Latest news with #AJA
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Booking deputy earns national Valor award for removing handgun from new inmate
Booking Deputy John Elliott recently received the Valor Award from the American Jail Association for removing a loaded handgun from an inmate being booked at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center in 2023. American Jail Association President Shawn Klucznik presented the award to Elliott Tuesday during the annual AJA Conference and Jail Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. AJA gives this coveted award to an individual who demonstrated unusual judgment, zeal, bravery, and/or ingenuity that averted or minimized a potential disaster. While initiating the booking process on the inmate, Elliot noticed a handgun in the inmate's clothing. Without regard for his personal safety, he gained control of the firearm without any injuries. The handgun was loaded with 11 rounds. 'He had a gun and could have shot anybody,' Elliott said. 'I didn't want that to happen. Anybody else in booking would have done the same thing.' Tennessee Corrections Institute Board Chairman Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh commended Elliott. 'We are extremely proud of Deputy Elliott for his quick action to avoid a potential disaster in our facility,' Fitzhugh said. 'He is very deserving of this recognition.' Jail Administrator Kevin Henderson said the detention staff appreciates having a deputy on the team like Elliott. 'To see something wrong, respond and put your own safety at risk showed tremendous courage and the will to do a great job,' Henderson said. 'Who knows how many lives he saved due to his actions with total disregard for his own life? His actions were heroic.' Besides locating the handgun, Elliott also recovered a knife from an inmate in October 2023. The arrestee was belligerent and noncompliant with officers. AJA reported Elliott's persistence and dedication to safety and security while serving as a Booking Officer has been a point of inspiration for other staff members and exemplifies the innate bravery required of corrections officers every day across the nation. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Booking deputy earns Valor award for removing handgun from inmate
Japan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Japan can ride the anime wave to become the new soft superpower
In today's rapidly evolving entertainment landscape, Japan is in a unique and privileged position. As global streaming giants battle for market share, Japan has something that can't be manufactured overnight: Decades worth of cultural content that has proven its global appeal. Anime has become Japan's most powerful soft power tool and provides a springboard for further expansion. This is a pivotal moment for "Peak Japan" — a term used by some to signal that the country has passed its prime and by others to indicate its stellar global popularity. Japan possesses the creative foundations to become a dominant player in global streaming content, but this requires coordinated action between government and industry. For a nation that has often struggled to project soft power proportional to its economic might, the streaming revolution offers a rare second chance. It is estimated that a small fraction of Japan's vast manga catalog has been made into animation, allowing room for immediate growth that could establish Japan as an entertainment powerhouse for decades to come. Japanese anime captured $19.8 billion in global revenue in 2023, according to data from the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA), which brings together dozens of production companies, and New Zealand firm Parrot Analytics. And this industry that has finally been recognized by the government as one of strategic importance and as an economic multiplier in the recently revised "New Cool Japan Strategy." This success is the fruit of decades of creative development and artistic innovation that has resonated across the world, laying the groundwork for peak cultural awareness of Japan internationally. As Japan considers its position in the global media ecosystem, it needs to acknowledge a fundamental shift: Content is no longer constrained by national borders or language barriers. Streaming platforms have democratized access to entertainment and Japan sits in an enviable position with a vast array of compelling content ready for global consumption. Another consideration is that Generation Z viewers differ fundamentally from previous cohorts. These young consumers don't see foreign-language content as "foreign" but, instead, as compelling stories worth experiencing. As digital natives, they have grown up watching YouTube, Netflix and the like and don't mind subtitles or dubbing. Japanese storytelling, with its distinctive narrative approaches and aesthetics, has found remarkable resonance with international Gen Z audiences. This demographic, which is just now growing into its significant purchasing power, isn't merely consuming Japanese content but embracing it as part of its identity. From anime-inspired fashion to Japanese vocabulary seeping into everyday English, we are witnessing cultural influence that extends far beyond mere entertainment. Famously, American sprinter Noah Lyles celebrated his gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the