No 14787, Thursday 07 May 2026, KrisKross

Solution to 6D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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   A little mate who's sick (8) SOMEWHAT*

5   A designated driver is against drink? Makes sense! (4,2) ADDS UP {A}{DD}{SUP}

9   Hot babe swimming across river in casual dress (8) BATHROBE {HOT+ROBE}* over {R}

10 Calendar info encapsulated in classic programming language (6) AGENDA {A{GEN}DA}

12 Clear online estimate - around 10.1 (9) EXONERATE {E}{RATE} over {X}{ONE}

13 Elected American representative ultimately busy (2,3) IN USE {IN}{US}{r...vE}

14 Small wound in rabbit's tail (4) SCUT {S}{CUT}

16 Relative of Greek orphan girl (7) GRANNIE {GR}{ANNIE}

19 &26D Easily understood Byzantine old calendar describing origin of Universe (4,3,5) LOUD AND CLEAR {OLD+CALENDER}* over {Un...e}

21 Song with an Indian beat (4) LAYA {LAY}{A}

24 Losing money, essentially quits drinking? Good call! (5) EVOKE {EV{OK}En}

25 Nosey character starting to peep into couple of clubs in US state (9) PINOCCHIO {Peep}{IN}{O{CC}HIO}

27 Cast out from food store counter (6) EXILED {EX}{DELI<=}

28 Engineer must shortly learn digital symbols (8) NUMERALS {MUSt+LEARN}*

29 Looking wise, I show off Latin lines (6) OWLISH {I+SHOW}* over {L}

30 Possibly in Chalukyas' era, districts in rebellion (1,4,3) I DARE SAY [T<=]

DOWN

1   After retirement, coach prepared a smaller group (6) SUBSET {BUS<=}{SET}

2   Senior woman champion quietly going after money (6) MATRON {pATRON}<=>{M}

3   Poorer son with frayed clothing (5) WORSE {WOR{S}E}

4   One runs to explode medieval weapon (7) ARBLAST {A}{R}{BLAST}

6   Notable sailor about to be involved in home project (9) D?G?I?A?Y ()

7   Hampered without gold coin, not acting confident (8) SANGUINE {SAN}{GUINEa}

8   Head of Pathology authorised to collect fresh component of blood (8) PLATELET {Pa...y}{LET} over {LATE}

11 Some YouTuber - Gen-Z composer of music (4) BERG [T]

15 Perpetual tax overwhelms one supporting artist (9) CEASELESS {C{EASEL}ESS}

17 Best friend tense before sharing difficult goal (5,3) ALTER EGO  {T}{ERE} in {GOAL}*

18 Running out in the middle of practice lesson (8) TUTORIAL {T{OUT*}RIAL}

20 Use drug and perform exercise (4) DOPE {DO}{PE}

21 Network director, most lazy (7) LANGUID {LAN}{GUIDe}

22 Transport these medicine bottles to hospital (6) PHIALS {PHIALS+TO}*=HOSPITAL [CA]

23 Nicely warmed egg, filling, good to eat (6) TOASTY {T{O}ASTY}

26 See 19A 

Reference List

Designated driver = DD, River = R, Info = GEN, Online = E, Small = S, Greek = GR, Song = LAY, Clubs = C, Latin = L, Quietly = P, Money = M, Son = S, Runs = R, Tense = T, Exercise = PE

No 14786, Wednesday 06 May 2026, Incognito

Solution to 5D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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   Brave warrior and biblical king gives away diamonds (4) HERO HEROd

9   7 confused about eastern ruler (5) AMEER {MARE}* over {E}

10 But a hill may be covering a state (4) UTAH [T]

11 Space agency covering southern university in Caribbean city (6) NASSAU {NAS{S}A}{U}

12 Father stole and got uncontrollable anxiety (8) PANICKED {PA}{NICKED}

13 We swarm excitedly around one in Bikini, for example (8) SWIMWEAR {WE+SWARM}* over {1}

15 Complete International Law (6) INTACT {INT}{ACT}

17 Elongate time (7) STRETCH [DD]

19 & 25 A railway guard, for example - he may spill the beans (7,6) WHISTLE BLOWER [DD]

