Wednesday Slot in The SMH/Age (D&LS)

Hi All,

Last year my wife and I made our debut in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age with the publication of a cryptic and quick on the puzzles page in the NS slot.

We now have a permanent slot on a Wednesday replacing DP, who had faithfully contributed every week since 1992. We have a different style but will endeavour to keep DP fans happy and establish our own place at the same time.

Our designation is “D&LS”.

David & Linda Stickley

Posted in AFR Cryptic, The Stickler | 3 Comments

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 14/2/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (7/2/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.


















The clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The answer is hidden inside the clue in reverse order. There are two indicators: one to signify that a hidden word is present; the other to reverse the letters.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
A question mark has been used to indicate "language abuse", that is, a word or words in a clue are used in a technically incorrect way, but the meaning can be still inferred.

Example: A indeed (?) could mean to insert A inside deed.

The clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

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AFR Cryptic (7/2/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 COOK STRAIT
NZ channel throws together feature (4,6) COOKS + TRAIT
6 LIMO
People mover is large in my opinion (4) L + IMO
10 DRAMA
Theatre doctor, a man not fully extended (5) DR + A + (MA)n
11 SYMBOLISE
Mean boy smiles wickedly (9) Anagram of BOY SMILES
12 JIGGLE
Shake and dance with broken leg (6) JIG + anagram of LEG
13 ROCKERS
What they enjoy is musical chairs (7) Double Definition
15 HANGER
One dressing, say, missing original wardrobe item (6) (c)HANGER
16 ALFRESCO
Manufactured seal for trapping carbon in the open air (8) Anagram of SEAL FOR outside C
17 TAPE DECK
Limitations of diode found in packet affected old stereo component? (4,4) (D)iod(E) inside anagram of PACKET
20 COMBAT
Something used by a groom at engagement (6) COMB + AT
23 AMOROUS
A room remodelled by American in love (7) Anagram of A ROOM + US
24 ABLAZE
A short jacket is glowing (6) A + (BLAZE)r
26 BODYGUARD
Defender died in front of confused guy in committee (9) (D + anagram of GUY) inside BOARD
27 GRAVE
Last resting place of importance (5) Double Definition
28 MARC
Ruin opening of classic French brandy (4) MAR + (C)lassic
29 PERSONALLY
I think representative turned around son and friend (10) REP reversed + SON + ALLY
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 CODA
A theatre worker recalled last piece of music (4) (A +DOC) reversed
2 ORATION
Homily given in peaceful ordination? (7) ORDINATION minus DIN
3 SPANGLED DRONGO
Special sculpture of golden dragon with Australian bird (8,6) SP + anagram of GOLDEN DRAGON
4 RESTED
Estate with investment in wine took it easy (6) EST inside RED
5 IMMORAL
Bad molar fixed after one minute (7) Anagram of MORAL after (I + M)
7 ICINESS
Reserve is interrupted by awfully nice head of security (7) IS outside [anagram of NICE + (S)ecurity]
8 OVERSHOOTS
Frightening outburst in public school goes too far (10) SHOO inside OVERT + S
9 SOCCER HOOLIGAN
Disruptive sports fan so taken with new coaching role (6,8) SO + anagram of COACHING ROLE
14 PHOTO ALBUM
Friend fencing recently stolen ring and worthless picture collection (5,5) PAL outside (HOT + O) + BUM
16 ASK
Request time away from job (3) TASK minus T
18 PLODDER
Stranger residing at rear of place is a battler (7) ODDER after PL
19 CASCADE
Fellow not liked in boxing, falls (7) CAD inside CASE
21 BAZBALL
Bowled Zimbabwe’s opener following a social form of cricket (7) B + [(Z)imbabwe after A] + BALL
22 PANDAS
Criticise moving around wild animals from Asia (6) PAN + (SAD reversed)
25 LEVY
Tax money in Bulgaria and Japan? (4) LEV + Y(en)

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 7/2/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (31/1/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.














The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A question mark has been used to indicate "language abuse", that is, a word or words in a clue are used in a technically incorrect way, but the meaning can be still inferred.

Example: A indeed (?) could mean to insert A inside deed.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) on the INSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: held by, kept by, embraced by - anything that creates the image of being contained.

A word or series of words that signify the turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

Examples: upset, reversed, retired, in withdrawal, over etc.

