The Cryptic

ACROSS

8. Cost of taxi around Croatian capital is a joke (5)

9. Head of finance rings and outlines sporting events (9)

10. Went first after nail was dealt with (7)

11. Silly memes about law degree insignias (7)

12. Impose tie break to sum up (9)

14. Link crime centre to Sydney suburb (5)

16. Bananas in a vegan stir-fry? Romantic gesture! (11,4)

19. Craves starters from local upmarket steakhouse to sample (5)

21. Final bid for US city street by rotten queen (4,5)

23. A live TV broadcast in foreign city (3,4)

24. Opportunity for performer to hug writer, and emcee to hug crossword writer (4,3)

25. Bear escapes carbon neutral circus, getting out after sundown (9)

26. Serves tea, we hear, for intermission (5)

DOWN

1. Nuts no longer on display in gallery? (3,3,4)

2. Creative writing about royal causes disharmony (8)

3. Conversation starter about prison base? Absolutely not! (4,2)

4. Went up to animal rights group and left small romantic gesture? (4,6)

5. Most likely in favour of infant holding learner permit (8)

6. Monitor creep leaving pee in tin (6)

7. Little sister follows a sign in op-shop (2,2)

9. Loud commercial trend (3)

13. Some squirrel Evan trapped was unimportant (10)

15. Cryptic created after cockney’s clue was communicated (10)

17. Lift electric car and off-road car onto one American volcano (8)

18. Notorious Centrelink halved family house, removing walls (8)

20. Delicate fabric underneath significant other for comfort (6)

22. Trumps get cone & cups without toppings (3-3)

23. Can Yankee wee? (4)

24. Fuel bases in Cairo, Miami & Liverpool (3)