The age of the 24-hour rolling news channel is one in which it would seem almost impossible to miss a beat on world events in which governments topple or thousands are killed.
Yet allegations of organised crime at the height of authority, a bloody battle on Europe's doorstep and the rampant sexual exploitation of children by rich Westerners are just some of the 'under-reported' stories shaping the globe right now.
Inspired by a recent Reddit thread, these are 12 little-known stories which deserve far more attention...
12 Under-Reported World Stories
Guatemala's Political Crisis(01 of12)
Ongoing right now, the former president and vice-president of Guatemala are in court, implicated in an alleged customs fraud syndicate.
The scheme is believed to have lowered taxes and duties on imports in exchange for payments.
Nicknamed “The Line”, the ring counted elite members of Guatemalan politics among its members, according to a man who confessed to his involvement during a court hearing in September.
Salvador Estuardo Gonzalez Alvarez, known as “Eco” in the Guatemalan press, said that former President Otto Pérez Molina, pictured above in court, and former Vice President Roxana Baldetti took significant shares of the scheme’s profits.
After resigning on 2 September, Pérez was arrested on suspicion of corruption the next day.
Baldetti, the first female Vice President in the country, resigned in May after being named in the U.N. anti-corruption investigation which uncovered the entire scheme. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The scheme is believed to have lowered taxes and duties on imports in exchange for payments.
Nicknamed “The Line”, the ring counted elite members of Guatemalan politics among its members, according to a man who confessed to his involvement during a court hearing in September.
Salvador Estuardo Gonzalez Alvarez, known as “Eco” in the Guatemalan press, said that former President Otto Pérez Molina, pictured above in court, and former Vice President Roxana Baldetti took significant shares of the scheme’s profits.
After resigning on 2 September, Pérez was arrested on suspicion of corruption the next day.
Baldetti, the first female Vice President in the country, resigned in May after being named in the U.N. anti-corruption investigation which uncovered the entire scheme. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
India's Blockade Of Nepal(02 of12)
A trade blockade launched by India against Nepal has forced it to introduce fuel rationing, and seen its economy grind to a halt.
A bizarre “odd-even” system operates in the country limiting travel to vehicles with odd number plates on odd days, and those with even number plates on even days.
The Nepal Oil Corporation accused Indian customs and the Indian Oil Corporation of not allowing fuel trucks into Nepal and airlines cancelled flights into the country as a result of the shortage.
The Minister of Commerce in neighbouring Bangladesh condemned India’s actions last week. Tofail Ahmed said the blockade should end immediately.
Nepal passed its first constitution written by representatives of the people on September 20 – more than half a century in the making. But arguments between factions in the country led to India criticising the Nepalese government. Blockades began soon after. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A bizarre “odd-even” system operates in the country limiting travel to vehicles with odd number plates on odd days, and those with even number plates on even days.
The Nepal Oil Corporation accused Indian customs and the Indian Oil Corporation of not allowing fuel trucks into Nepal and airlines cancelled flights into the country as a result of the shortage.
The Minister of Commerce in neighbouring Bangladesh condemned India’s actions last week. Tofail Ahmed said the blockade should end immediately.
Nepal passed its first constitution written by representatives of the people on September 20 – more than half a century in the making. But arguments between factions in the country led to India criticising the Nepalese government. Blockades began soon after. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Bangladesh's Climate Change Peril(03 of12)
An impoverished nation with tiny carbon emission levels could well be left suffering from the most brutal effects of climate change as land that's home to millions sinks below sea level.
Despite producing less than 0.3% of the emissions that impact rising global temperatures, Bangladesh looks set to be one of the worst affected countries – potentially facing existential threats as a result.
Huge swathes of land including cities and towns are at risk of sinking below sea level entirely.
The country relies upon ground water for its drinking supply, resulting in constant pumping of the land. This destabilizes ground, so as sea levels rise, cities and townships begin to sink.
Bangladeshi residents have already begun moving away from low-lying coastal villages but slums built to cope with the migration are just as vulnerable to flooding. (credit:Allison Joyce via Getty Images)
Despite producing less than 0.3% of the emissions that impact rising global temperatures, Bangladesh looks set to be one of the worst affected countries – potentially facing existential threats as a result.
