No 14903, Monday 21 Sep 2026, Incognito

Solution to 21D 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   Wine from cantina stinks (4) ASTI [T]

9   Worries returned in Winchester farm (5) FRETS [T<=]

10 Fastener from damaged part removed from air plant repaired (4) NAIL {AIr+pLaNt}*

11 Cops from Napoli centre (6) POLICE [T]

12 Non believers at theft (8) ATHEISTS {AT}{HEISTS}

13 Hence ads may be converted into money (8) ENCASHED*

15 Acceptable, perhaps, to band wrongly (3,3) NOT BAD*

17 Hoffman hugs boy producing receptacle for waste (7) DUSTBIN {DUST{B}IN}

19 Zulu and Maori danced at end of season for royalty from Calicut (7) ZAMORIN {Z}{MAORI*}{s...oN}

22 Novelist from Australia in front of god (6) AUTHOR {AU}{THOR}

24 Herons flying around setter and riders from the cavalry (8) HORSEMEN {HORSE{ME}N*}

26 12 months, but longer than usual? (4,4) LEAP YEAR [CD]

28 Actor who played The Godfather gives up love for Yankee liquor (6) BRANDY BRAND(-o+y)Y

30 Scotsman gets English spice (4) MACE {MAC}{E}

31 Ms Adler's nurse is in anger (5) IRENE {IR{EN}E}

32 Positive response after European sees (4) EYES {YES}<=>{E}

DOWN

1   In absence of pit, topsoil destroyed in capital (4) OSLO tOpSOiL*

2   Watchful giant goes around port after six (8) VIGILANT {GI{L}ANT}<=>{VI}

3   Female share is changed once again (6) AFRESH {F+SHARE}*

4   Sees Romeo altering grade at school (7) REGARDS {R}{GRADE*}{S}

5   Weakness afterwards in Asia (8) ASTHENIA {AS{THEN}IA}

6   Join up and throw tinsel (6) ENLIST*

7   Affix foot at American soldier's backside for present (4) GIFT {FT}<=>{GI}

14 Pacific island urn broken contains gold (5) NAURU {N{AU}RU*}

16 51 captured by one girl in Wonderland (5) ALICE {A{LI}CE}

18 Some Middle-Easterners dumped silly Lear in river (8) ISRAELIS {IS{LEAR*}IS}

20 Unties rope before adjusting seat and performs surgery (8) OPERATES {ROPE*}{SEAT*}

21 That lady mixed Bert's drink (7) ?H?R?E?

23 Occur from latter part of mishap near sty (6) HAPPEN {misHAP}{PEN}

25 Masseur lurking in the shrubbery? (6) RUBBER [HIPS]

27 Style covered by Michaelangelo (4) ELAN [HIPS]

29 Editor returned queen's animals (4) DEER {ED<=}{ER}

Reference List

Boy = B, Zulu = Z, Australia = AU, Yankee = Y, English = E, Nurse = EN(Enrolled Nurse), European = E, Port = LEFT=L, Female = F, Romeo = R, School = S, Foot = FT, American soldier = GI, Editor = ED, Queen = ER

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 74, Sunday 20 Sep 2026, Incognito

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)

ACROSS

8   Initial exposure behind animal shelter results in eye problem (4) STYE {Ex...e}<=>{STY}

9   Animal having desire to be accommodated in 10,000 square metres (5) HYENA {H{YEN}A}

10 Gun held by East-Ender (4) STEN [T]

11 Boy retiring behind vehicle is one who wantonly damages property (6) VANDAL {LAD<=}<=>{VAN}

12 Wrongfully fill up as "Bucket-loads" (8) PAILFULS*

13 Male creator redrew a kind of map projection (8) MERCATOR {M}{CREATOR*}

15 Rang Charlie and Della on return (6) CALLED {C}{DELLA<=}

17 Set aside book (7) RESERVE [DD]

19 Girls follow college head's study sessions (7) CLASSES {LASSES}<=>{Co...e}

22 European ruler and a teetotaller, Ali is confused (6) ATTILA {A}{TT}{ALI*}

24 Egg preparation from East European motel having a piece of tomato (8) OMELETTE {E+Eu...n+MOTEL}* over {To...o} Anind? Semi-&lit?

