No 14698, Friday 23 Jan 2026, Incognito

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   Unpaid? Super! (11) OUTSTANDING [DD]

9   Swears on affidavit typed hastily, for starters, and signs finally (5) OATHS {On}{Af...t}{Ty..d}{Ha...y}{s..nS}

10 Prudent to go around country with Romeo and Lothario (9) WOMANISER {W{OMAN}ISE}{R}

11 Misleading clue for "Sacred ornament worn by her after removing pouch" (3,7) RED HERRING {sacRED}{RING} over {HER}

12 Wiki wrongly spelt bird (4) KIWI*

13 Fine cotton thread from large island (5) LISLE {L}{ISLE}

15 Excitedly petting around end of arm and seducing (8) TEMPTING {TE{arM}PTING*}

17 Talking without a bandage (8) DRESSING adDRESSING Deletion indicator for D missing

19 Boy leaves river submerging girl's animal (5) TIGER {TI(-b}ER} over {G}

22 Uncovered part of menu deleted (4) NUDE [T]

23 No place to die inside the house (6-4) LIVING-ROOM [C&DD]

26 Savage baron is in front of funny Arabian carrying redhead (9) BARBARIAN {B}{A{Re...d}BARIAN*}

27 Prod guardsmen giving up arms and running (5) NUDGE {GUarDsmEN}*

28 Little dog with European mother's mother consumed fruit (11) POMEGRANATE {POM}{E}{GRAN}{ATE}

DOWN

1   Chose operation to explore deep initially (5) OPTED {OP}{To}{Ex...e}{Deep}

2   Seattle preparation on ship is insipid (9) TASTELESS {SEATTLE}*{SS}

3   Worst construction around eastern skyscrapers (6) TOWERS {TOW{E}RS*}

4   Named person... one jumping around pit (7) NOMINEE {NO{MINE}E*}

5   Charged particles found in onion skin (4) IONS [T]

6   Going, consuming small sip, and indulging in idle talk (9) GOSSIPING {GO{S}{SIP}ING}

7   Rolls Royce is parked in fuel enclosure (6) CORRAL {CO{RR}AL}

8   Is making a mistake placing ornament behind queen (6) ERRING {RING}<=>{ER}

14 Policeman's stake-out near road wrongly taped person... Not on! (5,4) SPEED TRAP {TAPED+PERSon}*

16 A label fixed in piano built in South American region (9) PATAGONIA {A}{TAG} in {PIANO}*

17 European carrying university boy's flower (6) DANUBE {DAN{U}{B}E}

18 Perhaps, transfixing top class fish behind end of barn (7) NAILING {A1}{LING}<=>{barN}

20 The Desert Fox starting to march in capital with trainee (6) ROMMEL {RO{Ma..h}ME}{L}

21 Flower from Zulu hostelry is available in the beginning (6) ZINNIA {Z}{INN}{Is}{Av...e}

24 Historically popular song, perhaps, in soldier's heart (5) OLDIE [HIPS}

25 Moderately hot conflict with maiden (4) WARM {WAR}{M}

Reference List

Romeo = R, Large = L, Boy = B, Girl = G, Baron = B, Ship = SS, Eastern = E, Small = S, Rolls Royce = RR, Queen = ER, University = U, Trainee = L, Zulu = Z, Maiden = M

No 14697, Thursday 22 Jan 2026, Incognito

Solution to 29D 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   Actress Lucille's boy gets everything (4) BALL {B}{ALL}

