For the first time in their history, Torrevieja Tennis Club, had a representative at the French Open last week, playing in the Junior Girls Competition on the world famous tennis courts at Roland Garros. Eva Guerrero, at just 15 years of age, a membe...

In the UK, a warning has been issued by vehicle history check experts HPI, about the hidden administrative risks when buying a used car. The latest survey reveals that a staggering 42% of used car buyers don't know who legally owns a car that has fina...

As a unique chapter in the history of Orihuela is about to come to a close, it is a time of reflection for those who will be leaving the political battlefield. Whereas some of those staying may well find themselves ousted by a new wave of politicians...

An incredibly original 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series III V12 Manual Roadster, hidden away for more than 25 years, is set to see the light of day once again when it goes under the hammer in Silverstone Auctions' May Sale. The one family owned car was purch...

Angelina Jolie has traveled to the Vatican to project her film 'Unbroken' and greeted pope Francis, as confirmed by the deputy director of the Vatican Press Office, Father Ciro Benedittini, who specified that during the screening of the film the Pope "was not present".

According to a press release issued by Universal, the filmmaker and actress was accompanied by Luke Zaperini, the son of Louis Zamperini, the olympic athlete who honors the film.

Jolie has said that being invited to the Vatican was an "honor" and a "great tribute to the history of 'Unbroken', the story of a hero, a great example of strength and forgiveness."

'Unbroken' is a drama-war film produced and directed by Angelina Jolie. It tells the story of Louis Zamperini, Olympic athletics star and hero of the Second World War, who during a military mission had an accident in the Pacific Ocean, which survived with only two companions.

He spent 47 days adrift on a raft, until they managed to reach an island. They were found by Japanese soldiers who tortured him and captured as a POW.

Moreover, consumers like to associate the brands with celebrities, according to a global survey about celebrities, conducted by ACNielsen. "We live in a time when internet has changed our habits. When purchasing products, consumers want to see the shop windows, but they declare that advertising influences them much time to decide." A total of 23,500 Internet users in five countries have opted for Angelina Jolie as mentor for casual wear.

In general there are two famous in which all consumers agree: Nicole Kidman to advertise sleepwear and Angelina Jolie for casual wear. "Another interesting point is that the Europeans appreciate the more individualistic images of George Clooney and Johnny Depp," highlights ACNielsen.

The survey shows that the marriage of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie has become the most profitable advertising partner.
Clemente Ferrer

Independent Forum of Opinion
http://indeforum.wordpress.com

The last few weeks have seen a number of high profile cases in the news involving top professional people and their struggles to cope with life´s challenges.

Readers will no doubt be aware of the Germanwings co-pilot with a history of depression who is suspected of deliberately crashing a jet into the French Alps.

Meanwhile, the American actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie has bravely gone public about coming to terms with further extensive preventative surgery in an effort, at the young age of 39, to avoid the cancers to which she is susceptible. In the UK former Burnley footballer Clarke Carlisle has spoken of his “good fortune” in surviving his suicide attempt and relationship issues in a bid to encourage other - especially reticent male - sufferers of emotional distress to seek out help.

How many readers know that the Samaritans in Spain are here to provide that help locally to whoever may call? With their phone lines now open 24x7 they provide a free, completely confidential, English language support service for people of any age experiencing emotional problems of any type or intensity.

The service is modelled on that offered for more than 60 years in the UK and the Samaritan name is used in Spain under licence. Samaritans is comprised entirely of un-paid volunteers, with all of those offering the listening service extensively trained and supported as they "stand alongside" people through their suffering.

They will listen regardless of how big or small the issue, and regardless of what the caller has or has not done. They listen without judging or telling people what they should or shouldn't do.

Samaritans is not aligned to any other organisation, social, religious or political. This assists neutrality, allowing callers to explore their situation their way. What is heard is entirely confidential within the organisation, and no calls or contacts are recorded or traced. No caller needs to give any personal information to talk to a volunteer.

The 24-hour listening service is available to callers on 902 88 35 35 (a national, premium service number, not a premium rate number). Samaritans in Spain cover the whole of Spain, including the mainland and the Islands for the same low cost phone charges. Alternatively you can email a Samaritan by contacting pat@samaritansinspain.com or visit the drop-in centre in the Punta Prima shopping centre for those on the Costa Blanca who want to come in and talk face-to-face.

The Drop-in and charity shop is open from 10.00am to 2.00pm Monday to Saturday - further details and directions are found at www.samaritansinspain.corn – you can also follow news and articles with them on Facebook.