22 Dr Bali travelling for marriage ritual (6) BRIDAL*

24 Walking around Malta, bun is cut into pieces (8) AMBULANT*

26 Permit giver modifying silencer (8) LICENSER*

28 Father crushed almond (3,3) OLD MAN*

30 Removing asp from topsail is hard work (4) TOIL TOpsaIL

31 Sharp mountain ridge in Delaware territory (5) ARETE [T]

32 Mad sociopath giving up chops? It's a very small quantity... (4) IOTA sOcIopATh*

DOWN

1   Wager on a Greek letter (4) BETA {BET}{A}

2   Criminal near river produces soup (8) CONSOMME {CON}{SOMME}

3   A bund constructed on East River (6) DANUBE {A+BUND}*{E}

4   Penny replaced model in gymnast's dress and spotted animal (7) LEOPARD LEO(+p-t)PARD

5   Threateningly wave seed covering on plate, for example (8) ?R?N?I?H (Addendum - BRANDISH {BRAN}{DISH} - See comments)

6   Sum up: "Animal in city" (6) MUSCAT {SUM<=}{CAT}

7   Animal from Srikakulam area (4) MARE [T]

14 & 21 Say, Gunga Din or Aquarius? (5,7) WATER CARRIER [DD]

16 Two spots, one below the other, in part of intestine (5) COLON (:) Rebus

18 Huge deficit in lignite, for example (8) COLOSSAL {CO{LOSS}AL}

20 Dressing a boy covered in earth (5,3) SALAD OIL {S{A}{LAD}OIL}

21 See 14

23 Lives and starts to dig sumps around source of water (6) DWELLS {Dig}{WELL}{Su..s}

25 See 19 Across 

27 Metal found in Adirondack (4) IRON [HIPS]

29 Bet mountain can be upside down (4) ANTE<=

Reference List

Diamonds = D, Eastern = E, Southern = S, University = U, East = E, Penny = P, Model = T

No 14785, Tuesday 05 May 2026, Incognito

Solution to 26A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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   Cost of travel in Cardiff area (4) FARE [T]

9   Mercury obtained from Arizona hotel construction after the Spanish left (5) AZOTH {AZ}{HOTel}*

10 Extraordinary risk irritates (4) IRKS*

11 Literary king with book came to know (6) LEARNT {LEAR}{NT}

12 Rival's pop nonet composition (8) OPPONENT*

13 Deserter from Army Post Office, say (8) APOSTATE {APO}{STATE}

15 Horrible diatribe on losing inspection bungalow, in short, is a verbal attack (6) TIRADE {DiATRIbE}*

17 Traverses tomb markers (7) CROSSES [DD]

19 Arranged pack with xenon containing one tool (7) PICKAXE {PACK}*{XE} over {1}

22 Ma cuts hybrid grape (6) MUSCAT*

24 Finished after Army Service Corps climbed (8) ASCENDED {ENDED}<=>{ASC}

26 Perhaps, heel's weapon? (8) ?T?L?T?O (Addendum - STILETTO [DD] - See comments)

28 Where a group of swimmers may study? (6) SCHOOL [C&DD]

30 Ship from Karwar goes (4) ARGO [T]

31 Rub off Times emblem in the beginning (5) ERASE {ERAS}{Em...m}

32 Type of house built without using aluminium in Salem, India (4) SEMI {SalEM}{I}

DOWN

1   Uncommon in Almora region (4) RARE [T]

2   Thaws forests being chopped up after beginning of December (8) DEFROSTS {FORESTS}*<=>{De...r}

3   Rule: "No pets in apartments under renovation" (6) MANTRA {ApARTMeNts}*

4   One behind Line of Control rejected final call for military officer (7) COLONEL {ONE}<=>{LOC<=} and {calL}

5   Indian bread got from guy at the inn initially (8) CHAPATTI {CHAP}{AT}{The}{Inn}

6   Meal given by doctor around nine decomposed (6) DINNER {D{NINE*}R}

7   Hide runner at end of garden (4) SKIN {SKI}{g...eN}

14 Hidden and concealed in sniper duty (5) PERDU [T] &lit

16 Pass away, having taken 9 in custody, in Southern US (5) DIXIE {D{IX}IE}

18 Extraordinary Lent diet is allowed (8) ENTITLED*

20 Relative has toured South African city (8) KINSHASA {KIN}{HAS}*{SA}

21 Ass walks around a vessel to get fruits (7) SAPOTAS {S{A}{POT}AS*}

23 Visit part of Calcutta before part of London (4,2) CALL ON {CALc...a}{LONdon}

25 We returned with money for nut (6) CASHEW {WE<=}<=>{CASH}

27 Conservative's attempt to consume egg (4) TORY {T{O}RY}

29 Units of Resistance from Head Office rejected manuscript (4) OHMS {HO<=}{MS}

Reference List

The in Spanish = EL, Book = NT(New Testament), Line of Control = LOC, Manuscript = MS

