Middle East bids for 7-billionth baby

Mothers everywhere are contesting claims to the 7-billionth baby.

As India, Philippines and two cities in Russia claimed the 7-billionth baby born yesterday, a Jordanian expatriate in Dubai gave birth to a 3.27-kg baby girl who was named Mariam.

Doctors say the number of children born to Emirati women is going down due to various reasons such as late marriages and infertility.

The world population reached the landmark figure yesterday.

The UN chose yesterday to mark the day with a string of festivities worldwide to welcome the new occupant on Planet Earth.