No 14925, Friday 16 Oct 2026, Crossant

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS FOR FRIDAY ONLY

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PLEASE NOTE, SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTEMPTING THE ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED

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ACROSS

1   Is he this upset? Acting amateurish (6) TRAUMA {TRAUMA+IS+HE}*=AMATEURISH [CA]

4   Stick with this as a means of persuasion (6) CARROT [CD/GK]

9   Attendant's salary reduced by wife following suggestion of partner (4) PAGE {wAGE}<=>{Pa...r}

10 One supplying electrically operated switch controlling resistance (10) CONTRACTOR {CONT{R}ACTOR}

11 Spear cut head of African antelope (6) IMPALA {IMPALe}{Af...n}

12 One uses energy to mould polymer (8) EMPLOYER {E}{POLYMER*} 

13 And for us — loose baggy pants (4,5) PLUS FOURS {PLUS}{FOR+US}*

15 Backstage kisses? (4) PETS<=

16 Man in a city in an island nation (4) MALE [DD]

17 Man U is good or abysmal — one doesn't know (9) IGNORAMUS {MAN+U+IS+G+OR}*

21 A weapon is pulled by Lieutenant, creating panic (8) ALARMIST {A} and {ARM}{IS} in{LT}

22 10 animated epics — Beowulf to begin with (6) BICEPS {EPICS+Be...f}*

24 Trip is for a non-conformist (4,6) FREE SPIRIT {TRIP+IS}* [RA]

25 Leaders of Arab nations expecting war again (4) ANEW Acrostic

26 Artist comes back with suggestions for shows (6) ARRAYS {RA<=}{RAYS}

27 Father of British actor Gary? (3,3) OLD MAN {OLDMAN}

DOWN

1   Check tour — very short distance covering Vatican city (7) TRAMMEL {TRA(-v+mm)MMEL}

2   Real fan sadly leaves empty football stadium (5) ARENA {REAl+fAN}*

3   Model construction set in holy city now reduced (7) MECCANO {MECCA}{NOw} I still have pieces from this childhood set lying around at home

5   Hurried with a bit of bounce and reverse swing, nearly clipping top of pad (6) ABRUPT {A}{Bo...e}{T{Pad}URn<=}

6   Hair perhaps from a rope? (4,5) ROCK OPERA {A+ROPE}* [RA]

7   Throwing out husband's worthless, broken tools (7) TROWELS WORThLESs*

8   Questioning destruction of Goan territory (13) INTERROGATORY*

14 Royals are playing for 12 months (5,4) SOLAR YEAR*

16 Retro hit song — "Killer" maybe (7) MALARIA {LAM<=}{ARIA}

18 Said to cover part of moon's path (7) ORBITAL {OR{BIT}AL}

19 A large number of youth supporting University representative (7) UMPTEEN {TEEN}<=>{U}{MP}

20 Only female dropped from new spy film (6) SIMPLY {SPY+fILM}(

23 Please plan with time for bit of relaxation (5) CHARM ? Seems to be a faulty clue

Reference List

Wife = W, Resistance = R, Energy = E, Good = G, Lieutenant = LT, Artist = RA, Vatican = V, Husband = H, University = U, Representative = MP, Female = F

