Crossword for Monday 31 August 2026

Across

1. 1. (US spelling) "Clothing" made of synthetic fibers or ceramic plates
2. 6. A state you need to achieve before a race or a party, say
3. 7. One way to get into a swimming pool
4. 8. A victor takes them; a bad apple does it to the whole bunch.
5. 10. Common Indian city bird with yellow beak, eye patches and feet, and a black hood
6. 11. Popular British actress you've only seen in Bollywood, belonging to a multi-generational family of producers, directors and actors
7. 13. A choice for voters since 2013
8. 17. Unit used by gold traders, and by certain less-reputable ones
9. 18. An eagle has eight, an excavator sometimes has one
10. 19. In ____ and twos
11. 20. The third umpire might use a stump mic to detect one - or where not to stand on a cliff
12. 21. (Hindi) Mathura is known as the origin of this usually soft, round sweet made of khoa

Down

1. 1. Burning a building/property on purpose
2. 2. The founder of this company began his work life as a petrol pump attendant
3. 3. Aptly named train type that once carried post
4. 4. They're 16.67% for any single face of a die
5. 5. Grain for whiskey — or, said aloud, a tadka spice
6. 8. Wore a happy expression
7. 9. (Hindi slang) Khoon ka _____
8. 11. On top
9. 12. Without company
10. 14. Like the Monk on a classic Indian rum brand
11. 15. Something unwanted on a new tee, or a kind of wrestling match
12. 16. Something huge - or very expensive - might induce this