Crossword Genius

Talks idly, ceding power, providing surprises (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rattles

'surprises' is the definition.
(to rattle is to surprise or unsettle someone)

'talks idly ceding power' is the wordplay.
'talks idly' becomes 'prattles'.
'ceding' indicates named letters should be taken away (cede can mean to give away).
'power' becomes 'p'.
'prattles' with 'p' removed is 'RATTLES'.

'providing' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for rattles that I've seen before include "Noisy toys for babies" , "Starlet (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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