No 14924, Thursday 15 Oct 2026, Mythical

Solution to 28A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

7   Tolerate burn (5) BROOK [DD]

8   Fighting with others leads individuals nowhere good primarily (9) WRESTLING {W}{REST}{Le,,,s}{In...s}{No...e}}{Good}

10 Some excitement all around? It could make one sick (6) EMETIC [HIPS]

11 Ill-treats player's family members (8) STEPSONS {STEPS ON}{S}

12 Attack popular victor when ace returns (8) INVASION {IN}{V}{AS}{NO 1<=}

13 Be different occasionally! That's good in France (4) BIEN {Be+dIffEreNt}

15 Injured kitten ultimately recovered, healed (7) KNITTED {KITTEN}*{r...eD}

17 Jogs memory of confused nursemaid after a uniform goes missing (7) REMINDS NuRSEMaID*

20 Lying about research centre on island somewhere in Indonesia (4) BALI {LAB<=}{I}

22 Say, man from Zagreb ordered raincoat (8) CROATIAN*

25 Mentioned favour after leader left with communist (8) REFERRED {pREFER}{RED}

26 Bond with judge having lunch (6) TREATY {TR{EAT}Y}

27 A most harsh setter offering sweetener (9) ASPARTAME {A}{SPARTAn}{ME}

28 Government control discussed (5) ?E?G? (Addendum - REIGN (~rein) - See comments)

DOWN

1   Renowned expert to fund books (9) PROMINENT {PRO}{MINE}{NT}

2   Tense agreement (8) CONTRACT [DD]

3   Quietly object to host (7) PRESENT {P}{RESENT}

4   This group row affected seam bowlers  (8)  ASSEMBLE {ASSEMBLE+ROW}=SEAM+BOWLERS

5   Likely seen going around Presidential Palace (6) ELYSEE [T]

6   Foolish sign painter crossing out every other letter (5) INANE {sIgN+pAiNtEr}

9   Bill given top quality fruit (4) ACAI {AC}{A1}

14 Notice vehicle near gate needing repair? Good! (9) ADVANTAGE {AD}{VAN}{GATE*}

16 Resettle girl in Sharjah, perhaps (8) EMIGRATE {EMI{G}RATE}

18 Broke thin reed casually (2,3,3) IN THE RED*

19 A scoundrel essentially surveying my school? (7) ACADEMY {A}{CAD}{s..vEy..g}{MY}

21 Rings sound artist in recess (6) ARENAS {SANE}{RA}<=

23 Heartily dislike obscenity (4) OATH lOATHe

24 Basically, brutish evildoer always showing temper (5) BEAST Acrostic &lit

Reference List

With = W, Player =S, Popular = IN, Victor = V, When = AS, Island = I, Books = NT(New Testament), Quietly = P, Bill = AC, Notice = AD, Girl = G, Artist = RA

No 14923, Wednesday 14 Oct 2026, Gridzilla

Solution to 13D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   Bored by country song in party? (8) CAROUSAL {CARO{USA}L}

