Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th June 2025.

27th June, 2025.

Hmmm … 

I’m sure you know that the government of the UK had planned to make big adjustments to various welfare benefits.

Mostly to the health sections of Universal Credit, and to Personal Independence Payment.

But were facing a backbench rebellion in next week’s planned vote on the bill.

However?

Those rebels have mostly climbed down: after the government made concessions.

Hopefully?

That means thousands of people will be unaffected.

~≈£≈~

I usually keep an eye open for news about Dr Who: and am very aware that Disney’s deal with the BBC — that has funded the past couple of seasons — hasn’t been renewed.

But — with thanks to the Tharries channel, along side one or two news pieces — also aware that, apparently, two unnamed, big, streaming services are supposed to be bidding for the rights.

Supposedly, those streamers are HBO Max, and Netflix.

And, supposedly?

At least one of the streamers wants the show to go in a darker direction: something showrunner, Russell T. Davies, doesn’t want: he’d prefer a lighter tone.

Personally?

I’d prefer a darker tone, myself: I grew up on Tom Baker’s scary early years.

If the show isn’t causing nightmares, it’s doing something wrong!

But?

Would be grateful to see the show being aired.

We’ll have to see, won’t we?

~≈🚀≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum*, Olga†, Carly‡, posting anonymously, Irene§ and Debbi¶ putting in their answers: with Olga, Irene and Debbi scoring ten out of ten, and Mum and Carly on nine.


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

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

Q1)        Dixie Brown was born on 27th June, 1900.   He fought as a welterweight what?

Q2)        27th June is Unity Day.   Where: Turkmenistan, Tajikistan or Thailand?

Q3)        27th June is Canadian Multiculturalism Day.   Where?

Q4)        Simon Archer was born on 27th June, 1973.   He plays what: tennis, pickleball or badminton?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Multi-instrumentalist, Abbath Doom Occulta, was born on 27th June, 1973.   Where: Norway, Sweden or Denmark?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        The first Harry Potter novel was published in the UK, on 26th June.   Of which year of the 1990s?

A1)        1997.

Q2)        What’s the book called … in the UK?

A2)        Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Q3)        What’s the book called … in the US?

A3)        Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Q4)        Who were the original British publishers: HarperCollins, Pan McMillan or Bloomsbury?

A4)        Bloomsbury.

Q5)        Who were the original US publishers: Random House, Scholastic Corporation or Triumph Books?

A5)        Scholastic Corporation.

Q6)        Thomas Taylor did what, for the book’s first edition: illustrated the cover, proofread the text or printed the book?

A6)        Illustrated the cover.

Q7)        Who’s the book’s main character?

A7)        Harry Potter.

Q8)        The book’s set in a fictional school for witches and wizards.   Called what: Unseen University, Hogwarts or Saint Trinian’s?

A8)        Hogwarts.   (Unseen University doesn’t accept females students.   The less said about Saint Trinian’s, the better.)

Q9)        Who’s that’s school’s headmaster: Albus Dumbledore, Mustrum Ridcully or Elminster Aumar?

A9)        Albus Dumbledore.   Elminster is a wizard from the Forgotten Realms Dungeon and Dragon setting.   Mustrum Ridcully is the Archchancellor of Unseen University, on Terry Pratchett’s Discworld.

Q10)        Finally … ?   Who wrote the first Harry Potter book?

A10)        Joanne Rowling: writing as J. K. Rowling.

Here’s a thought …

“Now that we’re digital, I assume we will stay digital for at least 50 years.”

J. J. Abrams, born June 27, 1966.

And a song …

The next ten question set is on 1st July: it’s about Quebec.

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.

*        Hello, Mum!

†        Well … the vote goes through on Tuesday, Olga: but at least there’s been concessions made.   So that’s something.

        And, yes, I saw that news about Spain’s refusal.   I know you’re not fond of him: but it sounds like the Spanish PM’s got something right!   And Iran’s been saying much the same thing: it’s set them back … but not by much.   

‡        Morning, Carly!   Oh, you can sign in with your Google ID: the one you use on your Android phone.   I’ve done a movie … 

§        I’ll look forward to see you hear, Irene!   (There’s a lot of ten question sets in July … !)

¶        The Tribune was and is a magazine, Debbi.   I’d imagine any of Orwell’s “As I Please” articles for them would be in their archives: wherever they are.

        The Lion and The Unicorn should be available from Amazon, or your local bookshop.