No 9935, Tuesday 31 Aug 10, Nita Jaggi

ACROSS
1   - Retreat river is peculiarly black (4,4) - {FAL}{L BACK*}

SEE THIS CARTOON

5   - Except behind a neighbour (4) - {A}{BUT}
9   - Sicken to see a aunt in distress (8) - NAUSEATE*
10 - Sellout to this girl at this place (6) - {HIT}{HER}
12 - Tunnel effect for one out of a hole (4) - ECHO ?
13 - Gun sound for a youngster she demonstrates in an Asian country (10) - {BANG}{LAD}{ESH*}

15 - Skill based battlefield tactics (14) - COUNTERATTACKS [CD] What kind of skill is this ?
17 - Plant fragment in the land even led to confusion (6,8) - FRENCH LAVENDER Anno pending

21 - Brick put up in fort (10) - {BLOCK}{HOUSE}

22 - Sicilian peak in Vietnam (4) - ETNA [T]

25 - Snatch the young goat in daybreak (6) - {KID}{NAP}
26 - A beer den is erected in the North sea port (8) - ABERDEEN*
27 - Soldiers half keep the toothy tool (4) - {RA}{KEep}

28 - Initially revive an infected deer around the Buddhist monastery having a cattle disease (3,5) - {R}{ED {WAT}ER*}
DOWN
1   - Pass the tube (6) - FUNNEL [DD]
2   - Giggle at the French with a cry of disgust (5) - {LA}{UGH} Giggle!!
3   - Soundly wiped out the salad ingredient (4) - BEET(~beat)

4   - Type of cheese in the lodge (7) - COTTAGE [DD]
6   - Cracked bearing around the tin vessel (10) - {BRIGAN{TIN}E*}

7   - The other university will measure each review left of a language (9) - {TEH*}{U}{EL}{CHEa*} My God!!
8   - Out into view in a tower in front of the house (5) - PORCH [CD]
11 - Taj Mahal city is in the diagram (4) - AGRA [T]
14 - Bit of this and that (5,5) - KNICK KNACK [CD]
16 - Somehow corresponded out with the Civil Service Democratic leader about the military formation (4,5) - {OPEN ORDERcsd*}
18 - Stolen money is left in the hill station endlessly (4) - {L}{OOTy}
19 - Force at the tip-off the holy book can be seen (7) - {VIS}{bIBLE}
20 - Colours in a streamer (6) - BANNER ?
21 - Blackberry regularly used by the pastry chef (5) - {B}{A}{K}{E}{R}
23 - Deal with a threat unexpectedly out of the house (5) - ThREAT
24 - Show off the crown around the front of the warehouse (4) - CROW Anno pending

GRID

No 9934, Monday 30 Aug 10, Nita Jaggi

ACROSS
8   - Campaign theory propagated for development of the film (14) - CINEMATOGRAPHY* Awesome anagram
9   - Prevent the progress on way heading off to the gym for one in Spain (6) - {ST}{gYM}{I}{E}
10 - Thought about a single kind of wheel popular for the journalist (8) - {I}{MAG}{IN}{ED}
11 - Country is river bound around an opening mostly at the tip of Asia (8) - {CAM}{B}ODI{A} Anno pending

13 - Animal training within this region (6) - APEXES ?(Addendum - {A{PE}REA} - See comments)

14 - Boy turns blue outside this river (6) - {DAN}{UBEl*}
16 - Detergent lexicon contains the washing machine setting (6) - GENTLE [T]
19 - Lock-up someone out in England around lunchtime (6) - {PeR{I}SON}
21 - Lay bare in the retreat you see (8) - DENUDATE Anno pending (Addendum - {DEN}{U}{DATE} - See comments)
23 - Bird lover on road will thoroughly search an underground passageway (8) - {CAT}{A}{COMB} On road and A ?
24 - It may be issued for overspeeding (6) - TICKET [CD]
26 - Run quickly towards the fatal motor-bike accident (4,1,4,3,2) - MAKE A BOLT FOR IT* Awesome again
DOWN
1   - Small bed is set down in this country (8) - {S}{COT}{LAND}

2   - No going up for the morning festival (4) - {ON}{AM}
3   - Threaten the little devil to sign-off (6) - {IMP}{END}
4   - Rigid vocalist is singing out a verse (7) - STOICALv*
5   - Look out of the catalogue to order for a fruit (8) - {A}{GUACATElo*}

6   - Declared the guy to be troubled out in Norway (10) - {MAN}{InFESTED}
7   - Idea for a joke (6) - CHEEKS ? CHEESE ?
12 - Somehow ask her for the following skeleton part of the wheeled vehicle (10) - {BONE}{SHAKER*}

15 - Unacceptable behaviour in a county in North Carolina (8) - BUNCOMBE [DD] New word for me
17 - Petition of a specialist is left out of the realty settlement (8) - {ENT}{TREAlTY}
18 - Eccentric character (7) - ODDBALL [E]
20 - Right hand gal almost returns for the poet in an ancient city (6) - {RH}{lAG<-}{AE}
22 - Officially provide a number to anyhow shift out quietly at the end of the day (6) - {NO}{TIFsh*}{Y}
25 - Worry about the rear tyre behind the wheels (4) - {CAR}{E}