9   Way, reportedly, to get to big house (5) MANOR (~manner)

10 European has half Polish name (4) FINN {FINish}{N}

11 What's seen in hands of orthodontists, etc? (3,2,5) AND SO FORTH [T]

12 Overwhelmed by arthritis sometimes? Yes! (2,2,2) IT IS SO [T]

14 The University dean's building is cool (8) UNHEATED {THE+U+DEAN}*

15 Heartbroken chaps continue to sigh? (7) BREATHE {HEART}* in {BE}

17 Hip and leg operation basically pending (2,5) IN LIMBO {IN}{LIMB}{Op...n}

20 Wretched fellow's killing time inside (8) INFERNAL IN(+f-t)FERNAL

22 Play fine puzzle right away (6) FIDDLE {F}{rIDDLE}

23 Ones you can bank on, to get serious? (2,8) NO NONSENSE {ONES}* [Letter Bank]

24 OK to pester for repayment of a loan, we hear (4) DONE (~dun)

25 One of the best violinists ever from Russia, enthralled millions, for starters (5) EFREM Acrostic Semi&lit

26 Even lower? (8) DECREASE [DD]

DOWN

1   Support staff for flights? (8) BANISTER [CD]

2   Either way, it's lunch time (4) NOON<=>

3   Up in Saratoga, I sampled some cheese (6) ASIAGO [T<=]

4   Lids came off easily? (4,3) SLID OUT {LIDS}* [RA]

5   Even in those days, dogs primarily scavenged meals on occasion (8) SMOOTHEN {THEN}<=>{Sc...d}{Me..s}{On}{Oc...n}

6   Ordinary and OK? Fine and fantastic? Or exceptional? (3,2,1,4) ONE OF A KIND {O+AND+OK+FINE}*

7   Jerk starts to expose his tummy in restaurant, when getting a tip (6) WRITHE [Acrostic<=]

13 Spooner's hound got a ride (10) S?A?E?O?R?  (Addendum - SKATEBOARD (bait scored to skateboard - See comments)

16 Fine day to board carriage back from office (8) HANDSOME {HAN{D}SOM}{o...cE}

18 Cat is able to jump around corner (8) BALINESE {IS+ABLE}* over {NE}

19 Full day, one dude's getting fleeced in city (4-3) ULAN-UDE {fULl}{dAy}{oNe}{dUDEs}

21 What's set up quickly, at the conclusions of some trials? (6) NOOSES {SOON<=}{somE}{t...lS} &lit

22 Strong fellow gets hurt unloading piano (6) FIERCE {F}{pIERCE}

24 Flower placed on top of policeman's grave (4) DEEP {DEE}{Po...s}

Reference List

Name = N, University = U, Fellow = F, Time = T, Fine = F, Right = R, Ordinary = O, Day = D, Corner = NE, Piano = P

No 14922, Tuesday 13 Oct 2026, Vidwan

Solution to 11A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   Recent changes after removal of pressure, reportedly for housing of the illegals (9,6) DETENTION CENTRE {RECENT}*<=>{(~de tension)DETENTION} 

9   Help with a licit smuggling in future (10) FACILITATE {F{A+LICIT}*ATE}

10 Approached leader retreating to the top (4) ACME (-c)A(+c)CME Retreating or going forward?

11 Will might influence size (8) ?T?E?G?H (Addendum - STRENGTH [MD] - See comments)

13 Nation hides force away from the borders (6) INLAND fINLAND

14 England's local troller manipulated voters list (9,4) ELECTORAL ROLL {E+LOCAL+TROLLER}*

17 Plateau to pianissimo beholding perfect state (6) UTOPIA [T]

18 It's basically most open kind of relative discrimination (8) NEPOTISM {ITS+Most+OPEN}*

21 Organised first leaderless agitation (4) STIR fIRST*

22 A new sister at spy agency, the heartless harbinger (10) ANNUNCIATE {A}{N}{NUN}{CIA}{ThE}

24 Economic crisis that is back, involves media controlled by Mafia boss chasing capital (5,10) GREAT DEPRESSION {IE<=} over {PRESS} in {DON} after {GREAT}

DOWN

1   Leave males to rest around supermarket (10,5) DEPARTMENT STORE {DEPART}{MEN}{TO+REST}*

2   People beheaded in evil city (6) VENICE {V{mEN}ICE}

3   Run small time gang (6) STRING {S}{T}{RING} 

4   Until now lacked right piece of furniture (4) SOFA {SO FAr}

5   Pain of nail splitting of fruits like strawberries (8) ACHENIAL {ACHE}{NAIL*}

6   Popular name developed oil printing method (8) INTAGLIO {IN}{TAG}{OIL*}

7   Edge into Channel Islands and sail aggressively in race to outlaw (15) CRIMINALISATION  {C{RIM}I}{N{SAIL*}ATION}

12 Flier exporting Island drug (5) HERON HEROiN

15 Worthless, timeless, most honest name of sky (8) EMPYREAN {EMPtY}{REAl}{N}

16 Toy bear holding a California chest for beverage leaves (3,5) TEA CADDY {TE{A}{CA}DDY}

19 Think of power, think without weight (6) PONDER {P}{wONDER}

20 Lust! This controls right on time! (6) THIRST {THI{R}S}{T}

23 Severus severed head and part of neck (4) NAPE sNAPE

Reference List

Force = F, England = E, New = N, Small = S, Time = T, Right = R, Popular = IN, Island = I, Time = T, Name = N, Power = P, Weight = W

No 14921, Monday 132 Oct 2026, Vidwan

Artwork by Prasanna

Solution to 13D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   British National limit for Spooner's sleep (6) CATNAP (~nat cap to cat nap}