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AFR Cryptic (31/1/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 LIVER SPOT
Skin blemish that’s usually brown or silver, disfigured large belly (5,4) Anagram of SILVER + POT
6 KAVA
Some drink, a Vanuatuan beverage (4) drinK A VAnuatuan
10 GUEST
Visitor took a shot in the dark reportedly (5) Sounds like GUESSED
11 TRAGEDIAN
Actor partied hard with one sporting buff (9) (RAGED + I) inside TAN
12 TONALITY
Plaything, inscribed with a translation of Latin, is key (8) Anagram of LATIN inside TOY
13 VACANT
Empty vessel stored in another (6) CAN inside VAT
15 MEDICINE CHEST
Senior journalist, in view of nice chemist, maligned drug store (8,5) ED inside anagram of NICE CHEMIST
18 PRIME MINISTER
Leader’s formal dress worn in compound (5,8) PRIM + (MINI inside ESTER)
22 RUTILE
Form containing titanium? (6) RULE outside TI
23 REPRISAL
Public relations is limited by actual retaliation (8) (PR + IS) inside REAL
26 TUNING OUT
Fanatic, regressing during disease, is losing interest (6,3) NUT returned + IN + GOUT
27 SIDLE
Creep is left in team (5) L inside SIDE
28 AMEN
Your Grace’s ending change? Not entirely (4) (AMEN)d
29 NO CONTEST
Plea by prisoner put back on trial (2,7) CON reversed + ON + TEST
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 LIGHTS
Flimsy pole catches fire (6) LIGHT + S
2 VIETNAM
Country’s volcano involved in spirited activity (7) ETNA inside VIM
3 RATEL
Measure tail of normal honey badger (5) RATE + norma(L)
4 POTATO CHIP
Chunk of Sebago, say – plant a bed up with it (6,4) POT + A + (COT reversed) + HIP
5 TEAK
Timber cut down one side (4) (s)TEAK
7 AGITATE
Shake a barrier holding it (7) IT inside (A + GATE)
8 ANNOTATE
Comment on article not fully digested (8) AN + NOT + ATE
9 FERAL CAT
Wild animal left a car damaged (5,3) Anagram of LEFT A CAR
14 ANTISEPTIC
Uninspiring colonist is first to tower in heroic story (10) ANT + IS + [(T)ower inside EPIC]
16 DWELLING
Section of uncovered well in grand residence (8) uncovereD WELL IN Grand
17 OPERETTA
Musical drama’s toe-tapper not usually played without piano accompaniment (8) Anagram of TOE-TAPPER minus P
19 INTENSE
Powerful tennis played with energy (7) Anagram of TENNIS + E
20 RESIDUE
Rise adversely impacted outstanding balance (7) Anagram of RISE + DUE
21 CLIENT
Customer left with one in small Australian capital (6) (L + I) inside CENT
24 RESIN
Fall over pine product? (5) Double Definition
25 DOWN
Blue feathers (4) Double Definition

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 31/1/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (24/1/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.





















The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

The answer is found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) on the INSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: held by, kept by, embraced by - anything that creates the image of being contained.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A type of clue where the WHOLE clue defines the answer, and the WHOLE clue also is the wordplay (a mechanism to derive the answer through various cryptic devices). "&lit" is short for "and literally".

To qualify as an &lit, a clue must have no unused components either in the definition or the wordplay - it must be readable one way as a definition, and another as the wordplay.

A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: holding, keeping, embracing - anything that creates the image of containment.

A word or series of words that signify the turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

Examples: upset, reversed, retired, in withdrawal, over etc.