GRID

No 2600, Sunday 29 Aug 10

ACROSS
1 - Mischievous child in difficult situation (6) – PICKLE [DD]
4 - Liqueur, Italian, knocked back by a girl (3,5) – {TI<-}{A} {MARIA}

9 - Silk fabric matching it inside (6) – {SAM{IT}E}
10 - Stable one working horse (8) – {STALL}{I}{ON}
12 - Look at first batsman, a revelation (3-6) – {EYE}-{OPENER}
13 - Greek character - he volunteers after short time (5) – {T}{HE}{TA}
14 - Retrogade move giving support to protégé going on stage (8,4) – {BACK}{WARD} {STEP}
18 - Expression up north a serf used (4,2,6) – TURN OF PHRASE*
21 - Leader of expedition put down an antelope (5) – {E}{LAND}

22 - I approach home with sincere intentions (2,7) – {I}{N EAR}{NEST}
24 - Transfer diamonds in German city (4,4) – {HAN{D} OVER}
25 - Muddled situation resulting from other ranks being admitted to service (6) – {M{OR}ASS}
26 - Set off to make famous college in time (8) – {D{ETON}ATE}

SEE THIS CARTOON

27 - Lifted boa - constriction finally follows (6) – {STOLE}{N}
DOWN
1 - Eyewitness parking, bishop in Sayers novel (6-2) – {P}{ASSER-{B}Y*}

2 - Pressure to keep two Frenchmen in business (8) – {CO{MM}ERCE}
3 - Drunk started smoking (3,2) – {LIT} {UP}
5 - Not earning extra money from pursuit - charitable? (8-4) – {INTEREST}-{FREE}
6 - Being deciduous, they have roots (4,5) – MILK TEETH [CD]
7 - Added clause about a marauder (6) – {R{A}IDER}
8 - One's published yearly, the recorded events of twelve months around university (6) – {ANN{U}AL}
11 - Nine starting out, obstinately maintaining an attitude (12) – INTRANSIGENT*
15 - Relaxed in NI county after injury (5,4) – {WOUND} {DOWN}
16 - "Foul" - audible cry in game (8) – {BASE}{BALL}
17 - Nozzle is not spraying, so discard (8) – {JET}{TISON*}
19 - Stanislavsky's acting technique course? (6) – METHOD [CD]
20 - Girl in car, greedy type (6) – {G{ANNE}T}

23 - Dig up the earth around small hen house (5) – {ROO{S}T}

GRID

No 9933, Saturday 28 Aug 10, Nita Jaggi

ACROSS
7   - Disturbed voice catches Len in passion (8) - {VIO{LEN}CE*}
9   - Note the detectives rejecting the first operation of a physician (6) - {ME}{DIC<-}{O}
11 - Abandoned in Durham area, girl caught in permitted Edward (9) - {NE}{G}{LE{C}T}{ED}
12 - Dickens boy is before an island (5) - {TIM}{OR}
13 - Young fellow is back with this girl who eats between meals (6) - {NOS<-}{HER} What I love to do !!
14 - Loud noise may be set up for this kind of stupid talk (8) - {CLAP}{TRAP}
17 - Services in Norway not up to the tip off the cities (9) - {UnTIL}{cITIES}
22 - Worker will sneak off with the kid (8) - {ANT}{ELOPE} Kid and Antelope what imagination!
23 - As a result start off an excursion in Poland with a bit of excitement (6) - {tRIP}{PL}{E}
25 - Poets block the discussions on both sides (5) - {BAR}{DS}
27 - Set upon a dauntless character out of Norway (9) - {A}{SSAULTEDn*}
28 - Girl law official is briefly in an outlying farm (6) - {G}{RANGEr}
29 - One over the hand of a monster (8) - {BOGEY}{MAN}
DOWN
1   - Still more popular man at night (7) - {EVEN}{IN}{G}
2   - Stop up this kind of artist out of a stage performance (7) - {CON}{GESTa*}
3   - Edinburgh dwellers have small beds (5) - {S}{COTS}
4   - See the match (4) - MEET [DD]
5   - Burns in anger (7) - SIMMERS [DD]
6   - Bribe an officer with a Rolls Royce in Uttar Pradesh on time (7) - {CO}{RR}{UP}{T}
8   - Man let Lee organise the basic course (9) - ELEMENTAL*
10 - Admire a man controlling the first class debate finally (7) - {ADUL{A}T}{E}
15 - A full supply of blue-printed designs disposed in Britain (9) - PLENITUDEbr*
16 - Adult cannot evade the boat track (7) - SLIPaWAY
18 - Fish net has e-waste (7) - {GAR}{BAG}{E} Nice clue
19 - Never cut-off relevant matters out of a bit of excitement (7) - ETERNALv* ? Excitement and V ?
20 - Model record of it is mostly on me (7) - {EP}{IT}{On}{ME}
21 - Auspicious time for a union (7) - WEDDING [CD]
24 - Fancy neckwear for a foreigner (5) - {A}{SCOT}
26 - Discuss agendas with some wise man (4) - SAGE [T]

GRID

No 9932, Friday 27 Aug 10, Nita Jaggi

ACROSS
1   - Virtue of a good tribe (5) - {G}{RACE}
4   - First to put out the topic covering an English con man (7) - {CH{E}ApTER}
10 - Follow the trade with the colleague initially in place of an agent (6) - CHAN(g+c)CE Are chance and follow synonymous?