9   Laugh out loud! Almost high, father gets sticky candy! (8) LOLLIPOP {LOL}{LIt}{POP}

10 Alien about alien phase or something similar (2,6) ET CETERA {ET}{C}{ET}{ERA}

11 Talk about retaining the French country house (6) CHALET {CHA{LE}T}

12 Intense part of pride! Epiphany! (4) DEEP [T]

13 Macho guys having no power before love! No wonder! (10) PHENOMENON {HE MEN} over {NO} follows {P} then {O}{N}

14 Talk about India's Himalayan tree (7) CONIFER {CON{I}FER}

15 Weak, heartless and say vile wish (7) FANTASY {FAiNT}{SAY*}

17 Praise fellow to obtain unlimited dates (10) FELICITATE {F}{ELICIT}{dATEs}

18 Pay attention to main killer eliminating sons (4) HARK sHARK Why son in plural?

19 Pick well regularly within group (6) SELECT {S{wElL}ECT}

20 Train going around hot and popular country (8) THAILAND {T{H}AIL}{AND} Train/Tail? What's the role of Popular?

22 Emergency provision for Spooner's dangerous quartet (4,4) FIRE DOOR (~dire four to fire door)

23 Loses sleep over work in constituencies (6) SWEATS {S{W}EATS}

DOWN

1   Standard article on regressive units of heredity is describing reproduction without fertilisation (15) PARTHENOGENESIS {PAR}{THE}{{ON<=}{GENES}{IS}

2   One who explains without exhibition and advertising and one competed over support for poor (15) UNDERPRIVILEGED {expoUNDER}{PR}{1}{VI{LEG}ED}

3   Not the first omission by section of Church (4) APSE lAPSE

4   Wise burying a hatchet (7) CLEAVER {CLE{A}VER}

5   Voters somehow tolerate EC! (10) ELECTORATE*

6   I retraced the log rolling mouthpiece that prevents lip stains (9,6) CIGARETTTE HOLDER*

7   Pull head back with the one short string wound for support (5,2,8) TOWER OF STRENGTH {TOW}{FORE<=}{THE+STRiNG}*

13 Clues regularly ignored in love forecast (10) P?E?I?T?O? (Addendum - PREDICTION PREDIleCTION - See comments)

16 Large insect occasionally bearing light (7) LANTERN {L}{ANT}{bEaRiNg}

21 Further exposed fake love (4) ALSO {fALSe}{O}

Reference List

Alien = ET, About = C, The in French = LE, Power = P, No = N, India = I, Fellow = F, Sons = S, Hot = H, Work = W, Standard = PAR, Advertising = PR, Support = LEG, Large = L

The Hindu Cryptic No 77, Sunday 11 Oct 2026, Arden

Rangoli by Gowri

Three answers per commenter till 4 PM (Annotations Compulsory)

Please submit all your answers in one comment.

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITH LESS THAN THREE ANSWERS/ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

