Latest news with #TMPA
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
2 Texas Tech Officers Ambushed In Campus Shooting, Suspect Killed
A routine check on a suspicious vehicle turned violent early Tuesday when two Texas Tech University police officers were ambushed in a campus parking lot near the Jones AT&T Stadium. The suspect opened fire on the duo, injuring both officers, before the officers returned fire, killing the suspect on scene. The officers, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, were transported to the University Medical Center, authorities confirmed. Their names, as well as that of the deceased gunman, have not yet been released, as of time of publication. The Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit is listed as leading the investigation. According to the Texas Municipal Police Association, the officers were 'ambushed' during what began as a standard safety check, a reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face daily while protecting the public. 'This is the daily reality for Texas law enforcement. We stand with the wounded. We honor the brave,' The TMPA posted to X on Tuesday morning. The officers' quick response to the shooter on Tuesday morning may have prevented a more tragic outcome for the Texas Tech Campus, and their bravery is being complimented by politicians and locals alike. 'My heart is with the Texas Tech Police Department and the two officers injured this morning. While I am relieved to hear their injuries are non-life-threatening, please join me in praying for their speedy recovery,' Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), who represents Lubbock County and is a Texas Tech alum, posted. 'I am grateful for all who wear the badge and defend our communities – this is another reminder of the risks they take to keep us safe,' Arrington added. The incident has also reignited discussion about gun laws on college campuses. Texas law currently allows those with a valid license to carry concealed firearms at public universities. As the investigation continues, the Lubbock and Texas Tech communities are rallying in support of their officers and reaffirming their commitment to public safety. The Dallas Express will update readers on more information on the campus shooting if it becomes publicly available within the future.
Morocco World
13-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Tanger Med: Abkari Liquidates Valencia Company That Led to His Dismissal
Doha – Hassan Abkari, former Director General of Tanger Med Port Authority (TMPA), has liquidated the Spanish company that led to his dismissal. Following the revelation of his business activities in Valencia, Abkari has dissolved New Port Consulting 2024, the firm he established in one of Tanger Med's competitor port cities. According to Economia Digital, which originally exposed Abkari's controversial business venture on February 20, the former port executive has now completely shut down the company that caused his fall from power. The Spanish media outlet was the first to reveal that Abkari had founded this consulting firm on January 13 while serving as the head of Morocco's flagship port. The now-defunct company was registered with Abkari as its sole partner and administrator. Located on Calle Garrigues in downtown Valencia, near the city hall, the firm was established to provide technical consulting services in port service management. It was created with a symbolic capital of one euro. TMPA had considered Abkari's actions a 'grave and unacceptable error' that eventually led to his termination after nearly four years as Director General and about 15 years as a high-ranking executive at the organization. The liquidation of the Valencia company appears to be Abkari's acknowledgment of his misstep. Following Abkari's dismissal during an emergency TMPA board meeting on February 27, Idriss El Arabi was appointed as interim Director General of Tanger Med port. El Arabi previously directed the Tanger Med Passengers port operations before this promotion. Read also: Spain's Port Official Commends Morocco's Advanced Port Infrastructure The Spanish newspaper detailed that the firm's activities extended beyond port consulting to include 'the purchase, sale, administration, management, transformation and exploitation, excluding financial leasing, of all types of rural and urban properties.' This connection to Valencia was not Abkari's first. In September 2024, he welcomed a delegation from the Valencian Business Association (AVE) to Tanger Med. During that visit, Abkari stressed the importance of Tanger Med as 'a global logistics hub, consolidating its role in maritime transport and the international supply chain.' Some Moroccan media outlets have criticized Spanish reporting on the matter, suggesting that certain sectors in Spain might be attempting to destabilize Tanger Med's success rather than reporting on a genuine irregularity. They argue that the controversy points to economic and strategic tensions surrounding the Moroccan port's growing influence in the Mediterranean. Tanger Med remains Africa's leading port and a formidable competitor to Spain's main Mediterranean ports: Algeciras, Valencia, and Barcelona. The Moroccan port processed over 10.24 million TEU in 2024, marking an 18.8% growth compared to 2023. With 142 million tons of goods managed in 2024, Tanger Med outperformed Algeciras (103.6 million tons), Valencia (80.7 million tons), and Barcelona (69.7 million tons). Tanger Med continued its impressive performance on the financial front, reaching MAD 11.23 billion ($1.12 billion) in revenue for 2024, a 12.3% increase from 2023. This growth has further intensified Spanish concerns, with one 2022 report warning that Spain's Algeciras port could lose up to 60% of its container shipments to the Moroccan hub. The port has attributed this success to 'the trust of port operators and shipping lines, as well as the high productivity level of the teams operating at the port.' Expansions, new equipment, and optimized maritime stops have significantly reduced waiting and maneuvering times at the facility. Tags: Conflict of interest accusationsTanger MedValencia
CBS News
15-03-2025
- CBS News
