South Africa’s MTN cuts dividend after reporting $357m loss

Africa’s biggest mobile phone operator MTN Group Ltd reported a $357 million half-year loss on Friday and cut dividend payouts, after a hefty regulatory fine in Nigeria and underperformance in its South African home market.

Founded with the South African government’s help after the end of apartheid in 1994, MTN agreed in June to pay a 330 billion naira ($1.05 billion) fine in a settlement with Nigerian authorities for missing a deadline to cut off unregistered SIM cards from its network.

Economy Experts foresee more hardship as dollar scarcity persists

The economic crisis facing the country will worsen if the current dollar scarcity rocking the financial sector continues, experts have said.

The naira plunged to 400 against the dollar at the parallel market on Thursday after sinking to 390 a day earlier due to demand by manufacturers and the summer rush by Nigerians.

This, analysts explained, would likely result in an increase in the country’s inflation rate, which hit 16.5 per cent in June.

Adamawa State | Hired assassins kill middle-aged woman in Yola

Hired suspected assassins have killed a middle-aged woman, Mrs. Amina Dauji of Unguwan T.C in Yola town of Yola South local government area in Adamawa State.

The deceased was said to have been murdered at her residence by the assailants while asleep.

According to the village head of Bole, Alhaji Abdulmumini, Bakari Bole, “the assassins confessed that they were hired at the cost of N20,000 to eliminate the life of Amina whom their sponsors accused of witchcraft, a proof that has not been established”.

Turkey brands Austria as the ‘capital of radical racism’

Turkish Foreign Minster Mevlut Cavusoglu called Austria the “capital of radical racism” on Friday after Chancellor Christian Kern suggested ending European Union accession talks with Ankara.

In an interview with broadcaster TGRT Haber, Cavusoglu said Kern’s comments, spurred in part by a crackdown on suspected perpetrators of a failed coup last month, were “ugly” and that he rejected them all.

Philippines | President vow to return $81m stolen by cyber criminals

Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, has given a commitment that the 81 million dollars stolen by cyber criminals from the account of Bangladesh Bank in New York and funnelled through bank accounts in Manila would be returned.

John Gomes, Bangladesh Ambassador disclosed on Friday in Manila that the Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, has given his commitment.

Jose Mourinho hits back at Bastian Schweinsteiger criticism

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has defended his handling of Bastian Schweinsteiger in the wake of criticism of his methods.

Schweinsteiger, 32, does not look to be part of Mourinho’s plans at Old Trafford, with reports that he has been training with the reserves.

A member of world players’ union FifPro said Mourinho should be sent to prison over his treatment of Schweinsteiger, while Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also hit out at the Premier League club.

Breaking | Ex Golden Eaglets Star, Peter Ogaba Is Dead

Peter Ogaba, former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles player, is dead. One of his closed friends confirmed this, saying he died on Friday after a brief illness.

“Peter Ogaba was found dead in his room this morning,” he said.

“He has been sick for a while. His door had to be broken down to gain entrance into his room.

AMCON has recovered N644 Billion – Ahmed Kuru

The Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru says the asset management Agency has recovered N644 billion from debtors.

Budget Padding | APC bars Lawmakers from talking to Media Houses

The Leadership of the All Progressives Congress has gagged the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; and a former chairman of Appropriation Committee, Abdulmunin Jibrin, and other lawmakers from talking to media houses regarding the new lexicon in the Nigeria political sphere, Budget Padding.

According to an anonymous source, The APC has written to the leadership of the House of Representatives and also copied to other lawmakers  elected on its Political platform, gagging everyone of them from making statements concerning the issue.

FLASH | Buhari and Dogara having a closed doors meeting over Budget Padding

Reports reaching TheBreakingTimes has it that Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives is currently in a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Yakubu Dogara,  arrived Mr. President’s office in Aso Rock for a closed door meeting at about 2.30pm, following the recent allegations by the former Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin that the leadership of the  lower chamber of the Nigerian Senate padded the 2016 budget.

Okonjo-iweala warns Ugandan Govts Against Handing Out Bailouts during a Memorial Lecture

The former finance minister in Nigeria, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has warned Government over bailouts for financially distressed companies saying structured criteria should be put in place, New Vision, Ugandan newspaper reports.

“What is the criteria of a bailout?” Dr. Ngozi asked.

“We need to be careful and look at case by case. What underlines the failure of the enterprise?

#Ondo2016: Ondo Chapter of PDP Disowns Jimoh Ibrahim

The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has distance itself from billionaire Jimoh Ibrahim, saying he is not a member of their party.

Mr Jimoh yesterday picked the nomination form to contest the November 26, 2016 governorship election in the state from the factional National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff in Abuja saying he will pay all outstanding salaries of workers within his first 100 days in office.

New Factional Leader of Boko Haram , Al-barnawi Accuses Shekau Of Corruption, Unjustifiable Killing Of Muslims

New Boko Haram leader, Musab Al-Barnawi, Friday released a long audio tape in which he accused Shekau of massive corruption and unjustifiable killings of Muslims.

Al-Barnawi, who claimed to be a founding member of the bloody group, alleged that Shekau favoured only himself and his family.

He lamented that Shekau had been busy killing Muslims instead of seeking ways to attack churches and security formations.

Wow! Woman Gives Birth To Quadruplets in Port Harcourt (PHOTO)

The wonders of God can never be underestimated, as he does not fail to shower loads of blessings on his children.

In Port Harcourt, Rivers state, a woman on Monday, August 1, gave birth to a set of quadruplets (3 boys and a beautiful girl).