Paris Olympics last summer by making the "Kamehameha" gesture — an energy-blast attack from "Dragon Ball Z." The world's fastest man on the world's biggest sporting stage used this Japanese cultural symbol to mark his win. Yet while anime leads in Japanese soft-power exports, it should be viewed not as a destination but as a gateway to expand other areas. For example, according to the AJA and Parrot Analytics survey, merchandise sales typically generate three times the revenue of streaming anime itself, representing a significant economic opportunity. Last year, FX's 'Shogun' was one of the world's most popular TV shows, making history as the production with the most Emmy wins in a single year. However, the historical drama set in Momoyama Period (1573-1603) Japan is an American production written by a Brit and filmed mostly in Canada. To fully realize its potential, Japan should be taking the big swings with its own stories and content. It would be wise to study South Korea's Hallyu wave carefully. This involves promoting not just K-dramas but K-pop and South Korean fashion, beauty products and cuisine as well; an approach that offers a blueprint for comprehensive cultural influence. It is no accident that South Korean content has risen to the top of the global entertainment business. This is the result of a thoughtful, well-funded strategy that allows for failures while generating huge successes, such as the film 'Parasite,' the TV series 'Squid Game,' the boy band BTS and girl group Blackpink, to name a few. Japan must position its film, television, music and merchandise for coordinated global distribution, with creative industries aligning around this shared objective instead of operating in separate domains. Partnerships with global streaming platforms represent a key opportunity as these services actively seek international content to differentiate themselves. Japan's production ecosystem, with its established studios and talent pools, offers advantages compared to Western markets struggling with rising production costs. Washington's recent threat that it will slap tariffs on movies coming to the United States from abroad only increases the urgency of a deeper involvement with streamers around the world, including in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Asia-Pacific, with its rapidly expanding middle class and high level of digital adoption, should serve as Japan's primary expansion target. Starting with a regional focus allows for strategies to be refined before broadening horizons to the global stage. Despite all these opportunities, significant challenges remain. Japan must adapt its traditional, domestic market-focused business practices to international standards, particularly when it comes to licensing, release windows and distribution rights. In addition, digital transformation in the Japanese entertainment industry — including embracing big data and using advanced analytics — isn't optional; it is essential. Japanese creators — traditionally underpaid compared to their global counterparts — need to receive fair compensation as their work reaches increasingly international audiences. The traditional production committee model also requires reconsideration: While streamers like to negotiate for global rights, production committees have many stakeholders and may want to divide rights by region. This makes negotiations slower, difficult and less efficient, ultimately pushing streamers to opt for making their own products instead. Investments in technical infrastructure such as subtitling, dubbing and, critically, data analytic capabilities will determine whether Japan controls its destiny or merely supplies content to foreign platforms that capture most of the value. These investments should come from the Japan side, either from government or industry, to ensure a modicum of control. Meanwhile, competition is intensifying. China, South Korea and, increasingly, Southeast Asian players are investing heavily in content production, threatening Japan's current advantage. The No. 1 animated box office success of all time is China's 'Ne Zha 2,' which grossed over $2 billion worldwide. Monetary gains of this scale allow the Chinese entertainment industry to reinvest and adapt its products to achieve even broader appeal. The soft-power game is a big money investment and Japan must be willing to pay to play. The global streaming revolution offers unprecedented opportunities to share stories with the world while building economic strength through cultural exports. The question is whether Japan will seize this moment or watch as others, such as the streaming and digital platforms, capitalize on the foundations it has built by becoming the gatekeepers of our attention. Increased efforts to bring together studios, streaming platforms and government agencies to develop coherent strategies for global expansion will be needed. For a nation at the height of its cultural influence, the time to act is now. Japan shouldn't play a supporting role in its own story. Douglas Montgomery is an entertainment and retail researcher and analyst who splits his time between Los Angeles and Tokyo. He is the founder and CEO of Global Connects Media, a global entertainment and retail consultancy.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Securus Technologies Showcases Scalable Corrections Tech at 2025 American Jail Associate Conference