11 - Certainly may include a politician and an insurance giant for this course of action (8) - {CA{MP}{AIG}N}

13 - Unwary Pat has the French in custody (8) - {CARE{LE}SS}
14 - Point to the man in a Spanish grocery (6) - BODEGA Anno pending (Addendum - {BODE}{G}{A} - See comments)
16 - Bad marks can break out in the middle of teens (4) - {ACN*}{E}
17 - Addition written after the main work (10) - POSTSCRIPT [E]

20 - Intruder tries to rest on the way out of an estate in front (10) - {TRES*}{PASS}{E}R Anno for R pending
21 - Not new for an American journalist (4) - {US}ED}
24 - Strict character traits (6) - STRAIT*
26 - You get rid off such kind of liquor in Zambia with a lot of sentimentality (8) - {SuCH}{MALT}{Z}
28 - Touchdown of aircraft (7) - LANDING [CD]
29 - Carry Albert to the gate (6) - {PORT}{AL}
30 - Lustre on the thin wedge in the French sea (7) - {SHIM}{MER}
31 - Reading in the library (5) - STUDY [DD]
DOWN
2   - Religious education has a right statistical measure to consolidate (9) - {RE}{A}{R}{RANGE}
3   - Headless jack is in Sri Lanka in the direction of the sound (6) -{C{jACK}L}{E}
5   - Try as a case hither, overheard (4) - HEAR(~here)
6   - Coming close to the landfall (8) - APPROACH [CD]
7   - Select few of the Spanish leaders in ten establishments (5) - {EL}{ITE}
8   - Plant a bill in front of the secret service (6) -{AC}{A}{CIA} I've always been fascinated by the shape of the canopy this tree

9   - Young popular follower in Thailand (6) - {IN}{FAN}{T}
12 - Take up the cause with ease to cook soup for an English leader (7) - {ES}{POUS*}{E}
15 - Go up to an area (7) - STRETCH [DD]
18 - Protected one sultan harassed by the journalist (9) - {I}{NSULAT*}{ED}
19 - Bull characteristic in the stock market (8) - OPTIMISM [CD}
20 - Distribute the results outside the contest (6) - TUSSLEr*
22 - Flash the notice up in Zambia with a dash of zeal out on the road (6) - {DA<-}{Z}{ZLEa*}

23 - Bring in worker not distinguished (6) - IMPORTant
25 - Tip off roughage in the church farm (5) - {bRAN}{CH}
27 - Discover the progress of a monster (4) - OGRE [T]

GRID

No 9931, Thursday 26 Aug 10, Nita Jaggi

Surprisingly a decent offering from NJ today with very few discrepancies or nonsensical clues (not considering Grammar or surface reading), like someone said the other day she does seem to be improving.
ACROSS
1   - Will power to mostly control the leaderless community (13) - {DETERMINe}{nATION}
8   - When the famous person is not in Israel with the business partner (9) - ASSOCIATE Anno pending

9   - Goes on heartily encouraging the workers (5) - {R}{ANTS}

SEE THIS CARTOON

10 - Man somehow has-been dismissing the second language (7) - {G}{HANESEb*}
12 - Premier structure has no hand in this company (6) - EMPIREr*
14 - Reprobation of doubt following the One Day International (5) - {ODI}{UM}
16 - Declares the small tip-off methods (4) - {S}{wAYS}
19 - Smooth revolver (4) - IRON [DD]
20 - Introduced the resplendent form outside the borders of London (9) - PRESENTEDln*
21 - Kind of exam for the Irish leader in an Italian port (4) -{BAR}{I}
22 - Each of the players finally take the first bridge position (4) - {EA}{S}{T}
25 - Durban's province is in this kind of chart (5) - NATAL [DD]

27 - Fixing an architectural decoration, overheard (6) - FREEZE (~frieze)
29 - Method to learn poems (2,5) - BY HEART [CD]
32 - Guide for an American husband forever (5) - {US}{H}{ER}
33 - Woman gardener working, fails to notice the tree (9) - {EVE}{RGREENad*}
34 - Shrine gets art constructing devices (13) - STRAIGHTENERS*

DOWN
2   - Different castes ultimately enjoy bliss (7) - {ECSTAS*}{Y}
3   - Samuel checks this part of the city (5) - ELCHE [T]
4   - Sound of a demon in distress (6) - MOANED*
5   - Point in the workers putting up the tree (4) - {N{E}EM<-}

6   - Guitar sound (5) - THRUM [E]
7   - Well known suitor soon decides to leave the society (9) - NOTORIOUSs*
8   - Russell George is oddly against the sponsorship (5) - {AE}{G}{I}{S}
11 - Accordingly dispel an omen on an oriental person (7) - {SO}{MEON*}{E}
12 - No time to persuade one student to finally study with no purpose (7) - {tEMPT}{I}{L}{Y}
13 - Satisfaction to sit behind the pony in front (5) - {P}{RIDE}
15 - Still gas (5) - INERT [CD]
17 - So samurai injured has a partial loss of sight (9) - AMAUROSIS*
18 - Barb in the small tree (5) - {S}{PINE}
23 - Not a professional (7) - AMATEUR [E]

