'Hack' predates the '90s flick about computer nerds

[The Scan] ['Hack' as a techie term goes back to the 1950s] January 6 — Friday The word "hack" gets thrown around a lot these days. You can hack into a computer, cleverly hack your way through life problems — or, in the case of Russia, hack into the US election. It's a techie term going back to the 1950s with the Tech Model Railroad Club at MIT. People in the Baltic states are worried about possibly returning to living under Russian influence. For starters, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it known that he's keeping an eye on them. And US President-elect Donald Trump's friendliness with Putin is also troublesome. Plus, one woman in Kenya, Sitawa Wafula, who has epilepsy and bipolar disorder, has blogged about her challenges in a country where mental illness is still seen as taboo. She also started up a mental health line. Roundabouts, an alternative to stoplights, are common in Britain and the Netherlands. Not so much in the US — with the exception of Carmel, Indiana. And, Thailand's military ruler, who's known for his gruff manner, has just released his fourth pop song. Read on for more. [What the ‘hack’?] Hacker, hackathon, lifehack, lacktavist — hack seems to be the word du jour these days. How did it get that way? [Welcome to Carmel, Indiana — 'Roundabout City, USA'] Roundabouts are common in England. But you don't see them much in the US. Unless you live in Carmel, Indiana. It's home to 102 roundabouts ... and counting. [Thailand’s military ruler keeps writing syrupy pop ballads] Prayuth Chan-ocha — a former army general who seized power through a coup — has just released his fourth pop song. Like the others, it is a pure dose of saccharine nationalism. [Baltic states like Latvia are wary of where Trump’s overtures to Russia could lead] President-elect Donald Trump’s friendly overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a troubling development for many in the Baltic states. [Kenya tries to come to grips with treating mental illness] In Kenya, mental illness still has a strong stigma attached to it. But a new hotline is helping to make inroads with treatment. Enjoying The Scan? Forward it to a friend! And if you're not getting it daily, it’s easy to subscribe. [Sign up here]. We also love feedback, so please [tell us how we're doing]. Today's newsletter was written by Anna Pratt. Find her on Twitter: [@annapratt.] [GlobalPost] [PRI] [Edit your subscription] | [Unsubscribe] The Scan is brought to you by GlobalPost and PRI - Public Radio International.