THE WEEK Nov 4, 2011

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7 billion and counting

People around the world celebrated the birth of the world's seven billionth living person. This is the first time the world population has topped seven billion, and, amidst warnings of dangerously rapid growth and overpopulation, there has been no shortage of ridiculous news coverage. Multiple babies were celebrated as the world's seven billionth. Some news websites posted calculators to figure out what you were, despite disclaimers discrediting their accuracy. And you'll find interesting ways the growth rate has been illustrated by different news organizations. So we have our own visual aid to help you understand how fast the population is growing.

Royal granny panties

There may be more people in the world than ever before, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are getting smarter. At an auction in Scotland this week, one person paid more than $14,000 (about 89,000 yuan) for an old pair of Queen Victoria's underpants.

Poo poo for you

A man in the United States finally has a pair of clean underwear after being cured of a rather disgusting disease. After six months of suffering from a bleeding bum and constant diarrhea, Jerry Grant took a gross yet successful approach to a cure. A doctor took poop from Grant's wife and transplanted it into Grant's colon. Just like that, he was cured.

In the studio with us today is Clark Cahill to discuss his (not so real) experience with the condition known as C. Diff.

This wacky world!

Robbers broke into a stalled train in California Tuesday and stole 200 20 boxes of frozen pigs' feet. I'm surprised that didn't happen in China where pigs' feet are always a welcome snack.

A man in the UK was arrested after paddling a mall clerk on the butt. The clerk reportedly gave him permission to smack her once, but the second time was just too much.

A couple is facing charges after feeding their dog hallucinogenic drugs. Has the world passed a law against stupidity?

A Japanese official drank a glass of water from the Fukushima Nuclear Plant wrecked by an earth quake earlier this year. Apparently someone told him to do it, and it makes a great point. But I think there are better ways of proving the water is actually safe.