Financial Times Sunday No.77 – News by Leonidas

11 comments on “Financial Times Sunday No.77 – News by Leonidas”

1. PUTIN
   I think it’s PUTIN (leader) getting IN at the front.

2. I approached this puzzle in the same frame of mind as Widdersbel, I think – expecting a fair proportion of the answers to be on topics that I’ve been trying to avoid, so I was surprised to see how much I’d managed to absorb, albeit reluctantly. Once again, I’m awestruck by how much Leonidas has managed to include and Widdersbel to track down. I really love these puzzles and do hope that they will begin to attract more comments.

   I was all set to come here and say that 20ac had me stumped but, as happens sometimes, KVa’s parsing hit me, just before I read his comment.

   So many excellent clues – I’m going out shortly, so may be back later to itemise them. I’ll just say now that, when I had S?A?M?R for 12ac, I almost entered STARMER without looking at the clue – but what a super one Leonidas found!

   In the meantime, many thanks to Leonidas and Widdersbel – great team work again!

3. KVa – Of course! Thank you.

4. These news puzzles and the blogs continue to amaze me. There is so much knowledge packed in these puzzles and blogs.
   Today’s puzzle and blog no exception to the above rule.

   OMG, CANADA, SLAMMER and MUSK were my top faves. Excellent topical surfaces all through.
   CEASEFIRE
   The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
   Thanks Leonidas and Widdersbel.

5. Hats off to Leonidas!

   Like Widders I’ve mostly been avoiding the news apart from the headlines but this was excellent and nowhere near as depressing as I’d feared it might be. Concentrating on the dafter non starters of Trump’s wish list made this a fun solve.

   I confidently filled in Lineker for 27A, initially not noticing the extra E which didn’t work, which held me up a little. Fortunately Musk put me right – a phrase I’ll wager won’t get much airing going forward.

   Great blog too thanks both.

6. For 19d GAB: “UK stalls Chagos Islands deal until Trump administration can ‘consider detail’“.

7. And for 13d MAGIC: “…Johnson gives President Biden assist at Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony“.

8. For 2d
   Princess Anne has no memory of 2024 accident https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87d34rq541o

9. There is hardly a clue without some topical reference. You could add the ongoing saga of our water companies for TAINT. But none of the clues felt awkward or forced. Excellent setting. (Another Lin(e)ker here) Thanks, both.

10. Back again, having had more time to absorb and savour the comprehensive content of this splendid puzzle.

    My ticks were for 8ac GREENLAND, especially for the amusing appearance of one of Crosswordland’s most popular antelopes, 12ac SLAMMER, for being cleverer than STARMER (me @2), 18ac OMG (impressive exploitation of just three letters – see also 19dn), 25ac, though I hate both ‘ass’ and ‘butt’, 4dn ADORES (great use of ‘digs’), 7dn INTEREST, 17dn CAROLINE, for the nostalgia rush, 19dn GAB (thanks FG for the link) 23dn CANADA – just brilliant, 28 MUSK (I’m with Blah here) and 30dn for a fresh use of one of the most frequently seen words, in both clues and answers.

    I missed the ‘Wild at Heart’ reference @29dn and, again like Blah (and Petert), was momentarily beguiled (in more ways than one) by LINEKER as the TV presenter @27ac. [Gary used to live just round the corner from us in the late ’70s, his Leicester City playing days and would kick a ball around with my teenage son and his friend from time to time in our cul-de-sac. He was married at my church just down the road and my friend and I couldn’t resist going to gawp at the wedding.]

    Renewed thanks to setter and blogger. Looking forward to the next one already!

11. Thanks to all who have commented today and to Widders for tracking down the news items. The ‘Trump and Musk Show’ is sure to give plenty of material for the February puzzle and beyond, no doubt. See you all next time. L

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