The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

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AFR Cryptic (24/1/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 STAMINA
Enduring strength shown by 70% of Tasmanians with conditioning (7) Anagram of (TASMANI)ans
5 PORTAL
Sydney, say, a large point of access (6) PORT + A + L
8 LIPID
Cover impregnated with one soft, fatty substance (5) LID outside (I + P)
9 ACTIVIST
Militant rescheduled visit, starting with a prominent part of Australia (8) Anagram of VISIT after ACT
11 CROWEATER
South Australian: “We invested in revolutionary reactor” (9) WE inside anagram of REACTOR
12 AGREE
Shake hands with leader of Australia concerned about the environment mostly (5) (A)ustralia + (GREE)n
13 SIDE
Make-up of Australia’s ideal team (4) australiaS IDEal
15 ROSELLAS
Spiky plants harbouring all returning Australian birds (8) ROSES outside (ALL reversed)
18 FAROUCHE
Socially inept touch not initially handled by passenger (8) (t)OUCH inside FARE
19 TAIL
Australia’s bowlers, say, heard story (4) Sounds like TALE
23 CHINA
Porcelain items from church in Australia (5) churCH IN Australia
24 PROTOZOAN
Australian, captured by troop, modified an organism that is very small (9) OZ inside anagram of TROOP + AN
26 TIE-BREAK
Tribe prepared each king for decisive battle (3-5) Anagram of TRIBE + EA + K
27 ABODE
Poetry found at the rear of 5-down’s home (5) ODE after AB
28 ANSETT
Old airline established in a particular area of Australia (6) SET inside (A + NT)
29 REDFERN
Australian pioneer surgeon freed at sea by Royal Navy (7) Anagram of FREED + RN
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SELECTS
Picks out pleb not restricted in religious groups? (7) p)LE(b inside SECTS
2 ASPRO
Australian painkiller was provided in some measure (5) wAS PROvided
3 INDEED
Introduction to indigenous broadcast ended positively (6) (I)ndigenous + anagram of ENDED
4 AWAITS
Looks forward to a part of Australia – it is on view shortly (6) A + WA + ITS
5 PATERSON
Soul supporting act disheartened old Australian composer? (8) PERSON outside A(c)T
6 REVEALED
Meat prepared in a rush is brought out (8) VEAL inside REED
7 AUSTRALIA
A country trail relocated by half an island community (9) A + US + anagram of TRAIL + (A)n
10 TEAS
Guy not finishing hot drinks (4) TEAS(e)
14 DARWINIAN
Victory in raid upset an individual from northern Australia (9) WIN inside anagram of RAID + AN
16 EURABBIE
Odd slices of emu on barbie excited Australian native (8) (E)m(U) + anagram of BARBIE
17 SHIPMENT
Fashionable people in street dispatched goods (8) (HIP + MEN) inside ST
18 FACE
Federation’s first expert to go on strike (4) (F)ederation + ACE
20 LANTERN
Tailless land and sea bird is light? (7) LAN(d) + TERN
21 ROCKER
Right stated by Australian music lover (6) R + OCKER
22 HOWARD
Old Australian cabinetmaker worked primarily in store? (6) (W)orked inside HOARD
25 OZONE
Australian individual’s UV filter (5) OZ + ONE

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 24/1/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (17/1/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.













The answer is a jumbling of letters except for the initial or final letter of the anagram fodder. An anagram indicator and truncation indicator will be present.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) on the INSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: held by, kept by, embraced by - anything that creates the image of being contained.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A question mark has been used to indicate "language abuse", that is, a word or words in a clue are used in a technically incorrect way, but the meaning can be still inferred.

Example: A indeed (?) could mean to insert A inside deed.

The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
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AFR Cryptic (17/1/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BIG TOP
Dance around one great entertainment centre (3,3) BOP outside (I + GT)
5 PARABLE
Lesson given by expert following average golf score (7) ABLE after PAR
10 AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Teacher of carols organised child-minding service (5,6,4) Anagram of TEACHER OF CAROLS
11 SURFER
Board rider is certain about fellow rider at the back (6) SURE outside F + ride(R)
12 DEPARTED
Property document containing deception, in retrospect, should be left (8) DEED outside (TRAP reversed)
14 NORM
Standard selection from Lennon or McCartney (4) lennoN OR Mccartney
15 FEATHERBED
Spoil meal containing 50% meat and herb (10) FEED outside [me(AT) + HERB]
18 PETITIONER
Claimant favoured one written in Italian and Irish (10) PET + [ONE inside (IT + IR)]
19 ARCH
Most important parade started late (4) (m)ARCH
22 CONTEMPT
Disregard kid, one not always at work before time (8) CON + TEMP + T
24 ARMADA
A river and a barrier held back fighting force (6) A + R + (A + DAM) reversed
26 SURFERS PARADISE
Irrational fears surprised a Gold Coast resort (7,8) Anagram of FEARS SURPRISED A
27 PIEBALD
Mongrel that is restrained by lead, unsettled lad (7) IE inside PB + anagram of LAD
28 EXTENT
Reach links contained in hypertext entry (6) hypertEXT ENTry
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
2 INTERPRET
Printer worked with alien to translate a foreign language (9) Anagram of PRINTER + ET
3 TARGET
Teller turned up to achieve objective (6) RAT reversed + GET
4 PACE
Pressure applied with great speed (4) P + ACE
5 PROPERTIES
Holdings – suitable bonds (10) PROPER + TIES
6 RELEASES
Issues are not connected to a landlord’s official documentation (8) ARE minus A + LEASE
7 BOAST
Show off pole fitted inside craft (5) S(outh) inside BOAT
8 EMENDED
Workers, flanked by two editors, made changes (7) MEN inside (ED + ED)
9 RAISIN
Dried fruit is bagged in wet weather (6) IS inisde RAIN
13 DECOMPOSED
Competition overseas, in actual fact, is in rotten condition (10) (COMP + OS) inside DEED
16 BARBARIAN
Dig short song recorded by an occasional rugby player (9) BARB + ARI(a) + AN
17 ST HELENA
Sort of lanes going around the Atlantic island (2,6) Anagram of LANES outside THE
18 PICKS UP
Young boxer, say, boxing sick, somehow gradually improves (5,2) PUP outside anagram of SICK
20 HEALED
He had, after consuming beer, recovered (6) ALE inside HED
21 TRUANT
Runaway honestly cut short meeting with social worker (6) TRU(e) + ANT
23 NERVE
Daring leader of regiment in uniform returned (5) (R)egiment inside (EVEN reversed)
25 FARE
Go some distance east (4) FAR + E