6   Brooded over means of transport (5) MOPED [DD]

7   It's plain - giving access to auditors isn't very bright (8) OVERCAST {OVER{CA'S}T}

10 An issue dogging the country is a curse (7) MALISON {SON}<=>{MALI}

11 Left her in a day, was cheated (7) WELSHED {WE{L}{SHE}D}

12 Herb's touring America, finds something to eat (7) SAUSAGE {SA{USA}GE}

13 Fish drinking only pints - looks affected (7) FOPPISH {F{O}{PP}ISH}

14 Red arrow - I score Greens (3-8) ECO-WARRIORS*

19 Keeping animal in a haystack is part of habit (7) CASSOCK {C{ASS}OCK}

21 Reduce setting dog after dog (7) CURTAIL {CUR}{TAIL}

23 Nowadays guard becomes a guide (7) ADVISOR {AD}{VISOR}

25 King for single day (7) SOLOMON {SOLO}{MON}

26 Amusing to have a drink - this precedes the announcement (4,4) DRUM ROLL {D{RUM}ROLL}

27 Use dressing early to contain damage by burning (5) SINGE [T]

DOWN

1   Acclaim for Jobs' creation across a country (8) APPLAUSE {APPL{A}{US}E}

2   Some bypassed order, returned to port (6) ODESSA [T<=]

3   Snake oil seller will get on to eastern border (10) MOUNTEBANK {MOUNT}{E}{BANK}

4   Catcall from audience to follow all of them finally (4) MEOW [Tail Acrostic]

5   Mishit transformed these geological features (6) ISTHMI*

6   Champagne and orange juice in the bush (6) MIMOSA [DD]

8   Music company entertains various plays (7) CALYPSO {C{PLAYS*}O}

9   Oddly, in India chaos prevails in state (5) IDAHO {InDiA+cHaOs}

13 Least force applied on ship's bow (10) FORECASTLE*

15 Australian native to work with very big quantity (7) OPOSSUM {OP}{OS}{SUM}

16 Ill-gotton wealth, no middlemen involved in plant (8) SCAMMONY {SCAM}{MONeY}

17 Run before shut down of a nuclear reactor (5) SCRAM [DD]

18 Look at that cricketing shot! (6) GLANCE [DD]

20 It flows always between poles (6) SEVERN {S}{EVER}{N}

22 Enjoy the dip (6) RELISH [DD]

24 Lost a club in shambles over disturbance (4) RIOT abatTOIR<=

Reference List

Left = L, Only = O, Pint = P, Eastern = E, Work = OP, Very big = OS, Poles = S,N

No 14920, Saturday 10 October 2026, Vidwan

ACROSS

8 Dressed and scented, one who succeeds (10) DESCENDANT*

9 Going past one time (4) EXIT {EX}{I}{T}

10 Pressure on borders of Turkey! Turkey in revolt and distressed! (15) POVERTYSTRICKEN {P}{OVER}{TurkeY}+{TR} in {SICKEN} The word should be hyphenated

11 Official is bit earnest and ardent (8) STANDARD [T]

14 Upset about party position on the ground (3-3) MID-OFF {MI{DO}FF}

16 Fair fellow Peter,after robbing banks (4) FETE {F}{pETEr}

17 Large creature like gorilla with large fold (5) LAPEL {L}{APE}{L}

18 Shreds of oddly plain note (4) LINT {pLaIn NoTe}

19 Showing no interest,committed theft,mostly Identity Card! (6) STOLID {STOLe}{ID}

20 A US market index study with Judge operating on English system originally (3,5) DOW JONES {DO}{W}{J}{ON}{E}{System}

21 Progressive leaning district going to fine royal man (15) FORWARDTHINKING {FOR}{WARD}{THIN}{KING} Ditto 10A. Hyphenated word

26 Dread female attention (4) FEAR {F}{EAR}

27 British secure China's new data security technology (10) BLOCKCHAIN {B}{LOCK}{CHINA*}

DOWN

1 Extradition Office gaining nothing for Leader of America (10) DEPORTMENT {DEP(-a+O)ORTMENT

2 Hurt every head to tail (4) ACHE (-e)ACH(+E)E

3 Native American lost heart, called out dead and signed (10) INITIALLED {INuIT}{dIALLED}

4 Acts funny! Was chasing First Lady! (4) LAWS WAS*<=>Lady

5 Father mostly checking time to move (4) STIR {S{T}IRe}

6 Ice-cold lap dancing is wrong (10) PECCADILLO*

7 Mention it in church (4) CITE {C{IT}E}

12 Born fool donning most loose embroidery (10) NEEDLEWORK {NEE}{D{LEWd}ORK}

13 Cheated fellow pushed back date over suspicion of permissiveness (5) DUPED {DU(-d)E(+D)} over Permisiveness

14 My walk, this alters! (4,6) MALT WHISKY* &Lit

15 Good restricted by good, complain about new digital growth (10) FINGERNAIL {FIN{G}E}{R{N}AIL}

22 Done in open mainly (4) OVER OVERt

23 Polish unknown gem (4) RUBY {RUB}{Y}

24 Time to run to love? Yes! To Paris and Hector's place! (4) TROY {T}{R}{O}{Y}

25 Legendary goalkeeper Harry Hank (4) KAHN*

REFERENCE LIST

One=I,Time=T, Fellow=F, Large=L, Judge=J, English=E, Female=F, British=B, Nothing=0=O, Dead=D, Church=CE, Date=D, Good=G, New=N, Unknown=Y, Run=R, Love=O, Yes=Y. 

No 14919, Friday 09 Oct 2026, Pixie Dust

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS FOR FRIDAY ONLY

All those who are not regular commenters but who are rookie commenters or silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake in the annotation someone will correct it with the right annotation.

PLEASE NOTE, SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTEMPTING THE ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED

Each commenter is requested to post only 5 answers thereby giving others also a chance to participate. Please provide all your answers in one comment.

Regular solvers/Veterans can post 1 answer each, but after 11 AM only.

