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Social Media’s Role in UK Riots Linked to Deep-Seated Issues, Scholar Says

A scholar in sociology at the University of London has suggested that while social media played a role in the recent violent protests across the UK, the real driver behind the unrest lies in deeper, latent issues within society.
Dr. Stephanie Alice Baker pointed out that the violence and unrest triggered by recent incidents are symptomatic of a larger, underlying problem. “The tipping point of the violence highlights a much broader issue that has been simmering beneath the surface,” Baker said. She emphasized that social media’s role in the riots was largely symbolic, facilitating communication and solidarity among protesters rather than directly inciting violence.
Baker attributes the unrest to a sense of “denied freedoms” and threats to national sovereignty, which have been exacerbated by increasing immigration and a cost-of-living crisis. “There are emerging feelings of nationalism, a sense that people are being left behind, and concerns that their freedoms are under threat. These grievances are often projected onto ‘the other’,” she explained.
The UK has experienced a week of intense violence, with anti-immigrant and Islamophobic slogans dominating the clashes between crowds and police. The riots, which have spread across more than a dozen towns and cities including London, Manchester, Liverpool, and Belfast, were ignited by right-wing activists who used social media to spread misinformation about a tragic knife attack that killed three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed event.
Baker believes that these right-wing groups were already harboring significant grievances and seized the opportunity to act out their frustrations. “The sight of others engaging in violence can embolden and enable people to join in,” she noted.
The unrest, described as some of the worst Britain has seen in years, has resulted in hundreds of arrests. Rioters have been involved in violent confrontations with police, looted shops, and attacked hotels housing asylum-seekers. In response, the government has vowed to enforce the law strictly against the rioters and has deployed a “standing army” of specialist police units to manage the situation.
As the new government struggles to restore order, the underlying societal issues highlighted by Baker remain a pressing concern, indicating that addressing these deeper problems may be essential to preventing future outbreaks of violence.
News
Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.
The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.
According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”
Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.
The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.
The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.
PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.
News
Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.
According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”
The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.
Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.
The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.
There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.
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