26 Darkish sort, carrying duke's computer storage device (4,4) HARD DISK {DARKISH}* over {D}

28 King's wife is in clutches of devious adder (6) EDWARD {ED{W}ARD}

30 Brandish wand to get sunrise (4) DAWN*

31 Engaged in terminus evacuation (2,3) IN USE [T]

32 Injured slow birds (4) OWLS*

DOWN

1   Grain exported from Argentina transported for Sicilian summit (4) ETNA {argENTinA}*

2   Chief revolutionary has a migraine, for example (8) HEADACHE {HEAD}{CHE} over {A}

3   Talk about the French summer hut used by herders (6) CHALET {CHA{LE}T}

4   Jumped parole taking dead animal (7) LEOPARD {PAROLE}*{D}

5   Mad chap with Amnesty International rejected by California (8) MANIACAL {MAN}{AI<=}{CAL}

6   American fuel may be of assistance (6) USEFUL {US}{FUEL*}

7   Power source in jail? (4) CELL [DD]

14 First lady at book function (5) EVENT {EVE}{NT}

16 Put in effort and uproot tree around ten (5) EXERT {E{X}ERT*}

18 Silly Vice Admiral drops ace for Putin, perhaps (8) VLADIMIR {VIce+aDMIRAL}*

20 She gets redwood after dropping 28 in forest (8) SHERWOOD {SHE}{RedWOOD}

21 Calculate and exercise (7) WORKOUT [DD]

23 I... I love and feast... (6) IODINE {I}{O}{DINE}

25 The Spanish girl gets name for cricket team (6) ELEVEN {EL}{EVE}{N}

27 A Washington Yankee is out (4) AWAY {A}{WA}{Y}

29 River next to city bank (4) RELY {R}{ELY}

Reference List

Male = M, Charlie = C, Teetotaller = TT, East = E, European = E, Duke = D, Wife = W, Revolutionary = CHE(Guevra), The in French = LE, Dead = D, Book = NT(New Testament), Edward = ED, The in Spanish = EL, Name = N, Yankee = Y, River = R

No 14902, Saturday 19 Sep 2026, Incognito

 ACROSS
8 Graduate at King University in capital (4) BAKU {BA}{K}U}

9 State: I had returned with nothing (5) IDAHO {I}{HAD<}{O}

10 Fever from time covering youth centre (4) AGUE {AG{yoUth}E}
11 African rode out from ladies' room agitatedly (6) SOMALI {LAdIeS roOM}
12 Resemble John Kelvin and be attracted to (4,4) LOOK LIKE {LOO}{K}{LIKE}
13 Dangerous creature from No.1 Corps, perhaps (8) SCORPION*

15 Spiritual session from Connery at church (6) SEANCE {SEAN}{CE} A DBE indicator required for Connery?
17 Setter and that lady from London wander in a circuitous manner (7) MEANDER {ME AND hER} London or East London? In East London, people drop their aitches. 
19 A testing facility by American Medical Association in state (7) ALABAMA  {A}{LAB}{AMA}

22 Search for a forge under construction (6) FORAGE*
24 Last amulet broken up carried note (8) ULTIMATE {AMULET*} around {TI}
26 Steer one vehicle in reverse at entrance (8) NAVIGATE {{I}{VAN}}<{GATE}
28 Editor cooked bile that can be consumed (6) EDIBLE {ED}{BILE*}
30 Wealthy! Having lots of oil! (4) RICH {DD]
31 Beats in places for social gathering (5) CLUBS [DD]
32 Bird nesting in winter nest (4) TERN [T]

DOWN

1 In short, Mansoor Ali Khan's love for shark (4) MAKO {Mansoor}{Ali}{Khan}{O}

2 Islander's god placed under rug protected by local star (8) SUMATRAN {RA}<=>{MAT} in {SUN}
3 Setter leaves mini-bike damaged in island (6) BIKINI {mINI BIKe}*
4 Chivalrous girl with trainee soldier (7) GALLANT {GAL}{L}{ANT}
5 Huge lasso thrown by colonel (8) COLOSSAL {LASSO*}<=>{COL}
6 Ali had dissected flower (6) DAHLIA*

