Sunday Times Cryptic 4576 Sunday February 9Th 2014

[Vimto]

26 across. Clue: Murdoch, for example takes a question for Middle Easterners (6). I have: A?A?I? ARABIC would fit but can't see why. 27 across. Clue: One brief quote's cut after latest from Port Vale (2-2) No letters. Help please.

[kalahari]

IR aqu IS

[bibblebub]

26a) IRAQIS

IRIS (Murdoch) outside A Q

[Gaperon]

Ir aq is (Iris Murdoch)

[bibblebub]

27a) ta-ta

[Vimto]

Bubbletub, please explain ta-ta.
I have made a right pig's ear of this one today. If ta-ta is right then 21 down: Girl hearing spending limits is upset (5) I?E?(A) must be IRENA but can't see how and 24 down: Letter from Doris and others left out (3) E?(A) must be ETA (Greek letter) but again can't full solution. More help please.

[bibblebub]

21d) 'hearing spending limits is upset' = remove the limiting letters of hearing and then make an anagram

27a) TA-YA = vale i.e. goodbye

one = A
brief quote's cut = TA(g) - but definitely not 100=0% happy with this
after = put those^ after...
latest from porT = T

[bibblebub]

24d) Doris is an ancient region of Greece http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Doris

others left out = ET A(l)

[Bowkie]

26 across is Iraqis - Iris with aq in middle

[Vimto]

Thank you all especially Bubbletub. I always think I will improve my solving power and so I have over the years but there are certain limits beyond which I will never go.

[Bowkie]

can anyone shed light on 22 across - one caught between two kings shows strain r?c?

[Calibax]

^Rick - i c(aught) between R(ex) and K(ing)

[Bowkie]

Thanks was not sure if it was rack or rick

[bampot]

"display by head of Continental during standstill in flights"

[Vimto]

STAIRCASES

[CrikeyMoses]

Bibblebub, re 'tag' component of 24Across, Oxford gives a meaning of "a frequently repeated quotation or stock phrase". Lovely misdirection from Tim Moorey in 'Port Vale'.

[CrikeyMoses]

27Across, sorry.

[bibblebub]

thanks crikey (or should that be moses?)

[CrikeyMoses]

You're welcome. I had the same hesitation and had to check the dictionary at the time
It's Mike, by the way. Real name's Mikey Croses ;-)