Sustained anti-government rallies in Thailand, Ukraine and Venezuela have captured the attention of millions. But large pro-democracy demonstrations in Burkina Faso last month largely escaped the Western media’s radar. Since January, tensions have flared between the West African country’s authoritarian government and the impoverished masses yearning for democratic reforms. Depending on how developments unfold, the protests in Burkina Faso could serve as a catalyst for further uprisings in the region.

Donations for communities affected by "Yolanda" continue to pour in, three months after the super typhoon hit the central Philippines. The African Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo handed over to Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez the collective donation of the ADC and the Association of the Wives of African Ambassadors for victims of "Yolanda".

Taiwan's overseas medical missions are a projection of the nation's soft power, Foreign Minister Timothy Yang said Wednesday at a meeting held to encourage hospitals to take part in international humanitarian projects.