SEE THIS CARTOON

24 - It is mounted to regularly train the giant (5) - {TI*}{T}{A}{N} (Correction - {TI<-}{T}{A}{N} - See comments)
26 - Sailor told to go out (6) - {AB}{SENT}
28 - Final letter for the solo piece in the city (5) - {Z}{ARIA}
30 - Gas rises up in one Indian shelter (5) - HOG{AN} Anno pending

31 - Composer will stand without a girl (4) - {BEaR}{G}

GRID

No 9930, Wednesday 25 Aug 10, Nita Jaggi

ACROSS
1   - Can follow the popular girl starter at hand (10) - ATTA{IN}{ABLE} Anno pending
9   - Noisy bird pair is oddly trapped in the big game (6) - {MAG{PI}E*}

10 - Pay to play the role after the first mum before delivery (10) - {ANTE}{PART}{mUM}
11 - Significance of the first letters of editor following fans excitedly in the city (6) - {E}{F}{F}{E}{CT}
12 - Island sells the last of the rugby shirts (7) - {JERSEY}{S}
16 - Hyderabad gemstones have some mark (5) - BADGE [T]
17 - Animal fur sound (4) - HARE (~hair) I have a lot of fur on my head !!

18 - Cat's quarry (5) - MOUSE [CD]
19 - Pledge to pay the ringleader (5) - {WAGE}{R}
20 - Origin of a virus (4) - GERM [CD]
21 - Follows the man partly in this kind of column in the back issues (5) - {HE}EDS or is it {HE}ELS Anno pending
22 - Open up the flower (7) - BLOSSOM [DD]

27 - Talk over with the student in the city (6) - {DUB}{L}{IN}
29 - Standardise the all-purpose tissues regularly (10) - {GENERAL}{I}{S}{E}
30 - Seizes the royal seat (6) - USURPS [E]
31 - Deliberately break the rule (10) - TRANSGRESS [E]
DOWN
2   - Fall in the pond (4) - TANK [DD]
3   - Relates the character outside with the spider monkeys (6) - ATELESr*

4   - Bear the noise in New York in the neighbourhood (6) - {N{EARB*}Y} Noise is the AInd!!
5   - Wash oneself to be up for the man (5) - {BAT}{HE}
6   - Fail to start the device on the stock feed (5) - EMMER Anno pending (Addendum - hEMMER - See comments)

7   - Extra parts not being essential (10) - APPENDAGES [CD]
8   - Timbal kept out softly on time for the French doctor initially understanding music (10) - {KEpT}{T}{LE}{DR}{U}{M}

SEE THIS

12 - Steel city that Tata built (10) - JAMSHEDPUR [E]
13 - Worker will use our boat design (10) - ROUSEABOUT*
14 - Spread these put on the bed (5) - SHEET [DD] (Correction - SHEET* - See comments)
15 - Morsel of bread (5) - CRUMB [E]
23 - Gets to know an islander working without identification (6) - LEARNSid*
24 - Auction list has no introduction for the crew member (6) - SAILOR Anno pending (Addendum - (~sale){SAIL}{fOR} - See comments)
25 - Old English leaders missing the on stage performance out of fear (5) - ANGSToe*
26 - Group will first alight at the holy river (5) - {GANG}{A}

28 - Small poisonous snakes (4) - ASPS [E]

GRID

No 9929, Tuesday 24 Aug 10, Nita Jaggi

NJ has knocked me over today. No time for pictures or cartoons
ACROSS
4   - Source of each kind of trouble (8) - {HEAD}{ACHE*}
8   - Like to accommodate the writer in town (6) - {AL{PEN}A}
9   - Energetic, immature boy is in the other state out of the house in America (10) - {BOy}{IS}{TEROh}{US} Oh boy !!
10 - Quiet spot in the small bay (4) - {S}{HOO}
11 - First place to dig in for fuel (4) - {P}{EAT}
13 - Young one is in the borders of the city gently roaming in the outside yard (6) - {CitY}{GNETy*} (Correction - {CitY}{GNETly*} )
15 - Hide the key in an empty chest (7) - S????TE
17 - Spread the content of dogma yourself (4) - MAYO [T]
18 - Caught a couple of students on the phone (4) - {C}{A}{LL}
19 - Likely to lock up the head cashier of a bank (7) - {IN{C}LINE}
21 - Bug characteristic I see (6) - ?O?E?D
22 - Female does not fancy the mixed up shade of blue (4) - fCYAN*
25 - Cheese etc brought to a desired maturity (4) - AGED [CD]
26 - Zoom fast on top (5,5) - RAPID CLIMB
27 - Each gate is entangled with grass (6) - E????E (Addendum - {EA}{TAGE*} - See comments)
28 - Pudding in jail (8) - PORRIDGE [CD]
DOWN
1   - Scare the lawyer in the county (5) - {DA}{?S?}
2   - Stand up against the leaders of political parties on several endowments (6) - {O}{P}{P}{O}{S}{E}
3   - Stay in a taxi in front of the Lebanese leaders (5) - {CAB}{LE}
4   - One shot fired in the lift (5) - {HO{I}ST*}
5   - It may be indefinite (7) - ARTICLE [CD]
6   - 'I' problem with this kind of an attitude (9) - ARROGANCE [CD]
7   - Common name to reckon with (9) - HOUSEHOLD [CD]
12 - Early priest is on the river side (5) - A???N
14 - Running around after the coal, essentially for the black diamond (9) - CARBONADO Anno pending (Addendum - {CARBON}{ADO} - See comments)
15 - Mom relies on the order taken by the waiter (9) - SOMMELIER* New word for me
16 - Fit the software (5) - TALLY [DD]
19 - Brought about the popular Italian leader in Germany (7) - {IN}{DUCE}{D} D from Deutschland ?
20 - Poor man will go acquire the horse (6) - ??G???
22 - Sound in a tunnel not in New York (5) - {CHIMnEy} Tunnel & Chimney now now !!
23 - Baby crying outside the entrance in front of the cathedral (5) - {ABB{E}Y*}
24 - Bye-bye! (5) - ADIEU [E]

