Al Jazeera English & Al Jazeera America

Open letter from the BBC and other news organisations to Egypt about the AJ reporter Peter Greste, held in Egypt since the new year: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/statements/letter-peter-greste.html

Spotted Martine Dennis on Al Jazeera in Doha recently, good to see her settling in well.

Anchoring the AlJazeera Newshour right now, great to see her on the channel. It seems that this is her first bulletin, too.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh24/justjoshhh/martine-aje1_zps2f69b115.png

It does look that way, according to some tweets by viewers.

J'adore Martine!

I can't believe how well Martine looks, can you James? I've been watching BBC World for about 15 years and she hasn't aged a bit in all that time. She looks fantastic!

She's is a legend, Rob! I love her style of news presenting. Informal, entertaining and thoroughly professional at the same time.

In fact, her recent anchoring of the Mandela death was incredibly polished and seamless.

Rob Matheson presenting Al Jazeera news from the Doha studios today. If I'm not mistaken, didn't he work on BBC Reporting Scotland before?

By the way, he was excellent.

He did indeed, I was wondering where he went!

For Martine fans, she's presenting on Al Jazeera right now.

I have to say, great coverage of Ukraine on Al Jazeera. They're also finding time to report on the troubles in Venezuela, which has arguably received rather less coverage.

I like the new* red Breaking News straps and Aston tabs on AJE. Look quite good when contrasted against their otherwise heavy white boxes and pale blue backdrops.

*apologies if these are not new, but it's the first time I've personally seen them.

Have to agree with the comment above from aconnell about the varied selection of news stories on AJE. Whilst Ukraine is the top story at the moment (which they're covering rather well, with Hoda Abdel Hameed amongst others on location), I also took note of today's other angle on the Thailand coverage. Unlike other outlets, AJE has sent correspondents out into Udon Thani and Chiang Mai to bring another perspective to the current political crisis as opposed to a Bangkok view only (they do still have two correspondents in Bangkok as well, mind you).

A refreshing change.

Al Jazeera doesn't get enough praise - I think it's down to a slightly racist and biased stereotype.