERS AND FANS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TRAVELED TO HAWAII LAST MONTH FOR THE 2024 POKEMON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.

COMPETITORS BATTLED EACH OTHER IN POKEMON TRADING CARD AND VIDEO GAME TOURNAMENTS.

THE FEELING OF TOGETHERNESS WAS STRONG INSIDE THE HAWAII CONVENTION CENTER – WITH THE THEME SONG FOR THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION CALLED “TOGETHER WE’RE HOME.”

BUT THAT FEELING OF TOGETHERNESS IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND THIS WEEK – AT LEAST WHEN IT COMES TO POKEMON AND THE COMPANY POCKETPAIR — THE MAKER OF THE SURVIVAL ADVENTURE VIDEO GAME “PALWORLD” – A POPULAR GAME THAT HAS BEEN DUBBED BY FANS AS “POKEMON WITH GUNS.”

NINTENDO AND THE POKEMON COMPANY FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST POCKETPAIR IN TOKYO ON WEDNESDAY  SAYING THE SUIT “seeks an injunction towards infringement and compensation for damages on the grounds that Palworld…infringes a number of patent rights.”

RELEASED IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR – “PALWORLD” BECAME A SURPRISE HIT – SELLING MORE THAN FIVE MILLION COPIES IN ITS FIRST THREE DAYS. PLAYERS USE GUNS TO CAPTURE CREATURES KNOWN AS “PALS.”

ON ITS WEBSITE, POCKETPAIR SAYS PALWORLD IS “HOME TO OVER 100 UNIQUE PALS, EACH EQUIPPED WITH A DIVERSE SET OF SKILLS TO ENHANCE THE PLAYER’S ADVENTURE. ALONG YOUR JOURNEY, YOU WILL ALSO ENCOUNTER FORMIDABLE BOSS PALS…NATURALLY, THESE BOSS PALS ARE ALSO CAPTURABLE.”

SO IF THOSE ARE PALS – WHAT OFFICIALLY ARE POKEMON?

ITS WEBSITE SAYS THE WORLD OF POKEMON WAS LAUNCHED IN JAPAN IN 1996 AND FEATURES “CREATURES OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES WHO LIVE ALONGSIDE HUMANS. PEOPLE KNOWN AS POKÉMON TRAINERS FORM LASTING FRIENDSHIPS WITH THEIR POKÉMON PARTNERS, AND AS A TEAM, THEY GO ON ADVENTURES, TRAIN TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS, AND BATTLE IN FRIENDLY COMPETITIONS.”

POCKETPAIR SAYING IN A STATEMENT OF ITS OWN IT WAS ALERTED OF THE LAWSUIT ON WEDNESDAY.

SAYING “At this second, we’re unaware of the particular patents we’re accused of infringing upon, and now we have not been notified of such particulars.”

POCKETPAIR – WHICH DESCRIBES ITSELF AS A SMALL INDIE GAME COMPANY WHOSE GOAL IS TO “CREATE FUN GAMES” SAYS IT WILL BEGIN “APPROPRIATE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. THE COMPANY ADDING QUOTE “IT IS TRULY UNFORTUNATE” THAT IT WILL “BE FORCED TO ALLOCATE SIGNIFICANT TIME TO MATTERS UNRELATED TO GAME DEVELOPMENT DUE TO THIS LAWSUIT.”

IN JULY – POCKETPAIR ANNOUNCED A PARTNERSHIP WITH SONY TO PROMOTE THE LICENSING OF PALWORLD GLOBALLY IN A NEW JOINT VENTURE CALLED “PALWORLD ENTERTAINMENT.”

NINTENDO IN THE MEANTIME SAYS  IT WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE NECESSARY ACTIONS AGAINST ANY INFRINGEMENT…TO QUOTE “PROTECT THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES IT HAS WORKED HARD TO ESTABLISH OVER THE YEARS.”

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M JACK AYLMER.
FOR MORE STORIES VISIT SAN DOT COM OR DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.

India vs Bangladesh 1st Check Day 2 Highlights© BCCI