GRID

No 9928, Monday 23 Aug 10, Nita Jaggi

HAPPY ONAM to all those who visit my blog

NJ has me stumped at 22A, 2 & 15D.

ACROSS
1   - Brother has no hand in the carnival (4) - FAIRr*
9   - Where the power lies in the hands of the people (6,9) - SOCIAL DEMOCRACY [CD] ?
10 - Get-up-and-go to an empty bar with a lionheart (4) - {BaR}{IO}
11 - Study aid? (5) - GRANT [CD]
12 - Dedicated singer has retired (4) - AVID<-
13 - Hostility among seven ombudsmen (5) - VENOM [T]
14 - A general pardon (7) - AMNESTY [E]
16 - The French experts finally study this kind of disease (7) - {LE}{PROS}{Y}
18 - Unembellished (5) - STIFF [E]
22 - Substance of a matter (4) - ???F (Addendum - BEEF - see comments)

23 - Forcibly drove outside the ring in a sporting event (5) - {RODEv*}{O}

SEE THIS CARTOON

24 - Wise leaders of distance education encourage privatisation (4) - {D}{E}{E}{P}
25 - Fellow offering sample pieces to the girl child (6,9) - {F}{EMALE OFFSPRING*}
26 - You arrest a student in an American University (4) - {Y{A}{L}E}
DOWN
2   - Liquid one takes only after lunchtime (7) - A?I?O?E (Addendum - {AM}{I}{DOSE} - See comments)
3   - Sect of holy people (9,5) - RELIGIOUS ORDER [E]
4   - Firm supporter of the snake (5) - {CO}{BRA}
5   - Calm the boy holding the gangster going up (5) - {RE{LA<-}X}
6   - Do lure the upper class lousy characters in a mocking way (14) - {CON}{TEMPT*}{U}{OUSLY*}
7   - Make paper in a Greek island (6) - {CRE{A}TE} What is 'A' paper?
8   - They may be written for a film (7) - SCRIPTS [CD]
15 - Spy does not bother to celebrate on the small island (7) - ?E???E? (Addendum - {CELEBratE}{S} - See comments)
17 - Register a foreign ship again in Florida with an agent (6) - {RE}{FL}{A}{G}
19 - Football leader unfortunately has no direction of it growing in the wasteland (7) - {F}{EDERAL*} ?
20 - Guide a journalist provided it is extremely early (5) - {ED}{IF}{Y}
21 - Confused novelist gets rid of a lot of stripes (5) - VEINSlot*

GRID

No 2599, Sunday 22 Aug 10

ACROSS
1 - English author at home on river, Welsh one (6) - {R}{USK}{IN}
4 - Waste energy making jam (6) - {SCRAP}{E}
8 - Supporter, in front of five at a party, showing off (7) – {BRA}{V}{A}{DO}

SEE THIS GUY

10 - Overpraise what's comparatively monotonous (7) – FLATTER [DD]
11 - Hijacker could make mistakes seizing one in middle of tattoo (9) – {T{ERROR{I}S}T}
12 - Bloomer at university contributing to endless row (5) - {L{UP}INe}

13 - Fantasist, amusing turn male interrupted (6,5) – {W{ALTER} {M}ITTY}
15 - Forge opposite has iron put on it (11) – {COUNTER}{FE}{IT}
19 - Puzzle concerning returned loan (5) – {RE}{BUS<-}
20 - One name put forward beforehand (2,7) – {I}{N} {ADVANCE}
22 - Justify angry tirade after conflict (7) – {WAR}{RANT}
23 - Severe wind close to shore (7) – {AUSTER}{E}

SEE THIS CARTOON

24 - Pocket piece for tavern worker (6) – {POT}{MAN}
25 - Female thespian's agent (6) – {F}{ACTOR}
DOWN
1 - Special beer at a discount (6) – REBATE*
2 - Odds on pointer finding a bird? (7) – {SP}{ARROW} No longer seen in Bangalore

3 - A mental picture of him, a goalkeeper (5) – IMAGO [T]
5 - Patch of ground shown in map, east of US city (9) - {CHAR{LOT}T}{E}
6 - PM in car spy bugged (7) - {AUTO}{PSY*}
7 - Misbehaving, English bishop and social worker (6) – {E}{RR}{ANT}
9 - Novel by Hardy, say, with surprise ending (6,5) – {OLIVER} {TWIST}
10 - Working at anagram of "mirage"? (4,7) – FATA MORGANA* Nice clue
14 - Girl touring one, an American state (9) – {LOUIS{I}{AN}A}
15 - Jazz fan taking in nude floor show (7) – {CA{BARE}T}

SEE THIS COW

16 - Thrash man for touching (7) – {TAN}{GENT}
17 - Mature women in class (4,2) – {GRO{W} UP}

SEE THIS CARTOON

18 - Facing northeast in wind (6) – {VE{NE}ER}
21 - View held by Mavis Tate (5) – VISTA [T]

GRID

No 9927, Saturday 21 Aug 10, Nita Jaggi

Not many cartoons today - woke up late, no paper, Chitra's app didn't capture the grid and to top it all it was NJ today !!!!!!!!!!!