9   Fowl transported by mid-morning... carried by air (5) FLOWN {FOWL*}{morNing}

10 Suspend Chinese girl (4) HANG {HAN}{G}

11 Bachelor throwing corn, with love, for wild horse (6) BRONCO {B}{CORN}{0}

12 Buried one with book and made a mistake (8) INTERRED {1}{NT}{ERRED} 

13 Before middle of operation, California doctor covers the bishop's seat (8) CATHEDRA {o..rAt..n}<=>{CA}{DR} over {THE}

15 Violently slay, er, in sanctuary (6) ASYLUM {SLAY*}{UM} 

17 Waste fried eatables (7) FRITTER [DD]

19 Hopelessness from touring Paris after Germany (7) DESPAIR {PARIS*}<=>{DE}

22 Colour repaired sliding door when lords go away (6) INDIGO {slIDING+doOr}*

24 Fascinating method of attaching metal sheets (8) RIVETING [DD]

26 Gnu runs with fruit on starting to hear terrible shoot-out (8) GUNFIGHT {GNU*}{FIG}{Hear}{Te...e}

28 Discuss a type of tree I left (6) CONFER CONiFER

30 Prohibit nitrogen in shed (4) BARN {BAR}{N}

31 American statesman getting 10 in 10, including an 'A' (5) TEXAN {TE{X}{A}N}

32 Direction right on the map? (4) EAST [CD/GK]

DOWN

1   So left sailor in confusion in den (4) LAIR sAILoR*

2   Chinese alien follows scheme to make coin blank (8) PLANCHET {CH}{ET}<=>{PLAN}

3   Have enough money for a fine car (6) AFFORD {A}{F}{FORD}

4   Coal placed around highway from London to Leeds by Charlie? It's funny! (7) COMICAL {CO{M1}{C}AL}

5   Start and excitedly eat in it after one (8) INITIATE {EAT+IN+IT}*<=>{1}

6   Shout about that lady's fruit (6) CHERRY {C{HER}RY}

7   Keen to break joint? (4) KNEE*

14 Public Relations Officer wearing a new pinny (5) APRON {A}{PRO}{N}

16 University inn arranged to cover ring for marriage (5) UNION {U}{NI{O}N*}

18 Extend Musk's portal (8) ELONGATE {ELON}{GATE}

20 Secured IP rights for portable accommodation possessed by father and editor (8) PATENTED {PA}{TENT}{ED}

21 Exert erroneously in physical training and excuse (7) PRETEXT {P{EXERT*}T}

23 Horribly faint after taking in a bit of noxious tot (6) INFANT {FAINT}* over {No...s}

25 Empty tin in vessel (6) VACANT {VA{CAN}T}

27 Them flying around North Pole results in snafu, perhaps (4) USAF {USAF+N}*=SNAFU

29 Simple Yankee follows nearly 32 (4) E?S? (Addendum - EASY {Y}<=>{EASt} - See comments)

Reference List

Boy = B, Girl = G, Bachelor = B, Book = NT(New Testament), ER = UM, Germany = DE, Chinese = CH, Alien = ET, Fine = F, Charlie = C, New = N, University = U, Editor = ED, North Pole = N, Yankee = Y

No 14696, Wednesday 21 Jan 2026, Arden

Solution to 22D 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

9   Crucify people in the wrong (7) TORMENT {TOR{MEN}T}

10 Empty vessel interrupting a game (7) PARKOUR {P{ARK}OUR}

11 Part of steel bonnet to reclaim honour (7) ENNOBLE [T<=]

12 Protected circle giving the glad eye (7) LEERING {LEE}{RING}

13 The devil gets credit - is he looking after the church affairs? (9) SACRISTAN {SA{CR}{IS}TAN}

15 Game on a flat dry ground (5) PLAYA {PLAY}{A}

16 First of all, can you prevent the commotion over a Greek dialect? (7) CYPRIOT {Can}{You}{Pr...t}{RIOT} What's the role of OVER?

19 Serious listener's abode (7) EARNEST {EAR}{NEST}

20 Ridicule the occasional calumny in Times (5) TAUNT {T}{cAlUmNy}{T}

21 Overwhelmed as association lets us in (9) AWESTRUCK {AS}{TRUCK} over {WE}

25 Containers for clubs' bearers, perhaps (7) CADDIES [DD]

26 Is he against work? That's the question (7) OPPOSER {OP}{POSER}

28 Blimp goes abroad - Paris gets a greeting (7) AIRSHIP {AIRS{HI}P*}

29 Advance permits arranged (7) IMPREST*

DOWN

1   Afterwards put in a small capital (6) ATHENS {A}{THEN}{S}

2   Satirical contents - bird song, nice? (6) IRONIC {bIRd}{sONg}{nICe}

3   "Press one for superb"- at the end of it all, one is European (4) SERB Tail Acrostic

