Al Jazeera America to shut down in April

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• Al Jazeera America will be shut down on 30 April - two and a half years after its launch.

• Al Jazeera America CEO Al Anstey said the decision had been influenced by the economic landscape of the US media environment.
• The Qatar-based cable network simultaneously announced plans to expand its existing international digital services.

The Al Jazeera network announced the closing of its operations in the United States. The New York City office of Al Jazeera America will be shut down on 30 April - two and a half years after its launch.

In an official statement, Al Jazeera America CEO Al Anstey said the network has blamed the "economic landscape of the US media environment" for the move.

The Qatar-based cable network has also announced plans to "expand its existing international digital services to broaden its multi-platform presence in the United States".

The expansion is a bid to tap into the digital space which will allow Al Jazeera's audience to follow the service from anywhere in the word.

The move comes after Al Jazeera's announcements of cuts in its operations.

Antley hailed the work of the American outlet of the news agency and said:

"I have witnessed and worked alongside some of the most talented people any organisation could wish for. Since its launch in 2013, the work done by the team at Al Jazeera America has been recognised with nearly every major award an American news organisation can receive. I greatly respect the unrivalled commitment and excellent work of our team, which has created great journalism. We have increasingly set ourselves apart from all the rest, and the achievements of the past two-and-a-half years should be a source of immense pride for everyone."

Launched in 1996, Al Jazeera has over 70 bureaus across the globe.