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Metro
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
We recreated the January 6th insurrection through a wargame - here's how it went
In January 2021, thousands of Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC. But four years later, in one of his first moves as President for a second term, Trump issued mass-pardons to all those who were charged and convicted in relation to the insurrection. So, what's the best way to tackle the all-consuming frustration, grief and despair over Trump's decision? Create a tabletop wargame about it, of course. Enter Fight for America! – an immersive art installation where players are invited to revisit the moments leading up to the storming of the Capitol and are faced with questions of 'division, democracy, and dialogue' as they take part. It was created by the American Vicarious, an American not-for-profit organisation that makes pieces designed to grapple with America's identity crisis. Their past work includes a theatre reproduction of the famous Cambridge Union debate between the writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin and William F. Buckley Jr. Last week, they launched the game in the UK. The creators told Metro they felt it was right to relocate its premiere due to the turbulent political situation in the US, one which they had 'never imagined' when they began production two years ago. The game experience was run for a month and saw people take part in recreating the events of January 6th (Picture: Izzie Jones and Owen Davies/Metro) How it works is, players are broken up into sides – the 'red team' or the 'blue team' – and asked strategy-based questions about how they're going to proceed, similar to Warhammer. In fact, the game was designed by Alessio Cavatore, a renowned Warhammer games designer responsible for penning the rules to Games Workshop's flagship three tabletop titles – Warhammer, Warhammer 40k, and The Lord of the Rings. If you're a bit lost here and need a sense of how important this guy is, he was given a cameo in Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. There's a running question throughout that the players need to bear in mind when making their controversial moves – What about America is worth fighting for? As members of Metro's GameCentral team, we were invited along to take part in one of the games at their month-long residency in central London to see what it was all about. Owen was assigned to the 'blue team', representing the police officers who were on duty to defend the Capitol building that day, and faced off against Izzie, who in her own words, 'magnanimously' volunteered to join the 'red team'. She took charge of a host of tiny painted figures of The Proud Boys and QAnon, who were intent on breaching the doors to overturn an election that they considered was 'stolen.' Owen pledged his allegiance to the flag before the game (Picture Izzie Jones and Owen Davies/Metro) While Izzie pledged her allegiance to…Aladdin's Proud of Your Boy (Picture Izzie Jones and Owen Davies/Metro) We were also assigned real-life individuals who were at the Capitol that day. Owen was given the role of Commander Robert Glover of the DC Metropolitan Police while Izzie was appointed Enrique Tarrio, chairman of the Proud Boys. Neal Wilkinson, co-creator and designer, told Metro the game was created in consultation with DC police officers, who were present on January 6th. The tabletop battle was, to put it bluntly, totally one-sided. Just like on the day, police officers at the Capitol were vastly outnumbered by the insurrectionists, hell bent on forcing their way inside the building. Needless to say, the only way the police could win any clashes at all was through sheer luck. While playing it, we found it gave us just a small glimpse into what the mindset of the police must have been on the day – it was soon no longer about 'winning', it was about buying time for the people inside to get out with their lives. Each unit had a corresponding number of dice to be rolled – a group of Proud Boys were worth three dice, for example – and they could be backed by other units to increase that number, in turn increasing the likelihood of success (Picture: Izzie Jones and Owen Davies/Metro) Lose a dice roll by more than three and the losing unit is removed from the board completely (Picture: Izzie Jones and Owen Davies/Metro) Even against the overwhelming odds, only one Proud Boy unit made it inside the Capitol before time was up, although Owen's forces had been reduced to just a single riot police squad to guard the doors. The final minigame now was to find then-Vice President Mike Pence, hiding within the Capitol Building. One mad scramble later and he was discovered. But the highs of winning were short-lived. Almost immediately after victory was declared, TV screens in the venue displayed real-life footage of January 6th – showing the maiming that we had been so gleefully recreating for the past couple of hours. While we had not devised the game, its rules or its irreverent tone, it was hard not to feel a sense of guilt at taking part in it. Christopher McElroen, one of the games' directors, emphasised that despite being a fun time, there are serious messages about the current state of American democracy at the piece's heart. 