7 Food from Kentucky (4) TUCK [HIPS]
14 Belief in sacred order (5) CREDO [T]
16 Celestial visitor comes endlessly... with a bit of tail (5) COMET {COMEs}{Tail}

18 Cheap, yet extraordinary device useful for dressing up as a pirate (8) EYEPATCH*
20 Meet by accident? (4,4) BUMP INTO [CD]
21 Exclude and lure (4,3) RULE OUT {LURE*} [RA]
23 Get off! It's on fire! (6) ALIGHT [DD]
25 Tiny nest built around eastern yard (6) TEENSY {NEST*} around{E}+{Y}
27 Letter in Arabic from Halifax (4) ALIF [HIPS]
29 To some extent strangely restless, one has to be plucky to play this instrument (4) LYRE [T]

Reference List

King=K, University=U, Nothing=0=O, Kelvin=K, Church=CE (Church of England), Setter=Me, One=1=I, Editor=Ed, Love=0=O, God=Ra (the Egyptian Sun god), Trainee=Learner=L, Eastern=E, Yard=Y.

No 14901, Friday 18 Sep 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   Fancy cloth as a focus to show a bit of sophistication (1,5,2,5)  A TOUCH OF CLASS*

10 Big land owner is fat, clutching his heart (5) LAIRD {LA{hIs}RD}

11 Dead simple to pack an Indian carpet (9) INANIMATE {INAN{I}{MAT}E}

12 Agree, no one returned the instrument (9) ACCORDION {ACCORD} and {NO}{1}<= 

13 The dictator's internal rule (5) EDICT [T]

14 Always there is a tiny mistake by the setter (7) ANYTIME {A}{TINY*}{ME}

16 I've a new design to entwine (7) INWEAVE*

18 Two drinks socially acceptable at the mansion (7) CHATEAU {CHA}{TEA}{U}

20 The language of money in South America (7) GUARANI [DD]

22 Music starts after main band arrives (5) SAMBA Acrostic Semi&lit

24 After change of hands, augmentation becomes bleak (9) INCLEMENT INC(-r+l)LEMENT

26 Keen to expose plan for ancient building (9) LANCINATE {pLAn}{ANCIENT*}

27 Suffer from strike — part of Mumbai spared (5) INCUR INCURsion

28 Coal shortage — I go all over the place for an excavator (13) ARCHAEOLOGIST*

DOWN

2   It's almost two — impatient and worried (7)  TWITCHY {TWo}{ITCHY}

3   Sabotage — result of a French and the German bomb (9) UNDERMINE {UN}{DER}{MINE}

4   Agatha Christie novel avoiding gate crash in the country (5) HAITI {agatHAchrIsTIe}*

5   Cast over relative showing off (9) FLAUNTING {FL{AUNT}ING}

6   Interest seen among legends for a river (5) LOIRE {LO{I}RE}

7   Am I part of retrenched workers? Showing staying power (7) STAMINA {AM}{I} in {ANTS<=}

8   Permits for beer — the entire lot has to go (9,4) CLEARANCE SALE {CLEARANCES}{ALE}

9   Shoot and catch on (3,3,7)  GET THE PICTURE [DD]

15 Clarify on cryptic clue, I see (9) ELUCIDATE {CLUE*}{I}{DATE}

17 Evading glide overboard (9) WEASELING {W{EASEL}ING}

19 Perhaps normal to accept one finally as a benefactor (7) ALMONER {ALMON{onE}R}

21 Brief copies — recoup odd bits inside (7) APERCUS {APE{ReCoUp}S}

23 Followers of Amman hungry, not fed (5) AMISH fAMISHed 

25 Stagger carrying cold fish basket (5) CREEL {REEL}<=>{C}

Reference List

Indian = I, Socially acceptable = U, Hands = R,L, A in French = UN, The in German = DER, Interest = I, Cold = C