The Samaritans also visit Fontcalent prison in Alicante each month offering the same service to English-speakers there, and to their relatives and are pleased to work in co-operation with other caring organisations, with the British Consulate in Alicante, the British Embassy in Madrid and many others elsewhere across Spain.

It is often said that we go around with our eyes closed, and it seems that I am no exception. It is also certainly true that it sometimes takes showing visitors around the area where we live before we truly appreciate and understand what we have close ...

"I'm expecting a baby and have discovered that he has Down Syndrome. I'm scared, what kind of life will have my child? '. These were the words of a mother, who wrote to the Italian organization CoorDown (National Coordination of Associations of People with Down Syndrome).

The organization has released the history of the mother who wrote them, hoping to get a word of hope, before the arrival of his son. In response, CoorDown gathered a group of 15 kids of different nationalities to produce a video, in which they show how they are normal and happy, despite living with this genetic disorder. The result has been an emotional video titled "Dear Future Mom", in which children and teenagers steal the hearts of the viewers with their messages of love, courage and optimism.

The urge to avoid kids born with a genetic disability is leading to an increasing use of prenatal diagnosis, which, if unfavorable, end in abortion. An example of this is the testimony released by "The Guardian" on the results of a scientific research at the University of Cambridge, which examined the behavior of 235 kids since they were conceived to 8 years.

Some perceive these data as a support for the independence of young pregnant women. Others wonder if we are not using prenatal diagnosis as part of a maneuver of search and annihilation of the physically or mentally disabled. What values are at stake in the genetic analysis before birth ?: Among them it seems not to be included the respect for the disabled.

Although it may be hurtful question, we must challenge ourselves: We've driven a task of tracking and annihilation looking the extinction of some groups of people such as those suffering with Down syndrome or with brain or physical ailments? It is known that under normal conditions, a child is born with Down syndrome per 800 births among women aged 30-34 years. The monstrous is that those kids are no more born with Down syndrome because they are destroyed when they are still held in the womb.

clementeferrerrosello@gmail.com Author and journalist Clemente Ferrer has led a distinguished career in Spain in the fields of advertising and public relations. He is currently President of the European Institute of Marketing.

With so much entertainment crammed into the Christmas TV schedule, you might be excused for thinking that there´s nothing to look forward to beyond this week, but the good news is, you´d be wrong! We will start with drama and the news tha...

Although the historic significance may tell a harrowing story, the Auschwitz Museum can now be visited from the comfort of your own home, as the museum has just launched a 360-degree virtual tour of one of the most symbolic concentration camps ever to...

The National Motor Museum Trust has acquired an important photographic album documenting the 1000 Mile Trial of 1900, a pivotal moment in motoring history which John Montagu, father of the current Lord Montagu, famously took part in. This collection o...

The Foundation of the Holy See "Aid to the Church in Need" (ACN) has released some advertising campaigns with these messages: "Emergency in Iraq. Christians have fled Mosul.

They need your help urgently. Do not let them alone. "In another message, ACN states that "With you we can: build and rehabilitate centers; provide sustenance for priests and religious; forming seminarians, novices and priests; publish and distribute catechetical material; provide transportation for evangelization; media to spread the Word of God. "A new advertising slogan says: "Help us raise the church in Nigeria.

There have been nearly 800 murders, more than 430 attacks on churches. They can destroy our buildings and temples but not destroy our faith in Jesus Christ. "The following has also been published: "The hope of Christians in the Holy Land. They are just 2% of the population, but the visit of Pope Francis has given them courage and the certainty of knowing they are not alone.They should not disappear from this sacred Land! "Another ad reads: "Emergency CAR.Thank you for your generosity!

id to the Church in Need would like to thank the generosity of many benefactors who are enabling the collection of urgent assistance to the Central African Republic”. Donations can be done at Banco Popular: ES12 0075 0080 17 0601667548. The journalist Fernando Haro put a face to a tragedy in his latest book "Christians and lions," asserting that the persecution of Christians has become a colossal drama .

It is estimated that about 100,000 Christians are killed each year because of their faith throughout the world. "It's one of the great tragedies in this beginning of the XXI century and has the dimensions of the great persecutions of the times of Diocletian in the fourth century or the twentieth century Stalinism".

Elsewhere in this book he says: "Christians have found something; Jesus Christ, for whom it is worth giving life. Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world." The history of violence in which victims are hundreds of thousands of Christians around the world, passes unperceived for the vast majority of society and also to the media.

clementeferrer3@gmail.com

Author and journalist Clemente Ferrer has led a distinguished career in Spain in the fields of advertising and public relations. He is currently President of the European Institute of Marketing.