The Rihanna and Chris Brown saga continues, as Brown dumps his girlfriend, Karrueche Tran, to maintain his friendship with the Barbadian, reports The Los Angeles Times.

"I have decided to be single to focus on my career," said Brown in a statement to CNN. "I love Karrueche very much, but I don't want to see her hurt over my friendship with Rihanna. I'd rather be single, allowing us to both be happy in our lives." The news comes soon after an alleged kiss in N.Y's meatpacking district last Monday (October 1st 2012), and months of speculation surrounding the two. In August, Rihanna explained to Oprah that she still loved him, and she was recently in full support of Brown as he faced complications surrounding his probation, which, of course, he is serving after a violent attack on her. Brown tested positive for cannabis, but the judge ruled it should not affect his case.

Such is the scrutiny surrounding the pair, people were convinced that they were definitely getting back together, when Rihanna gave Brown a quick kiss and a hug at the MTV Video Music Awards last month as he walked to the stage to accept an award. Given the sensitivity, Brown dumping his girlfriend was always going to be construed as a step forward in their chequered relationship, but you can guarantee the story will unfold further over the weekend.