EVOTAB and Officer T80 tablets drive smarter operations and safer environments for correctional leaders nationwide PLANO, Texas, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Securus Technologies, the leading provider of secure communications and technology for corrections, is headlining the American Jail Association Conference (AJA), May 17–21, in Fort Worth, Texas, with its premium suite corrections-grade technology and solutions. At the center of its showcase are the EVOTAB and Officer T80 tablets, tools that are transforming how facilities operate by improving efficiency, streamlining workflows, and enhancing access to secure communication and rehabilitative resources. For the first time at AJA, the nation's largest gathering of county corrections professionals, Securus' customers can experience EVOTAB firsthand. This tamper-resistant tablet is purpose-built for corrections and enables incarcerated individuals to engage with education, reentry tools, legal resources, and communication in a secure digital platform. Designed to prevent unauthorized use, limit unnecessary facility movement, and ease staff workloads, EVOTAB enhances connectivity for incarcerated individuals and improves corrections environments. "EVOTAB, recognized by the T-Mobile Business Award for groundbreaking achievements, is redefining connectivity in corrections environments because it's more than a tablet; it's a secure, scalable platform built for modern facility operations," said Kevin Elder, President, Securus Technologies. "With military-grade durability, biometric authentication, tamper alarms, and LTE connectivity, EVOTAB overcomes infrastructure barriers that have traditionally slowed tech adoption in corrections." For correctional staff, the Officer T80 is a mobile solution that serves as a force multiplier by providing real-time capabilities for incident reporting, resident tracking, internal communications, and data capture in a single, durable device. Officers can document events on the spot, reduce paperwork, and minimize delays in reporting to streamline workflows, alleviate staffing pressures, and enhance coordination across teams, elevating safety and efficiency in correctional environments. "Correctional leaders are under immense pressure to do more with fewer resources while keeping their staff and population safe," said Alisha Shoates James, Senior Vice President, Securus Technologies. "Our technology is built with those frontline challenges in mind, giving officers real-time operational support to meet the challenges of today and the expectations of tomorrow." In addition to its tablets, Securus offers a suite of powerful safety and security solutions designed to enhance legal communication, streamline intelligence gathering, and improve overall facility management. Trusted by corrections agencies nationwide, these premium services integrate seamlessly into broader correctional ecosystems: Lightning Law: A secure digital platform enabling attorneys to send case files directly to an incarcerated individual's account, with features for document annotation, e-signatures, and private video meetings. Word Alert: A speech-to-transcription tool with keyword detection that flags potentially risky communications. Integrated with the NextGen administrative platform, it helps investigators act faster without manually reviewing every interaction. Investigator Pro (IPro): A tool that detects voiceprint anomalies to uncover identity manipulation and misuse of the phone system, saving time and improving investigative efficiency. For more information or to schedule a demo at AJA, visit booth 703 or About Securus TechnologiesSecurus Technologies, an Aventiv company and the industry leader, equips over 1,800 corrections agencies with 80-plus high-grade technology solutions to enhance public safety and optimize facility operations. Their offerings include secure communication, advanced monitoring, and the only corrections-grade Wi-Fi enabled tablets featuring tamper alarms, GPS, fingerprint authentication, secure LTE, and a private Google Play Store. Securus' products and services modernize administration, automate workflows, and centralize communication for staff, while creating vital e- and video connections for incarcerated individuals with family, friends, and resources like education and workforce development, ultimately strengthening community safety and economic stability. For more information, please visit or join us on social media on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Securus Technologies
Perth Now
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
‘Attack': Shock claim at anti-Semitism probe
