No 13794, Tuesday 21 Feb 2023, Dr. X

Solution to 24D 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   What model might be doing in an advantageous position? (7,6) SITTING PRETTY [C&DD]

8   Confine new leader of insurgents in old Finnish capital (5) PENNI {PEN}{N}{In...s}

9   Hot author taking off clothes in affair (9) HAPPENING {H}{AP{PEN}ING}

11 General reviewed an edition about onset of war (10) NATIONWIDE {AN+EDITION}* over {War}

12 Pride parade letters - large, grand and extremely bright (1,1,1,1) L G B T {L}{G}{Br..hT}

14 Sweet is whipped cream containing a hint of lime (7) CARAMEL {C{A}RAME*}{Lime}

16 Nice clips extensively covering astronomical event (7) ECLIPSE [T]

17 African union also overwhelmed by recurrent trouble (7) UGANDAN {U}{G{AND}AN<=}

19 Cooking salami, room finally filled with vapour (7) MIASMAL {SALAMI+rooM}*

21 Consider losing kilo to get lean (4) THIN THINk

22 Producer from India touring Paris and Rome (10) IMPRESARIO {I}{PARIS+ROME}*

25 Lecturer cheats around, chasing extremely naive chicks (9) NESTLINGS {ST{L}INGS}<=>{NaivE}

26 Finish with excising bit of tumour in sinew (3,2) END ON tENDON

27 Fiends and deceivers disregarding independent activists (13) DEMONSTRATORS {DEMONS}{TRAiTORS}

DOWN

2   Tiring exercises over bicycle, finally getting lighter (7) IGNITER {IGNIT{b...lE}R*}

3   Perfect dress a lot admire (6-4) TAILOR-MADE*

4   Currently smuggling bit of oxycodone and heroin? Not at all! (5) NOHOW {N{Ox...e}{H}OW}

5   Ripped male models firing lady's fantasy (4,5) PIPE DREAM {RIPPED+MAlE}*

6   Inquire about touring Vatican days before holiday (4) EVES {SE{V}E<=}

7   Settling with pint, guy relaxed (5,2) TYING UP*

8   Device used in emergency to track one criminal abducting victim (5,6) PANIC BUTTON {PAN}{1}{C{BUTT}ON}

10 Back of ankle got swollen up? Hope you recover quickly! (3,4,4) GET WELL SOON  {a..lE+GOT+SWOLLEN}*

13 Rests after century, breaking the English record without any problems (5,5) CLEA N SHEET {LEANS}<=>{C} and {THE+E}*

15 Explosive devices with cap of metal found in fields (9) LANDMINES {L{AND}{Me..l}INES}

18 In disagreement with associate backing lie to prosecute (2,5) AT ISSUE {A}{SIT<=}{SUE}

20 Another endless bombing raid breaks watchtower (7) MIRADOR {M{RAID*}ORe}

23 One getting out of bed in underwear is erotic (5) RISER [T]

24 Chapter on painting about Greek muse of history (4) ?L?O (Addendum - CLIO {C}{OIL<=} See comments)

Reference List

New = N, Hot = H, Large = L, Grand = G, Union = U, Kilo = K, India = I, Lecturer = L, Independent = I, Heroin = H, Lady = L, Victim = BUTT, Century = C, Associate = A, English = E, Chapter = C