BREAKING. Ali Velshi leaving CNN, last day at the global news network will be this Friday.

He's the sparring partner of Richard Quest on Quest Means Business; the go-to sit-in for Christiane Amanpour on Amanpour and now Ali Velshi is leaving CNN International (DStv 401) - Ali Velshi's last day at the 24-hour news network will be this Friday 5 April.

Ali Velshi joined CNN in 2001.

CNN personnel were told today that Ali Velshi, who was the chief business correspondent, is leaving.

BREAKING. Ali Velshi to anchor one hour of World Business Today on CNN International from 2012.

Ali Velshi, currently in Cannes covering the G20 summit, is getting his own hour on CNN International (DStv 401) from 2012, with the business correspondent who will be anchoring one hour of World Business Today from next year.

Meanwhile CNN International has quietly added the hour long Erin Burnett OutFront to the schedule on weekdays at 05:00 (South African time) (from next week onwards, it will be at 06:00 in the mornings) although no official announcement was made about it by the global news channel.

CNN has effectively killed American Morning, shown on CNN in America and simulcast on CNN International. American Morning is gone from CNN International's line-up and will be replaced in America by a new show in 2012.