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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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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.

To stay up-to-date on the latest tech news and trends, sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter; international readers can subscribe via an alternative link.

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Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire

Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.

Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.

The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.

According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.

Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.

With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.

The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.

An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.

A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.

Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.

Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.

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