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October 17, 2014updated 20 Oct 2014 5:09pm

The week in brief: BBC launches ebola Whatsapp service, X Factor finalist ‘loses out on £30k OK deal after asking for £300k’

By William Turvill

The BBC World Service has launched a "lifeline" Ebola service on Whatsapp for the people of West Africa.

Providing public health information on the disease using audio, text message and images, the new service is available in English and French.

The service is available on +44 7702 348651.


An X Factor finalist reportedly lost out on a £30,000 deal with OK magazine to cover his wedding after demanding ten times the amount.

Rylan Clark, 25, who came fifth in the show in 2012, is due to marry his partner Dan Neal next year.

A source told The Sun: “That’s the kind of money an A-lister like Madonna would command not a former X Factor contestant.

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"Unsurprisingly his demand wasn’t snapped up.”


Free Trinity Mirror weekly Glasgow Now is set to publish its final print edition this week and go digital only.

According to Holdthefrontpage, Trinity Mirror said the title – formerly known as The Glaswegian – will now be able to "focus on breaking news, politics and social issues".

Along with Edinburgh Now and Aberdeen Now – which went digital only in April – it was previously available as a free Daily Record supplement or as a stand-alone publication.


Seven writers from former Local World magazine Venue have reportedly teamed up with independent website Bristol 24/7 for a new print and online venture.

Launched in 1982, Venue went online-only in 2011 and then was axed by Local World last November, according to Holdthefrontpage.

The website reports that a 112-page free monthly magazine with a print run of 20,000 is to be launched by Bristol 24/7 along with a revamped website.


Stoke Sentinel deputy editor Martin Tideswell has been promoted to editor-in-chief of the Local World title, replacing Richard Bowyer – who stood down last week after 15 months in the job, and eight years at the title.

Tideswell, who joined the Sentinel in 1998, also has responsibility for the Leek Post and Times and the Staffordshire Newsletter titles.

He said: “Having read The Sentinel as a child and then delivered it as a teenager, I have always felt privileged to work for my home city newspaper. I am, as our slogan says, ‘Local and Proud’. Having been brought up in the Potteries, I know the patch very well and, having been with The Sentinel for 16 years, I know the strengths of the terrific, dedicated team of journalists we have here. I am proud to lead them.”


Future has announced that T3 magazine editor is to become editor of Gizmodo UK. He will be replaced at T3 by Tom Dennis, who has worked across Future' digital brands, including Photography Week.

Gizmodo UK launched in September 2011. According to Future, it averages more than 1.6m monthly unique users globally.

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