ACROSS
2   - Well, examine the butler's place (6) - {PAN}{TRY}
7   - Man has a drop of alcohol in the fizzy drink (4) - {SOD}{A}
9   - Cure the man in Alabama (4) - {HE}{AL}
10 - Wearing apparel for the dead (6,7) - BURIAL GARMENT [E]
12 - Cavity stopper (7) - SEALANT [E]
13 - Sling mud at the poet holding a press conference (7) - {A{SPERS*}E} AE Houseman is the poet
15 - The Finnic language (4) - SAMI [E]
17 - Complain to the girl about this kind of leather (5) - {G}{ROAN}
18 - He will finally dye the hair on the neck (4) - {MAN}{E}
19 - Crossed out the long-term mistake due to the result of crossbreeding (7) - MONGRELt*

21 - They maybe brought up to the table (7) - MANNERS [CD]
23 - Regardless of certain onside decisions (13) - INCONSIDERATE*
27 - Party is at the yard units, overheard (4) - FETE(~feet)
28 - Princess left out the dilemma in Austen novel (4) - dilEMMA
29 - Charm Elizabeth roaming in the garden out at midnight (6) - {E}{NDEAR(-g)*}
DOWN
1   - Make a mess of the hairstyle in front of the beautician primarily for the French (6) - {BOB}{B}{LE}
2   - Maintaining security for a student in a long trip is demanding (10) - {PATROL{L}ING*}
3   - Leaders now observe virtual attacks on the ‘super' star (4) - {N}{O}{V}{A}
4   - So called the doctor finally for one man (4) - {R}{AN}{G}
5   - First give the man initially enough of Indian butter (4) - {G}{HE}{E}
6   - Fan of the devotee (8) - PARTISAN [DD]
8   - Wire cutters on both sides of the backyards protect the supporter climbing up (5) -{B{ARB<-}S}
11 - Side following the Lama leader (7) - {LATER}{A}{L}
13 - Not at all calm, gangster is ready to fight (7) - {AL}{ARMED}
14 - Half of them are workers who later spread the cheese (10) - {thEM}{MEN}{TALER}
16 - Distressed to diagnose an illness (8) - AGONISED*
20 - Boredom for example isn't a genuine reason (5) - egENNUI*
22 - A watery discharge (5) - RHEUM [E]
24 - Announce this kind of cut for the company (4) - CREW [DD]
25 - Portrait of one prisoner (4) - {I}{CON}
26 - Scoring advantage is a bit easy for the director general in England (4) - {E}{DG}{E}

GRID

No 9926, Friday 20 Aug 10, Sankalak

ACROSS
1   - A trader in rehab's heard spluttering (11) - HABERDASHER*
9   - Faraway soldier's group not in position (7) - {OUT}{POST}
10 - Tried to deal with ropes and pulleys, died (7) - {TACKLE}{D}
11 - Greek character at the river mouth (5) - DELTA [DD]

12 - Does it bring a breath of fresh air to a star? (3,6) - FAN LETTER [CD] This is the closest word I could think of, but why fresh air?
13 - Soldier and engineer combine to mock and scoff (4) - {GI}{BE}
15 - Type of crystal to confound doctor no end (7) - {DEN{DR}ON*}

19 - Conservative chap receives greeting from a brute (7) - {C}{AVE}{MAN}

20 - Short request for prompt action (1,1,1,1) - A S A P [E]
24 - Part of the sleeve that binds wart somehow (9) - WRISTBAND*
25 - Mischievous like some cruel finaglers (5) - ELFIN [T]
27 - Roman goddess found pitman initially very attractive (7) - {MINER}{V}{A}
28 - The beginning of a name (7) - INITIAL [CD]
29 - Where you could sweat it out in Ankara? (7,4) - TURKISH BATH [CD]
DOWN
1   - Prone to anger, the Spanish get a place to stop (5) - {HOT}{EL}
2   - Born friend goes around head office in State capital (6) - {B}{HO}{PAL}
3   - Give assent to a deserter provided youth leader follows (6) - {RAT}{IF}{Y}
4   - A time to make a bid for one who waits (8) - {A}{T}{TENDER}
5   - Large estate and home that had a nice build-up (8) - HACIENDA*
6   - Brothers, sisters and so on (9) - RELATIONS [CD]
7   - The captivity that Maugham wrote about (7) - BONDAGE [CD]
8   - Decorate British sailors after a party (5) - {A}{DO}{RN}
14 - Edible thing that Liza burnt accidentally (6,3) - BRAZIL NUT*

16 - His job is to talk to students! (8) - LECTURER [E]
17 - Queen, big one in India (8) - MAHARANI [CD]
18 - It can spin a yarn (7) - SPINDLE [CD]
21 - Vivekananda, for one (5) - SWAMI [CD]
22 - Somewhat unusual to find something to eat after party is over (6) - {OD<-}{DISH}
23 - Change in gear for a ruler (6) - REGINA*
26 - Trust in religion (5) - FAITH [DD]

GRID

No 9925, Thursday 19 Aug 10, Sankalak

I had MOLAR at 12A and was stuck for ages
ACROSS
1   - Up-to-date technology leaves a hot aftertaste, oddly (5,2,3,3) - STATE OF THE ART*
10 - What comes out of Neyveli (9) - BRIQUETTE [CD] Poor clue. I don't think the Lignite from Neyveli are made into Briquettes anymore.