Huge swathes of land including cities and towns are at risk of sinking below sea level entirely.
The country relies upon ground water for its drinking supply, resulting in constant pumping of the land. This destabilizes ground, so as sea levels rise, cities and townships begin to sink.
Bangladeshi residents have already begun moving away from low-lying coastal villages but slums built to cope with the migration are just as vulnerable to flooding. (credit:Allison Joyce via Getty Images)
The Nicaraguan Canal Project(04 of12)
A plan to construct the world's biggest man-made waterway to allow ships passage across South America could have devastating environmental consequences.
Funded by a secretive Chinese billionaire, the Nicaraguan Canal project aims to connect east and west through the South American nation.
The canal may destroy or significantly change close to one million acres of rainforest.
Longer, wider and more complicated than the Panama Canal, the Nicaraguan project comes with many more risks than its smaller, southern cousin.
Wang Jing believes that his ambitions will ultimately be successful and it is predicted to become the world’s biggest construction project.
Local residents, engineers and environmental campaigners believe the project will have a critical impact upon Lake Nicaragua – South America’s largest. (credit:McClatchy DC via Getty Images)
Funded by a secretive Chinese billionaire, the Nicaraguan Canal project aims to connect east and west through the South American nation.
The canal may destroy or significantly change close to one million acres of rainforest.
Longer, wider and more complicated than the Panama Canal, the Nicaraguan project comes with many more risks than its smaller, southern cousin.
Wang Jing believes that his ambitions will ultimately be successful and it is predicted to become the world’s biggest construction project.
Local residents, engineers and environmental campaigners believe the project will have a critical impact upon Lake Nicaragua – South America’s largest. (credit:McClatchy DC via Getty Images)
Cambodian Sex Tourism (05 of12)
Rich Westerners are exploiting the extreme poverty of a developing nation to encourage the trafficking of young women and girls for sex.
Sexual exploitation is a huge problem in Cambodia.
A culture of gender inequality makes women especially vulnerable. Myths and other factors combine to create a market for the sale of virginal girls.
And with extreme poverty being prevalent, desperation is common. These factors are exploited by rich Western tourists travelling to the country for sex.
But efforts are being made to change things. American crime agencies are working with the authorities in Cambodia to attempt to investigate U.S. citizens abusing children there.
In one case, a British man was sentenced to 8 years in prison in the United Kingdom for 14 counts of abuse, including sexwith a girl younger than 13 years of age (PDF). (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Sexual exploitation is a huge problem in Cambodia.
A culture of gender inequality makes women especially vulnerable. Myths and other factors combine to create a market for the sale of virginal girls.
And with extreme poverty being prevalent, desperation is common. These factors are exploited by rich Western tourists travelling to the country for sex.
But efforts are being made to change things. American crime agencies are working with the authorities in Cambodia to attempt to investigate U.S. citizens abusing children there.
In one case, a British man was sentenced to 8 years in prison in the United Kingdom for 14 counts of abuse, including sexwith a girl younger than 13 years of age (PDF). (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Lebanon On The Brink Of Civil War(06 of12)
Extensive efforts to revive a country that's suffered prolonged periods of instability and violence have been undermined by the troubles of its neighbouring nations, leaving many fearing it may once again descend into civil war.
Despite a lengthy and destructive civil war ending a quarter of a century ago, Lebanon’s politics continue to be fractious.
Sectarianism fuels the sense that the nation is on the brink of another civil war and the current migration crisis has furthered problems in the country.
Millions of refugees have fled Syria to neighbouring Lebanon, 500,000 school-age children among them. The implosion of its neighbour has destablised Lebanon, long believed to be one of the more secure middle eastern nations.
There are social problems too. 24% of refugee girls in the country are getting married before they turn 18. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Despite a lengthy and destructive civil war ending a quarter of a century ago, Lebanon’s politics continue to be fractious.
Sectarianism fuels the sense that the nation is on the brink of another civil war and the current migration crisis has furthered problems in the country.
Millions of refugees have fled Syria to neighbouring Lebanon, 500,000 school-age children among them. The implosion of its neighbour has destablised Lebanon, long believed to be one of the more secure middle eastern nations.
