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Lord Wallace remembered for his integrity and humility at funeral

A former leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Scotland’s inaugural deputy first minister passed away last month at the age of 71.

A funeral service was held in Orkney to honor the memory of Lord Wallace, who was remembered for his "integrity, sincerity and humility" by those who attended.

A hearse carrying the coffin of Lord Wallace passes St Magnus Cathedral. People have lined the side of the road
The funeral was held at St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney

The former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, who served as Scotland's first deputy first minister, passed away last month at the age of 71.

Lord Wallace had undergone a medical procedure at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, but unfortunately succumbed to complications that arose afterwards.

The funeral, which took place at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, was attended by several notable figures, including First Minister John Swinney, UK Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton.

Eulogies were delivered by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur and MP Alasdair Carmichael, both of whom paid tribute to Lord Wallace's life and legacy.

Following Lord Wallace's passing, Alex Cole-Hamilton described him as a key figure in shaping modern Scotland and one of the most distinguished liberals in the party's history.

In an emotional tribute, Liam McArthur recalled how Lord Wallace had given him his first job as a researcher in 1990, after interviewing him at a pub in Edinburgh's Waverley railway station.

Jim Wallace is standing before the wooden walls of the Assembly Hall in Edinburgh. He is wearing a black ceremonial robe, fastened at his collar, black suit, white shirt and mid-blue tie.
Lord Wallace died following a medical procedure last month
old photo of Jim Wallace taken in the 1980s. He has dark grey hair and large glasses. HIs mouth is open mid speech.
Jim Wallace became MP for Orkney and Shetland in 1983 and joined the Scottish Parliament in 1999

McArthur went on to describe the significant impact Lord Wallace had on his life, saying that their friendship and mentorship spanned 36 years.

Lord Wallace played a pivotal role in the development of the Scottish Parliament, working to ensure that politicians from different parties could work together effectively.

According to McArthur, Lord Wallace provided stability and leadership during the early years of the Scottish Parliament, a time marked by significant change and challenge.

McArthur noted that Lord Wallace's calm and experienced approach was exactly what was needed during that time, making him an invaluable asset to the parliament.

Regardless of how well someone knew Lord Wallace, McArthur said that the impression he left was consistent: a man of great integrity, sincerity, and humility.

John Swinney, Liam McArthur, Ed Davey, Alex Cole-Hamilton and Alasdair Carmichael stand among a number of mourners outside the cathedral doors
First Minister John Swinney (third left) and a number of Lib Dem politicians were among mourners at the funeral

McArthur remembered Lord Wallace as someone who was genuine and authentic, with no pretenses or hidden agendas.

Although Lord Wallace was originally from Annan, he had a deep affection for the islands and worked tirelessly to represent the interests of islanders.

To his constituents, Lord Wallace was a hardworking and approachable figure, known for his empathy and sense of humor.

McArthur's voice cracked with emotion as he described Lord Wallace as "the best of men".

He concluded his tribute by referencing a song sung by Tartan Army fans in 1990, asking when they would see someone like Lord Wallace again.

In his own address, Alasdair Carmichael remembered Lord Wallace as a great man who was never grand or self-important, but rather kind, thoughtful, and approachable.

Jim Wallace is leaning forward and smiling broadly at the camera. He has short, grey/white hair and metal-rimmed glasses. He is wearing a dark suit jacket and a white shirt. Only his head and shoulders are showing on the picture
Lord Wallace was born in Annan in Dumfries and Galloway but made Orkney his home

Carmichael noted that Lord Wallace was always willing to help those in need, and that his assistance had made a significant difference in the lives of many people.

He concluded by saying that although Lord Wallace would be deeply missed, his memory and legacy would never be forgotten.

Lord Wallace's brother, Neil, also spoke at the funeral, paying tribute to his brother's work ethic, moral compass, and courage in the face of challenges.

Neil Wallace described his brother as an inspiration, citing his dedication to his work and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

Despite his many accomplishments, Neil Wallace said that his brother never lost sight of his humble beginnings and always remained grounded.

He remembered his brother as someone who could move effortlessly between different social circles, never losing his sense of empathy or compassion for others.

The funeral service was led by the Rev Dr Marjory MacLean, who reflected on Lord Wallace's long history of involvement with the Church of Scotland.

Dr MacLean noted that Lord Wallace's appointment as Moderator was a highlight of his many years of service to the church, which included roles as a member, elder, and commissioner to the General Assembly.

Born in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, Lord Wallace attended Annan Academy before studying at Cambridge and Edinburgh universities.

Flags outside the Scottish Parliament being flown at half mast at night
Flags at the Scottish Parliament were flown at half mast following Lord Wallace's death

He began his political career as MP for Orkney and Shetland in 1983, later becoming an MSP for Orkney in 1999.

As deputy first minister, Lord Wallace took on the role of acting First Minister on several occasions, including after the death of Donald Dewar and the resignation of Henry McLeish.

He stepped down as an MSP in 2007 and was subsequently appointed to the House of Lords.

Lord Wallace served on the Calman Commission, which recommended extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

A prominent figure in the Liberal Democrats, he campaigned alongside Alex Cole-Hamilton as recently as 2024.

After completing his legal training, Lord Wallace became a barrister in 1979, specializing in civil law cases, and was later appointed a QC in 1997.

Raised in the Church of Scotland, Lord Wallace's faith and politics were closely intertwined throughout his life.

In 2021, he took on the role of Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, a position that reflected his deep commitment to his faith.

Lord Wallace's wife, Rosie, remembered how he had sung in the Dunblane Cathedral choir over the Christmas period and was looking forward to spending more time with his grandchildren.

She found comfort in the fact that he was surrounded by loved ones when he passed away.

The family had been together in Scotland over Christmas, with Lord Wallace's daughter Clare and her family visiting from New Zealand.

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Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.

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Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling

A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.

The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.

A close-up photo of Chloe Mitchell - a young woman with long, straight, fair hair -  smiling at the camera. She is wearing black-framed sunglasses with blue lenses on her head, which are partially visible.
Chloe Mitchell's remains were found eight days after she went missing in 2023

Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.

Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.

Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.

Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.

The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.

The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.

The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.

The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.

The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.

Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.

Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.

Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.

Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.

The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.

A close-up of Brandon Rainey, a man with short, fair hair and stubble, looking at the camera.  He is sitting in a vehicle on a dark, wet night.
Brandon Rainey is accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.

The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.

Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.

Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.

George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.

He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.

However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.

The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia".
Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

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