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

7   Oh! This dessert funnily got a hole! (6) GELATO {GELATO+OH}*=GOT A HOLE

8   Study substitute with a bit of terrifying condescension (8) CONTEMPT {CON}{TEMP}{Te...g}

9   Essentially Jacob must stick to this kind of musical instrument (8) ACOUSTIC {jACOb}{mUSt}{sTICk}

10 Scoundrel cycling around Henry, sniffles (6) WHINES {(-s)W{H}INE(+s)S}

11 Master stroke acquiring one British Bar (8) PROHIBIT {PRO}{H{1}{B}IT}

12 Losing face, lamenting and suffering (6) AILING wAILING

13 Live on...smitten! (5,2,4) MADLY IN LOVE {LIVE+ON}* [RA]

18 Authorise a manager to disclose rating in London (6) SEAMAN [T]

20 Perhaps stay fit accepting rule to classify according to a graded scale (8) STRATIFY {STAY+FIT} over {R}

22 Mate regularly ignoring Bishop's corrupt scheme (6) SPOUSE {biShoPs+cOrrUpt+SchEme}

23 Swell! Here batter is safe! (8) INCREASE {IN CREASE}

24 Look, Sir! ET's are to a certain extent backing star? (8) ASTERISK [T<=]

25 Penny chases husband out and hammers (6) POUNDS {P}{hOUNDS}

DOWN

1   Happy boxing copper element (7) MERCURY {MER{CU}RY}

2   Old Russian woman's headscarf (8) BABUSHKA [DD]

3   Spooner's child (middle) in steam bath? (3,3) HOT TUB (~tot hub to hot tub)

4   Blizzard? Fellow is beginning to breakdown and explode (8) SNOWBALL SNOW(-f+b)BALL

5   Delivered grain soap (6) SERIAL (~cereal)

6   Special transparent material protecting primarily exposed organs (7) SPLEENS {SP}{LE{Ex...d}NS}

8   Frequently used tack oils for cylindrical skewer? (8,5) COCKTAIL STICK {TACK+OILS}* [Letter Bank]

14 Hang on! Don't start to tell a story in undies (8) LINGERIE {LINGER}{lIE}

15 Corrupted virtue...so like glass! (8) VITREOUS* 

16 Experiment involving English politician leads to commotion (7) TEMPEST {T{E}{MP}EST}

17 Harry dies of mainly fatigue in part of a cricket field (3,4) OFF SIDE {DIES+OF+Fa...e}*

19 Guy goes around university with date and gets attacked (6) MAULED {MA{U}LE}{D}

21 For starters, roast eggplant chunks in parmesan emulsion (6) RECIPE Acrostic Semi&lit

Reference List

Study = CON, Henry = H, British = B, Rule = R, Penny = P, Husband = H, Fellow = F, Special = SP, English = E, Politician = MP, University = U, Date = D

No 14918, Thursday 08 Oct 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 14D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   American churchman not beginning to bother about country (6) ARABIA {A}{ RAbBI}{A}

