Help at hand as depression hits

People who plunge in to post-Christmas depression have been urged to seek help before emotional and financial pressures reach crisis point.

A suicide prevention helpline revealed that more people call for support in the first three months of the year as they try to cope with the fallout of festivities. Ciaran Austin, helpline manager with 1Life, called on those in need to lift up the phone before a problem becomes a crisis.

"The vicious cycle of debt can be accelerated after Christmas. But people can lose sight that these problems can be managed with advice and support," he said.

Anyone who needs support should freephone 1Life on 1800 24 7 100 (or text HELP to 51444) and the Samaritans on 1850 60 90 90.

Andy Warhol's brother dies

John Warhola, the older brother who helped raise pop art pioneer Andy Warhol and later helped establish the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, has died aged 85.

Warhola's son, Donald, said his father died on Christmas Eve after battling pneumonia in a Pittsburgh hospital.

Andy Warhol -- whose given name was Andy Warhola -- died at 58 in 1987 after complications from gall bladder surgery.

Actress Nat has

baby on way

Actress Natalie Portman is engaged to a ballet dancer and choreographer and expecting her first child with him, People magazine has reported.

The 29-year-old actress met the French choreographer, Benjamin Millepied, during the production of her newly released movie, Black Swan, which has led to expectations of an Oscar.

Chavez praised for terror arrest

Colombia's leader has thanked Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for the capture of a suspected guerrilla commander wanted in Colombia, lauding the "growing collaboration" between the countries.

President Santos said Teran Ferreira, a suspected National Liberation Army commander, had been captured in Venezuela.

Teran was sentenced to 40 years in Colombia for the killing of a rancher.