The wrath of social media

The study suggests that relationships can be salvaged by reducing the time spent on social media. PHOTO: FILE

WASHINGTON: Arguments over social media platforms among romantic partners are damaging relationships as well as  ending in negative outcomes such as emotional and physical cheating, breakups and divorce, research reveals.

Individuals who are active Twitter users are far more likely to experience Twitter-related conflict with their romantic partners, researchers said. “I found it interesting that active Twitter users experienced conflict and negative relationship outcomes, regardless of the length of their romantic relationship,” said Russell Clayton, a doctoral student in University of Missouri’s school of journalism.

Couples who reported being in relatively new relationships experienced the same amount of conflict as those in longer relationships, he noted. In his study, Clayton surveyed 581 Twitter users of all ages. Clayton asked participants questions about their Twitter use, such as how often they login to Twitter, tweet, scroll their Twitter newsfeed, send direct messages to others and reply to followers.

Clayton also asked how much, if any, conflict arose between participants’ current or former partners as a result of Twitter use. He found that the more often a respondent reported being active on Twitter, the more likely they were to experience Twitter-related conflict with their partner. “The aim of this study was to examine whether my previous study, that concluded that Facebook use predicted Facebook-related conflict – which then led to breakup and divorce, were consistent with Twitter,” Clayton commented.

In his previous research on Facebook, Clayton found that Facebook-related conflict and negative relationship outcomes were greater among couples in newer relationships of 36 months or less.  If Twitter users are experiencing Twitter-related conflict with their partner, Clayton recommends “couples of all ages limit their daily and weekly use of social networking sites to healthier, more reasonable levels”.

According to him, although a number of variables can contribute to relationship infidelity and separation, social networking site usage can be damaging to relationships. Cut back to moderate, healthy levels of Twitter use if you are experiencing Twitter or Facebook-related conflict, he advised in the study, which was published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.

GoT premiere gives HBO top draw since Sopranos

With swords in hand and palace intrigue in the shadows, HBO’s Game Of Thrones is back for its fourth season with a record-breaking 6.6 million viewers. PHOTO: FILE

LOS ANGELES: The season four premiere of fantasy epic Game of Thrones drew an average of 6.6 million viewers, making it the largest audience for HBO since the 2007 finale of mafia drama The Sopranos, the premium cable network reported on Monday.

The highly anticipated premiere on Sunday of Game of Thrones beat out its season three premiere of 4.4 million viewers and topped its all-time-high audience of 5.5 million.

The series on civil war, extreme weather and mythical creatures is shaping up to be the Time Warner Inc-owned network’s biggest show since The Sopranos, which drew 11.9 million viewers for its 2007 finale.

After the slaughter of the main members of the Stark family in the Red Wedding episode last season, the season four premiere saw the remaining Starks coming to terms with the deaths.

Audiences saw Arya Stark, played by 16-year-old Maisie Williams, take a dark, cruel turn, as she exacts revenge for her family. The series is adapted from author George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels.

HBO said a total of 8.2 million people watched the episode, which included two replays later on Sunday. Game of Thrones averages a gross audience of 14.4 million per episode. That figure includes viewers who record the show and watch it later in the week, which is popular among the network’s viewers.

The network also said its online viewing app, HBO Go, experienced technical difficulties due to heavy demand for Game of Thrones, which made it difficult for some users to access the show.

The debut of eccentric tech comedy Silicon Valley averaged 2 million viewers following Game of Thrones, while the season three premiere of political satire Veep averaged 955,000.

In its second season, Veep averaged 3.9 million viewers, including live and recorded viewings.

HBO’s Sunday night lineup of the three series has been lauded by critics as some of U.S. television’s strongest programming blocks.Reuters

Did you know? : How I Met Your Mother is releasing an alternate ending on DVD

Fans of the hit show who felt cheated by this series’ finale will be glad to hear that the sitcom’s creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, had a different conclusion in mind all along.

The CBS sitcom, How I Met Your Mother, came to an end after nine seasons on March 31, as Ted ended up with Robin and the Mother character Tracy was revealed to have died by the time Ted began telling his story to his children. Fans of the hit show who felt cheated by this series’ finale will be glad to hear that the sitcom’s creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, had a different conclusion in mind all along. It is described as ‘happy ‘and will be included on the show’s DVD set.

The series finale was met with a mixed reaction from critics and fans, but majority of the fans weren’t too pleased. Though a video made its viral rounds earlier this week featuring a much happier ending to the series, it’s since been removed from YouTube. Interestingly, however, the creators who stuck to their original plan that was filmed in season 2 also had a different ending in mind, reported Time. According to reports, both, the season nine DVD and the complete series box set will feature the alternate ‘happy ending’.

Executive producer Carter Bays tweeted: “16 days ago, we were in the HIMYM edit room, trying to decide between two very different endings. We only shot one script, but through edit room magic we had two possible outcomes for the series. We chose the ending we chose and we stand by it. But we loved the other version too.”

Bays also shared an image showing the complete series DVD.

Possessive dad doesn’t want me to marry: Alia

The Highway star says she would like to be considered a fine actor before getting five or six films old. PHOTO: FILE

MUMBAI: Actor Alia Bhatt says her father and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is possessive about her, but adds that he has taken her on-screen intimacy with Arjun Kapoor in the forthcoming film 2 States practically.

“Like every father, who doesn’t want their daughters to get married, even my father is the same,” Alia said in a group interview.

