Solution to 5A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.
ACROSS
1 Brave person covering a prohibition — it could be hot (8) HABANERO {H{A}{BAN}ERO}
9 Damage elbow clutching spot of heating tube (8) BLOWPIPE {BLOW{PIP}E*}
10 At home returning help with new person from our country (6) INDIAN {IN}{AID<=}{N}
12 Alcoholic beverage daughter exchanged with ace at the present time (5) TODAY TOD(-d+a)AY
13 Contract curtailed — Italy upset inordinately (9) STIPULATE {ITALy+UPSET}*
16 Draw a gun beside opening to pilot's seat (7) COCKPIT {COCK}{PIT}
19 A month with movement to be free of germs (7) ASEPTIC {A}{SEP}{TIC}
21 Resistance to replace national talk for trade (6) BARTER BA(-n+r)RTER
23 Fabricate unpleasant (not grand) catalogue (9) INVENTORY {INVENT}{gORY}
25 Decrease gold furnishings (5) DECOR {DEC}{OR}
26 Beliefs of a number of aliens (6) TENETS {TEN}{ETS}
27 Luring hospital department with unnecessary addition (8) ENTICING {ENT}{ICING}
28 Comment about old Germany currency (6) REMARK {RE}{MARK}
29 One skilled with knives catching primarily tropical fish (8) STURGEON {S{Tr...l}URGEON}
DOWN
1 Traits of sailor participating in strikes (6) HABITS {H{AB}ITS}
2 Ancestry — it's essential to life by the way (9) BLOODLINE {BLOOD}{LINE}
3 Nail puppy regularly threw away is cold (5) NIPPY {NaIl+PuPpY}
4 Sharp reply by king and emperor published for the most part (7) RIPOSTE {R}{I}{POSTEd} I/Emperor? (Addendum - {RI}{POSTEd} - See comments)
6 Can one urn be turned for a person calling plays? (9) ANNOUNCER*
7 Downpour falling short thanks to dish (5) RAITA {RAIn}{TA}
11 Does it seem compact primarily? (4) DISC Acrostic &lit
15 Dare not to reset explosive device (9) DETONATOR*
17 Recommend beer — crisp blend (9) PRESCRIBE*
18 Mexican is terribly smuggling container (8) CANISTER [T]
20 Caught large number with lump of material (4) CLOT {C}{LOT}
21 Run through opening by old mesh (7) BAYONET {BAY}{O}{NET}
22 Dominating person to pull individual nearly (6) DRAGON {DRAG}{ONe}
24 Have no mercy showcasing spitefulness (5) VENOM [T]
25 Appliance is a small cube without right resistance (5) DRIER {D{R}IE}{R}
Reference List
New = N, Daughter = D, Ace = A, Resistance = R, National = N, Grand = G, Gold = OR, Alien = ET, About = RE, Sailor = AB, King Emperor = RI(Rex Imperator), Thanks = TA, Teetotaller = TT, Caught = C, Old = O, Right = R, Resistance = R
14a BIRD I.E. , IMU
ReplyDeleteRI rex imperator.
ReplyDeleteStraightforward,enjoyable and sometimes clever clues. Easy sail through.
ReplyDeleteExcept for 12.
DeleteStructure of exchange is
Exchange a for b with x, y, z.
Hence the ambiguity. Both today and today become correct answers.
I chose today and IA chose Toddy.
+1
DeleteI chose TODDY. But then i always make an error in these type of clue
DeleteFelt like doing a Sankalak puzzle. Precise.
ReplyDeleteAnno not clear pl explain Anno
ReplyDeleteSpam to be removed
ReplyDeleteFabric of a building - orderly structure
ReplyDeleteFabric - felted cloth
DD?
Nice grid. Finished in under 15mins - except TODDY.
ReplyDeleteMy fav - CONFETTI, BAYONET.
Thanx Lightning