There are social problems too. 24% of refugee girls in the country are getting married before they turn 18. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Mugabe's Regime In Zimbabwe (07 of12)
The tyrannical rule of Robert Mugabe has left a nation with a once diverse, prospering economy on the verge of ruin.
The 91-year-old has been president of Zimbabwe for 35 years. His regime has been criticised for placing political expedience above the good of the nation’s economy – and prosperity.
Despite being told he was too old to seek reelection in 2013 by his opponents, Mugabe fought the election successfully, and may well celebrate his centenary while in office.
Effects of economic sanction continue to blight the nation, whose diverse economy was torn apart by Mugabe’s efforts to consolidate power.
Most recently, the dictator told the UN in New York that he wished to see economic sanctions imposed on his country to be lifted “I therefore denounce, in the strongest terms, the illegal sanctions that are imposed on my country by the European Union and the USA and call for their immediate and unconditional removal,” he said. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The 91-year-old has been president of Zimbabwe for 35 years. His regime has been criticised for placing political expedience above the good of the nation’s economy – and prosperity.
Despite being told he was too old to seek reelection in 2013 by his opponents, Mugabe fought the election successfully, and may well celebrate his centenary while in office.
Effects of economic sanction continue to blight the nation, whose diverse economy was torn apart by Mugabe’s efforts to consolidate power.
Most recently, the dictator told the UN in New York that he wished to see economic sanctions imposed on his country to be lifted “I therefore denounce, in the strongest terms, the illegal sanctions that are imposed on my country by the European Union and the USA and call for their immediate and unconditional removal,” he said. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
China's Maritime Ambitions(08 of12)
China's seizure of territory in the South China Sea could see the world's two superpowers square up for a potential 'armageddon'.
The United States has confirmed that it would come to the Philippines’ aid should it be attacked in the dispute which revolves around Chinese developments .
China’s recent construction of an airstrip and two lighthouses in the territory has escalated tensions, as concerns are raised around Beijing’s maritime ambitions.
China claims most of the South China Sea – which carries trade worth $5 trillion each year – although the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have stakes, too. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The United States has confirmed that it would come to the Philippines’ aid should it be attacked in the dispute which revolves around Chinese developments .
China’s recent construction of an airstrip and two lighthouses in the territory has escalated tensions, as concerns are raised around Beijing’s maritime ambitions.
China claims most of the South China Sea – which carries trade worth $5 trillion each year – although the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have stakes, too. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Yemen's Political Implosion(09 of12)
An ongoing civil war in Yemen threatens stability in a country of strategic and geographic importance to the Middle East – and to the security of the West.
The main factions involved are forces loyal to embattled President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, and those allied to rebels known as Houthis.
Tensions flared in January when President Hadi announced his resignation, leading to the Houthis placing him under virtual house arrest. Shortly after this Hadi fled to his hometown, renounced his resignation, and described the previous month as a “coup d’état”.
But rebels made significant advances, and by March they had reached the outskirts of Aden, Hadi’s seat of power. He fled the country in exile shortly after.
Since then Hadi is believed to have resided in Riyadh, with a coalition of forces including the United States and Saudi Arabia launched military operations to re-instate the previous government, including airstrikes.
The situation remains perilous, with peace talks unproductive. At least 400 people have died since the conflict began. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The main factions involved are forces loyal to embattled President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, and those allied to rebels known as Houthis.
Tensions flared in January when President Hadi announced his resignation, leading to the Houthis placing him under virtual house arrest. Shortly after this Hadi fled to his hometown, renounced his resignation, and described the previous month as a “coup d’état”.
But rebels made significant advances, and by March they had reached the outskirts of Aden, Hadi’s seat of power. He fled the country in exile shortly after.
Since then Hadi is believed to have resided in Riyadh, with a coalition of forces including the United States and Saudi Arabia launched military operations to re-instate the previous government, including airstrikes.
The situation remains perilous, with peace talks unproductive. At least 400 people have died since the conflict began. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
South East Asia's Palm Oil Production(10 of12)
The production of palm oil across southeast Asia has destroyed millions of acres of forest and shows no signs of abeyance as global demand for the essence continues to drive expansion.
The farming of palm oil is considerably profitable, and thus supporters believe it provides wealth and sustainability to those regions in desperate need of economic prosperity.