11 - Kind of language used in elementary anecdotes (5) - ARYAN [T]
12 - Oral grinder, for one (5) - TOOTH [CD]
13 - Sacred writing for political group, Danish variety (9) - {UPA}{NISHAD*}
14 - Giving a colour to leaving for good, say (6) - DYEING(~dying)
16 - He is very choosy about his food (5) - VEGAN [CD] A poor CD in my opinion

19 - Popular non-professional decoration (5) - {IN}{LAY}
20 - Rout of French — an accomplishment (6) - {DE}{FEAT}
25 - Ma's trance disturbed by religious rite (9) - SACRAMENT*
26 - Fitness without a trace of labour in open tract of land (5) - HEAlTH
27 - Explorer of diamonds, dissolute man (5) - {D}{RAKE}
28 - Fashionable, long-suffering one in hospital (9) - {IN}{PATIENT}
29 - Modern means of communication can lull chaperone (8,5) - CELLULAR PHONE* Nice one

SEE WHAT HAPPENS

DOWN
2   - Made to measure (8) - TAILORED [E]
3   - Sense one makes of a request for money (5) - TOUCH [CD] Poor clue (Addendum - [DD] - I stand corrected. See comments)
4   - Work on an agent to not take part in a thing (3,3) - {OP}{T OUT}
5   - Youngster a bit short of a score? (8) - TEENAGER [CD]
6   - Destroy idea? React wildly (9) - ERADICATE*
7   - The beat in music … (6) - RHYTHM [E]
8   - … reduced for a time in a place of rest (6) - {A{B{A}{T}ED}
9   - A new piece of verse, “Terminal in Cell” (5) - {A}{N}{ODE}
15 - Matchless in France (9) - NONPAREIL [E]
17 - Important partner, liar reformed (8) - {MATE}{RIAL*}
18 - Dolphin, say, with energy and ecstasy, can act funny (8) - {C{E}TAC{E}AN*}

21 - Note about a big success in Pacific island (6) - {T{A}{HIT}I} I would love to live here.

22 - Stage whisper, say (5) - ASIDE [CD]
23 - Gambling game in the South-east is a predicament (6) - {S{CRAP}E}
24 - Sending back the right musical work about time with apathy (6) - {S{T}UPO<-}{R}
26 - Hot craving causes a hold up (5) - {H}{ITCH}

GRID

No 9924, Wednesday 18 Aug 10, Sankalak

ACROSS
1   - He stands charged (7) - ACCUSED [E]
5   - Group of stars with small cash and gold, right? (7) - {CENT}{AU}{R}

9   - How does one feel having succeeded in a Himalayan task? (2,3,2,3,5) - ON TOP OF THE WORLD [CD]
10 - Tainted, but claims to be clean (6) - {I'M}{PURE}
11 - A lawyer caught in investigation? Likely (8) - {PROB{A}{BL}E}
13 - Somehow, being a lieutenant is real (8) - TANGIBLE*
15 - Is that how game animals feel? (6) - HUNTED [CD]

SEE THIS CARTOON

18 - Twain hero, wood worker (6) - SAWYER [DD]
19 - Study diplomacy, beginning to seek connections (8) - {CON}{TACT}{S}
22 - Furtively, a master trails one who spreads fear (8) - {A}{LAR{M}IST*}
24 - Utensil that may sometimes fly? (6) - SAUCER [CD]
27 - Inelegant poetry, however, has power in storage (9,6) - POTENTIAL ENERGY*
28 - Send back to the House (2-5) - RE-ELECT [CD]
29 - High growth that a socialist courted without energy (7) - {RED}{WOOeD}

DOWN
1   - Lover in the morning, our time, carries gold (7) - {AM}{OR}{IST}
2   - Very distressed by reduction by state (3,2) - {CUT} {UP}
3   - Exercise control with the best holding device (9) - {SUPER}{VISE}
4   - Defence on time is quick and neat (4) - {DEF}{T}
5   - Stick together with business at this place (6) - {CO}{HERE}
6   - Bachelor, pale, upset by Indian ruler (5) - {NAW}{AB} <-
7   - The kind of work done in the big top (9) - ACROBATIC [CD]

SEE THIS CARTOON

8   - Poisonous oxide that may render dealer dead (3,4) - {RED LEA*}{D}
12 - A pest at home (3) - FLY [CD]
14 - Coal is unlikely to be welcome here (9) - NEWCASTLE [CD]
16 - Being without instruction turned lan off (9) - UNTRAINED*
17 - A task for a patient one (3) - JOB [DD]
18 - Informal photograph by a swimmer (7) - {SNAP}{PER}