'We decided to pursue this as a game, as a metaphor for democracy because a game only works if people participate,' he told Metro. 'Democracy only works if people participate.' Neal added they had initially planned to premiere the piece in New York City on January 6th earlier this year. But these plans changed after Trump was re-elected. 'We quickly came to realise that a New York crowd would not be willing or interested in gaming about those events,' he said. 'We thought a critical distance of an ocean would be good for us.' Certainly none of the audience showed any signs of trepidation about the evening's premise. The mini figures were mocked up to look like members of the police and also of the insurrectionists (Picture: Izzie Jones and Owen Davies/Metro) At the end of the game, the goal was to find former Vice-President Mike Pence (Picture: Izzie Jones and Owen Davies/Metro) Izzie, who played on the side of the insurrectionists, won the game. But at what cost?(Picture: Izzie Jones and Owen Davies/Metro) Before the game began, Christopher said: 'It was a violent insurrection and that history is actively being rewritten. On the President's first day in office, he chose to pardon or commute the sentences of everyone who participated in that act of violence.' Indeed, this included Izzie's 'character' for the evening, Enrique. He is currently suing the US government for $100 million alleging that they 'violated his constitutional rights'. It seems that even if we did, for a moment, consider the events of January 6th a game, there are quite a few who have never taken it seriously at all. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: 'Hide your bridesmaids': The inside story of Wedding Crashers as it celebrates 20 years Arrow MORE: Maga faithful warn Trump 'we won't fall in line' over Epstein investigation Arrow MORE: Rosie O'Donnell posts fiery response after Trump threatens to revoke citizenship
Business News Wales
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Owen Davies Joins GlobalWelsh as Placemaking Associate
GlobalWelsh, a non-profit organisation focused on engaging and connecting the Welsh diaspora, has announced that Owen Davies has joined the team in an advisory role as Placemaking Associate. This new appointment formalises an already successful collaboration between Owen and GlobalWelsh and strengthens the organisation's place-based strategies and regional development efforts across Wales. Owen Davies will take on this role alongside leading his consultancy practice, Owen Davies Consulting. Through this dual role, Owen will provide strategic advice and support to GlobalWelsh's local and regional initiatives while remaining active in his ongoing consultancy work with towns, cities, and local authorities across the UK. Owen, a Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) and Fellow of the Institute of Place Management (FIPM), has more than 30 years' experience in placemaking, masterplanning, and regeneration. He is the founder of Owen Davies Consulting and Gwagle, a shared workspace in Abergavenny. His consultancy has supported more than 80 towns and cities, and he has served on the UK Government's High Street Task Force Experts Panel and the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns Ministerial Task Group. He also led the delivery of Wrexham's successful City Status bid and its City Centre Placemaking Plan. This appointment marks a significant step in the ongoing partnership between Owen Davies Consulting and GlobalWelsh, who have already collaborated on innovative place-based diaspora engagement projects in regions across Wales, including Blaenau Gwent. By formalising the relationship, the two organisations aim to further strengthen GlobalWelsh's approach to inward investment, localised diaspora engagement, and place-based economic development. Walter May, founder and CEO of GlobalWelsh said: 'We are thrilled to welcome Owen to the GlobalWelsh team in a more formal capacity. At the heart of all diaspora engagement programmes is a connection to place. Owen's deep knowledge and passion for placemaking will be invaluable as we scale our impact at the local and regional level.' In this new role, Owen will also act as a public sector advisor and ambassador for GlobalWelsh's work with councils, regions, and government partners. Owen's broader experience includes heritage restoration as Chair of the Plas Gunter Mansion Trust, and he is also a committed cyclist, British Cycling qualified coach and advocate for local cycling initiatives. He said: 'The Welsh diaspora—people who've left but remain deeply connected to the places they call home—has been largely overlooked in traditional economic strategies, despite being one of Wales's greatest untapped assets. Working with GlobalWelsh, I'm excited to help change that—leveraging the platform and its growing momentum to connect skills, investment, and lived experience with the communities across Wales that need them most.'
