When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

Already a subscriber? Log in .

You've reached your limit of one free article.

Get unlimited access to Worldcrunch

You can cancel anytime .

SUBSCRIBERS BENEFITS

Exclusive International news coverage

Ad-free experience NEW

Weekly digital Magazine NEW

9 daily & weekly Newsletters

Access to Worldcrunch archives

Free trial

30-days free access, then $2.90
per month.

Annual Access BEST VALUE

$19.90 per year, save $14.90 compared to monthly billing.save $14.90.

Subscribe to Worldcrunch
Geopolitics

Tunisia, Lebanon, Pakistan: Anti-West Riots Spread Further Across Muslim World

AL JAZEERA (Qatar), REUTERS, BBC (UK), SANA (Syria)

Worldcrunch

Anger against the West is spreading throughout the Muslim world as further reports of attacks on the UK, German and US embassies develop Friday afternoon.

Following Pope Benedict XVI's arrival Friday for a three-day trip to Lebanon, anti-Western protests amassed in the country's second-largest city Tripoli. Reuters reports at least one demonstrator has been killed and a branch of the Kentucky Fried Chicken fast-food restaurant was set on fire earlier in the afternoon.

Reuters is also reporting that the U.S. Embassy compound in Tunis has been attacked, with officials firing warning shots. Demonstrators in Tunisia, where the pro-democracy Arab Spring was launched, are reportedly waving an Islamic flag similar to the one used after protestors tore down the American flag in Cairo on Tuesday, that reads: "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger."

Al Jazeera is currently reporting that black smoke is rising from the German embassy in Khartoum, Sudan. Reports have confirmed that the fire has been contained in the embassy compound and not the building itself.

RT @reuters: FLASH: Protesters set fire to American school in Tunis, follow live updates here: bit.ly/PpLQAG

— Mahir Zeynalov (@MahirZeynalov) September 14, 2012

SANA the state-run Syrian news agency is reporting that hundreds of protesters have assembled outside the American embassy in Damascus. The protesters seem to be pro-Syrian government supporters, brandishing images of current President Bashar al-Assad.

The BBC reported there have also been additional clashes in Egypt and Yemen, which have witnessed previous scenes of anti-American discontent.

Similar protests against the anti-Islam film have spread to Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria and Pakistan amongst others since Tuesday.

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

Economy

How A Xi Jinping Dinner In San Francisco May Have Sealed Mastercard's Arrival In China

The credit giant becomes only the second player after American Express to be allowed to set up a bank card-clearing RMB operation in mainland China.

Photo of a hand holding a phone displaying an Union Pay logo, with a Mastercard VISA logo in the background of the photo.

Mastercard has just been granted a bank card clearing license in China.

Liu Qianshan

-Analysis-

It appears that one of the biggest beneficiaries from Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to San Francisco was Mastercard.

The U.S. credit card giant has since secured eagerly anticipated approval to expand in China's massive financial sector, having finally obtained long sought approval from China's central bank and financial regulatory authorities to initiate a bank card business in China through its joint venture with its new Chinese partner.

For the latest news & views from every corner of the world, Worldcrunch Today is the only truly international newsletter. Sign up here.

Through a joint venture in China between Mastercard and China's NetsUnion Clearing Corporation, dubbed Mastercard NUCC, it has officially entered mainland China as an RMB currency clearing organization. It's only the second foreign business of its kind to do so following American Express in 2020.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that the development is linked to Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting on Nov. 15 with U.S. President Joe Biden in San Francisco, part of a two-day visit that also included dinner that Xi had with U.S. business executives.

Keep reading...Show less

The latest