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Scheffler starts 2026 winning again as lottery tech crashes and banks bribe switchers; Brooklyn snowball fight meets US storm, Davos frets global health from private jets; lightning hits Bolsonaro rally injuring 89 and UK police reforms spark vetting row
Scottie Scheffler opens 2026 with another win, because of course he did
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler kicked off his 2026 PGA Tour season by winning The American Express in California by four strokes, closing with a 66 to finish at 27 under. He chased down Si Woo Kim with nine birdies and even a late double bogey at 17 could not stop him, securing his 20th Tour title and lifetime membership. Since 2022 he has piled up 20 wins, putting him in the annoyingly elite category of “historic pace before 30.”
National Lottery app and website go down after “24-hour” maintenance turns into “whenever”
National Lottery players could not access the app or website Monday morning after a scheduled 24-hour maintenance window over the weekend appeared to overrun. Reports rose from before 6am to more than 340 by 7:30am on Downdetector, with people unable to check results, enter draws, or claim prizes. Operator Allwyn said upgrades were meant to improve the digital experience, including a redesigned payment interface, while results and prize info were still available via YouTube and retail outlets, because nothing says “modernized” like “try the shop.”
UK banks dangle switch bonuses, hoping you will treat admin hassle like a hobby
Three major UK banks are offering cash incentives for switching current accounts via the Current Account Switch Service. HSBC is offering £250 for its Premier account (with at least £100,000 annual income) plus an extra £500 for moving and holding £100,000 or more in savings or investments for three months, ending February 23. Lloyds is offering £250 to switch to Club Lloyds (fee waived if £2,000 is paid in monthly) and requires three direct debits to be moved, closing February 3. TSB is offering up to £230 via its Spend and Save account, including £150 after switching, a possible extra £50 for depositing £1,000 in April, plus optional monthly cashback, running until March 20.
Brooklyn hosts a snowball fight while a major winter storm blankets the US
New Yorkers gathered in McCarren Park in Brooklyn for a snowball fight as a major winter storm swept across large parts of the United States. Humanity remains undefeated at finding recreation inside inconvenience.
Davos asks if the golden age of global health is over, in a room full of people who fly private
At Davos 2026, health experts met to assess major challenges and emerging opportunities shaping global health, focusing on where progress is stalling, where momentum still exists, and what priorities should guide the next phase. It is a serious question, even if it is being discussed in the alpine headquarters of “we are very concerned, please pass the canapés.”
Lightning strike injures 89 at pro–Jair Bolsonaro rally in Brasilia
A lightning strike injured 89 people at a pro–Jair Bolsonaro rally in Brasilia, where demonstrators had gathered to call for the former president’s release from prison. The incident turned a political demonstration into a mass-casualty emergency, underscoring how quickly large outdoor events can become dangerous when weather, crowd density, and limited shelter collide.
Former officer warns diversity drives could weaken police vetting, as reforms loom
Former police officer Oliver Laurence warned that efforts to increase diversity in policing could lead to weaker vetting if forces feel pressured to hit recruitment targets, arguing national vetting standards already exist and should be enforced to protect public safety. His comments come ahead of a policing reform white paper from the Home Secretary, which argues the 43-force model in England and Wales is outdated. The Metropolitan Police says it is tightening recruitment and vetting after past failures.
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