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