However, the not inconsiderable tradeoffs include threats to “rich biological diversity” and that the methods used to farm the fuel may in fact lead to an increase in carbon emissions.
Deforestation, habitat degradation, climate change, and even animal cruelty are all supposed problems caused by the practice of farming palm oil.
Global demand is driven by consumer and industrial products using the essence, as one of the few edible oils to have a diverse application. (credit:Ulet Ifansasti via Getty Images)
The farming of palm oil is considerably profitable, and thus supporters believe it provides wealth and sustainability to those regions in desperate need of economic prosperity.
However, the not inconsiderable tradeoffs include threats to “rich biological diversity” and that the methods used to farm the fuel may in fact lead to an increase in carbon emissions.
Deforestation, habitat degradation, climate change, and even animal cruelty are all supposed problems caused by the practice of farming palm oil.
Global demand is driven by consumer and industrial products using the essence, as one of the few edible oils to have a diverse application. (credit:Ulet Ifansasti via Getty Images)
Ukraine's Continuing Conflict(11 of12)
Continuing conflict in Ukraine has seen thousands killed and many more injured as it enters its second full year of an intense military dispute.
The European Union is both the cause and potential solution to political and military fall out in Ukraine.
The country’s current crisis began in November 2013 when then-president Viktor Yanukovych suspended talks with the EU around a possible association agreement – a precursor to explorative talks around membership.
Since then more than 8,000 people have died in the conflict, after a “merciless devastation of civilian lives and infrastructure”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been clear about what he believes lies behind Ukraine’s problems: “A military coup orchestrated from the outside that triggered a civil war”. But despite this analysis, he rejects the charge that it is his seizure of Crimea that has caused Ukraine’s problems.
Efforts to rebuild the country’s economy, despite the continuing conflict have recently been praised by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The European Union is both the cause and potential solution to political and military fall out in Ukraine.
The country’s current crisis began in November 2013 when then-president Viktor Yanukovych suspended talks with the EU around a possible association agreement – a precursor to explorative talks around membership.
Since then more than 8,000 people have died in the conflict, after a “merciless devastation of civilian lives and infrastructure”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been clear about what he believes lies behind Ukraine’s problems: “A military coup orchestrated from the outside that triggered a civil war”. But despite this analysis, he rejects the charge that it is his seizure of Crimea that has caused Ukraine’s problems.
Efforts to rebuild the country’s economy, despite the continuing conflict have recently been praised by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
China's Human Rights Abuses(12 of12)
A litany of human rights abuses sees the world's most populous nation struggle to defend itself on the world stage. At the same time, many thousands of China's citizens suffer daily at the hands of the authorities - who have begun jailing those seeking to improve conditions in the country.
Freedom of expression in China is severely restricted, Amnesty International notes. 230 human rights lawyers and activists have been singled out by the Chinese government and labeled ‘criminals’ by the authorities.
Rapid socio-economic change has seen Chinese society become marginally wealthier – with a burgeoning middle class resulting from the country’s industrial revolution. With this wealth has come a loosening of restrictions on basic rights – and an increase in the willingness of citizens to challenge Chinese authorities’ abuse of power.
However, the government continues to censor the press, the Internet, art and culture, and even academic research.
The recent visit to the UK by the Chinese president Xi Jinping re-sparked the debate about Western countries’ relationship with the one-party state.
During the visit, Chinese dissident and respected artist Ai Wei Wei said that David Cameron risked “lowering his standards” by appearing to ignore China’s human rights abuses. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Freedom of expression in China is severely restricted, Amnesty International notes. 230 human rights lawyers and activists have been singled out by the Chinese government and labeled ‘criminals’ by the authorities.
Rapid socio-economic change has seen Chinese society become marginally wealthier – with a burgeoning middle class resulting from the country’s industrial revolution. With this wealth has come a loosening of restrictions on basic rights – and an increase in the willingness of citizens to challenge Chinese authorities’ abuse of power.
However, the government continues to censor the press, the Internet, art and culture, and even academic research.
The recent visit to the UK by the Chinese president Xi Jinping re-sparked the debate about Western countries’ relationship with the one-party state.
During the visit, Chinese dissident and respected artist Ai Wei Wei said that David Cameron risked “lowering his standards” by appearing to ignore China’s human rights abuses. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)