0 Comments | Evening Standard; London (UK), Jul 29, 2010

A MOTHER has confessed to killing 10 of her newborn babies in the past 22 years. French nursing assistant Dominique Cottrez, 45, right, said she hid the bodies in her home and garden in Villers-au- Tertre, near Lille. Her husband, Pierre-Marie, 47, was released without charge today.

Full story Page 11

0 Comments | Northern Echo, Jul 30, 2010 | by Helen Smithson

THE parents of an 11-year-old boy who saved his little brother’s life when he was choking on gum hailed their son a hero last night.

Christian and Andrew Spencer were playing in a park near their home in Coundon Grange, County Durham, when Christian noticed his brother was lying on the ground motionless.

A piece of gum had become lodged in the eight-year-old’s throat as he ran the short distance from the house to the park, leaving him unable to breathe, cough or shout out for help.

Christian, who learnt how to administer CPR on a first aid course with his school last year, slapped Andrew on the back and pressed his chest, before slapping his back again, between the shoulders, dislodging the gum.

The drama unfolded on Wednesday afternoon. Last night, the boys’ mother, Lisa, said: “They were both in floods of tears.

“Christian went into shock, saying he was going to be sick, and Andrew was a very funny colour. I was hugging them both.

“Christian has always looked out for his little brother, but they don’t usually play out together. We check on them every five or ten minutes when they are in the park, but if Christian hadn’t been there, then that would’ve been five or ten minutes too long.

“We are just so proud of him – he is our little hero – and Andrew is a little star for starting to breathe again.”

Mrs Spencer and her husband, Derick, who also have a daughter, Bethany, 13, contacted the urgent care department at Bishop Auckland Hospital for advice after the incident, but neither of the boys required medical treatment.

Christian, who has just left Prince Bishop’s Primary School, in Coundon Grange, said he remembered what to do after being taught CPR during a school trip to a hospital.

Mrs Spencer said she regularly warns the children about the risks of choking on sweets and chewing gum, and does not allow the boys to have chewing gum.

Darlington Memorial Hospital consulting paediatrician Dr Indra Thakur said: “It is brilliant that an 11-year-old was so quick thinking and remembered what he had learnt to do the right thing to come to the aid of his brother.

“Choking is quite common in children.

If it is a solid object then it can be fatal and children can die if the appropriate measures are not taken.”

A spokeswoman for the St John Ambulance charity, which trains people in first aid, said: “When someone starts to choke they can be dead within minutes.

“An estimated 150,000 people die yearly from things like bleeding, choking and heart attacks, where swift and correct first aid would have saved their lives.

“More alarmingly, two out of three people do not know what to do in an emergency if someone was choking in front of them.

“We recommend everyone goes on some kind of first aid training course.”

To order a free pocket-sized essential first aid guide, visit sja.org.uk

0 Comments | Times of India, The, Jun 27, 2010

The bag guru has predicted this year’s ‘bag’ging trends and has even recommended you to become a bagista by following them pronto!

This summer, bags that add oodles to your attitude are very in. From spacious totes to classy shoulder bags to arty jholas to the very sporty backpacks… all’s in the bag!

Totes Wide and comfy, these are available in all colours imaginable! They are spacious enough to dump anything and everything that you might need!

With a message… Want to speak your mind? Carry a tote with an interesting message on it! Take your pick and go in for one that goes with your personality.

Some of the popular messages on these bags read like – Make love not carbon, Get hip get green, Think global, act local, The green in me, I’m not a plastic bag, etc.

Shoulder bags: Strap bags with chains instead of the usual straps look chic and classy. These are available in patterns like stripes, paisleys, etc.

Sling bags: These bags are worn over one shoulder with a strap that winds around the chest resting the bag on the lower back. Although they are similar to a messenger bag, sling bags are often smaller. These bags are quite popular among guys and that’s why they are often called manpurses.

Backpacks: These bags are for the sporty chics. Backpacks are an easy way to carry everything you need – books, ten different types of pens, mobile, water bottle, snacks, money, makeup kit and more! And most are waterproof too!

Hobo bags: If you are a boho-chic then this bag will complement your personality! The hobo bag is typically a large bag