No 14784, Monday 04 May 2026, Incognito

Solution to 24D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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   Without being bidden, captured male removed face covering (8) UNMASKED {UNASKED} over {M}

5   Cheops managed for long periods (6) EPOCHS*

10 Confused vets with head of terrier in small screen (2,3) TV SET {VETS}*{Te...r}

11 Poem covering composition of Reagan's drink (9) ORANGEADE {O{REAGAN*}DE}

12 Repeated broadcasts from insurer unsavoury (6) RERUNS [T]

13 Wrongly say, "Putts and remains in the same place" (5,3) STAYS PUT*

15 Implements used to make stool (5) TOOLS* Semi&lit

17 Leave the decision to Penny, for example (4,1,4) TOSS A COIN [CD]

19 Excited deer circled around small water body and gave a reaction (9) RESPONDED {RE{S}{POND}ED*}

20 Shake firkin to some extent and drink (5) KEFIR [T]

21 Cone jet is modified to contain current discharge (8) EJECTION* {CONE+JET} over {I}

23 Paths in space created by bistro reconstruction (6) ORBITS*

27 Will, perhaps, try American ward (9) TESTAMENT {TEST}{AM}{ENT}

28 Extraterrestrial Neil Armstrong initially sent back (5) ALIEN {NEIL}{Ar...g}<=

29 Upshot from Ulster revolution (6) RESULT*

30 Professionals who give oral exams (8) DENTISTS [CD]

DOWN

1   Say, "Abject" (5) UTTER [DD]

2   Sum up, "Hot chambers for fungi" (9) MUSHROOMS {SUM<=}{H}{ROOMS}

3   Soft material from South Africa placed in front of container (5) SATIN {SA}{TIN}

4   Musk-melons hiding his name? (4) ELON [HIPS]

6   Kids love this swine accepting money (5,4) PIGGY BANK [CD]

7   Charlie gets light fixture (5) CLAMP {C}{LAMP}

8   For example, honey, ewes enter haphazardly (9) SWEETENER*

9   Whispered remark after group of actors get dropped (4,5) CAST ASIDE {ASIDE}<=>{CAST}

14 Card game Kurd poets played (4,5) STUD POKER*

15 Persecutor and soldiers trapped between a couple of mountains (9) TORMENTOR {TOR}{MEN}{TOR}

16 Deficit from brief decline (9) SHORTFALL {SHORT}{FALL}

18 Restricted film is oft horrible (3-6) OFF-LIMITS*

22 Makes it easy when seaplanes fly without plan (5) EASES SEAplanES*

24 Reprimand star consuming egg at sea (5) R?A?T (Addendum - {R{O}AST*} - See comments)

25 Drowns ship carrying writing material (5) SINKS {S{INK}S}

26 Eye problem from dusty environment (4) STYE [T]

Reference List

Male = M, Small = S, Current = I, American = AM, Hot = H, Charlie = C, Ship = SS

Special, Sunday 03 May 2026, Kamikaze

Welcome to our new setter KAMIKAZE. Bouquets and Brickbats welcome.

Three answers per commenter till 6 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)

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 54, Sunday 03 May 2026, Vidwan