No 14900, Thursday 17 Sep 2026, Arden

Sent late by Prasanna. Being used for Vishwakarama Puja

Solution to 8D 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

9   Warm layer is savage (7) HEATHEN {HEAT}{HEN}

10 Capital housing - last letter follows greeting from Ginger, perhaps (7) RHIZOME {ROME} over {Z}<=>{HI}

11 Relaxation by the river sipping wine (7) DETENTE {DE{TENT}E}

12 Run away velocity of a horny creature (7) VAMOOSE {V}{A}{MOOSE}

13 Rifleman's job is to protect store (9) CARBINEER {CAR{BIN}EER}

15 Rob on average, shows no anger (5) REAVE Anno not clear  (Addendum - {RE}{AVErage} - See comments)

16 Country song about soldiers (7) ARMENIA {AR{MEN}IA}

19 In money collection, company shows thrift (7) ECONOMY {E{CO}NOMY*}

20 Pen stand? (5) STALL [DD]

21 Spinner of yarns right in front of a working counter (9) RACONTEUR {R}{A}{COUNTER*}

25 Added about hundred and formed froth on top (7) SCUMMED {S{C}UMMED}

26 Drop line for a scapegoat (4,3) FALL GUY {FALL}{GUY}

28 Force one to come in and sign up for jury duty (7) IMPANEL {IMP{AN}EL}

29 Checked regular trend to follow German car (7) AUDITED {TrEnD}<=>{AUDI}

DOWN

1   Language of north central Africa fashionable to adopt nowadays (6) CHADIC {CH{AD}IC}

2   Parrot became a bird of prey (6) RAPTOR*

3   Feature of a country, in brief (4) CHIN CHINa

4   Girl takes old boyfriend in her wing (6) ANNEXE {ANN{EX}E}

5   Fantastic treasure trove - taking wrong route to cross (8) TRAVERSE {TRAVERSE+ROUTE}*=TREASURE TROVE [CA]

6   Adjust dimmers - have to cool it (6,4) SIMMER DOWN {DIMMERS}*{OWN}

7   American influence on a party and state (8) COLORADO {COLOR}{A}{DO}

8   Banks' same rate - note lady does it calmly (8) ?E?E?E?Y (Addendum - SERENELY {samE+RatE+NotE+LadY - See comments))

14 Writer's tragic life - one enters China (3,7) IAN FLEMING {I{AN}FLE*}{MING}

16 Both sides like to secure pole position - wrongdoing is a killer (8) ASSASSIN {AS}{S}{AS}{SIN}

17 Paul came out to admit mistake (3,5) MEA CULPA*

18 A terrier gets refreshed with a beer (8) AIREDALE {AIRED}{ALE}

22 Able to cover the backside with a robe (6) CAFTAN {C{AFT}AN}

23 Maybe they can drink one gallon - that's four times score (6) EIGHTY {E{1}{G}HTY*}

24 On fourth day, I returned the partly paid up capital (6) RIYADH [T<=]

27 Marriage vow by the lake fountain (4) LIDO {I DO}<=>{L}

Reference List

Wine = TENT, Velocity = V, Right = R, Hundred = C, Nowadays = AD, Old boyfriend = EX, Party = DO, Pole = S, Gallon = G, Lake = L

No 14899, Wednesday 16 Sep 2026, Arden

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   Keep tab on for short (6) STUBBY {STUB}{BY}

4   Tough boss single-handedly crossing limit (2,6) AL CAPONE {AL{CAP}ONE}

9   Remote service brought back, not active (3-3) FAR-OFF {RAF<=}{OFF}

10 A religious sign in places with workers, mostly (8) APIARIES {A}{PI}{ARIES}

12 Loud noise over piece of rubbish (8) CLAPTRAP {CLAP}{PART<=}

13 First, pussy cat will jump (6) POUNCE {Pu..y}{OUNCE}

15 Champion gets support — is dead against moving outside (12) PROPAGANDIST {PROP}{D+AGAINST}* What's the role of 'outside'? (Addendum - {PROP} with {D} in {AGAINST}* - See comments)