4   Declare it's time to stop a match (6) ATTEST {T} in {A}{TEST}

5   Cry in the past about grandeur (8) OPULENCE {O{PULE}NCE}

6   Booze on the house for a Bohemian (4,6) FREE SPIRIT [DD]

7   Mention about accepting a label (8) NOMINATE {NOMIN{A}TE*}

8   Show off lifted dress label right inside (8) BRAGGART {GARB<=}{T{R}AG<=} Reversal indicator in the wrong place

14 Visual alarm - activate it and I hit gold! (5,5) IDIOT LIGHT  {IT+I+HIT+GOLD}* 

16 A whale perhaps can protect an alien one (8) CETACEAN {C{ET}{ACE}AN}

17 Rifles - please store below (8) PLUNDERS {PL{UNDER}S} 

18 Patterns used in the arm of a church (8) TRANSEPT* 

22 Foreign state having eat set up (6) E?O?I? {Addendum - EXOTIC {CIT{OX}E<=} See comments) Should have been NEAT and not EAT

23 Bad result from Northern Ireland (6) ULSTER*

24 Take care to disrobe - fancy sport? (6) KARATE {TAKE+cARe}* 

27 Story teller's keeping quiet about the bishop of Rome (4) POPE {PO{P}E}

Reference List

Wrong = TORT, Protected = LEE, Credit = CR, Time = T, Association = TRUCK, Work = OP, Small = S, Right = R, Alien = ET, Please = PL, Quiet = P

No 14695, Tuesday 21 Jan 2026, Arden

Solution to 14D 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   Old revolutionary had plenty to provide cover (6) CLOTHE {C{LOT}HE}

4   Going over the top alone is tough, boss (2,6) AL CAPONE {AL{CAP}ONE}

9   A good essay about a port (6) ODESSA [T]

10 Title restricted to those who are not too old, perhaps (8) BARONAGE {BAR ON AGE}

12 Ending the last four months on a luxury ship — a capital chap (8) BERLINER {BER}{LINER}

13 Discontented judge takes a month to find one innocent (6) JEJUNE {JudgE}{JUNE}

15 State the law to be heard at the racing venue (12) INDIANAPOLIS {INDIANA}{(~police)POLIS)

18 After may be brief call, net working — capable of double refraction (12) BIREFRINGENT {BRIEF*}{RING}{NET*} New word for me

21 First breakthrough — a gate crash will land one in hot water (3,3) TEA BAG {Br...h+A+GATE}*

22 Work can be cultivated all around — lovely! (8) ADORABLE {A{DO}RABLE}

24 Destined for gold — patience oddly missing during days outside... (8) ORDAINED {OR}{D}{pAtIeNcE}{D}

25 ...or during service imbroglio (6) MORASS {M{OR}ASS}

26 Cover for 60 seconds stopping dead (8) LAMINATE {L{A MIN}ATE}

27 Harry asks to include a name of state (6) KANSAS {K{A}{N}SAS*}

DOWN

1   Boast a bit about a worn-out horse (4-4) CROW-BAIT {CROW}{A+BIT}*

2   I've order to refuse bypass (8) OVERRIDE*

3   Correct path is isolation to get medical care (15) HOSPITALISATION*

5   Conduct in front (4) LEAD [DD]

6   The malady that ensures people are on a six-an-over disposition (8,7) ANOREXIA NERVOSA* Semi&lit? For a word like this the definition could have been a bit more precise than just Malady

