No 14683, Monday 05 Jan 2026, Karaoke

Solution to 27A 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   Donkeys swept away crossing river (6) TWERPS {TWE{R}PS*}

4   Spending billions carelessly, bargained for plant (8) GARDENIA {bARGAINED}*

9   Unhappier cycling in summers (6) ADDERS (-s)ADDER(+s)S

10 Building blast suppresses antiaircraft gun-shot (8) BUNGALOW {BLOW} over {A-GUN}*

12 Tough nut of knapweed plant (8) HARD HEAD {HARD}{HEAD}

13 The ultimate goal to stop ball with headshot! (3-3) END-ALL {END}{bALL}

15 Family members vigorously resist proceedings outside (11) STEPSISTERS {STEP{RESIST}*S}

18 Let her drown at sea or other place (11) NETHERWORLD*

21 Slip away from police case with police clothes (6) ESCAPE {CASE}*{Po..cE}

22 Pack animal's centre of energy (8) GANGLION {GANG}{LION}

24 Spot what the striking employees do? (4,4) STOP WORK {SPOT}* [RA]

25 The Island rejected appeal by Indian bowler (6) TAHITI {IT}{I}{HAT}<=

26 They are legally empowered perhaps to earn supplementary income initially (8) NOTARIES {TO+EARN+Su...y+In..e}*

27 Restores sugar substance on review, after withdrawing support (6) ?E?E?S (Addendum - RENEWS SWeetENER<= - See comments) 

DOWN

1   Examine critically about long drink container (3,5) TEA CHEST {TE{ACHE}ST}

2   Advocates and merchants give volume discount on fees occasionally (8) ENDORSES {vENDORS}{fEeS}

3   Procure washing powder first in a heap, it's value for money (10,5) PURCHASING POWER {PROCURE+WASHING+Po...r}*

5   Maybe lords and ladies take alcohol first, strange! (4) ARUM {Al...l}{RUM}

6   Foolishly going down with ease regularly at party, It brings downfall (3,4,3,5) DIG ONES OWN GRAVE {GOING+DOWN+EaSe}*{RAVE}

7   Treating ailing antelope (6) NILGAI*

8   Wife breaks a cash box when she chooses (2,4) AT WILL {A}{T{W}ILL}

11 Some Incas sat around frozen food (7) CASSATA [T]

14 Without doubt, double agents destroyed African Republic (7) SENEGAL {doubLE+AGENtS}*

16 Cunning model enters busy fair to murder (8) ARTIFICE {AR{T}IF*}{ICE}

17 Addison treated with drug for speech hindering tissue (8) ADENOIDS {ADDISON+E}*

19 Mature or amateur in extremely sensitive issue (6) SEASON {A} in {Se...vE}{SON}

20 Cat to perform in a play? (3,3) ACT OUT {CAT}* [RA]

23 Take flight, left to right, for nothing (4) FREE F(-l+r)REE

Reference List

River = R, Billions = B, Appeal = IT, Indian = I, Support = TEE, Volume = V, Wife = A, Model = T, Murder = ICE, Drug = E, Amateur = A, Left = L, Right = R