Daily hard — 2026-09-21

Across

1. 3. Tactics using psychological warfare to affect behaviour (6)
2. 5. A declaration often made in the context of personal testimony. (11)
3. 6. Audre, celebrated Black lesbian poet, essayist, and civil rights activist. (5)
4. 7. Belarusian dash specialist who represented her nation in the 100m at the 2015 European Games in Baku. (11)
5. 8. Affectionate term for those promoting ecological awareness. (11)
6. 9. A phrase suggesting usefulness or suitability for a task. (5)
7. 11. This phrase is often misattributed to Shakespeare's 'King John'. (11)
8. 14. Franchise inspired by a character in a 1920s cartoon (7)
9. 16. Describes a luxury hotel or high-end shopping area (7)
10. 20. Bennington lawmaker and college administrator who entered the Vermont Senate in 2015. (7)
11. 22. James, the acclaimed American author of the classic novel Giovanni's Room. (7)
12. 23. Inflammation of the stomach lining causing discomfort. (9)
13. 24. Dutch scholar and Christian humanist who wrote Praise of Folly. (7)
14. 25. Financial data behemoth at 731 Lexington Avenue famous for its ubiquitous computer terminals. (9)

Down

1. 1. The Eastern European country that is home to citizens of African descent. (7)
2. 2. Character associated with speed in Marvel comics and films. (11)
3. 4. Common document issued by organisations to journalists. (12)
4. 10. American track icon Allyson who became the most decorated female track Olympian in Tokyo. (5)
5. 12. American grocery store chain specializing in organic food, founded in Texas in 1980 (10)
6. 13. Common embellishments for celebratory bakes. (11)
7. 15. Terms that represent a quantity or amount (8)
8. 17. Its isomers include isopentane, often used in fuels and rubber. (7)
9. 18. English mathematician who designed the Difference Engine in the nineteenth century (7)
10. 19. A classification for something of excellent quality (7)
11. 20. Controversial 1980 Friedkin thriller whose NYC filming sparked mass protests by gay activists (8)
12. 21. Region known for its rugged terrain and eroded buttes. (7)