To the Point
Can Planet Earth Handle Seven Billion People?
As the human population reaches seven billion people, there are reasons for optimism as well as predictions of doom and gloom....
As the human population reaches seven billion people, there are reasons for optimism as well as predictions of doom and gloom. Also, Palestine becomes member of UNESCO, and a White House order to speed federal response to drug shortages.
Banner image: Egyptians crowd a popular market in Cairo on October 31, 2011.Photo by Mahmud Hans/AFP/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesPalestine Becomes Member of UNESCO
The UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a global development agency for promoting literacy, science, clean water and education. Today, UNESCO gave the Palestinian West Bank full membership , causing the US to cut off all funding . That's 22 percent of UNESCO's entire budget.
Read the story8 minCan Planet Earth Handle Seven Billion People?
Although the US Census Bureau says it'll happen sometime in March, the United Nations says the world's population will reach seven billion sometime today, creating new challenges for generations to come.
Read the story38 minPresident Obama Addresses Drug Shortages with Executive Order
A shortage of cancer drugs, anesthetics and other medications has been blamed for patient deaths in the past year, with more shortages predicted for this year. Today, President Obama ordered the FDA to take actions covered by pending legislation.
Read the story6 min