The Day In Dot Points: Monday's news

Your cheat sheet to all the day’s stories: Monday, February 3, 2014.

• Philip Seymour Hoffman battled addiction ‘for years’

Oscar-winner Philip Seymour Hoffman had been secretly battling a heroin addiction before he was found dead yesterday in New York City, leaving behind his girlfriend and three children. Despite apparently being sober since the age of 23, it’s been revealed today that the actor spent time in rehab last year for an addiction he clearly could not overcome.
In what appears to be a sinister coincidence, the Oscar-winning actor — who was filming his final scenes for the third Hunger Games movie — was the victim of a viral fake death hoax on Facebook called ‘RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman.’ The hoax was formulated by an online group known for breaking fake celebrity deaths.

Hoffman missed a standing arrangement to go and collect his children from his girlfriend’s home, which was enough to alert his loved ones  to check on his wellbeing. His friends found him dead in his apartment bathroom at 11.30am, local time.

His family have released this statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone. This is a tragic and sudden loss and we ask that you respect our privacy during this time of grieving. Please keep Phil in your thoughts and prayers.”

• Seven axes Today Tonight

Channel Seven have made the decision to dump Today Tonight and replace it with an hour-long news bulletin. The change will take place tonight across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne following Channel Nine's move to one-hour bulletins a few weeks ago.

Seven West Media Limited CEO Tim Worner released a statement saying "We see this as an exciting opportunity to serve our news audience in a better way. This move is about building and investing in Seven's leading news coverage. In recent times we have increased our level of news across the day with great success. We plan to do even more in the future."

The news reveal comes a week after Today Tonight presenter Helen Kapalos resigned.

• Baby rescued from car at Bunnings

A 10-month-old baby has been discovered alone in a car outside a Bunnings store in Tuggeranong, Canberra on a day when temperatures reached 37 degrees.
The baby girl was inside the car for almost 30 minutes while her father shopped inside, and was found by passers by who heard her screaming. Authorities were able to free the girl through the slightly-opened rear window before she was admitted to Canberra hospital.
The father was located by police inside the store, seemingly unaware of the danger he had placed his daughter in, on a day where temperatures could have reached up to 55 degrees inside the car.
As to whether or not he'll be charged, Kenton Turner, ACT Policing Operations superintendent said "depending on the state of the child… [they] will make a decision at a further date as to whether any charges could be laid.' The offence of child neglect has the potential to result in a jail time between 1-2 years.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident at Bunnings yesterday afternoon to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.act.crimestoppers.com.au

• Online drinking game linked to two teenage deaths

19-year-old Irishman Jonny Byrne has died whilst taking part in the viral online drinking game Neknominate, which is believed to have originated in Australia.

The game involves being filmed whilst skolling (necking) alcohol and then nominating a friend to do the same and posting the video on Facebook.

Byrne's body was discovered in a river yesterday morning after he allegedly jumped in as a stunt at the end of his 'nomination.' His brother Patrick took to Facebook to plead with the public to put an end to the dangerous drinking game, saying that the game "HAS TO STOP RIGHT NOW my young 19 year old brother Jonny Byrne from Carlow died tonight in the middle of his nomination. He thought he had to try and beat the competition and after he necked his pint he jumped into the river."

Byrne is one of two recent deaths in linked to the game. The day before 22-year-old Ross Cummins also died in Dublin.

• Seinfeld's Super Bowl reunion

Seinfeld fans worldwide are rejoicing after the rumoured reunion became a reality during halftime at today's Super Bowl.
The footage shows Jerry and George Costanza making a pit stop during the Super Bowl at Tom's restaurant, the cafe that became famous during the TV series nine year airing.
Jerry Seinfeld started whispers about a  possible reunion on reddit earlier this year when he announced he was working on a project with the series co-creator Larry David, saying, 'all I can do is tell you that it's big, huge, gigantic.'

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DehdM3TF4nM