It’s a dark night when you look at the news and are forced to admit that you no longer believe in the power of the FIFA peace prize

A bit of a melancholy song www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHfb...

Delighted to be back as Bard in the @the-independent.com today. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... Big cheese beat restriction, having discovered tax not applicable (3,6) Very impressive bit of extreme picknicking (4) Here’s the family engaged in some extreme picknicking on Skye.

Hard on the heels of yesterday’s excitement, I’m delighted to be back in the Independent today. Clues include: At Arsenal, United fan starts to dance so wildly it makes ground shake (3,7,5) Help oneself to son’s chips (5) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I set the #cryptic #crossword in today’s The Independent. Solve it for free online here(select 11th Dec): https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent?puzzleDate=20251211

Maybe 8 out of 10 Cats ended prematurely, in for broadcast (8) It's a pleasure, as always, to set The Independent #cryptic #crossword, especially one with such a lovely palindromic number. I hope it brightens your day! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

The lovely @johnfinnemore.bsky.social (and he won’t mind me saying that as he’s not REALLY on here) has got some pallets of this diamond (by which I mean excellent and harder than rock) puzzle back from the Unbound catastrafuck. He got zero from them for reasons. buy this and he gets deserved cash!

I set today's Independent puzzle - but I won't make a song and dance about it. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Chris Lancaster, the Telegraph's puzzles editor, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year, and is fundraising for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle - please donate if you can: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...

Great culture can save lives. Literally. Amazing letter in today’s @thetimes.com about Tom Stoppard

@amoebacrosswords.bsky.social Very pleased to make my debut in the Times Quick Cryptic today! Hope you enjoy it.

Just realised this is referring to a church in North Carolina and not the Welsh singer

After years of tireless work by Animals Asia, bear bile farming has now been banned in Vietnam. But around 150 bears remain trapped in tiny metal cages. Animals Asia is working with the Vietnamese government to rescue them. Please like, share, wear a tshirt. Show your support to #FreeTheFinalBears

Farage regularly perceived to possess face of one? (4) is a brilliant &lit!

It’s me in the Independent today. Sample clue: Cantankerous ill youngster straddles potty (5) You can solve this cryptic crossword FOR FREE at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent

I’m back in the Indy today! Featuring: 🔴 Red, gold and brown a bit too much (6) 🎖️ Call it a day having received medal and diamonds (2,2,3) 🎵 Show Me Love, Spinning Around and Come What May? (7) Play for free here: puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I've had a go at a puzzle for the American market in @avcx.bsky.social . avxwords.com. Thanks to @francisheaney.bsky.social for getting it in shape. I was advised against too much depressing reality, but was allowed one: Perhaps Trump and Musk supporting introduction of fascism (5)

The BBC are accidentally running the subtitles to Mrs Marple over the Mercury Prize, and it’s rather wonderful. A few of lines could plausibly have been written by Jarvis.

A story in three parts

Too American to lead English orchestra (4) Dwelling as The Beatles were in Hamburg? (6) I set today's Independent #cryptic #crossword. I hope it brightens your day! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

AI might have done reasonably at solving puzzles today, but it is not perfect.

I hope my faithful followers enjoy my latest cryptic, featuring: Star trio cast as double-crossers (8) Crossword setters you shouldn't have trapped in vice suffer (7) American in the way of DC hero unplugging Tesla (8) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Working at welcoming Germans in public relations exercise? (7) My puzzle today in The Independent, free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... #cryptic #crossword

Free to solve at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti..., sample from today's Nimrod @the-independent.com xword: Slimmed manner, not so round? (8) @derekharrison.bsky.social @timlihoreau.bsky.social @jon-summers.bsky.social @tilsit999.bsky.social @somsram.bsky.social @knutcrosswords.bsky.social

I'm back in the Indy today, with clues like: Mouthy art student is trying, to an extent (9) Solve for free here - I hope you enjoy it! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

To ‘ultra-crepidate’ (19th century) is to lecture others on subjects you know very little about.