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

9   Listen in, the first lady has a small mention (9) EAVESDROP {E{A}VE}{S}{DROP}

10 Go on about English being meanest (5) LEAST {L{E}AST}

11 Cry about adopting India colour (5) LILAC {CAL{I}L<=}

12 Fool hosting a short form of artistic work/period drama on TV (4,5) SOAP OPERA {SO{A}P}{OP}{ERA}

13 So return could be sponsored (7) RESPOND {RESPOND+SO}*=SPONSORED [CA]

15 Good and right to take responsibility as adult (7) GROWNUP {G}{R}{OWN UP}

17 I've innocence! No convoluted nuisance! (13) INCONVENIENCE {IVE+INNOCENCE+N}*

21 Perhaps only chap relinquishing power to become happy (7) HALCYON {ONLY+CHAp}*

22 Scoring century in gentleman's game and yet a bit shaky (7) RICKETY {cRICKET}{Yet}

23 Local clubs McCartney regularly goes to dehydrate (9) DESICCATE {DESI}{C}{mCcArTnEy}

25 Stir fear over fine (5) AWOKE {AW{OK}E}

27 Cause devastation with clubs discarded by amateur (5) WREAK  WRE(-c+a)AK

28 Fan crossing line to watch engaging royal consume grass in excess (9) OVERGRAZE {lOVER}{G{R}AZE}

DOWN

1   Cryptic callers' crypts (7) CELLARS*

2   Oddly you've a large cricket ground (4) OVAL {yOuVe}{A}{L}

3   Go back into shop coyly, perhaps for study of personality (10) PSYCHOLOGY {GO<=} in  {SHOP+COYLY}* Extra O in t he fodder

4   A forced kind of despair (6) PRISED {PRISED+A}*=DESPAIR [CA]

5   Small request by German peacekeepers for painting tool (5,3) SPRAY GUN {S}{PRAY}{G}{UN}

6   Drop of olive oil used for Spanish style stew (4) OLIO {Ol..e}{OIL*}

7   Temple spread included pickled crane (10) TABERNACLE {TAB{CRANE*}LE}

8   Gifts back case of peltry with belts (7) STRAPPY {PARTS<=}{Pe..rY}

14 Wildebeests upset by girls' shades (10) SUNGLASSES {GNUS<=}{LASSES}

16 Say O+ve strain (10) OVERCHARGE {OVER}{CHARGE}

18 Ex-Indian cricketer taking kid around to find a Goan delicacy (8) VINDALOO {VIN{LAD<=}OO}

19 Dark had replaced northern cold (7) SHADOWY S(-n+had)HADOWY

20 Latin apple stones, perhaps for tennis player (7) PYRENES [DD] Player or Tournament?

22 Point about English sailor's coat (6) REEFER {RE{E}FER}

24 Bakery item about to make bar millons (4) CAKE {C}{mAKE}

26 Short Indian PM from south state (4) OMAN<=

Reference List

Small = S, English = E, India = I, Good = G, Right = R, No = N, Power = P, Century = C, Clubs = C, Amateur = A, Line = L, Royal = R, Large = L, German = G, Northern = N, About = C

No 14783, Saturday 02 May 2026, Incognito

 ACROSS
8 A student leaves Salem, India in a type of truck (4) SEMI {SalEM}{I}

9 Thai travels around one Caribbean country (5) HAITI {THAI}* around {I}

10 Lake that is next to latter part of river (4) ERIE {IE}<=>{rivER}
11 9 flying around model island (6) TAHITI {HAITI}* around {T}

12 Serpent from broken down tipper encircles 6 (3,5) PIT VIPER {TIPPER}* around {VI}
13 Direct, //"Nothing to be added to drink"(8) STRAIGHT [DD]
15 Confused, Greta follows team leader's goal (6) TARGET {GRETA*}<=>{Team}
17 State: "Mona hugs Brown" (7) MONTANA {MON{TAN}A}
19 Facial expression from stern and highly successful fighter pilot (7) GRIMACE {GRIM}{ACE}
22 Rose // climbed (4,2) WENT UP [DD]
24 On secret agents having temperature in breaks (8) RESPITES {RE}{SPI{T}ES}
26 Indian make up?(3,5) WAR PAINT [CD]

28 Adds, "Kid is no longer asleep" (4,2) TOTS UP {TOT'S}{UP}
30 Arabic leader's French friend is at end of pier (4) AMIR {AMI}{pieR}
31 Ship //  some tailoring material (5) LINER [DD]
32 Stagger // in // short video (4) REEL [DD]

DOWN
1 Wrongly gave a star (4) VEGA*

2 Watchful soldier initially living wildly after losing bearing(8) VIGILANT {ANT}<=>{LIVInG}*
3 Drawing back, throw gin cocktail (6) SHYING {SHY}{GIN*}
4 Argument from princess? Terribly upset! (7) DISPUTE {DI}{UPSET*}
5 Perhaps what Hitler's steno called him? (8) DICTATOR [CD]
6 Spanish gentleman hugging setter is an old person (6) SENIOR {SEN{I}OR}
7 Take on rent in Sitamarhi region (4) HIRE [T]
14 Them having a type of shirt and hosiery item (5) THOSE {T}{HOSE}
16 Dash, perhaps, in front of church with English host of a ceremony (5) EMCEE {EM}{CE}{E}
18 I stun pal dancing for weddings (8) NUPTIALS*
20 Wetness from our items going bad (8) MOISTURE*
21 Act before nurse (7) PRETEND {PRE}{TEND}
23 Animals from Paris round about appearing after tea, I hear (6) TAPIRS {PARIS*}<=>{T}(~TEA)

