News headlines in May 2014, page 7

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 20 (IPS) - Brazil's real gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013 grew by 2.3 percent, following rates of 2.7 percent and 1 percent in 2012 and 2011 respectively. Perspectives for 2014 on this front are not optimistic.

CANNES, May 20 (IPS) - Forget about 'Grace of Monaco'. Some of the most noteworthy films at this year's Cannes Film Festival deal with human rights and the fight for press freedom, and they come from directors who have had to overcome financing, censorship or infrastructure difficulties to tell stories that they believe need telling. 

WASHINGTON, May 20 (IPS) - The Middle East's seemingly endless conflicts are diverting attention and resources from a graver long-term threat that looms over the whole region: the growing scarcity of water. And the situation will get worse before it gets better — if it ever does get better.

WASHINGTON, May 20 (IPS) - Delegates to this week's annual meeting of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva should agree on an ambitious agenda to sharply cut the rate of newborn deaths and stillbirths over the next two decades, according to maternal and infant health experts.

WASHINGTON, May 19 (IPS) - In the stalemated talks between the six powers and Iran over the future of the latter's nuclear programme, the central issue is not so much the technical aspects of the problem but the history of the Middle Eastern country's relations with foreign suppliers – and especially with the Russians.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan, May 19 (IPS) - Minority communities in Pakistan have long had a raw deal. Accounting for just 10 percent of this country's population of 180 million, they are no strangers to marginalisation, discrimination or even violence.

JUBA, May 19 (IPS) - As with many conflicts and other humanitarian emergencies around the world, those who suffer the most are women, young girls and children. The current terrible crisis in South Sudan is no exception. 

UNITED NATIONS, May 19 (IPS) - The United Nations, which is trying to help resolve the widespread shortage of water in the developing world, is faced with a growing new problem: the use of water as a weapon of war in ongoing conflicts.

REYHANLI (TURKEY), May 19 (IPS) - As once-eliminated diseases resurface and barrel bombs and alleged chlorine attacks target civilians, doctors in rebel-held areas and across the border struggle with issues of how best to serve their profession.