A controversial right-wing Jewish group has been grilled over whether it has furthered anti-Semitic tropes and supported 'extreme' posts that 'openly advocate for the ethnic cleansing of Arabs' in the West Bank as a landmark anti-Semitism inquiry begins. Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers MP Robert Borsak is chairing the first hearing in state parliament on Monday of the NSW Legislative Council's inquiry into anti-Semitism in NSW, alongside Greens MLC Amanda Cohn and MLCs from Labor and the Liberals. The inquiry seeks to examine the underlying causes behind the 'increasing prevalence and severity' of anti-Semitism in NSW, as well as the 'threat to social cohesion' it presents and how the safety of the state's Jewish community 'might be enhanced'. Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory and community engagement director Teneille Murray told the inquiry that 'Jewish institutions (now) resemble fortresses' and claimed taxpayer funds were going to organisations espousing anti-Semitism. The inquiry will examine anti-Semitism in NSW. NewsWire / Simon Bullard. Credit: News Corp Australia But, it was a claim in the organisation's submission to the inquiry about 'Jewish anti-Semitism' and 'a tiny, fringe group claiming Jewish heritage (which) parrots anti-Jewish rhetoric, rejected by the broader Jewish community' that stirred debate. Labor MLC Stephen Lawrence asked Mr Gregory whether 'your organisation might be falling into the trap of actually furthering anti-Semitism by presenting a monolithic view of Jewish people' and referenced social media posts connected to the organisation. In one, by former president David Adler, comments were made about former SBS presenter Stan Grant's complexion 'which seems to have changed' and another, which Mr Lawrence said 'openly advocates for the ethnic cleansing of Arabs in the West Bank'. In response, Mr Gregory said he thought it was 'quite strange at a committee here on anti-Semitism that the Jewish groups and Jewish people are being attacked by the committee members' – though, Mr Lawrence refuted that it was an 'attack'. Asked again later if the AJA supported the statement about 'Arabs', Mr Gregory said 'if, as our friend who did, you wanted to scroll through and try and find a post, an offensive post, out of 10s of 1000s of posts, maybe they would be able to'. He also stated that the AJA 'does not have a policy on these types of issues'. NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip told the inquiry that 'the past 20 months had seen an unprecedented and shocking rise in anti-Semitism' following the October 7 attack in Israel and the subsequent protests over the invasion of Gaza. 'For the first time, the Jewish community of Australia and NSW has felt unsafe and at risk, not because of anything it has done, but because of who we are,' he said. 'There have been moments where we have been completely overwhelmed as an organisation by the sheer volume and seriousness of anti-Semitic incidents which have been reported to us … No sphere of life has been immune to the virus of anti-Semitism.' The inquiry was told of incidents reported to the organisation in which students were targeted because of their Jewish identity, including one in which a student was asked 'Are you Jewish? F**king Jews. You should kill yourself'. 'This all previously would have been unthinkable,' Mr Ossip told the inquiry. In its submission, the board said there was a 339 per cent increase in incidents. It comes after a spate of incidents in Greater Sydney. NewsWire / Jeremy Piper Credit: News Corp Australia It comes after a spate of high-profile anti-Semitic incidents across Greater Sydney this past summer that led to the passing of controversial new anti-hate laws that outlawed protests outside places of worship among other strict measures. NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Michele Goldman told the inquiry that the board welcomed the new anti-hate speech laws, and it was 'something we've been advocating for some time' and a 'first step' but called for more action to be taken. 'What we really need to see now is consistent application of the law to ensure that those people who are guilty of vilification, of harassment, of intimidation face the law and that there is effective deterrence to others,' Ms Goldman told the inquiry. 'A clear message is that this is not OK in our society. This is not for Australia.' Opponents of the laws, including civil society groups and Jewish groups and individuals who made submissions to the inquiry, claim the laws limit free speech and were a 'kneejerk' reaction and warned about conflations between criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism. Asked about those concerns, Mr Ossip said 'getting into this discussion is a bit of a red herring' and the overwhelming majority of incidents reported to the organisation were 'textbook anti-Semitism … (which) have nothing to do with Israel or Zionism'. 'I think where the line is crossed is where hatred of Israel spills over into suspicion of Jews more broadly or a view that Jews are pernicious, dangerous, or particularly egregious in their actions,' Mr Ossip told the inquiry. 'I think it's when protesters will deny the rights of Jews for self-determination and saying that Israel's very existence is illegitimate or inherently racist.' Mr Ossip told the inquiry that Holocaust education 'isn't sufficient to combat anti-Semitism'. He singled out 'tropes' that were often 'subtle and pernicious'. On far-right extremism, Mr Ossip went on to add that 'they're obviously an immense concern to us, but we've been making mistakes just to describe it as anti-Semitism'. More to come
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
NSW Jewish group ‘overwhelmed' by anti-Semitic incidents as landmark inquiry begins