25 God took seat on pot(6) SATURN {SAT}{URN}

27 Top class manuscript ends (4) AIMS {AI}{MS}
29 Consumed and sued wrongly (4) USED*

REFERENCE LIST

Student=L, One=I, That is=ie (id est), Model=T, Six=VI, On=Re, Temperature=T, Bearing= N (North) , Setter=I, Dash=Em, Church=CE, English=E, Top Class=AI, Manuscript=MS.

No 14782, Friday 01 May 2026, Arden

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

1   Man in the White House blasted and told to sit on his haunches (6,5)  DONALD TRUMP {AND+TOLD}*{RUMP}

7   Openers bowled out - googly for Marsh (3) BOG Acrostic

9   Periodical with nice centrespread, enchanting (5) MAGIC {MAG}{nICe}

10 Look, try how to make it fit for flying (9) AIRWORTHY {AIR}{TRY+HOW}*

11 Gin bottles - I'm good working on beds (9) GARDENING {G{ARDEN}IN}{G}

12 Make amends during lunch time (5) ATONE {AT ONE}

13 Come-back star, again falls (7) NIAGARA [T<=]

15 Three cycling, find civic unrest (4) TRIO (+t)TRIO(-t) Clue leads to RIOT!

18 I offer in the same place (4) IBID {I}{BID}

20 There is money in sugar and pepper (7) CAYENNE {CA{YEN}NE}

23 Neat guide (5) STEER [DD}

24 Emboss over lace inlay found on dinner tables (5,4) PLACE MATS {STAMP<=} over {LACE} 

26 Bans mob, agrees to disperse (9) EMBARGOES*

27 Story about an Indian antelope... (5) SAIGA {SA{I}GA}

28 .. the climax in the story (3)  TOR [HIPS]

29 Little overreach perhaps helps you see things clearly (6,5) SEARCH LIGHT {S{REACH*}LIGHT}

DOWN

1   Mother's getting old - it's playing havoc (8) DAMAGING {DAM}{AGING}

2   West African country in a soup (8) NIGERIAN {NIGER}{IN+A}*

3   Small becomes large - it's still money (5) LUCRE (-s+l)LUCRE

4   One stops running trains for royalty (7) TSARINA {A} in {TRAINS}*

5   Honest state gets conservative support (7) UPRIGHT {UP}{RIGHT}

6   For a supporter it's an unknown expletive (9) PROFANITY {PRO}{FAN}{IT}{Y}

7   It's crazy, taking half an hour is a let-down (6) BATHOS {BAT{HOur}S}

8   The Greek has cross eyes like the 'old faithful' in Yellowstone (6) GEYSER {G{EYES*}R}

14 Cautionary signal before Green and Red is called floating gold (9) AMBERGRIS {AMBER}{G}{R}{IS}

16 Said to be wanting - making some dough? (8) KNEADING (~needing)

17 Winger's way to block merchant's rise (8) REDSTART {ST} in {TRADER<=}

19 Envoy's detailed charter (7) DIPLOMA DIPLOMAt

20 Girl in central information commission is model (7) CLASSIC {C{LASS}IC}

21 Characteristic of a religious order to keep quiet (6) ASPECT {A}{S{P}ECT}

22 One from North Africa is right, repeatedly (6) BERBER {BE}{R}{BE}{R}

25 Stand inside a select group (5) EASEL [T]

Reference List

Good = G, Indian = I, Mother = DAM, Small = S, Large = L, Unknown = Y, Greek = GR, Green = G, Red = R, Way = ST, Quiet = P, Right = R

No 14781, Thursday 30 Apr 2026, Arden

Solution to 9D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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