5   It's believed that swallow modelled (8) SUPPOSED {SUP}{POSED}

9   Can these men of letters recreate real Titanic? (8) LITERATI {LITERATI+CAN}*=REAL TITANIC [CA]

10 South African animal delivered brand of footwear (6) RHEBOK (~reebok)

11 Toss a coin up umpteen times for a delicious beverage? (10) CAPPUCCINO {A+COIN+UP}* [Letter Bank]

12 Leonidas regularly missing targets (4) ENDS lEoNiDaS

13 Day and night, say, Santo cycling around city Male (8) ANTONYMS {(-s)ANTO(+s)S} over {NY}{M}

16 Bogus Dame? (4-2) MADE-UP {DAME}*

17 Prompt understanding for those in hearing (6) INCITE (~in sight)

19 Doctor has decks, one makes payments here (4,4) CASH DESK*

21 Mother India from east or west (4) AMMA <=>

22 Avoid skirt (10) CIRCUMVENT [DD] 

25 Husband! Kiss and cuddle, mother's away for errand basically (3,3) EKE OUT {(-ma+e)EKE OUT}

26 Tiro Quoist protecting a member of a former confederacy (8) IROQUOIS [T]

27 Used card all over the place and struggled (8) CRUSADED*

28 Spooner suggests: "Caress Sprite for a generous package!" (3,3) FAT PAY (~pat fay to fat pay)

DOWN

2   For starters, radish and Italian tomatoes added in a yogurt-based dish (5) RAITA Acrostic

3   Some scrape elbows back-to-front and make a high-pitched sound (5) BLEEP [T<=]

4   A new year welcoming playful pandemonium (7) ANARCHY {A}{N}{ARCH}{Y}

5   Strong drinks for ghosts (7) SPIRITS [DD]

6   Represent each type (7) PERFORM {PER}{FORM}

7   Penned ode about something that is unrestricted? (4-5) OPEN-ENDED*

8   Old rum I'd so let loose in opening remarks (9) EXORDIUMS {EX}{RUM+ID+SO}*

14 One who never lets cancer stick near? (3-6) N?N-?M?K?R (Addendum - NON-SMOKER [CD] - See comments)

15 First sign of orphan Pirrip, say, with Spark? Almost magnificent! (9) OPIPAROUS {Or...n}{PIP}{AROUSe}

18 In a panic mentioned tailing former boyfriend (7) EXCITED {CITED}<=>{EX}

19 Moved, shed tears over Army Regulation (7) CARRIED {C{A}{R}RIED}

20 Disconnect appliances which you want to babyproof yourself at last (4,3) SHUT OFF Tail Acrostic

23 Clear the cellar (5) VAULT [DD]

24 Currency found in Malaysian AirAsia (5) NAIRA [T]

Reference List

American = A, About = A, Swallow = SUP, City = NY, Male = M, New  = N, Year = Y, Old = EX, Army Regulation = AR

