CENIPLUG

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Robin Williams Dead at 63 of Suspected Suicide

Robin Williams is dead at the age of 63.

According to The Associated Press, the former Oscar winner and veteran actor committed suicide inside his Northern California home.

Robin Williams Dead at 63

The Marin County Sheriff's Office reports that authorities responded to a 911 call just before noon today and found the star’s unresponsive body on the scene; a coroner suspects suicide due to asphyxia.

Williams went back to rehab last month to focus on sobriety and insiders confirm alcohol remained an issue for him up to the very end.

He struggled with cocaine and alcohol abuse in the early 1980s, but had been sober for over two decades until recently.

Williams was best known for his starring roles in classic films such Dead Poets Society, Mrs. Doubtfire and Jumanji.

He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Dr. Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting and had just starred last TV season in the fall sitcom The Crazy Ones.

A forensic examination is scheduled for tomorrow with subsequent toxicology testing to be conducted.

UPDATE: Says the actor's rep via statement:

"Robin Williams passed away this morning. He was been been battling severe depression of late This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time."

Robin Williams: His Most Memorable Roles

1. Mork (Mork & Mindy)

The role that started it all. Robin Williams starred as an alien on the late 1970s sitcom Mork & Mindy.

We could list any number of movie scenes from Williams' memorable career, but this is one that helped him bring home the Oscar:

Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting

Robin Williams: His Most Memorable Roles

2. Adrian Cronauer (Good Morning, Vietnam)

Robin Williams: His Most Memorable Roles

3. John Keating (Dead Poets Society)

In 1989, Williams appeared as an eccentric professor in Dead Poets Society.

Robin Williams: His Most Memorable Roles

4. Parry (The Fisher King)

Williams wandered around as a unique homeless man in the 1991 film The Fisher King.

Robin Williams: His Most Memorable Roles

5. The Genie (Aladdin)

Williams granted the titular character in Aladdin three wishes in the memorable 1995 animated movie.

Robin Williams: His Most Memorable Roles

6. Peter Banning (Hook)

His whimsy on full display, Williams played Peter Banning (Peter Pan) in the hit film Hook

Robin Williams: His Most Memorable Roles

7. Mrs. Doubtfire (Mrs. Doubtfire)

Truly, could you imagine any other actor as Mrs. Doubtfire?

Robin Williams: His Most Memorable Roles

8. Sean Maguire (Good Will Hunting)

Williams won an Academy Award for playing Dr. Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting, a character who couseled Matt Damon's title character.

Robin Williams: His Most Memorable Roles

9. Teddy Roosevelt (Night at the Museum)

Williams also appeared as Teddy Roosevelt in the third Night at the Museum movie, which will come out after he has left us.

Robin Williams: His Most Memorable Roles

10. Simon Roberts (The Crazy Ones)

Simon Roberts marked his final role. The Crazy Ones last for just one season on CBS.

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Ebola: Two dead, 20 others hospitalised over excessive salt consumption

At least two persons have been feared dead with 20 others hospitalised in various hospitals in Plateau State after consuming excessive quantity of salt and bitter kola to prevent Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) attack following a viral message on social media that it could prevent the spread of the Ebola virus.

In Abuja the Federal Government advised Nigerians to disregard the text message and postings on social media that hot water and salt may be used to prevent Ebola infection and cure infected persons.

The deceased whose identities could not be ascertained at the time of this report were said to be hypertension patients.

A resident who worships in the same church with one of the deceased, Atang Itse said he does not know “much about the woman but she worships at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Hwolshe” confirmed she died “this evening as a result of salt she took in the night when everyone was bathing and drinking salt water”.

The source added the other victim was a taxi driver who plied Jos city and neighbouring local government areas.

However, the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr. Elias Pede who is holding forte for the Commissioner, Dr. Fom Dakwak said “he was not aware of any dead” though he had earlier confirmed to other journalist that “one person died but full details were yet to be received.”

A text message asking Nigerians to prevent Ebola attack by drinking salt water and bathing with it went viral in the country this week.

Hot water, salt can’t cure Ebola FG warns

In Abuja the Federal Government advised Nigerians to disregard the text message and postings on social media that hot water and salt may be used to prevent Ebola infection and cure infected persons.

The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, said in a statement in Abuja on Friday that the people should disregard such rumours as cure had yet to be found for the disease.

The message reads: “Please ensure that you and your family and all your neighbours bath with hot water and salt before daybreak today because of Ebola virus which is spreading through the air.’’

Maku said the information being circulated to Nigerians about the cure for the disease was false and should not be taken seriously.

“Nigerians have been urged to disregard rumours being circulated in the social media that bathing with hot water and salt cures the Ebola disease.

“There is no cure yet for the Ebola disease, what is being circulated is only a rumour that will only mislead Nigerians,’’ he said.

The minister said Nigerians had already been informed on the necessary steps to adopt to avoid the spread of the virus and would be duly informed on additional measures when necessary.

He urged the people to continue to maintain maximum environmental and personal hygiene to guard against contracting the virus.

The federal and state governments have been on the alert on the control of a possible spread of the virus and the number of infected persons rises in Lagos.
The government had also dismissed claims that bitter kola could be used to cure the disease or prevent people from contracting the disease. (NAN)

Why I want to be next governor of Rivers – Julius Agwu

The success story of comedy in Nigeria cannot be complete without the mention of great comedians like Julius Agwu.The Choba-born comedian, actor and musician has joined pantheon of intending gubernatorial aspirants warming up to take the reins of power from Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State. In this chat with Potpourri, the diminutive entertainer talks about his political intent, his career and other things. Excerpts:

It is been quite a while; what’s been happening?