6   Money kept in her custody is returned (5) SUCRE [T<=]

7   Talk about bad day - usually they all start being stubborn (8) OBDURATE {O{Bad}{Day}{Us...y}RATE}

10 The French flyer is a rogue (7) LADRONE {LA}{DRONE}

11 Opposing win in a way (7) AGAINST {A}{GAIN}{ST}

12 Little over bearing and cunning (7) SLEIGHT {SL{E}IGHT}

13 Day a senior came back for a pigment (3,4) RED LEAD {D}{A}{ELDER}<=

14 Unearthed under ocean, perhaps a primitive craft (6,5) DUGOUT CANOE {DUGOUT}{OCEAN}*

19 Perfect example of pressure on a gas all around (7) PARAGON {P}{AR{A}GON}

21 Standard location detailed by Johnny-come-lately (7) PARVENU {PAR}{VENUe}

23 The billionaire glad to reclaim part of the country (7) ALGERIA [T<=]

25 Angered in other words (7) ENRAGED*

26 Man with idea is mournful (8) PLANGENT {GENT}<=>{PLAN}

27 One left out to burn (5) SINGE SINGlE

DOWN

1   A top detective is a junkie (4,4) ACID HEAD {A}{CID HEAD}

2   Setter over weight, carrying on with an Asian flower (6) MEKONG {ME}{K{ON}G}

3   With Teflon component rotate traffic sign (2,4,4) NO LEFT TURN {TEFLON}* [RA]

4   Some of the old Norse poems added up (4) EDDA [T<=]

5   One over hundred, pronto (2,4) AT ONCE {A{TON}CE}

6   "Band goes over the place" - that's sensational news! (6) SPLASH {S{PL}ASH}

8   Managed to involve staff subject (7) RWANDAN {R{WAND}AN}

9   Bossy breakdown analysis (5) ?T?D? (Addendum - STUDY {STUD}{Y} - See comments)

13 I reinspect distribution for the beneficiaries (10) RECIPIENTS*

15 Potty right in for a famous cosmonaut (7) GAGARIN {GAGA}{R}{IN}

16 Ginger worried about me coming out (8) EMERGING {GINGER}* over {ME}

17 Fight over catching river fish (5) SPRAT {SP{R}AT}

18 Trick used to get uniform breadth and defeat (6) SUBDUE {USED}* over {U}{B}

20 Delight with Royal Salute in the end (6) REGALE {REGAL}{s...tE}

22 Stop flipping at the top - it's most uncommon... (6) RAREST (-a)R(+a)AREST

24 ...stop short and claim (4) AVER AVERt

Reference List

The in French = LA, Way = ST(Street), Bearing = E(East), Day = D, Pressure = P, Standard = PAR, Left = L, Place = PL, Right = R, River = R, Uniform = U, Breadth = B

No 14780, Wednesday 29 Oct 2026, Arden

Solution to 22A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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   Had returned in disarray - kept gunners hidden, undetected (5,3,5) UNDER THE RADAR {HAD+RETURNED}* over {RA}

