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The Harrier Jump Jet combines the speed of a jet with the maneuverability of a helicopter.

These single-seater planes are known for vertical take-off and landing, making them ideal for close-air support near the front-lines where runways are damaged or non-existent.

Designed by the British and now flown by the U.S. Marine Corps, Harriers have an accident-prone track record and are notoriously difficult to fly.

But why not have one for your private collection?

Yesterday, a 1976 Harrier that once flew in the British Royal Air Force sold at the Silverstone Auctions in England for the equivalent of $179,611.

The weapons systems are dismantled and the engine isn't fitted to the plane. But with some work, it could fly again.

If a civilian flying a Harrier sounds ridiculous, well, there's already a guy doing it. His name is Art Nalls, a retired test pilot from the United States Marine Corps.

Nalls says he's the only civilian in the world to privately own and fly a Harrier.

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The Philippines on Sunday welcomed its 100-millionth citizen — a baby girl named Chonalyn who was born at a hospital in the capital, Manila.

Juan Antonio Perez III, executive director of the Commission on Population, announced the official milestone after the birth at Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, which has one of the busiest maternity wards in the world. The 6-pound Chonalyn arrived shortly after midnight Manila time.

The Associated Press describes the baby "[wrapped] in a blanket and pink bonnet and cradled by her beaming mother." It says "Chonalyn was showered with a cake, infant clothes and other gifts by health and population commission officials at a hospital ceremony."

But the celebration is mixed with concern in the Philippines, a predominately Catholic country with one of the fastest growing populations in Asia. Many in the country struggle to meet the basic necessities of life.

"We are faced with the challenge of providing for all 100 million Filipinos," Perez acknowledged about the otherwise happy event.

In response to that challenge, millions of Filipinos are forced to work abroad as healthcare workers, construction workers, household maids and au pairs in places such as Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Europe and North America. The money they send home as "foreign remittances" provides a lifeline to the Philippine economy.

"The government can no longer give them jobs. That's the reason why many are leaving the country," Ben de Leon, president of the Forum for Family Planning and Development, is quoted by Xinhua as saying.

The AP quotes the United Nations Population Fund as saying that the population milestone offers both challenges and opportunities to the Philippines, which is the world's 12th most populous country.

"It is important to emphasize that population is not merely a matter of numbers, but of human rights and opportunities," says Klaus Beck, the UNPF's Philippines representative.

With 54 percent of its population under the age of 25, the Philippines needs to provide the young with education, job opportunities and skills, he says.

Ernesto Pernia, a former lead economist for the Asia Development Bank, told American Public Radio's Marketplace in 2012 that the Philippines "is already beyond its carrying capacity." That same year, Philippine President Benigo Aquino III signed a law directing government health centers to provide free access to contraception, but the measure was challenged in court by representatives of the Roman Catholic church.

However, earlier this year, the country's Supreme Court upheld the 2012 law.

Chinese often complain that corruption is endemic in every sector of their society. So it may come as no surprise that a government anti-corruption drive has swept up 25,000 officials in the first half of this year.

The drive's victims include everyone from lowly local functionaries to, this month, a young celebrity news anchor named Rui Chenggang.

Authorities showed up at China Central Television headquarters earlier this month, and took away Rui, the 36-year-old news anchor on CCTV's finance channel, watched by millions of viewers.

Rui is known for rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty, and occasionally asking them some pointed questions.

At an economic forum in the northern city of Dalian three years ago, Rui asked then-U.S. ambassador to China Gary Locke, who flew economy class from Beijing to Dalian, if that was "a reminder that the U.S. owes China money?"

"Well actually that's U.S. government policy," Lock responded, "whether we're here in China or even throughout the United States ..."

In 2009, Rui reported on President Obama's trip to the G20 Summit in Seoul, South Korea.

Obama tried to give Korean media the last question, but Rui raised his hand and the president, apparently thinking he was Korean, called on him.

"Unfortunately, President Obama, I hate to disappoint you, I'm actually Chinese," Rui said. "But I think I get to represent the entire Asia."

Not all Chinese are so happy to be represented by Rui, but some agree with him that China gets a bad rap from biased foreign media.

They agree with their government, which is spending billions of dollars to create media that they hope can compete with CNN, the BBC and the like. They want China to speak with a more assertive voice that wins the country more respect, and they saw Rui as that voice.

“ As long as the media's power is linked to the government's ... corruption will be inevitable.

As the host of the Goats and Soda blog, I wanted to learn a little bit more about goats.

At the top of my list: How do you cook goat meat?

“ You gotta break down that meat, and you got to give it love.