Siobhan Wornell

London Producer

Siobhan Wornell is a former producer for The World based in London.

The French president turns to a rap expert to give his speeches more punch

Francois Hollande can't catch a break. He's not only unpopular, but people say he's boring. The answer? A new speechwriter, who is also a rapper. And Pakistanis are buzzing about a new $600 designer shoe that looks a lot like a popular $6 Pakistani sandal. Also, is an Indian guru dead or just in a deep meditation? All that, in today's Global Scan.

The French president turns to a rap expert to give his speeches more punch
Protesters carrying placards attend a rally in favor of taxing carbon emissions in Melbourne, Australia, on March 12, 2011.

Which repressive regime is restricting protests now? Try a state in Australia...

Which repressive regime is restricting protests now? Try a state in Australia...
New Zealand flag photo

New Zealanders will vote on whether to update their flag

New Zealanders will vote on whether to update their flag

In Germany, students are turning to crystal meth to deal with stress

In Germany, students are turning to crystal meth to deal with stress
Christian Syria

Syria's Christians find themselves, once again, persecuted and taxed for their religion

Syria's Christians find themselves, once again, persecuted and taxed for their religion

When Kim Jong Un wants you to vote, he subjects you to poetry

North Korea is about to have another election. And though the winners are not in doubt, government leaders still want a huge turnout, so they are turning to poems exhorting people to vote. Plus, at the NSA, even the spies are fed up ... with being spied on. All that and more, in today's Global Scan.

When Kim Jong Un wants you to vote, he subjects you to poetry

Just between us leaders of the free world...

British Prime Minister David Cameron probably hoped to show he was on the ball when he tweeted this photo of himself discussing Ukraine with US President Barack Obama. It had the opposite effect as parody moved into overdrive on Twitter.

Just between us leaders of the free world...

Need a primer on how we got into the crisis in Crimea?

Russia's conga line through Crimea has left many of us scratching our heads. The online site Mashable offers nine basic questions, and answers. That story, plus a look at an Indian grocery store's social media marketing plan gone wrong and the music inspiring Venezuela's protesters.

Need a primer on how we got into the crisis in Crimea?

Facebook plus drones equals Internet?

Facebook seems poised to bring Internet to the world, quite literally. The company is reported to be on the verge of buying a drone manufacturer to do just that. That, however, wasn't what led the pope to utter a rather coarse profanity in front of a large audience over the weekend. His F-bomb was actually just a mistake in pronunciation. Those stories and more in today's Global Scan.

Facebook plus drones equals Internet?

If you want to climb Everest, you're going to have to help clean it up

if you've ever thought about climbing Mount Everest, you better pack an extra trash bag. A new rule requires all climbers to bring down eight kilograms of garbage over and above their own trash. Odds are they won't be bringing down banana peals, at least if you believe new research that bananas could be under threat. That and more, in today's Global Scan.

If you want to climb Everest, you're going to have to help clean it up

For $89 million, this old London Tube station could have been yours

If you've ever wanted to own a London Tube station, you may have just missed your opportunity. The UK Ministry of Defense recently sold a station its held since World War II — for a whopping $89 million. A few hundred miles to the north of that station, in Scotland, the country's politicians have decided to open their doors to Uganda's gay people who may be seeking asylum. Those stories and more in today's Global Scan.

For $89 million, this old London Tube station could have been yours

In one particular part of Beijing, stray cats are more than welcome

If you're a stray cat in Beijing, the Forbidden City is the place for you. The museums there use stray cats to protect their artifacts from rats and other vermin. In Ukraine, they're less interested in stray cats and more interested in Bitcoins — the cryptocurrency may be a quick way to support the protesters who are still camped in Independence Square.

In one particular part of Beijing, stray cats are more than welcome
Women walk past buildings as the sun sets in Doha October 19, 2010.

Qatar's treatment of its migrant workers goes under the microscope

Qatar has been blasted for its treatment of its laborers — and a new report paints an unpleasant picture of what those jobs can be like. Plus Switzerland considers a big increase to its minimum wage and a Beijing student sees smog as a way to put smiles on people's faces.

Qatar's treatment of its migrant workers goes under the microscope
A resident walks along a street on the banks of the Songhua River near a highway bridge on a hazy day in Jilin, Jilin province, on February 25, 2014

The air pollution in China is being compared to nuclear winter — and one man is trying a lawsuit to change that

The pollution situation much of China has gotten incredibly serious — with some experts comparing it to a nuclear winter. Meanwhile the situation for gay people in Uganda is also dire, after a local tabloid printed the names of 200 "prominent homosexuals." That and more in today's Global Scan.

The air pollution in China is being compared to nuclear winter — and one man is trying a lawsuit to change that

McDonald's bows to Spain's schedule and serves breakfast until 1pm

McDonald's in Spain has been stumped by the Spanish culture of skipping breakfast in favor of a late dinner. So the company is trying something new with its menu. In the UK, a series of powerful storms have uncovered an ancient coastal forest. And if you are looking for a new vacation spot, you really should consider Siberia. That, plus more, in today's Global Scan.

McDonald's bows to Spain's schedule and serves breakfast until 1pm