Puzzles May 2026

Across

• 8 State secret extract from protocol or a doctrine (8)
• 9 Primarily quartz, uranium, arsenic and argon identifiable in bright celestial body (6)
• 10 Comes out with topless lunatics (6)
• 11 Songbird and bear concealing passion (8)
• 12 Architect's autograph acquired by Bambi, perhaps? (8)
• 13 Enthusiasm for her lead-free kitchen utensil (6)
• 14 Putting everything in order so Alpine habitat can grow wild (15)
• 18 Scoundrels start to kneel at the front of church aisles (6)
• 20 Obsession with internet supply going backwards
• initially introduced by egghead (4,4)
• 23 Game reserve's same old tactics (8)
• 24 Logical to retreat close to extremely hungry carnivores (6)
• 25 Source of river is giving itself new openings (6)
• 26 Reported how managed returns damaged trade (8)

Down

• 1 Writer's ego spoiled article (6)
• 2 His low-key wife walks out in disarray like a country bumpkin (8)
• 3 Bringing up endless dried fruit (6)
• 4 Planning for the future meeting of footballer with fine monarch (7,8)
• 5 Crushes dates (8)
• 6 Opposed to manuscript covering insect (6)
• 7 German agreement gets Himalayan nation coming back with love for chilli pepper (8)
• 15 Property owner left with loud praise (8)
• 16 Graduates quickly starting to seize woodwind instruments (8)
• 17 Crisp light fabrics with Welsh flower and French amaryllis borders (8)
• 19 Leaders to venture out yearly and glamorise European travel (6)
• 21 Urge other members to accept unknown quantity (6)
• 22 Saw through former partner's surprise attack on the radio (1-5)