7   Work on a what, in Spain? Not clear at all (6) OPAQUE {OP}{A}{QUE}

8   Every essential equipment empties into a hole (6) EYELET {EverY}{Es...aL}{Eq...nT}

11 Song indeed is late (7) DELAYED {DE{LAY}ED}

14 Hand over in-laws to a fellow traveller (7) ?O?R?D? (Addendum - COMRADE {CO{ARM<=}DE} - See comments) 

16 Is able to switch partners with tribades (8) LESBIANS {IS+ABLE}*{N}{S}

17 Like to restrict work — it's the doubting Thomases (8) ATHEISTS {AS} over {ITS+THE}*

19 Walk-way on top of list (6) STROLL {ST}{ROLL}

20 Timed naturally while some of them rise together (6) TANDEM [T<=]

23 Festivity said to be for an achievement (4) FEAT (~fete) US and British pronunciations of FETE are totally different

Reference List

Work = DO, Gold = OR, Day = D, Name = N, Work = OP, What in Spanish = QUE, Song = LAY, Partners = N(orth),S(outh) in Card game Bridge, Way = ST, List = ROLL

No 14694, Monday 19 Jan 2026, Arden

Solution to 2D 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   The average Joe somehow entertains them (3,2,3,6) MAN IN THE STREET*

10 He owns stock like in the middle of the sea, mostly (5) MASAI {M{AS}AIn}

11 SOS once briefly for getting amorous here at the centre (9) KISSINGER {KISSING}{hERe}

12 Long to get into coach, not in one of the airways (7) TRACHEA {TR{ACHE}Ain}

13 Harry liaises to get some lining material (7) SILESIA*

14 Money is repatriated from Iran, I'd say (5) DINAR [T<=]

16 Instrument protected in the middle of winter is undamaged (9) INVIOLATE {wIN{VIOLA}TEr}

19 Strangely I'm told, even beards become grey for these people (3,6) OLD TIMERS {IM+TOLD}*{bEaRdS} Semi&lit

20 French Nobel laureate backed Bush (5) SUMAC<=

22 Japanese hostesses sent out - sent out of housing estates, perhaps (7) GEISHAS {HousInG+EStAteS}*

25 Snake becomes Greek lover as adjoining characters swap first place (7) MEANDER (-l+m)MEANDER

27 Thing to change before midnight - have some cover for retirement (9) NIGHTGOWN {THING*}{niGht}{OWN}

28 Some of the original image reflected in the fashion capital (5) MILAN [T<=]

29 Fancy coat originates from classification (14) CATEGORISATION* 

DOWN

2   Sat on the fence on a plot filled with soil (9) A?S?A?N?D (Addendum - ABSTAINED {A}{B{STAIN}ED} - See comments)

3   Subject of a cycling holy man in India (5) IRISH (+i)IRISH(-i)

4   Accept a raise and go away (4,1,4) TAKE A HIKE [DD]

5   Reduces like in rear view (5) EASES {AS} in {SEE<=}

6   Twitter is overactive - that amounts to a lot (9) TRILLIONS {TRILL}{I{ON}S}

7   Regularly held - agrees on margins (5) EDGES {hElD+aGrEeS}

8   Stoop shows mistake in time card (7) TERRACE {T}{ERR}{ACE}

9   Displayed emotion over book and encouraged both sides (6) EMOTED {TOME<=}{En...eD}

15 Get chairs arranged for a parliamentary building (9) REICHSTAG*

17 Checks the way people get into habits (9) VESTMENTS {VE{ST}{MEN}TS}

18 Moving drama on sick, old animal... (9) ARMADILLO {DRAMA*}{ILL}{O}

19 ...only about caring for the living (7) ORGANIC {O}{CARING}*

21 My leaders only need another crown (6) CORONA {COR}{Only}{Need}{An...r}

23 Block ready to be rolled - informing others (5) INGOT [T]

24 Small dog has nothing to eat, needs a scrub (5) SCOUR {S}{C{0}UR}

26 Own admission in verbatim - daily reviewed (5) ADMIT [T<=]

Reference List

Time = T, Way = ST(street), Old = O, Only = OMy = COR, Small = S

Special, Sunday 18 Jan 2026, Veeyares

Three answers per commenter till 1 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 39, Sunday 18 Jan 2026, Vidwan