Aww! See the Beautiful Pregnant 59 year old Woman Who is Expecting Twins (Photos)

There are some stories that would inspire you and give you the strength to carry on. Indeed, when there is life, there is hope.

Many marriages have suffered turbulence due to infertility issues or childlessness. Some couples have drifted apart because of the constant fights that ensue between them when this issue is being discussed.

It is exciting when we hear breakthrough stories from couples or people who have had one challenge or the other in this aspect. Call it whatever you want to, things are happening in the society and we would not fail to talk about them. Miracles are still in vogue and people are testifying to God’s goodness and mercies every day.

Pls Help! My Ex calls me daily and sends me money, should I take the money?

Relationship experts adviser Joromofin shared this story about a lady whose boyfriend broke up with her since January and have since started dating another woman, but he keeps sending her money and also want to hook her up with a guy so she won't be single in 2017. What your advice for her?

24-years Old Female Teacher Charged For Having Sex With 5 Of Her Students (Photo)

Marquita Alston, 24, is facing a string of criminal charges over her alleged conduct at a high school in Tennessee.

A teacher has been arrested for allegedly seducing and having sex with five of her students.

Police were shocked as more and more alleged victims stepped forward with allegations against 24-year-old Marquita Alston.

Married Woman rejects Employer's Promotion offer in Return for Sex (See Leak Conversation)

A leaked Whatsapp conversation details a sad exchange between a Kenyan woman and her foreign employer who heads or holds a senior position in a company in Kenya.

The whole conversation was partly an indication of probably what most women go through in the employment sector as they try to find the balance between eking out a living and keeping their dignity.

Reekado Banks shares Epic throwback Picture of himself, mom and brother (Photo)

Reekado Banks is a spitting image of his mother, he shared the throwback which shows his mum and his brother. 

WTF! Man Forces His 10-month-old Baby To Drink Beer (PHOTOS)

This is the shocking moment a father felt happy as he forced his 10-month-old baby to drink beer from a glass bottle in India. The father was seen handing the 10-month-old baby two glass bottles for him to drink and probably get high...

The footage, which was widely shared on social media, shows how the man first pretends to give the youngster a swig of the beer, but the bottle cap is still on. He then bites off the cap before placing the drink to the child’s mouth. Later in the footage, he pushes the baby’s head towards the bottle.

Anambra State | Pregnant Woman Sells Unborn Baby For N100,000

The Anambra State Police Command on Thursday paraded a 29-year-old woman, Chidinma Okorie, and two medical doctors for alleged child trafficking.

The doctors, who were said to be Okorie’s accomplices, were identified as Emmanuel Tobechukwu and Cosmos Ugorji.

Okorie said she had sold two children since she was introduced into the illegal trade by a woman whom she claimed was an evangelist.

SHOCKING | Woman Runs Mad After Husband Shaved Her Pubic Hair

A mother of three, simply identified as Remilekun, has gone “gaga” after her husband, identified as Oriyomi, allegedly shaved her pubic hairs and her head. The couple, who have been living together since 2008 in Ikorodu area of Lagos, have three kids, but were yet to formalise their union.

According to a close family source, who spoke to Vanguard, the victim became “mentally ill after her husband reportedly shaved both the hair her on her head and in her pubic area.

Man Brutally Beats His Children shared the Photos Online to Get His Wife’s Attention (PHOTOS)

A 30-year-old man has caused a serious stir online after posting pictures of his two badly battered kids on social media, with his comment saying, “This makes me happy – ever since his ex-wife left the place they lived together on July 17, Liu has been using all means to search for her whereabouts.

He entreated desperately among his friends to help searching by posting his ex-wife’s pictures on social media, claiming that she is mentally ill and needs to be taken care of. Yet his efforts went all in vain.

The suffering that is coming to Nigerians is still doing skipping rope in Rio - Actor Chidi Mokeme tweets

... As shared by Nollywood Actor, Chidi Mokeme

President Buhari says 'GEJ failed to save for the rainy day'

President Buhari says despite the oil boom a few years ago, the past administration failed to save for the rainy day. According to The Nation, President Buhari said this while speaking at the opening of the 12th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) 2016 in Rivers state yesterday August 4th. He was represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

Armed robbers nearly behead a tricycle driver in Kano (Extremely Graphic Photos)

Some armed robbers yesterday attacked a Tricycle aka Keke Napep driver in Kano state, nearly removing his head. After killing him, they stole his tricycle. The deceased has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

Lupita Nyong'o put her hot body on display in a bikini outfit (PHOTOS)

The 12-years a Slave Actress put her hot body on display as she enjoy some fun time...

#Rio2016 | Meet first athlete to test positive for drugs at the Olympics

23 year old Irish Boxer Michael O'Reilly has become the first athlete to fail a drug test at Rio Olympics after he was caught by a random drug test before his team flew to Brazil yesterday for the tournament. The Irish Amateur Boxing Federation confirmed that O'Reilly is temporarily suspended pending a full investigation.

SHOCKING | 18-year-old girl commits suicide because her boyfriend left her for another girl

This an alleged story of a young girl identified as Famatta, she stabbed herself to death because her boyfriend left her for another girl. It was shared on Facebook and authenticity of story can not be verified as at press time.

Comedian Basketmouth shares interesting thoughts on CBN's new money transfer policy

CBN has stopped all privately owned money transfer companies from wiring money, leaving only three foreign owned companies to do it. Comedian Basketmouth thinks this is a wrong move as it will make life more difficult for Nigerians.