Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-7-2025 — The AK-47.

6th July, 2025: The AK-47.

Yesterday … ?

I told you about the beeping that came from the block of flats, over the road.

Beeping that seemed to have started, after a recent power cut.

It turns out the beeping is:

• Fading, as the battery fades.
• Coming from the nearest bin.

As far as I can tell?

When the power-cut happened, it’s done something to the beeping thing: so whoever it is that lives in the relevant flat … ripped it off the ceiling, and chucked it, still beeping, into the rubbish bin.

I’d love to know who that was!

They’ve made the weekend very interesting … 

~≈🔔≈~

I applied for a pre-paid Mastercard, a few weeks ago: one that’s handed out by Southend Council.

And waited, and waited, and waited for it to turn up.

So?

I went into Romford, yesterday.

To sell a few DVDs and blu-rays, to raise a little cash.

When I got back … ?

The card had been delivered … 

Altogether, now: ho-hum!

~≈💳≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga*, Mum†, Irene‡ and Debbi§ putting in their answers: with everyone scoring five out of five.


Let’s see how everyone does with today’s themed questions, shall we?

Here it is, along with the How To, License and video.

Q1)        The AK-47 first went into production on 6th July.   Of which year of the 1940s?

Q2)        In which country: the USA, USSR or the People’s Republic of China?

Q3)        The gun is also known as which ‘K’?

Q4)        The gun uses a 7.62×39mm what: bullet, rifle butt or carrying handle?

Q5)        Finally … ?   The AK-47 is a what: assault rifle, or battle rifle?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        The USA’s Secret Service was established on 5th July.   Of which year of the 1860s?

A1) 1865.

Q2)        The Service was originally responsible to which US government department: the Department of the Treasury, the Department of State or the Department of Homeland Security?

A2) Department of the Treasury.

Q3)        The Service is now part of which US government department: the Department of the Treasury, the Department of State or the Department of Homeland Security?

A3) The Department of Homeland Security.

Q4)        Since 1901, the Service is responsible for protecting whom: the US President, the Archbishop of Canterbury or Ronald McDonald?

A4) The US President.

Q5)        Finally … ?   The Service is also supposed to investigate what: counterfeiting, littering or tree-spiking?

A5) Counterfeiting.

Here’s a thought …

“The AK-47 has been manufactured in many countries and has seen service with armed forces as well as irregular forces and insurgencies throughout the world.”

From the Wikipedia entry on the gun …

And a song …

The next ten question set is on 15th July: it’s about the Northwest Territories.

Comments will be published, tomorrow morning.

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Well, the castells caught my attention, Olga: I might have to look the episode up!

        As for the game … ?   The chap that wrote GURPS Cyberpunk did his research reasonably well: to the point he managed to contact a few, self proclaimed, criminal hackers.   And, going by the quotes in the game from the game company’s founder?   The Service couldn’t tell the difference between real-world wire-fraud — something the Service has to investigate — and hypothetical SF wire-fraud … done with kit that hasn’t been invented yet.

        From what I can gather, you’re right: the beeping something that’s gone off, after the power cut, then ripped off the wall by the tenant, and binned.   In the communal bins.   Thankfully, it’s stopped beeping … but the tenant could have issues, as all the properties are supposed to have fire alarms, and smoke detectors.   Quite what happens, I don’t know.   (Most of the properties here are socially rented: so the housing association has to install fire alarms and smoke detectors as part of their responsibilities to tenants.)

†        Hello, Mum!   See you later!

‡        Morning, Irene: how was the trip … ?

§        Of Click and Collect, Debbi?   Click and Collect lets you order something online: then pick it up from your local branch, at a convenient time.   The liquor store I worked at, fifteen or so years ago, had just started doing it … when it collapsed.

        I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of it, though, Debbi.   I’d imagine it’s not big in that States, given the size of the place!   Your local supermarket is, what, 200 miles away?   Mine local does click and collect … and is half a mile from my front door … !

        Oh, I left you a comment on the Jonathan Whitelaw video: he comes over as very passionate!   (Oh, he mentions Lake Windermere, in Cumbria: a couple of people who attempted world water-speed, died in crashes on that lake.   And another water speed attempt killed Donald Campbell on Coniston Water: that’s also in the Lake District.)