German police officer kills a Nigerian woman

On Thursday May 19, a German female police officer shot dead a 39-year old Nigerian woman ((Mrs Christy Schnudeck nee Omorodion), who had a German passport in an unemployment benefit centre in Frankfurt.

She had come into the Jobcentre, a branch of the unemployment services that serves refugees and homeless people, that morning because she urgently needed financial assistance. She had submitted her official claim nine days earlier. However, upon arriving at the office, she was told she could not receive her benefits in cash because the money could only be paid into a bank account

According to the Frankfurter Rundschau, the amount in question was “no more than fifty euros” and the woman was clearly in a desperate situation. Jobcentre employees say that the woman became “loud”, and refused to leave the building until she got her money in cash. After the security personnel tried to remove her, the police were called.

When a police patrol arrived consisting of a 30-year-old policeman and a 28-year-old policewoman, they demanded to see the Nigerian woman’s identity card. According to Chief Magistrate Thomas Bechtel, the woman responded by reaching into her bag to take out a knife. She then stabbed the policeman in the belly. At that moment, the policewoman drew her pistol and shot her at close range. The bullet went through the woman’s stomach and pelvic artery. She died as she was being taken to hospital.

The general question in the lips of Africans in Germany is, why on earth will she carry a knife to job centre? The answer is simple considering the area it happened. It is well documented that she had a mental problem and by law, such people are treated with respect and absolute care. In a Country where one can escape judicial punishment when alcohol is found in Peoples blood system, one could imagine what happens to people with mental illness in Germany.
The state police in Wiesbaden have taken over the investigation. The question of necessity of firearms use "is being examined anyway.

Etihad to open new premium lounge at London Heathrow

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is to open a new premium lounge at London Heathrow airport as part of the airline’s flights moving from Terminal Three to Terminal Four on 30 September 2009.

First and business class customers and Etihad Guest Gold and Silver card holders will have access to the new lounge, conveniently located opposite the gates most commonly used by Etihad Airways for flight departures.

The lounge gives passengers an opportunity to relax in style and enjoy a range of services and facilities. These include individual treatment rooms where therapists from Six Senses Spa will offer facials, foot and leg massages. Customers can also enjoy five-star dining facilities in the lounge with a selection of foods from around the world, all cooked in an open kitchen.

A modern timber panelled business centre provides individual workstations and privacy for those with laptops. Other features include a prayer room, a relaxing seating area with Poltrona Frau leather chairs and a bathroom and shower facilities for customers to freshen up in prior to departure.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “We are proud that we will soon be offering one of the best customer lounges available at London Heathrow.

“Our new premium lounge at the airport represents a major investment and demonstrates the airline’s continuing commitment to deliver world-class premium products and services to its first and business class customers on the ground as well as in the air.”

Etihad Airways unveiled its first new premium lounge outside the UAE in July 2009 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Etihad Airways also provides a complimentary limousine service for its first and business class passengers flying in and out of London Heathrow. First class customers flying to London Heathrow are also the first to take advantage of the airline’s new first class product.

The airline’s highly-anticipated new first class suite entered into service between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow on Wednesday 25 August.

The new private suite provides first class customers with an extra-large leather seat, upholstered by world-renowned leather company Poltrona Frau, which extends to a fully-flat bed, 80.5 inches in length.

Within the cabin customers also have access to a large and luxurious changing room with a full length mirror, wash basin and leather fold-down seat to allow passengers to freshen up at any time during the flight.