Belfast riots

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Europe Edition - Today's top story: Belfast unrest shows the power of social media as far‑right views on immigration enter the mainstream View in browser 11 June 2026 Europe Edition Frightening scenes have emerged out of Northern Ireland over the last two nights. In Belfast and elsewhere rioters have torched cars and houses, and reportedly targeted immigrant communities and businesses in response to an alleged knife attack that occurred on Monday. A 30-year-old man from Sudan, who entered the UK in 2023, has been charged with attempted murder. The current disorder fits what Paul Reilly identifies as an established playbook in UK media and politics: an event sparks outrage, far-right leaders fan the flames, and mainstream politicians offer weak platitudes in response. As the violence escalates, facts become irrelevant, and toxic discourse spreads like wildfire across traditional and social media. What can be done to keep this in check and prevent future unrest? Online platforms are partly to blame for the spread of misinformation, but Reilly argues that public figures must also start presenting a firm, clear and factual narrative on immigration. Elsewhere, we take a look at the history of burnout, and at the Victorians’ surprisingly modern cure: a holiday spent in “legitimate idleness” on the shores of the Mediterranean. And as street art becomes more mainstream, we often forget to ask whether colourful murals and striking sculptures actually make life better for the people who live alongside them. But the relationship between urban art and quality of life isn’t always straightforward. Under the right conditions it can meaningfully improve an area for its residents – but it can also make their lives much worse. Alex Minshall Editor, Valencia   Belfast unrest shows the power of social media as far‑right views on immigration enter the mainstream Paul Reilly, University of Glasgow Calls for calm as tensions rise are often a case of too little, too late. Belfast violence: an uncomfortable reminder of the innocent people ‘burnt out’ during the Troubles Brendan Ciarán Browne, Trinity College Dublin Families fled burning homes as violence flared in the city.   Victorians called burnout ‘overwork’ – and they cured it by holidaying in France Sally Shuttleworth, University of Oxford Victorians were acutely aware of the health problems which could come from devotion to the ‘gospel of work’. Why street art doesn’t always make a city better Juan Manuel Ros García, Universidad CEU San Pablo From sculptures to graffiti, urban art can improve quality of life – but it can also do the exact opposite without proper planning. Can AI help coastal cities prepare for rising seas and extreme events? Andrea Ficchì, AXA Research Fund; Polytechnic University of Milan; Emiliano Longo, Polytechnic University of Milan Extreme storm surges can be predicted much faster with high accuracy thanks to a new AI model that helps researchers and practitioners improve coastal flood risk assessment and adaptation planning. Ocean monitoring is in trouble: without the US, it’s up to Europe and Asia to avoid losing sight of the world’s deep-sea ecosystems Sabrina Speich, École normale supérieure (ENS) – PSL; John Abraham, University of St. Thomas; Kevin Trenberth, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Lijing Cheng,, Chinese Academy of Sciences Defunding marine monitoring networks could jeopardise efforts to avoid losing track of the world’s oceans and their precious ecosystems, which drive the blue economy. Iran’s attacks on Israel were an attempt to shape the region on its own terms – and it might just do so Andrew Gawthorpe, Leiden University Iran and Israel have attacked each other for the first time since April. Europe is caught in a squeeze between the US and China Kerry Brown, King's College London It is becoming more difficult for Europe to balance its relationships with Washington and Beijing.   Marjane Satrapi, the woman who helped the world understand Iran Firouzeh Nahavandi, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) Marjane Satrapi will be remembered for her eye-opening film Persepolis which transformed not only Westerners but also exiled Iranians’ understanding of Iran in a simple yet powerful way. Made in the USA: how national populism is shaping marketing campaigns Chadwick Miller, IESE Business School (Universidad de Navarra) ; Albert Valenti, IESE Business School (Universidad de Navarra) ; Íñigo Gallo, IESE Business School (Universidad de Navarra) Far-right electoral gains tend to push consumers away from ‘foreign’ brands. Pedro Sánchez: how a string of corruption allegations could make Spain’s Socialist party a threat to its own coalition Asbel Bohigues, Universitat de València Allegations have been made against Sánchez’ inner circle and family, though not against the prime minister himself. ‘2,500 years of tyranny and submission’: what we can learn from reading Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis during the Iran War Ibrahim Al-Marashi, IE University; California State University San Marcos Satrapi’s masterpiece offers profound insights into Iranian society. No, regaining weight after losing it won’t permanently damage your metabolism – new research Juan Alfonso Revenga Frauca, Universidad Internacional de Valencia; Universidad San Jorge; José Miguel Soriano del Castillo, Universitat de València ‘Yo-yo’ dieting is not healthy, but a new review found no evidence that it causes irreparable harm. Can AI really spot the next football superstar – or is it changing the game in troubling ways? Leah Monsees, Malmö University Technology increasingly promises to make talent identification more efficient and more objective. But can talent can be reduced to numbers and can AI be bias-free? Green growth claims are overstated – our study shows three reasons why Marina Requena-i-Mora, University of Sheffield; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Dan Brockington, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Real efforts have been made, and recent lines on the chart do go in the right direction. But what if they are wobbles, not turns.   You’re receiving this newsletter from The Conversation The Conversation France (assoc. 1901) 14, rue Sainte-Cécile 75009 Paris Forward to a friend  •  Unsubscribe