Delighted to have compiled today's Indy puzzle. I hope you enjoy. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

It’s my puzzle in the Independent today. (Wot, no Phi? He’s back tomorrow). Clues include: Wet and cold, perhaps, one covers up at home (6) Strong birds? Turkeys and geese to name two (5) Security protecting Harris finally leaves (5) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I'm back on my childish nonsense in today's Indy. Here's one of the more sensible clues: Take remedy to keep fit (7) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Whatever happens, eviscerated Truss associated with a big lettuce (2,3,5) My puzzle today in The Independent, free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... #cryptic #crossword

Chuffed and amazed to be back in the Indy as Magus @ puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent *hides behind sofa* Hide from Jersey Boy’s Brothers? (8) Nick Knowles’s ultimate essential? (5) Ben & Jerry’s ice cream opened by bird (9)

I'm in the Independent again! (Bluejacket #4, 12136, Mon 1st Sep 25) 10a: Way in which we're sure to have an impact? (9,6) 16d: Huge monster returning? No thanks, I've left! (9) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I set today’s Independent #cryptic #crossword. Northern miners ultimately like somewhere to sleep, presumably? (8) https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent?puzzleDate=20250826

Perhaps his reign gets misinterpreted (9) My puzzle today in The Independent, free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... #cryptic #crossword

I’ve mulled over posting this for months now. But yesterday it came to a head. And I’m aware that the people who need to see it will either not be here, or will suggest that I’m lying. I live near an asylum hotel. The reason I didn’t post earlier is that I didn’t want to raise undue attention

📢 Pre-orders coming soon! We're launching a #CRYPTIC #CROSSWORD magazine! We'll be showcasing new setters as well as people already published in places like the Independent, Guardian and Telegraph. Make sure you're in the loop by signing up at unchcrosswords.com

My gift to the theme-blind today in the Independent, featuring: Give funny order to “be calm and get wine” (6) Fruit that woman fed to hawks (8) Number 1? He’s picked Pope! (8) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

It’s (not its) #InternationalApostropheDay so here’s a link to my article that discusses (amongst other things) these wee beasties and how your computer tricks you into using the wrong ones ' ’ peoplewithissues.org/what-you-key...

Structure stems from anarchy (5,4) My puzzle today in The Independent, free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent #cryptic #crossword

I set today’s crossword in the Independent. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... Hope you enjoy!

I set today’s cryptic crossword in the Independent. Sample clue: What’s close to eight, closer to nine, and closer to eleven too? (3) Solve it FOR FREE at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent

Join me for an afternoon learning how to solve cryptic crossword puzzles in the fine city of Norwich on the 7th September. Tickets here: thehollowaynorwich.com/events/RVb6g... Shares and word of mouth appreciated!

Mystery wide brick? (8) My puzzle today in The Independent, free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

1 in 3 doctors were born overseas. 1 in 2 builders were born overseas. 1 in 6 nurses were born overseas. 1 in 4 transport workers were born overseas. 1 in 7 UK business founders were born overseas. 1 in 5 university academics were born overseas. The UK would be screwed without them.

360 minutes of knockout football in this tournament. England have been in the lead for 1 minute. #Champions

I’m in the Indy cryptic slot again today. A couple of sample clues to whet your appetite: - Dutch practised capturing Belgium for experiment (6) - Crime mostly lower in Greater Manchester area (8) Solve for free online at: puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... Enjoy!

Perhaps Melania initially only becoming American for Trump? (6) My puzzle today in The Independent, free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... #cryptic #crossword

I have the Indy slot today. Sample clues: Line attached to electronic plug? (4) Broadcast on genes, the historical building blocks? (10) Bishop having sex when in his cups, stops (8) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Post Office blocking argument warning of crime? My puzzle today in The Independent, free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... #cryptic #crossword

It’s my puzzle in the Independent today. Hope you enjoy! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...