No 14917, Wednesday 07 Oct 2026, Saral

Solution to 12D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

7   Surplus force entering certain industrial town at first (7) SURFEIT {SUR{F}E}{In...l}{Town}

8   Agreement of a conservative on bond (6) ACCORD {A}{C}{CORD}

9   Partially scan vast painting (6) CANVAS [T]

10 Former writer, say penning new books for promoter (8) EXPONENT {EX}{PO{N}E}{NT}

11 One preparing rice blend. Fantastic! (10) INCREDIBLE {1}{RICE+BLEND}*

13 Copy part of the chorus (4) ECHO [T]

14 Primate enshrines relics finally in church area (4) APSE {AP{r...cS}E}

16 Energy and pressure throwing off Mark's garden tool (5) POWER {(+p-m)POWER}

18 Right away chopping shrub and plant (4) BUSH SHrUB*

19 Quick huge returns investing lakhs initially (4) GLIB {B{La..s}IG<=}

21 Withdrawing from skipping around institute street (10) DISTANCING {D{I}{ST}ANCING}

23 Intense anxiety of soldier in Kohima leaving occasionally (8) PARANOIA {PARA}{iN+kOhImA}

25 Deans ordering small cars (6) SEDANS {DEANS}*{S}

26 Idle talk of girl with very large drink (6) GOSSIP {G}{OS}{SIP}

27 Son left terrible bar in retreat (7) HIDEOUT {HIDEOUs}{T}

DOWN

1   Translator unwilling to go through? (8) TRAVERSE {TR}{AVERSE}

2   Confused angry supermodels ignoring short role perhaps (6,2) MESSED UP {SUPErMoDElS}*

3   Swelling troubling your eye from the beginning? (4) STYE Acrostic Semi&lit

4   Bird's blurry image outside park (6) MAGPIE {MAG{P}IE*}

5   Some craftsmen principally working next to church in defensive fort (6) SCONCE {Some}{Cr...n}{ON}{CE}

6   Stench spreading across again in gutters (8) TRENCHES {T{RE}NCHES*}

7   Cramps while cycling in country (5) SPAIN (+s)SPAIN(-s)

12 Throws dishes (5) B?W?S (Addendum - BOWLS [DD] - See comments)

15 Look at daughter's pants, primarily spoiling dress design (5,3) POLKA DOT {LOOK+AT+D+Pa..s}*}

17 Piece of music in D sharp, old composing melody at last (8) RHAPSODY {D+SHARP+O}*{m...dY}

18 Support doctor with operation theatre setting (8) BACKDROP {BACK}{DR}{OP}

20 Baker's chief to promote cook (6) BRAISE {Ba...s}{RAISE}

21 Disheartened director with an expression of apology, bows (6) DROOPS {Di...oR}{OOPS}

22 Group of players went on playing missing introduction (5) NONET {wENT+ON}*

24 Teacher hiding pain (4) ACHE [HIPS]

Reference List

Force = F, Conservative = C, Former = EX, New = N, Books = NT(New Testament), Pressure = P, Mark = M, Right = R, Institute = I, Street = ST, Small = S, Girl = G, Very large = OS, Bar = T, Translator = TR, Park = P, Church = CE, Again = RE, Daughter = D, Old = O, Operation = OP

No 14916, Tuesday 06 Oct 2026, Karaoke

Solution to 19A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Mrs. Henry rues uncontrollably while narrating unknown verses for children (7,6) NURSERY RHYMES {MRS+HENRY+RUES}* over {Y}

10 Where a train should be to make progress? (2,5) ON TRACK [DD]

11 Perfect to enjoy long time in retreat (7) SHELTER {SHE{L}{T}ER}

12 Lack of interest, of course, in any case (6) APATHY {An{PATH}Y}

13 Spooner's father gambles amounts that can never be recovered (3,5) BAD DEBTS (~dad bets to bad debts)

14 Before the end of day, fancy thing worn by women (6) NIGHTY  {daY}<=>{THING}*

16 0° Celsius or 32° Fahrenheit from inception, maybe not new (3,5) ICE POINT INCEPTIOn*

19 Skirts around central party's cocktails (8) M?R?I?I? (Addendum - MARTINIS {M{pARTy}INIS} - See comments)

20 Programming specialist in school, skips advanced information engineering initially (6) TECHIE {TEaCH}{In...n}{En...g}

21 They guard the chests by taking extraordinary care with big guns at boundary (3,5) RIB CAGES {CARE+BIG+gunS}*

23 Allowed nothing over board (6) LINTEL {LET}{NIL}<= Lintel is a BEAM not BOARD

26 Hanging harmful revolutionary in dream (7) LOLLING {LO{ILL<=}NG}

27 Knock panda group at the midpoint? It's not possible (2,3,2) NO CAN DO {kNOCk+pANDa+grOup}

28 Outstanding girl studies Hindi with difficulty (13) DISTINGUISHED  {G+STUDIES+HINDI}*

DOWN

2   Diehard setter opts out of ritual dance (5) ULTRA RiTUAL*

3   Something to eat during breaks over the table mainly perhaps with Karaoke (9) SPAGHETTI {GAPS<=}{THE+Ta..e}*{I}

4   Ignore boy, check for playboy (4) RAKE bRAKE

5   Fact-finding coordinator at centre leaves his career in a fit of anger (8) RESEARCH {HiS+CAREER}*

6   Why I say, silently leave trophy and admit defeat (5) YIELD{(~why)Y}{shIELD}

7   Found enjoyment, going topless, holding rounded clubs (9) ESTABLISH {rE{BATS<=}LISH}

8   Some rural man confused about new CIVIL ID perhaps? (5,8) ROMAN NUMERALS {SOME+RURAL+MAN}* over {N} DBE

9   Terrible loss for other Congress mainly when politicians join the opposite side (5,3,5) CROSS THE FLOOR {LOSS+FOR+OTHER+Co...s}*

15 Mock up one person without natural covering mostly in loose blouse (9) GARIBALDI {RAG<=}{I}{BALD}{In}

17 Inspector shot main criminal for major offence within boundaries (9) PRECINCTS {INSPECT(+c-o)CR}*

18 Mercenary from Edinburgh working to eliminate bishop (5,3) HIRED GUN EDINbURGH*

22 Part of hospital is tailor-made for noted celebrities in the show business (1-4) A-LIST [T]

24 Heavy-weight wife leaves Newton, while cycling (5) TONNE (+ton)TONNE(-w)(-ton)

25 Two-toed sloth runs heartily on the banks of Anapu (4) UNAU {rUNs}{AnapU}

Reference List

Unknown = Y, Long = L, Time = T, New = N, Advanced = A, Girl = G, Boy = B, Silently = SH, Bishop = B, Wife = W