Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31st August, 2022

31st August, 2022.

Right … 

It’s officially Wednesday: and stuff is officially occurring.

Officially!

I’ve an electrician down from my landlords: doing the five yearly safety checks.

That’s going on, as I speak.

If this post is later than 10?

That’s the reason why.

~≈§≈~

Right … I’ve not had the safety check done: and finished at 9:50.

I’m thankful: everything’s safe and sound.

~≈§≈~

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union … ?

Has died at the age of 91.

It’s not often you can point at someone, and say they helped changed the world.

But?

Mikhail Gobachev did.

He’ll be missed … and much discussed.

~≈§≈~

As a bit of good news?

It seems the government is planning — I like that, planning! — a consultation: on introducing rent caps for those of us in social housing.

I hope a cap goes through: it would be helpful, even if I am on benefits.

I don’t see anything being done, though: until a new Prime Minister’s in place.

~≈§≈~

Oh, and before I forget?

Here’s Jude’s latest video … !

~≈§≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

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


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

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video.

Q1)        Mary Ann Nichols was killed on 31st August, 1888: the first confirmed victim of Jack the Ripper.     Where was she found: Stepney, Whitechapel or Toxteth?

Q2)        President Dilma Rouseff was impeached: and removed from office on on 31st August, 2016.   As President of which South American country?

Q3)        31st August, 161, saw the birth of Emperor Commodus.   Emperor of where: Rome, Byzantium or China?

Q4)        31st August is the feast day of Joseph of Arimathea.   He’s the patron saint of who: street sweepers, kennel owners or undertakers?

Q5)        Finally … ?   31st August is Independence Day in Kyrgyzstan. It marks its independence from the USSR, in which year of the 1990s?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        30th August is Constitution Day in Kazakhstan: marking the day the country adopted it.   In which year of the 1990s?

A1)        1995.

Q2)        30th August, 1909, saw Charles Walcott discover a fossil deposit called the Burgess Shale.   The formation is in which country: Canada, the USA or Mexico?

A2)        Canada.

Q3)        Ernest Rutherford was born: on 30th August, 1871.   In a famous 1909 experiment, he passed alpha particles through what: gold foil, a lead brick or glass?

A3)        Gold foil.

Q4)        30th August is an international day that marks those who have been secretly imprisoned.   It’s known as the International Day of the … what?

A4)        International Day of the Disappeared.

Q5)        Finally … ?   DJ, John Peel, was born on 30th August, 1939.   What was the name of his long running Radio 4 show: The Perfumed Garden, Offspring or Home Truths?

A5)        Home Truths.   (That show is much missed: at least, by me.   The theme tune was a VERY good start to a quiet Sunday.)

Here’s a thought … 

“Islam neither requires one to be practising, nor to dress in one way or another. So imposing the veil on a woman is contrary to the principles of Islam.”

Queen Raina of Jordan, born 31 August 1970.

And a song …

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

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hello, Mum!

†        I think we can say Jude and me had a VERY good afternoon, Olga: once I can persuade him to type his own video descriptions, I’ll be laughing!

        Yeah: the UK government’s just done the same with sanitary products, as well.   I was surprised.   I thought they weren’t taxed.   They’re an essential for a good half of the population.   Someone’s been making money where they shouldn’t: and I don’t think it’s the manufacturers.

        While we’re on the subject … ?   This might interest you … 

       (As a final thought?   I read a book about HM Customs and Excise many years ago: they Were the VAT collectors, at the time.   One fraudster noticed you paid VAT on balls of wool: but not on kids clothes.   And earned a fortune claiming VAT back on non-existent children’s jumpers.)

        

‡        It was quite the show, Debbi, wasn’t it … ?   Michael Gambon and Joanne Whalley put in one hell of a pair of performances!   I have to admit, I’ve avoided the US movie version: and the film version of Life and Loves of a She-Devil.   (Tom Baker’s in the original: as a rather demented Vicar.)

        Yeah, the Disappeared are a little reminiscent, aren’t they?   The sad fact?   Is that so many — in so many parts of the world — are never found.