Police identify suspect killed in McKinney hotel standoff that also left beloved K-9 "Azi" dead
Authorities have identified the suspect killed in Thursday's standoff at a McKinney hotel, which also resulted in the death of a beloved police K-9 named Azi, according to the McKinney Police Department. The suspect, reported as Freddie Ware, 43, of Dallas, allegedly shot a woman before McKinney police arrived around 2:45 p.m. Thursday at the Red Roof Inn on Highway 75 (1300 North Central Expressway). According to police, Ware barricaded himself in a room. Negotiators made phone contact with him, during which he threatened to "shoot everyone." About 30 minutes later, Ware emerged, aggressively yelling and walking away from the officers. Officers released K-9 Azi to apprehend Ware, and when Ware presented a firearm, officers fired their weapons, striking Ware, police said. Ware was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The K-9 was also fatally shot during the exchange of gunfire, according to police. Regarding the 52-year-old woman who was shot, McKinney police spokesman Darryl Saffold said, "We are not releasing the victim's name at this time." Saffold said no additional information would be released as the investigation has been handed over to the Texas Rangers. The woman, who was shot in the upper body, was taken to the hospital and remained in stable condition, the police department said in its last report on Thursday. After the shooting, the Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA) expressed sadness about McKinney police K-9 Azi's death. "This K-9 wasn't just a partner — they were family, a protector, and a warrior who gave their life in the fight against crime," the TMPA said in a social media post. "Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest easy, K-9 hero. Your watch is over, but your legacy lives on." A line of officers formed outside an emergency veterinary clinic, where the K-9 was taken, just a few miles from the crime scene. According to TMPA, the organization's Regional Attorney John Snider, with Gorsky Gilbert Snider Horn Rogers & Watsky LLP, "responded immediately to ensure the involved officer has full legal support, as we stand unwaveringly with McKinney PD during this tragic time."
Morocco World
01-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Hassan Abkari Dismissed as Tanger Med Port CEO Over Spanish Business
Doha – Hassan Abkari, the Director General of Tanger Med Port Authority (TMPA), has been dismissed from his position following revelations that he had established a private consultancy business in Spain's port sector while serving as the head of Morocco's strategic port. The decision to remove Abkari was made during an emergency TMPA board meeting held on February 27, according to authorized sources cited by several Moroccan news outlets. Idriss Aarabi, who previously served as operations director, has been appointed as the new Director General of TMPA. Abkari's dismissal comes days after Spanish media, notably first reported on February 20 that Abkari had founded 'New Port Consulting 2024' on January 13. According to the publication, the company was 'registered with a symbolic capital of one euro' and would offer 'technical consulting services in port service management.' The company's official registration in Valencia's Commercial Registry (Boletín Oficial del Registro Mercantil) confirms that Abkari is the sole partner and administrator of the firm. The company's registered address is located on Calle Garrigues, near Valencia's city hall in the downtown area. The Spanish newspaper detailed that the firm's business activities extend beyond port consulting to include 'the purchase, sale, administration, management, transformation and exploitation, excluding financial leasing, of all types of rural and urban properties.' This private business venture was deemed a conflict of interest with Abkari's official position at Tanger Med, which is a major competitor to Spanish ports like Algeciras and Valencia. For example, Danish shipping giant Maersk announced last January it would redirect its MECL service route from Spain's Port of Algeciras to Tanger Med, effective February 24, citing improved transit times that would reduce shipping by five days from India, Pakistan, and the Middle East to the US East Coast. noted that 'Tanger Med managed approximately 8.61 million TEU in 2023, positioning it 19th globally in terms of container volume' and ranked 'fourth in the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) of 2023.' Read also: Morocco's Port Growth Draws Spanish Freight Forwarders to North Africa The number increased significantly in 2024, with the port processing over 10.24 million TEUs, representing an 18.8% growth compared to the previous year. The report emphasized the strategic importance of Tanger Med, describing it as benefiting from 'a strategic location at the confluence of major global maritime routes connecting Europe, America and Africa, as well as transatlantic routes.' This was not Abkari's first connection to Valencia's port sector. In September 2024, he welcomed a delegation from the Valencian Business Association (AVE) to Tanger Med. The Spanish business group described the Moroccan port as 'a key infrastructure that has positioned Morocco as a fundamental player in international maritime trade.' During that visit, Abkari stressed the importance of Tanger Med as 'a global logistics hub, consolidating its role in maritime transport and the international supply chain.' Abkari had been with the Tanger Med group since 2006, holding various responsibilities since the project's launch. He also served as a board member of the Tangier Med Special Agency (TMSA). His successor, Idriss Aarabi, joined TMPA in 2007 as operations manager for the passenger and roll-on/roll-off port. A native of Tangier, Aarabi holds a Master's degree in commerce and management. He began his career in 2002 at Morocco's National Motorway Company (ADM) as a department head before joining Tanger Med. In 2019, he was appointed as operations director at TMPA. The board has tasked Aarabi with stabilizing the port's operations following this abrupt leadership change.