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 17/1/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (10/1/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.
















The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The entire answer can be discovered by mixing up letters. An appropriate anagram indicator will be present.
The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: holding, keeping, embracing - anything that creates the image of containment.

A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: holding, keeping, embracing - anything that creates the image of containment.

A word or phrase that defines the answer. All cryptic clues usually have a minimum of one definition which will be located at the beginning or end of the clue.
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AFR Cryptic (10/1/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PLUNDERED
Raided place belonging to newspaperman (9) PL + UNDER + ED
6 HUMPS
Decision-maker in high school carries a heavy load (5) UMP inside HS
9 CHAMP
Christmas fare replacing contents of cup? It’s a winner (5) C(u/HAM)P
10 APPRAISER
Software developer and reviewer (9) APP + RAISER
11 EPISODES
Beginning of each page is poetry in parts (8) (E)ach + P + IS + ODES
12 STRIFE
Conflict is raging at end of street (6) RIFE after ST
14 BETA
Characters written in Tibetan and Greek lettering (4) tiBETAn
15 SHOWINESS
Finish first in shoes sprayed primarily with glitter (9) (WIN inside SHOES) + (S)prayed
17 SACRIFICE
Give up pouch, one found originally buried in grain (9) SAC + [I + (F)ound] inside RICE
19 SWAG
Bundle of possessions was replaced with $1000 (4) Anagram of WAS + G
22 IMPACT
Influence a court behind the back of troublemaker (6) (A + CT) after IMP
23 INTERNEE
Person put away popular sort of entree (8) IN + anagram of ENTREE
25 ARTERIOLE
Small blood vessel’s tear fixed by one in part (9) Anagram of TEAR + (I inside ROLE)
26 TWINE
String quartet’s last press release? (5) quarte(T) + WINE
27 TUNIS
North African port is stored behind a large beer cask (5) IS after TUN
28 SATIRISED
Seated rebel wearing ID is held up to ridicule (9) SAT + (RISE inside ID)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PACKET
Mint wrapper (6) Double Definition
2 UNALIKE
Damaged ulna that is broken by brick, in the end is different (7) Anagram of ULNA + [IE outside bric(K)]
3 DIPLOMATIC CORPS
Farmer’s preparation to claim crops confused foreign representatives (10,5) DIP + anagram of TO CLAIM CROPS
4 READERSHIP
Reds are ordered by fashionable following (10) Anagram of REDS ARE + HIP
5 DOPE
Manage gym with one who’s not smart (4) DO + PE
6 HEALTH INSPECTOR
Replace host wrongly pinching slim safety officer (6,9) Anagram of REPLACE HOST outside THIN
7 MISSIVE
“Young lady, I have a letter” (7) MISS + IVE
8 SURCEASE
Put a stop to case mismanaged in firm (8) Anagram of CASE inside SURE
13 GOVERNMENT
Accomplished leader of normal people in great administration (10) [OVER + (N)ormal] + MEN) inside GT
16 ASPIRANT
Hopeful one raced in a light fall of rain (8) RAN inside (A + SPIT)
18 CAPSTAN
Winder on deck limits shade in summer (7) CAPS + TAN
20 AUNTIES
Militia finally releases family members (7) militi(A) + UNTIES
21 LEGEND
Famous person, say, restricted by loan (6) EG inside LEND
24 NOUS
Intelligence is worthless to a large extent (4) (NO US)e

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