18 Dog sauntered out of the plant (6,6) ADDERS TONGUE*

21 Priest blessed the water fairy (6) SPRITE*

22 Americas rejuvenated earth (3,5)  NEW WORLD {NEW}{WORLD}

24 Realign correctly below a subject (8) ALGERIAN {REALIGN}*<=>{A}

25 Pitch for a work shoe (6) BROGUE [DD]

26 Capital providing cover — 11 expressed in words is sad (8) LONESOME {L{ONES}OME}

27 Love for teacher is considered divine (6) OSIRIS {O}{SIR}{IS}

DOWN

1   Forgiving the police years later for providing a digital document file (4,4) SOFT COPY {SOFT}{COP}{Y}

2   Nurse on a round — it's madness (8) UNREASON*

3   Harry stands by at first, but not regularly (2,4,3,6) BY FITS AND STARTS*

5   No small inclination, run using long strides (4) LOPE sLOPE

6   Analyse Star Wars — fools do become speechless (2,1,4,3,5) AT A LOSS FOR WORDS*

7   Align with China, perhaps (6) ORIENT [DD]

8   Consumer gets top service for festival (6) EASTER {EA{Se...e}TER}

11 Space made for one to introduce small eats (7) CANAPES {SPACE}* over {AN}

14 Epic journey — yes, went twice around indeed, finally (7) ?D?S?E? ODYSSEY Error in fodder

16 Politician twice rejected as China grass (4-4) AGAR-AGAR {RAGA}{RAGA}<=

17 Indicator on board not necessary (8) NEEDLESS {NEEDLE}{SS}

19 Repel Somalia's savage attack, somewhat (6) ASSAIL [T<=]

20 Daily wearing dress — a feature of Chinese ceremonial dance (6) DRAGON {D{RAG}ON}

23 Loving the action on first of May (4) WARM {WAR}{May}

Reference List

On = BY, Religious = PI, Dead = D, Years = Y, Small = S, Daily = RAG

Special, Tuesday 15 Sep 2026, NICE 26 South Zone Finals, On-Stage Round, Extra-C

TWO answers per commenter till 6 PM (Annotations compulsory) 

Please submit all your answers in one comment.  

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

Grid will be updated with solutions after 6 PM.

Enjoy.

Special, Tuesday 15 Sep 2026, NICE 26 South Zone Finals Prelim, Extra-C

TWO answers per commenter till 1 PM (Annotations compulsory) 

Please submit all your answers in one comment.  

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

Grid will be updated with solutions after 1 PM.

Enjoy.

N0 14898, Monday 14 Sep 2026, KrisKross

GANESH CHATHURTHI GREETINGS

Artwork by Prasanna

Rangoli by Gowri

Solution to 5A 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   After retirement, I could be surrounded by busy, cross, mean folks (8) SCROOGES {EGO<=} in {CROSS}*