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Moment 'mini Jaws' is spotted lurking off British coast with children playing just metres away
A massive 7ft shark was spotted just metres off the British coast, leaving locals stunned. Dubbed a 'mini Jaws', the terrifying creature is thought to be a 2m porbeagle and was spotted off Aberdovey (also known as Aberdyfi) in Wales on Sunday afternoon. Owen Davies managed to capture the remarkable moment the endangered shark - which can be a danger to humans - was seen swimming in circles with the dorsal fin breaching the water surface. Mr Davies, 67, said he was on his way home after a few days in the area and noticed a crowd of people with their phone cameras out as a toddler played on the shoreline. He said: 'The previous day I'd noticed a lot of huge barrelled jelly fish around there but they don't normally catch peoples attention. 'I slowed down as I passed and then I saw a dorsal fin, so I pulled over to have a better look. 'I'm 67 years of age, born and bread in Aberdovey and have never seen a shark in the river, as kids we used to see the odd porpoise swimming up the estuary but never a shark.' The shark - which can grow up to 12 feet long and weigh as much as 600 pounds - was spotted 'four foot' off the old lifeboat slipway in Penhelig, Aberdovey. He said: 'I was really surprised, I've never seen a shark in the estuary before.' Another local, Simon Howes, said: 'Wow shark in Aberdyfi.' The porbeagle shark is a species of mackerel shark that inhabits cold and temperate waters of the North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere. The impressive beast is also member of the Lamnidae family and is one of the closest living relatives of Great whites. But the shark was believed to be injured or ill and had to be rescued by divers. The coastguard set up a boundary around the shark that looked in distress so people wouldn't approach it as divers helped the endangered animal. The shark is believed to have survived and swum back out of the estuary with the rising tide. A coastguard spokesperson said: 'HM Coastguard Aberystwyth were tasked at the request of MRCC Milford Haven. 'To assist the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, BDMLR with a two-metre long juvenile Porbeagle shark swimming in the area. 'Between the pier and the bandstand that was thought to be ill or injured and in danger of beaching itself. 'The CRT were tasked to provide safety cover for BDMLR and also to provide a bit of crowd control. 'To ensure no members of the public put themselves in harm's way, or inadvertently caused the shark further distress. 'After low tide and no further sightings, 'mini jaws' had seemingly made it out of the bay and so the CRT were stood down.' Porbeagle sharks are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN globally. In the UK, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is illegal to intentionally catch or kill them in British waters. Although porbeagles are physically capable of attacking humans, very few attacks have been attributed to the species.
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
'Mini jaws' off North Wales coast as public urged to keep distance
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A two metre long shark - nicknamed 'mini-Jaws' - has been spotted next to the shoreline at two beaches in Wales in recent days. The first incident was on Friday evening at Aberystwyth's North Beach. Onlookers spotted the shark close to the wooden jetty on the beach. It was reported to sealife charities and also the coastguard over concerns it was at risk of beaching itself. The public were urged to stay away from the Porbeagle shark over concerns they could get injured and also cause additional stress for the animal. The second spotting was in Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, on Sunday - where Simon Howes and Owen Davies were among those who captured pictures and a video of what is understood to be the same shark. Simon Howes said: "Wow, sharks in Aberdyfi." (Image: Simon Howes) Owen Davies said: "That's a first for me in Aberdyfi - a SHARK up by the Penhelig Arms hotel." One person said: "Probably the same one that was in Aberystwyth." Another added: "Wow! He was in Aber Friday evening, nearly beached himself." (Image: Owen Davies) On the Aberystwyth incident the coastguard said: "HM Coastguard Aberystwyth were tasked at the request of MRCC Milford Haven to assist the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) with a 2m long juvenile Porbeagle shark swimming in the area between the pier and the bandstand that was thought to be ill/injured and in danger of beaching itself. "The CRT were tasked to provide safety cover for BDMLR and also to provide a bit of crowd control to ensure no members of the public put themselves in harms way, or inadvertently caused the shark further distress. "After low tide and