20 - Remained to accommodate royalty but got lost (7) - {ST{R}AYED}
21 - Foolish chap, the first to extend help (6) - {ASS}{IST}
23,25 - Gamblers' haven in Monaco (5,5) - MONTE CARLO [E]
26 - An insult in shameless lurid language (4) - SLUR [T]

GRID

No 9923, Tuesday 17 Aug 10, Sankalak

ACROSS
1   - Plan of work for a day e.g. followed by board (9) - {TIME}{TABLE}
5   - Legendary Greek in French location (5) - PARIS [DD]
8   - Pole, possibly? No, a pure English sort (8) - {E}{UROPEAN*}
9   - Disc, raw, large, shows poor writing (6) - SCRAWL [T]

SEE THIS CARTOON

11 - High place for old singer Richard (5) - CLIFF [DD]



12 - Once, odd clues about drip were limited to a group (9) - {EX}{CLUS{IV}E*}
13 - Crude eastern painting by heartless Henry (6) - {E}{ART}{HenrY}
14 - Material for building containing a small window (8) - {C{A}{S}EMENT}

16 - He gives information about Indian Railway's paper (8) - {APP{RIS*}ER*}
18 - Support for a speaker (6) - PODIUM [E]
22 - Final outcome may finish off Ulster reform (3,6) - {END} {RESULT*}
23 - Fabric that West found in cash box (5) - {T{W}ILL}

24 - Tray for ointment beginning to rust (6) - {SALVE}{R}
25 - Grounds for celebration (8) - OCCASION [E]
26 - Offshoot in blooming season, nameless (5) - SPRInG
27 - Skilled fighter, singular male masking expressions (9) - {S}{WORDS}{MAN}
DOWN
1   - In theatre a clearly syrupy stuff (7) - TREACLE [T]
2   - More cheerful (7) - MERRIER [CD]
3   - There is lots more to it than meets the eye in the main (3,2,3,7) - TIP OF THE ICEBERG [CD]

SEE THIS CARTOON

4   - Dangerous delivery (6) - BEAMER [CD]
5   - Tropics captured somehow in pretty communication sent home by traveller perhaps (7,8) - PICTURE POSTCARD*

SEE THIS CARTOON

6   - Understand that lies are wrong (7) - REALISE*
7   - Outstanding tale accepted by holy one in India (7) - {SA{LIE}NT}
10 - Get lost with run in swindle (5) - {SC{R}AM}
15 - Conveyed by the underground, up for a first appearance (5) - DEBUT <-
16 - For a month, little sister gets freedom from germs (7) - {A}{SEP}{SIS}
17 - Travelling salesman? (7) - PEDDLER [CD]
19 - A very hard element (7) - IRIDIUM [E]
20 - It gives colour to one's skin (7) - MELANIN [E]
21 - Officer with wounds returns for plaster (6) - {STUC}{CO}<-

GRID

No 9922, Monday 16 Aug 10, Sankalak

ACROSS

1   - Copper, for example, can cure lame beast (4,5) - BASE METAL*

5   - She may play with one's affections (5) - FLIRT [CD]

SEE THIS FLIRT

8   - Craftsman who forges bonds (6) - WELDER [CD]

9   - Relating to rural matters in Niagara? Right funny! (8) - {AGRA{R}IAN*}

11 - Everyone could arrive without starting (4) - rEACH

12 - Confused Gita hides rubbish from famous people (10) - {G{LITTER}ATI*} Gita must be fuming seeing this clue!!

14 - Cut up a bit of roast in a grotto (5) - {CA{R}VE}

15 - Does it show where a ‘local' visitor should go (3,4) - INN SIGN [CD]

16 - Popular TV character — Homer, say (7) - SIMPSON [CD]

17 - Enter with two notes (money) (3,2) - {G}{E}{T IN}

19 - Alignment, as of two planets with the sun (10) - ALINEATION [E]

20 - A spring from a fragile appliance (4) - LEAP [T]

22 - Hunter's companion docked: get it back (8) - RETRIEVEr

23 - One that inspires sullen chief engineer (6) - {SOUR}{CE}

24 - If unpleasant, it could be a nightmare (5) - DREAM [CD]

25 - Taken aback by purser's ID switch (9) - SURPRISED*

DOWN

1   - One making deliveries at Chepauk, say (6) - BOWLER [CD]

2   - Bill may go to such a choice group of people for examination (6,9) - SELECT COMMITTEE [CD]

3   - What one has to be to inherit the earth (4) -  MEEK [CD]

4   - Device to protect a building from a ‘shocking' experience? (9-3) - LIGHTNING-ROD [E]

5   - Brotherhood of NY, right after it was restructured (10) - {FRATE*}{R}{N{IT}Y}

6   - Counterfeit beads for adornment (9,6) - {IMITATION} {PEARLS} &lit

7   - Anxiety caused by noise, Tamil Nadu worried (7) - {T{ENSIO*}N}

SEE THIS CARTOON

10 - Options that transform indigenous people (12) - {ALTER}{NATIVES} Nice clue

13 - Is music prone to be distorted in this part of the stage? (10) - PROSCENIUM*

16 - Bearing marks of injury… (7) - SCARRED [CD]

18 - … supported by unusual help in the outskirts of Uttarakhand (6) - {U{PHEL*}D}

21 - Stuff of some mattresses (4) - COIR [CD]

GRID