5   Blame one catching dogs right away (6) ?C?U?E (Addendum - ACCUSE {AC{CUrS}E} - See comments)

9   Entertain soldiers active in part of Greece (8) RECREATE {RE}{CRE{A}TE}

10 Breathe hot and strong (6) INHALE {IN}{HALE}

12 Young reporter going around on beat exposed very ruthless robber (9) BUCCANEER {CUB<=}{CANE}{vERy}

13 Expression of pain from New Agra hospital (5) AARGH {AGRA}*{H}

14 Most ethical housing - let it stand (4) STET ]T]

16 Thrashing out new IIT coaching (7) TUITION {OUT+N+IIT}*

19 In the end, consuming drug minimally (2,5) AT LEAST {AT L{E}AST}

21 What many eateries never update primarily? (4) MENU Acrostic &lit

24 Perhaps Jerry's inspiration to win Tom's heart (5) MOUSE {M{tOm}USE}

25 Cunning tailors basically amending rates of dresses (9) SARTORIAL {TAILORS+Am...g+Ra..s}*

27 Counter the Muslim pilgrim and the French prophet (6) ELIJAH {HAJI}{LE}<=

28 Play with liberal approach in the auditorium (8) LATITUDE {L}{(~attitude)ATITUDE)

29 Lakhs struggling to grasp old Sanskrit verse (6) SHLOKA {SHL{O}KA*}

30 KrisKross is enthralled by mysterious saints - they believe in spirits (8) ANIMISTS {AN{I'M}ISTS*}

DOWN

1   Copy boarded by extremely secretive writer (6) SCRIBE {S{CRIB}E}

2   Mythical bird about to crack a couple of eggs in a flamboyant style (6) ROCOCO {ROC}{O{C}O}

3   Turn a precious stone over in conclusion (5) OMEGA {A}{GEM}{O}<=

4   Request to come in, remove shoe, finally have food (7) ENTREAT {ENTeR}{EAT}

6   Government and WHO ultimately contain spreading disease (9) CONTAGION {G+whO+CONATIN}*

7   Brave lover, a bit upset, back to attack (8) UNAFRAID {FAN}{Up..t}<={RAID}

8   Treat this animal appallingly to get patent leather (8) ELEPHANT {ELEPHANT+TREAT}*=PATENT LEATHER [CA]

11 Bug in part of instrument (4) FRET [DD]

15 Name two forms of transport around Delaware (9) TRADEMARK {TRA{DE}M}{ARK}

17 Safe house initially missing a member? (8) HARMLESS {Ho..e}{ARMLESS}

18 Washed up mud essentially picked up by everyone with container (8) ALLUVIAL {mUd} in {ALL}{VIAL}

20 Difficult job to eat last bit of murukku, lacking a tooth (4) TUSK {T(-a+u)USK}

21 Plague is awful … starting to ravage millions … absolute ruin! (7) MURRAIN {Ra...e+M+A+RUIN}*

22 Kindles with tips on reading (6) PIQUES (~peaks)

23 Columns broken by large tools (6) PLIERS {P{L}IERS} I don't think PLIERS has a plural

26 Priest leaves stand in disgrace (5) ODIUM pODIUM

Reference List

Soldiers = RE(Royal Engineers), Active = A, Hot = IN, Hospital = H, New = N, Drug = E, The in French = LE, Liberal = L, Old = O, About = C, Over = O, Government = G, Millions = M, Absolute = A, Large = L, Priest = P

The Sunday Crossword No 73, Sunday 13 Sep 2026, Incognito

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

1   Reducing trimming of feathers (7,4) CUTTING DOWN [C&DD]

9   Extra-terrestrial and Neil Armstrong initially returned (5) ALIEN {NEIL}{Ar...g}<=

10 Safe after Truman releases an elephant (9) TRUMPETER {PETER}<=>{TRUMan}

11 Plot criminal’s crime (10) CONSPIRACY {CONS}{PIRACY}

12 I’m leaving Tim with old female at youth centre to get food (4) TOFU {Tim}{O}{F}{yoUth}

13 Claw found in hospital once (5) TALON [T]

15 Woo with song and dance, perhaps, Ms. Williams, accompanied by musical notes (8) SERENADE {SERENA}{D}{E}

17 Organisation of brat and punk becomes insolvent (8) BANKRUPT*

19 Violently step on small cockroaches, for example (5) PESTS {STEP}*{S}

22 Destructive flier from Cambridge destroyed in absence of Edgar (4) ICBM  CaMBrIdge*

23 Sam returned with criminal carrying recipe for cheese (10) MASCARPONE {SAM<=}{CA{R}PONE}

26 What Adam was to Eve? One of the ship’s crew! (5,4) FIRST MATE [DD] Did she have a second one?

27 Insertion from Indiana group (5) INSET {IN}{SET}

28 Some savage tribals may be recruiters (4-7) HEAD-HUNTERS [DD]

DOWN

1   Before noon, vehicle goes around one pile of stones (5) CAIRN {N}<=>{CA{1}R}

2   Pet in Reno produces device to cut into can (3,6) TIN OPENER*

3   Trainee flier follows Indian Navy (6) INTERN {TERN}<=>{IN}

4   University in Indian State with revolutionary water colour painting (7) GOUACHE {GO{U}A}{CHE}

5   Loves Pastor’s expression of dismay (4) OOPS {OO}{P'S]

6   Loans ain’t arranged for citizens (9) NATIONALS*

7   Lucky emblem from master with highlander (6) MASCOT {M}{A SCOT}

8   Greek river bird (6) GROUSE {GR}{OUSE}

14 Boy held ring manufactured for famous flier (9) LINDBERGH {B+HELD+RING}*

16 Skill displayed by old Peter is extraordinary (9) EXPERTISE {EX}{PETER+IS}*

17 What the lawyer was hoping to get in the clothing department? (6) BRIEFS [DD]

18 A harp designed with love by husband for ruler (7) PHARAOH {A+HARP}*{O}{H}

20 Yes... In Spain, seat is modified for afternoon nap (6) SIESTA {SI}{SEAT}*

21 Show and hide? (6) SCREEN [DD]

24 I leave oasis and import model kilns (5) OASTS OAS(-i+t)TS

25 Mountain insect returned after end of June (4) ETNA {ANT<=}<=>{junE}

Reference List

Old = O, Female = F, Musical notes = D,E, Small = S, Recipe = R, University = U, Revolutionary = CHE, Pastor = P, Master = M, Greek = GR, Boy = B, Old = EX, Husband = H, Yes in Spanish = SI, Model = T