10 Imprisoned leader disposed of as he was indisposed (5) AILED jAILED

11 Flow rate on board can be solved (9) TREATABLE {RATE}*{TABLE}

12 Find out why active retired men run away (9) DETERMINE {rETIRED+MEN}*

13 Initially some study and leave (5) SCRAM {Some}{CRAM}

14 Moors' short reply to catch a thief in Delhi (7) ANCHORS {AN{CHOR}Swer}

16 Fancy marketing mantra adopted by a group (7) SUSPECT {S{USP}ECT}

18 A recluse accepts money and distributes it among the poor (7) ALMONER {A}{L{M}ONER} Semi&lit

20 Operator's tool to climb over parking line (7) SCALPEL {SCAL{P}E}{L}

22 Manage to get initial guarantee from bank (5) R?D?E (Addendum - RIDGE {RID{Gu...e}E} - See comments)

24 Close call for new grounding (4,5) NEAR THING {N}{EARTHING}

26 Operation was successful initially on family corruption (4,5) SKIN GRAFT {Su...l}{KIN}{GRAFT}

27 Leaders in Masjids are mainly selected to lead the prayers (5) IMAMS Acrostic Semi&lit

28 Possibly repairing core of the old airmail system (7,6) CARRIER PIGEON*

DOWN

2   Belonging to a family of the languages spoken in Egypt, nothing pertains to the ear (7) NILOTIC {NIL}{OTIC}

3   Deride angrily and admit it keeps you warm (9) EIDERDOWN {DERIDE}*{OWN}

4   Model suit tailored for one in Kigali, perhaps... (5) TUTSI {T}{SUIT}*

5   ...besides eating balanced square meal (9) ELEVENSES {EL{EVEN}SE}{S}

6   Wagers earlier in Spain (5) ANTES {ANTE}{S}

7   Egg plant - not in French restaurant (7) AUBERGE AUBERGinE

8   Help lift car up and down - others get a heart attack (7,6) CARDIAC ARREST {CAR}{AID<=}{CAR}{REST}

9   Worried old-timers got a medical specialist (13) DERMATOLOGIST*

15 Over time psychiatrist gets depreciation (9) SHRINKAGE {AGE}<=>{SHRINK}

17 Bird takes time - that's astonishing (9) STARTLING {S{TAR{T}LING}

19 Admire a bubbly wine (7) MADEIRA* 

21 Compatriot has no money upfront in India (7) PAISANO {NO}<=>{PAISA}

23 Keen to get inside a German university (5) EAGER [T]

25 Misbehave with law, having state support (3,2) ACT UP {ACT}{UP}

Reference List

Gunners = RA(Royal Artillery), Run = R, Thief in Hindi = CHOR, Marketing mantra = USP, Money = M, Parking = P, Line = L, New = N, Model = T, Square = S, Spain = S, Time = T

No 14779, Tuesday 28 Apr 2026, Crossant

Solution to 17D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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   Want runs in the end (6) DEARTH {DEA{R}TH}

4   After headers of Cristiano Ronaldo, supporters start going crazy (8) CRACKERS {Cr...o}{Ro...o}{bACKERS}

9   Did without common parking for hotel (6) SPARED S(-h+p)PARED

10 Mumbai Indians celebrity, reportedly aggrieved, eventually moved (8) MIGRATED {MI}{(~great)GRATE}{a...eD}

12 Stink from bit of rotten, unopened vegetable (4) REEK {Ro...n}{lEEK}

13 Initially unacceptable terms also accommodated in complete reversal (10) SOMERSAULT {Un...e+TERMS+ALSO}*

15 Convey to American leader and escalate a crisis (5,2,1,4) BRING TO A HEAD {BRING}{TO}{A}{HEAD}

18 Instruction before young member of family takes foreign trip (12) PRESCRIPTION {PRE}{SCION} over {TRIP}*

21 Keeps returning to dock around Ukrainian port (10) SEVASTOPOL {SAVES}{TO}{LOP<=}

22 Nag about missing half of practice (4) CARP PRACtice<=

24 Associates with criminal types (8) CONSORTS {CON}{SORTS}

25 Eggs in bird cage, nearly hundred in the beginning (6) CAVIAR {AVIARy}<=>{C}

26 Banks maybe refusing loans, primarily pinching American customers (3,5) END USERS {lEND{US}ERS}

27 Insists on letting out front part of roadside property (6) ASSETS ASSErTS

DOWN

1   Give details of small rudimentary dwelling engulfed by river (8) DESCRIBE {DE{S}{CRIB}E}

2   He's learned something that has no practical value (8) ACADEMIC [DD]

3   Openings for trained, reliable, electrical engineers in plant (4) TREE Acrostic

5   One way to get more space in the attic - make a lot of noise (5,3,4) RAISE THE ROOF [DD]

6   Cheats and complains about suffering hard times in the end (4,6) CARD SHARPS {CARPS} over {HARD+t..eS}*

7   Consumes drug and drink after a bit of temptation (4,2) EATS UP {E} and {SUP}<=>{A}{Te...n}

8   Dignified boy staying away from heated debates (6) SEDATE DEbATES*

11 Vehicle perhaps comes to outskirts of Raipur too (5,7) MOTOR SCOOTER {COMES+TO+Ra..uR+TOO}*

14 Rage so often produces violent people (10) AGGRESSORS {RAGE+SO}* [Letter Bank]

16 Agree on disposal of files implicating popular American (8) FINALISE {FILES}* over {IN}{A}

17 Produces fire and smoke basically (8) ?N?P?R?S ()

19 Korean rapper, revolutionary soul (6) PSYCHE {PSY}{CHE}

20 Balanced playing eleven - left out MSD finally (6) EVENED {ElEVEN}*{msD}

23 Girl failing to finish drink (4) LASS LASSi

Reference List

Runs = R, Parking = P, Hotel = H, American = A, Hundred = C, American = US, Small = S, Drug = E, Boy = B, Left = L