ACROSS

1   Keep an eye on space around metal wheels (7) MONITOR {RO{TIN}OM}<=

5   Shaman loses head, chasing large reptile (6) LIZARD {wIZARD}{<=>{L}

10 Democrat breaking new ground, initially covered Australia and New Zealand (4,5) DOWN UNDER {D}{NEW+gROUND}*

11 Almost contain exposed rock damage (5) HAVOC {HAVe}{rOCk}

12 Officer mostly wears good perfume (7) COLOGNE {COLO{G}ONEl}

13 A comrade male MLA for instance (7) ACRONYM {A}{CRONY}{M} [DBE]

14 One whose conviction lasts the longest (5) LIFER [CD]

16 Suffering consumption every single game! (9) PAINTBALL {PAIN}{TB}{ALL} Anno for TB not clear See comments 

18 How may a feline suspect a trick? (5,1,3) SMELL A RAT [C&DD]

20 He replaces easel in never-ending board game (5) CHESS C(-easel+he)HESS

22 State of fashionable princess (7) INDIANA {IN}{DIANA}

24 Strips to make fun of a snooty fellow from the east (7) RIBBONS {RIB}{SNOB<=}

26 Union Point (5) NORTH [DD] Union/North(USA during Civil War) needs  to be specified further

27 Fellow dumped beautiful bride checking good way to catch flight! (3,6) AIR BRIDGE {fAIR}{BRID{G}E}

28 English 'crossword' for every setting essentially (6) EXPERT {E}{X}{PER}{setTing} Definition?

29 Breaking News! Sit and watch! (7) WITNESS*

DOWN

1   Degree doctor claimed (7) MEDICAL* Semi&lit

2   Jack buried treasure south of Norway's post (5) NEWEL {jEWEL}<=>{N}

3   Eeriness - tramp turning into registered nurse! (7) TRUDGER {TRUDGE}{ER} Definition seems incorrect. Why turning into? Plus there is an extra E (Correction -  (TRUDGER+EERINESS}*=REGISTERED NURSE [CA] - See comments) 

4   Salad symbolising communist spirit for everyone (3,6) RED PEPPER {RED}{PEP}{PER}

6   Receive from predecessors in their shifts (7) INHERIT {IN}{THEIR*}

7   Use lead (9) ADVANTAGE [DD]

8   Based on ten medical works (7) DECIMAL*

9   Plant food from our earth (4) UREA [T]

15 I felt endless pride, flying for expedition (5,4) FIELD TRIP {I+FELT+PRIDe}(*

17 Wring toe possibly to thrive on each other (9) INTERGROW {WRING+TOE}* Second R from?

18 Discipline based on logic, not against sense of morality (7) SCIENCE [CD] (Correction - conSCIENCE - See comments)

19 Manufacturing the real suede (7) LEATHER*

20 Club occasionally admits having a bar! (7) CABARET {C}{ET} over {A}{BAR} ET from? Where's the definition? (Correction - {aCcEpT} over {A}{BAR} - See comments)

21 Extremely tenuous, messy, unstable structures (7) SYSTEMS {Te...uS+MESSY}*

23 Nadal goes back a long distance (4) AFAR<=

25 Elder is awkward to idolise (5) OLDIE {OLDIE+IS}*=IDOLISE

Reference List

Large = L, Democrat = D, Good = G, Male = M, Fashionable = IN, Fellow = F, English = E, Jack = J, Norway = N, 

