The riots in British cities have unsurprisingly dominated headlines in domestic papers. But there has also been extensive coverage overseas. So what does the rest of the world make of the unrest?

"Everyone is just very shocked," said Ravi Somaiya, a reporter with the New York Times.

Mr Somaiya told the BBC's Today programme that the riots had been a big story for the US, dominating the front pages of his paper for several days.

"I mean a couple of months ago Britain was Harry Potter and the Royal Wedding. Now it is phone-hacking and riots in the street.

"It's quite a turnaround," he said.

US papers have differed on their interpretations of the riots, but Mr Somaiya says many attribute it to social inequality.

"I think the word 'underclass' comes up quite a lot because it has a lot of resonance obviously with an American audience where there is similar income inequality," he said.