I am working on a lot of projects at the moment; I am still organising comedy shows. l am currently working on something for my music. I have a band called ‘Reel Laif Band’ and we are performing at the Encomium black and white ball holding this Sunday.

The news is going round that you are working at becoming the governor of your state. What is your take on this?

Yes, I am working on that project too at the moment.

Would you call yourself a politician?

I cannot really call myself a politician, but l am someone who prays and wish for things to get better than it is in this country. I believe I can help to achieve what my brother started in Rivers State. It is a known truth that Port Harcourt was the Garden City of this great country, but we lost that glory because of poverty and neglect, coupled with incessant militancy and kidnapping. Governor Amaechi has done well for the State, but we still need good hands after he leaves to continue the good work.

If you are not a politician then why do you want to be the governor of Rivers State?

Becoming the governor of Rivers State was not something that came up overnight. It was not on my radar back then. The people of Rivers State in the Diaspora and those in the State have been clamouring for me to come out as an aspirant. They believe I have what it takes to go for it. It just dawned on me that I indeed have what it takes. I have given it a serious thought and have given in to their pressure.

These people who have been bothering you, would they sponsor your election, if yes, who are they?

Yes, they will. But I do not want to disclose their names for security reasons.

Will you use a political party at the end of the day?

Yes, we shall, eventually, but I do not want to unveil that now.

In your future party, do you think an aspirant from your party will be going for the presidency?

Yes, when the time comes it will be revealed.

How is the comedy business these days?

Comedy business is going well. You know it’s one of the biggest businesses in Nigeria now as it helps to relax our tensed nerves. People who laugh a lot tend to live longer. Comedy is so important that even people outside the shores of Nigeria know about it before us. Obasanjo was someone who practiced it while he was in power.

What else do you have up your sleeve?

I have a studio and I also own a construction company.

ISIS behead Christian children + Horrific pics of ISIS atrocities

Islamist Militant group ISIS has been killing non-Muslims in many cities in Iraq and Syria in their effort to eradicate the Christian faith in the countries...and they are not sparing children. There's been several executions of believers, including crucifixions and the beheadings of children. The children's heads are being erected on poles in a city park according to an eyewitness who spoke with CNN.

"There is a park in Mosul where they actually beheaded children and put their heads on a stick and have them in the park. The world hasn't seen this kind of atrocity in generations" a prominent Chaldean-American businessman Mark Arabo told CNN

See some of the horrific photos + images of extreme brutality by ISIS on their prisoners. Members of the Sunni Shaitat tribe are taken from their homes rounded up and marched to their deaths. ISIS shared some these horrific images online. Continue...

A child beheaded

A man holds the lifeless body of his decapitated daughter, executed by ISIS because she was of a Christian family.

Women killed by ISIS

Islamists killing a woman by slitting her throat and capturing her blood in a bowl,

Lined up and executed, their severed heads put on display as a warning to others:

Barefooted with their hands bound behind their backs with rope, the prisoners are marched to the execution site in the desert near Deir ez Zor in Syria

The captives are then lined up and ordered to kneel down on the dusty ground

ISIS fighters stand behind the line of men and the squad of jihadists begin to murder the prisoners

A couple of jihadists approach the dead prisoners and finish off any survivors from point-blank range

A jihadist appears holds a terrified man by his hair and begins to slice through his neck with a hunting knife

Brutal: Other captives are shot before being tied to makeshift crucifixes

A crowd of local men watch from behind a low fence, some of them are taking photos or filming the executions with their mobile phones

See how the world's richest family spend their holiday

If you have some money, you go to Paris, France for your holiday. If you're rich, you go to Ibiza, Spain for your holiday but if you're the world's richest man, you rent a $5million-a-week super yacht that cost $330million to build.

Bill Gates, worth $76billion, his wife Melinda and their three children Rory, Jennifer and Phoebe are currently holidaying in a super luxury yacht moored off the coast of Sardinia, Italy.

The 436ft yacht called The Serene is owned by Stolichnaya vodka magnate, Yuri Scheffler, and is the world's 9th largest yacht. It has two helicopter landing pads, 12 staterooms, which includes a master suite, one VIP stateroom, seven double cabins and three twin cabins. It has an indoor climbing wall, a dedicated children's playroom, a fully equipped spa and club, three external swimming pools and one indoors, and an underwater viewing room. See photos of the family on board the yacht after the cut

After playing tennis in Sardinia, Gates hopes on his helicopter that will take him back to his rented yacht

Two INEC officials caught moving sensitive materials in Osun

Two officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Obokun LGA of Osun state have been arrested for diverting sensitive voting materials ahead of tomorrow's governorship election in the state.

When interrogated, one of the men who is the Electoral Officer for the LGA confessed to the act but refused to name those who sent him as he pleaded for Mercy. A check on his phone log and text messages later showed he had been communicating with a chieftain in the LGA. Continue...

The vigilant people of Otan-Ile would have lynched the suspects but for the intervention of police officers. The INEC vehicle with registration number FG816V01 used in transporting the materials and the suspects involved are presently held at the State CID of the Police Command in Oshogbo.