no further sightings, 'mini jaws' had seemingly made it out of the bay and so the CRT were stood down." Porbeagle sharks: The porbeagle shark belongs to the same family as the great white and Mako sharks. These are fast-swimming, powerful hunters, perfectly adapted to life in the open ocean. They can reach lengths of up to 12 feet (3.65 meters) and weigh over 500 pounds (230 kilograms). Porbeagles are instantly recognizable by their streamlined, torpedo-shaped bodies, large black eyes, and a short, conical snout. Their dorsal side is a sleek bluish-grey, contrasting with a snowy white belly—classic countershading that helps them ambush prey. One tell-tale feature for identification is a distinctive white patch at the base of their dorsal fin, a marker that sets them apart from similar species. Porbeagle sharks are currently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN globally. In the UK, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is illegal to intentionally catch or kill them in British waters. Historically targeted for their meat, fins, and sport (particularly during the 1950s–70s), porbeagles were once a common trophy in offshore game fishing. Today, those practices have largely ceased, but their populations have yet to fully recover. Although porbeagles are physically capable of attacking humans, very few attacks have been attributed to the species. According to the International Shark Attack File, there have only been three incidents involving a porbeagle bite - one provoked and two on boats when fishers were boarding the shark. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
North Wales Live
06-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
'Mini jaws' off North Wales coast as public urged to keep distance
A two metre long shark - nicknamed 'mini-Jaws' - has been spotted next to the shoreline at two beaches in Wales in recent days. The first incident was on Friday evening at Aberystwyth's North Beach. Onlookers spotted the shark close to the wooden jetty on the beach. It was reported to sealife charities and also the coastguard over concerns it was at risk of beaching itself. The public were urged to stay away from the Porbeagle shark over concerns they could get injured and also cause additional stress for the animal. The second spotting was in Aberdyfi, Gwynedd, on Sunday - where Simon Howes and Owen Davies were among those who captured pictures and a video of what is understood to be the same shark. Simon Howes said: "Wow, sharks in Aberdyfi." Owen Davies said: "That's a first for me in Aberdyfi - a SHARK up by the Penhelig Arms hotel." One person said: "Probably the same one that was in Aberystwyth." Another added: "Wow! He was in Aber Friday evening, nearly beached himself." On the Aberystwyth incident the coastguard said: "HM Coastguard Aberystwyth were tasked at the request of MRCC Milford Haven to assist the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) with a 2m long juvenile Porbeagle shark swimming in the area between the pier and the bandstand that was thought to be ill/injured and in danger of beaching itself. "The CRT were tasked to provide safety cover for BDMLR and also to provide a bit of crowd control to ensure no members of the public put themselves in harms way, or inadvertently caused the shark further distress. "After low tide and no further sightings, 'mini jaws' had seemingly made it out of the bay and so the CRT were stood down." Porbeagle sharks: The porbeagle shark belongs to the same family as the great white and Mako sharks. These are fast-swimming, powerful hunters, perfectly adapted to life in the open ocean. They can reach lengths of up to 12 feet (3.65 meters) and weigh over 500 pounds (230 kilograms). Porbeagles are instantly recognizable by their streamlined, torpedo-shaped bodies, large black eyes, and a short, conical snout. Their dorsal side is a sleek bluish-grey, contrasting with a snowy white belly—classic countershading that helps them ambush prey. One tell-tale feature for identification is a distinctive white patch at the base of their dorsal fin, a marker that sets them apart from similar species. Porbeagle sharks are currently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN globally. In the UK, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is illegal to intentionally catch or kill them in British waters. Historically targeted for their meat, fins, and sport (particularly during the 1950s–70s), porbeagles were once a common trophy in offshore game fishing. Today, those practices have largely ceased, but their populations have yet to fully recover. Although porbeagles are physically capable of attacking humans, very few attacks have been attributed to the species. According to the International Shark Attack File, there have only been three incidents involving a porbeagle bite - one provoked and two on boats when fishers were boarding the shark.
