Al-jazeera's programmes chief quits

The surprise resignation of Paul Gibbs as director of programmes at the English-language arm of Al-Jazeera comes just a month before the channel's launch. He quit over differences of opinion with his bosses, including the managing director Nigel Parsons. Gibbs oversaw the recruitment of high-profile names for the international service, such as Rageh Omaar and David Frost. Gibbs is slated to speak at The Guardian's international television festival about his plans for the channel. If he speaks at all, his address will require a rewrite! (Via independent.co.uk)