A controversial right-wing Jewish group has been grilled over whether it has furthered anti-Semitic tropes and supported 'extreme' posts that 'openly advocate for the ethnic cleansing of Arabs' in the West Bank as a landmark anti-Semitism inquiry begins. Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers MP Robert Borsak is chairing the first hearing in state parliament on Monday of the NSW Legislative Council's inquiry into anti-Semitism in NSW, alongside Greens MLC Amanda Cohn and MLCs from Labor and the Liberals. The inquiry seeks to examine the underlying causes behind the 'increasing prevalence and severity' of anti-Semitism in NSW, as well as the 'threat to social cohesion' it presents and how the safety of the state's Jewish community 'might be enhanced'. Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory and community engagement director Teneille Murray told the inquiry that 'Jewish institutions (now) resemble fortresses' and claimed taxpayer funds were going to organisations espousing anti-Semitism. But, it was a claim in the organisation's submission to the inquiry about 'Jewish anti-Semitism' and 'a tiny, fringe group claiming Jewish heritage (which) parrots anti-Jewish rhetoric, rejected by the broader Jewish community' that stirred debate. Labor MLC Stephen Lawrence asked Mr Gregory whether 'your organisation might be falling into the trap of actually furthering anti-Semitism by presenting a monolithic view of Jewish people' and referenced social media posts connected to the organisation. In one, by former president David Adler, comments were made about former SBS presenter Stan Grant's complexion 'which seems to have changed' and another, which Mr Lawrence said 'openly advocates for the ethnic cleansing of Arabs in the West Bank'. In response, Mr Gregory said he thought it was 'quite strange at a committee here on anti-Semitism that the Jewish groups and Jewish people are being attacked by the committee members' – though, Mr Lawrence refuted that it was an 'attack'. Asked again later if the AJA supported the statement about 'Arabs', Mr Gregory said 'if, as our friend who did, you wanted to scroll through and try and find a post, an offensive post, out of 10s of 1000s of posts, maybe they would be able to'. He also stated that the AJA 'does not have a policy on these types of issues'. NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip told the inquiry that 'the past 20 months had seen an unprecedented and shocking rise in anti-Semitism' following the October 7 attack in Israel and the subsequent protests over the invasion of Gaza. 'For the first time, the Jewish community of Australia and NSW has felt unsafe and at risk, not because of anything it has done, but because of who we are,' he said. 'There have been moments where we have been completely overwhelmed as an organisation by the sheer volume and seriousness of anti-Semitic incidents which have been reported to us … No sphere of life has been immune to the virus of anti-Semitism.' The inquiry was told of incidents reported to the organisation in which students were targeted because of their Jewish identity, including one in which a student was asked 'Are you Jewish? F**king Jews. You should kill yourself'. 'This all previously would have been unthinkable,' Mr Ossip told the inquiry. In its submission, the board said there was a 339 per cent increase in incidents. It comes after a spate of high-profile anti-Semitic incidents across Greater Sydney this past summer that led to the passing of controversial new anti-hate laws that outlawed protests outside places of worship among other strict measures. NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Michele Goldman told the inquiry that the board welcomed the new anti-hate speech laws, and it was 'something we've been advocating for some time' and a 'first step' but called for more action to be taken. 'What we really need to see now is consistent application of the law to ensure that those people who are guilty of vilification, of harassment, of intimidation face the law and that there is effective deterrence to others,' Ms Goldman told the inquiry. 'A clear message is that this is not OK in our society. This is not for Australia.' Opponents of the laws, including civil society groups and Jewish groups and individuals who made submissions to the inquiry, claim the laws limit free speech and were a 'kneejerk' reaction and warned about conflations between criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism. Asked about those concerns, Mr Ossip said 'getting into this discussion is a bit of a red herring' and the overwhelming majority of incidents reported to the organisation were 'textbook anti-Semitism … (which) have nothing to do with Israel or Zionism'. 'I think where the line is crossed is where hatred of Israel spills over into suspicion of Jews more broadly or a view that Jews are pernicious, dangerous, or particularly egregious in their actions,' Mr Ossip told the inquiry. 'I think it's when protesters will deny the rights of Jews for self-determination and saying that Israel's very existence is illegitimate or inherently racist.' Mr Ossip told the inquiry that Holocaust education 'isn't sufficient to combat anti-Semitism'. He singled out 'tropes' that were often 'subtle and pernicious'. On far-right extremism, Mr Ossip went on to add that 'they're obviously an immense concern to us, but we've been making mistakes just to describe it as anti-Semitism'. More to come