No 14693, Saturday 17 Jan 2026, VMA Nair

ACROSS

1   Employee breaks case of salty drink made of beer and lemonade (6) SHANDY {Sal{HAND}tY}

4   Attendant's husband and new child introduced to retired celebrity (8) HENCHMAN {H} and {N}{CH} in {NAME<=}

9   South-eastern state backing small organizations (6) SETUPS {SE}{PUT<=}{S}

10 Suspend professional villain (8) PROROGUE {PRO}{ROGUE}

12 Complain to Saint John about arrangements between automobile owners (3,5) CAR POOLS {CARP} with {S}{LOO}<=

13 Ancestral home bordered by grassland close to capital (6) LINEAL {L{IN}EA}{c...aL}

15 Cafe owner and others retrospectively regret limiting quality time (12) RESTAURATEUR {REST}{RUE<=} over  {AURA}{T}

18 Delivery director is selflessly training kid inside (12) DISTRIBUTION {D}{IS}{T{RIB}UiTION}

21 Grab a brood of chickens (6) CLUTCH [DD]

22 City girl gave faulty plugs (3,5) LAS VEGAS {LAS{GAVE*}S}

24 After an exclamation of disbelief, setter cracks exam in class (8) TUTORIAL {TUT}{OR{I}AL}

25 Some famous Tanzanian verse (6) STANZA [T]

26 Old post office gets positive publicity (8) EXPOSURE {EX}{PO}{SURE}

27 Covered vacant Vietnamese food shop counter (6) VEILED {Vi...sE}{DELI<=}

DOWN

1   Part of window crashed so badly after striking base (4,4) SASH CORD {CRASHeD+SO}*

2   Spymaster is knowingly concealing star shaped mark (8) ASTERISK [T]

3   Trump ultimately sharing funny old comic strip featuring American embassy staff (10,5) DIPLOMATIC  CORPS {t..mP} in {OLD+COMIC+STRIP}* over {A}

5   Make betatron regularly (4) EARN bEtAtRoN

6   Personal account? (10,5) CURRICULUM VITAE [CD]

7   Lure Mossad's top agent somehow (6) MAGNET {Mo...d}{AGENT}*

8   Want endless support for pointer (6) NEEDLE {NEED}{LEg}

11 Plainness of Tripoli, for example, overwhelming Libya (7) CLARITY {C{LAR}ITY}

14 Just fasten hinges around this almost entirely (7) ETHICAL {LACE}<= over {THIs}

16 Cross second round target without trace of nervousness (8) DIAGONAL {AID<=}{GO{Ne...s}AL}

17 Aunt's kid excitedly leaving university after getting a little narrow tray for holding pens (8) INKSTAND {AuNTS+KID}* over {Na...w}

19 Tool for cutting piece of some extremely costly article (6) SCYTHE {Some}{Co..lY}{THE}

20 Brawl in elevated place near subway (4-2) BUST-UP {PUT}{SUB}<=

23 Reasonable price, so it's said (4) FAIR (~fare)

Reference List

Husband = H, New = N, Child = CH, Small = S, Saint = S, John = LOO, Time = T, Director = D, Base = E, American = A, University = U

No 14693, Saturday 17 Jan 2026, VMA Nair

 ACROSS
1 Employee breaks case of salty drink made of beer and lemonade (6) SHANDY {HAND} in {SaltY}

4 Attendant's husband and new child introduced to retired celebrity (8) HENCHMAN {H}{E{N}{CH}MAN<}
9 South-eastern state backing small organizations (6) SETUPS {SE}{PUT<}{S}
10 Suspend professional villain (8) PROROGUE {PRO}{ROGUE}
12 Complain to Saint John about arrangements between automobile owners (3,5) CAR POOLS {CARP}{S LOO<}
13 Ancestral home bordered by grassland close to capital (6) LINEAL {L{IN}EA}{capitaL}
15 Cafe owner and others retrospectively regret limiting quality time (12) RESTAURATEUR {REST}{RUE<} over {AURA +T}
18 Delivery director is selflessly training kid inside (12) DISTRIBUTION {D}{IS}{T{RIB}UiTION}
21 Grab// a brood of chickens (6) CLUTCH [DD]
22 City girl gave faulty plugs (3,5) LAS VEGAS {LASS} around {GAVE}*

24 After an exclamation of disbelief, setter cracks exam in class (8) TUTORIAL {TUT}{OR{I}AL}
25 Some famous Tanzanian verse (6) STANZA [T]

26 Old post office gets positive publicity (8) EXPOSURE {EX}{PO}{SURE}
27 Covered vacant Vietnamese food shop counter (6) VEILED {VietnamesE}{DELI<}