No 14897, Saturday 12 Sep 2026, Bruno

 ACROSS
1 Farmer often plays around lake in a cheery way (10) PLEASANTLY {P{L}EASANT}{pLaYs}
6 Catch no-good groups of criminals, relapsing (4) SNAG {GANgS<}
9 Most VIPs were wearing hot green for advanced showing (10) PREVIEWING {VIPs WERE}*{G} around {IN}
10 Fish enthusiast reeling second catch (4) TUNA {NUT<}{cAtch}

12 Plain curiosity, when curtailed, can become showy (12) MERETRICIOUS {MERE}{CURIOSITy}*
15 Homeless person's fine eventually, after overcoming bit of overdose (7) FLOATER {F}{LATER} around {Overdose}
16 Modern financial institution - one flirting with disqualification over 1000 dollars! (7) NEOBANK {ONE*}{BAN}{K}
17 Whip bit of egg-white into foam (7) LEATHER {L{Egg-white}ATHER}
19 Element's addition while recovering takes edge off pain (7) SULPHUR {PLUS<}{HURt}

20 Firm and strong bottoms seen on skilled sportsmen basically - you could place cups on them (6,6) COFFEE TABLES {CO}{F}{FEET}{ABLE}{Sportsmen} 

23 Word for stuff announced internally (4) NOUN [HIPS]
24 Slip into neglect that requires less energy (5,5) STRIP LIGHT {TRIP} in {SLIGHT}

25 Tech overlords hiding answer (4) ECHO [T]
26 Place beyond reality where The Lord somehow accepts without resistance (10)  OTHER WORLD {THE LORD}* around {WO R}

DOWN
1 Tube of Epipen unwrapped (4) PIPE ePIPEn
2 Uninterrupted function finished early (4) EVEN {EVENt}
3 Love letter composed with this very often gets thrown out for sharp item (8,4) STILETTO HEEL {LOvE+LETTEr+THIS}*

4 We return to family finally, visiting, around this occasion (3,4) NEW YEAR  {WE<}{familY} in {NEAR} Semi &Lit
5 Avoiding AI, I created unoriginal exercise (4,3) LONG RUN {UNORiGiNaL}*
7 Foreign currency's course blocked by New York? That can make your nerves weak... (10) NEUROPATHY {EURO}{PATH} in NY
8 Artist at Russia's interior took risk, composed within limits of glasnost - that could leave one somewhat exposed (5,5) GRASS SKIRT {RA}{ruSSia}{RISK*}in {GlassnosT}

11 Possible friend's distant after husband interrupted and dropped in - very weird, to begin with (12) SCHOOLFELLOW {C{H}OOL}{FELL}in {SO}+Weird
13 Lady joining workplace next to new church and liquor store (3-7) OFF-LICENCE {L}in {OFFICE}+{N}{CE}
14 Attack overwhelming beleaguered ally of King's one of five in a row (5,5) ROYAL FLUSH {RUSH} around {ALLY OF}*

18 Errant cast can't often make noise (3-1-3) RAT-A-TAT {eRrAnT cAsT cAnT} 
19 Posh boy wearing slender cap from Europe's grand (7) SUBLIME {S{U}{B}LIM}{Europe}
21 Area magazine boosted culture (4) AGAR {A}{RAG<}

22 Boss' investigation was cut short (4) STUD {STUDy}

Reference List

Lake=L, Good=G, Hot=In, Green=G, Fine=F, 1000 dollars=K, Firm=Co (Company), Strong=F (Fortissmo), Without=WO, Resistance=R, Love=O, Husband=H, Lady=L, Posh=U, Boy=B, Area=A.