“Recently, my father told us (Alia and her sister Shaheen) you all can’t go anywhere, I will lock you up in a room. He is honest and blunt about the fact that he doesn’t want us to get married.”

“He is not saying it just like that. He means it. He is very possessive and doesn’t want me to get married,” she added.

Currently, the Highway star is looking forward to her forthcoming film 2 States. Directed by Abhishek Verman, 2 States is an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s bestseller of the same name and Alia has read the book three times. She said: “I have to be as natural as possible. I read the book three times before we started shooting.”

Alia says that when she read the book for the first time, she felt it could be made into a good film. “I knew Arjun was on board… but I never thought I would be a part of the film. I got a call for a look test, which is basically figuring out if I look good with Arjun. I was hoping the role would come to me and it did. It’s a big achievement for me,” she said.

The actor, who garnered rave reviews for her performance in her last release Highway, says there was a reason behind doing 2 States. “After Highway I wanted people to say I am an actor and that I am not here to be a star. I would like to be considered a fine actor before getting five or six films old,” she concluded

The Ultimate Warrior dies at 54

Known for his muscular physique, long, shaggy hair and colourful face paint, The Warrior feuded with many of the then-WWF’s biggest stars, including Hulk Hogan and Macho Man. PHOTO: FILE

LAS VEGAS: The Ultimate Warrior, one of US professional wrestling’s most celebrated names, has died at the age of 54, days after being inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. Hall of Fame, the company said late on Tuesday. The cause of his death was not given. He was added to the Hall of Fame on April 5.

“WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWESuperstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior,” the Stamford, Connecticut-based company said on its website.

The Ultimate Warrior, whose given name was James Hellwig, began his WWE career in 1987 and rose to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history, the company said, highlighting an “epic encounter” in which he defeated Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI to become a WWEChampion.

“We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans,” World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) said.

The 6-foot, 2-inch tall, 280-pound (127 kg) wrestler commanded the ring in his signature neon garb and long, blond hair, and face paint, WWE said.

His family could not immediately be reached, and an email sent through his website was not immediately answered. In a statement on his website, peppered with sarcasm, Hellwig expounded on philosophy and funneling energy from the ring into writing, motivational speaking and his family life after retiring in the late 1990s.

“Ultimate Warrior ran because I was running him. He was intense because I already was. Whatever I am doing – wrestling, writing, working out, speaking, even weaving pot holders – I am going to do it with action and intensity,” Hellwig wrote.

“I have built an incredibly empowered life on my OWN terms. As a devoted husband and father, I could not have custom-ordered a more loving, healthy, spirit-filled, and happy home life,” he wrote.

“Fans, supporters and wrestlers took to the internet to express their respect for the wrestler, who is survived by his wife Dana and his two daughters,” said WWE.

“Shocked and very saddened to hear about Ultimate Warrior passing. Prayers go out to his family! RIP. Loss for words,” wrestler Curtis wrote in a Twitter message.

“RIP WARRIOR. Only love. HH,” tweeted Hulk Hogan.

“Tomorrow is promised to know one!! My love to The Warrior and his family. RIP,” his fellow Hall of Famer Rowdy Roddy Piper tweeted.

“Saddened to announce the passing of The Ultimate Warrior. Icon and friend. My sympathy to his wife Dana and his daughters,” WWE Chief Operating Officer Triple H wrote in a Twitter message

Army top brass reviews implications of ISAF drawdown from Afghanistan

General Sharif also took the opportunity to commend the troops for implementing extra security measures along the Pak-Afghan border. PHOTO: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: On a day when a bomb killed 22 people in Islamabad and the peace process in danger of running aground again, the military’s top brass undertook a comprehensive review of the external and internal security situation of the country.

According to an official release from the Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday, the Corps Commanders conference was held at the General Headquarters on Wednesday with army chief General Raheel Sharif in chair.

The meeting reviewed the prevailing external and internal security situation in the country, especially along the Western border. The issue of drawdown of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan and its subsequent implications on the security situation was also discussed.

The forum also comprehensively reviewed the army’s large scale involvement in security, development and rehabilitation works in various parts of the country.

General Sharif also took the opportunity to commend the troops for implementing extra security measures along the Pak-Afghan border to assist Afghanistan during the presidential elections.

According to Express News, the forum further discussed the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP). The commanders also discussed their views about the TTP holding prisoners.

Nisar wants ICT to devise new security plan for bomb-hit fruit market

Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan chairing a high level security meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday. PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD: Following the deadly blast at the fruit market in Islamabad on Wednesday morning, interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in a security meeting directed the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) to take over control of the I-11 fruit market from CDA and create a security plan.

In the high level meeting, Nisar stressed on the need for better and effective coordination between all the concerned departments to be two steps ahead of terrorists.

Nisar asked ICT and police to identify potential targets under threat in the federal capital and workout a comprehensive security plan to safeguard them. He added that joint patrolling by police and Rangers must start during this month.

In addition to directing the ICT to take over security of the fruit market, he said all its entry and exit points should be properly regulated and surveillance cameras be installed.

Directing due care for all the injured at government expense, with compensation to the injured and relatives of the deceased be paid within next three days as per the package approved in the case of F-8 District Court incident.

Earlier, Chief Commissioner and IG Police briefed the Minister about the details of the incident and said there are 22 deaths so far in the bomb blast with 83 injured.

Secretary Interior, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, IG Police, NC NACTA and Additional IG attended the meeting.

The blast that took place in the early hours of Wednesday in the busy market left at least 22 people dead and dozens injured.