DOWN
1 Part of window crashed so badly after striking base (4,4) SASH CORD {CRASHeD SO}*
2 Spymaster is knowingly concealing star shaped mark (8) ASTERISK [T]
3 Trump ultimately sharing funny old comic strip featuring American embassy staff (10,5) DIPLOMATIC CORPS {trumP} inside {OLD COMIC STRIP}* around {A}
5 Make betatron regularly (4) EARN {bEtAtRoN}
6 Personal account? (10,5)   CURRICULUM VITAE [CD]
7 Lure Mossad's top agent somehow (6) MAGNET {Mossad}{AGENT}*
8 Want endless support for pointer (6) NEEDLE {NEED}{LEg}
11 Plainness of Tripoli, for example, overwhelming Libya (7) CLARITY {C}{LAR}ITY} LAR=Libyan Arab Republic
14 Just fasten hinges around this almost entirely (7) ETHICAL {LACE<} around {THIs}
16 Cross second round target without trace of nervousness (8) DIAGONAL {AID<}{GO{Nervousness}AL}
17 Aunt's kid excitedly leaving university after getting a little narrow tray for holding pens (8) INKSTAND {AuNT'S KID}* around {Narrow}

19 Tool for cutting piece of some extremely costly article (6) SCYTHE {Some}{CostlY}{THE}

20 Brawl in elevated place near subway (4-2) BUST-UP {PUT}{SUB}<
23 Reasonable price, so it's said (4) FAIR {~FARE}

REFERENCE LIST

Husband=H, New=N, Child=Ch, South=S, Eastern=E, Small=S, Professional=Pro, Saint=S, Time=T, Director=D, Self=I, Setter=I, Post Office=PO, Base=e, American=A, University=U

Special, Friday 16 Jan 2026, Dr Satyen Nabar

Three answers per commenter till 1 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)

Solutions will be available in the grid after 1 PM.

Enjoy.

No 14692, Thursday 15 Jan 2026, Crossant

Rangoli by Gowri

Solution to 1A 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   Father cycling in race - it's not hard (6) F?O?P? (Addendum FLOPPY {(-p)OP(+p)P} in {FLY} - See comments)

4   University boys arrested by centre, causing uproar (6) HUBBUB {H{U}{BB}UB}

8   Coffee maker is behind counter, try Americano to start with (7) BARISTA {IS}<=>{BAR} with {Try}{Am...o}

9   Generally American partner controls resources centrally (7) USUALLY {US}{ALLY} over {r..oUr..s}

11 Picked up writing material at the same place (10) STATIONARY (~stationery)

12 Slowly move part of foot (4) INCH [DD]

13 "It's dangerous", he sums up (5) ADDER [DD]

14 Play favourite track entertaining everybody right in the beginning (5,3) PETER PAN {PET}{PAN} over {Ev...y}{Ri..t}

16 Entertaining cricket from both sides, one over to go (8) FUNCTION {FUN}{Cr...eT}{1{ON}

18 Doctor, tea or coffee? (5) MOCHA {MO}{CHA}

20 Fellow with topless model seeking excitement (4) FAST {F}{cAST}

21 Captivated by overtures from unknown, pretty looking blondes perhaps (10) SPELLBOUND{Un...n+Pr...y+Lo...g}+BLONDES}*}

23 Is fit after suspicion of damaged hamstring (7) DISABLE {IS}{ABLE}<=>{Da...d}

24 Romantic morning at Gold Valley finally (7) AMATORY {AM}{AT}{OR}{v...eY}

25 Miss Hermoine will eventually back Harry (6) NEEDLE {NEED} with {h...nE}{wilL}<=

26 Associate member of embassy lacking etiquette from the beginning (6) ATTACH ATTACHe

DOWN

1   Spread quickly, spread by influencers essentially (5) FEAST {F{i...uEn...s}AST}

2   Trial version put up covers one technical topic initially missed (7) OMITTED {DEMO<=} over {1}{Te...l}{To..c}

3   Vessel to serve bit of rice with Indian stew (9) POTPOURRI {POT}{POUR}{Rice}{I}

5   Retract comment supporting French article (5) UNSAY {SAY}<=>{UN}

6   Bizarre plastic container for coals (7) BRAZIER*

7   Accountant from the East enters party with a very American hat (9) BALACLAVA {BAL{CA<=}L}{A}{V}{A}

10 Saw what he used ?! (9) CARPENTER [CD/GK]

13 A time to switch sides to get praise (9) ADULATION {A}{DU(-r+l)LATION}

15 It's up to management executives basically to check period for completion of task (4,5) TIME LIMIT {{IT<=}{Ma...t}{Ex...s}{LIMIT}

17 Bedtime? Time for cheese perhaps (7) COTTAGE {COT}{T}{AGE}

19 Leaving extremely scenic Costa Rica - fantastic country (7) CROATIA {COsTA+RIcA}*

21 Shrub in Dallas with top pruned badly (5) SALAL dALLAS*

22 Neither partner conceding at that point (5) NORTH {NOR}{THat}

Reference List

University = U, Boy = B, Fellow = F, Gold = OR, Indian = I, French article = UN,  Very = V, Time = T, AGE

No 14691, Wednesday 14 Jan 2026, Mythical

HAPPY PONGAL

Artwork by Prasanna

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

6   Members of Parliament sent back message online (5) EMAIL<=

7   Ordered tunics, extremely chic and short (8) SUCCINCT {TUNICS+ChiC}*

10 Naughty kid falling off dickey seat somehow finds precious stone (4,3) CATS EYE {diCkEY+SEAT}*

11 Knight abandoning folk and a lady? That's right! (7) ETHICAL {ETHnIC}{A}{L}

12 Greek character charges plagiarists (7) PIRATES {PI}{RATES}

13 Welcome revolutionary writer joined by supporter at church (7) EMBRACE {ME<=}{BRA}{CE}

14 Admired Rose (11) APPRECIATED [DD]

19 Some diplomat! He is truly a rationalist (7) ATHEIST [T]

21 Dismiss a small-time cheater essentially in card game (7) CANASTA {CAN}{A}{S}{T}{cheAter}

23 This could endanger perhaps when pin's finally removed (7) GRENADE {ENDAnGER}* &lit

25 Bank branch faced with strike (7) RAMPART {PART}<=>{RAM}

26 The blue ocean set frequently shown on TV (8) ?E?E?A?T (Addendum - TELECAST ThE+bLuE+oCeAn+SeT - See comments))

27 Secures loose openings, checks kitchen shutters primarily (5) LOCKS Acrostic

DOWN

1   Basmati rice cooked without soaking it methodically at first - that could be the source of digestive problems (8) BACTERIA {BAsmATi+RICE}*

2   Consumer court checks legal claim (6) CLIENT {C{LIEN}T}

3   Fools supported by school, auditor's suggested review (10) ASSESSMENT {ASSES}{S}{(~meant)MENT}

4   An extremely common issue - ultimately a problem for teenagers (4) ACNE {A}{Co..oN}{i..uE}

5   Bill joins American secret service - it has several branches? (6) ACACIA {AC}{A}{CIA}

6   Goes cycling around California to get away (6) ESCAPE {(+es)ESPE(-es)} over {CA}

8   People discourage one going out for a little alcohol (7) INHABIT INH(-i+a)ABIT

9   Fast-moving ships (5) FLEET [DD]

13 Remove vital parts from tea-service needing repair (10) EVISCERATE*

15 Most strait-laced companion for Archbishop (7) PRIMATE {PRIm}{MATE}

16 Kill injured asp seen in trench (8) DISPATCH {DI{ASP*}TCH}

17 Occasionally visited Coal Region for consignment (5) CARGO {CoAl_ReGiOn}

18 Accountant cuts up plant (6) CACTUS {CA{CUTS*}

20 Reportedly mended shoes like stilettos (6) HEELED (~healed)

22 Smart doctor gets into line deviously (6) NIMBLE {NI{MB}LE*}

24 Prepared Arabic cheese (4) EDAM<=

Reference List

Knight = N, Lady = L, Supporter = BRA, Church = CE, Small = S, Time = T, Court = CT, School = S, Bill = AC, American = A, California = CA, Accountant = CA, Doctor = MB