No 14110, Thursday 29 Feb 2024, Saral

Welcome to SARAL our new THC setter. Bouquets and Brickbats welcome.

Solution to 17D 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.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   Resolve rifts in the beginning (5) FIRST*

9   Ill-famed Ohio university riots on? Terrible (9) NOTORIOUS {O+U+RIOTS+ON}*

10 Letters from vendor seeking support (7) ENDORSE [T]

11 Observe from a tunnel (7) EXAMINE {EX}{A}{MINE}

12 Samples of ground spices checked by staff (9) SPECIMENS {SPECI{MEN}S*}

14 Suggested rewriting name with title essentially (5) MEANT {NAME*}{tiTle}

15 Keep notice dividing plot, say near lake (7) CITADEL {AD} in {(~site)CITE}{L}

18 Presents meetings covering extremities of operation (7) DONATES {D{Op...oN}ATES}

19 It's me arranging articles (5) ITEMS*

20 Shift coach missing international game (9) TRANSPORT {TRAiN}{SPORT}

24 King in fury beheaded soldiers (7) EMPEROR {tEMPER}{OR}

25 Sailor buys objects (7) TARGETS {TAR}{GETS}

27 Police officer in park probing area (9) INSPECTOR {IN}{S{P}ECTOR}

28 Most mock at English marks (5) SCORE {SCORn}{E}

DOWN

1   Submits cases without introduction (6) OFFERS cOFFERS

2   Newly-wed crossing grand arch (6) BRIDGE {BRID{G}E}

3   Move prison (4) STIR [DD]

4   Anxious son rejecting ice-cream, say (8) STRESSED {S}{DESSERT<=}

5   Queen with team about to enter camps for therapies (10) TREATMENTS {T{RE}{TEAM*}ENTS} (Correction - {T{R}{TEAM*}ENTS} - See comments)

6   Ruling party getting short time worker (8) DOMINANT {DO}{MIN}{ANT}

7   Mule carrying excellent, old fire-proof material (8) ASBESTOS {AS{BEST}{O}S}

9   Relative in French city going around eateries primarily (5) NIECE {NI{Ea...s}CE}

13 Rust inside abandoned factories (10) INDUSTRIES*

15 Institute restrained by erratic absurd rules (8) CRITERIA {I} in {ERRATIC}*

16 Encroachment in health resort breaking lock (8) TRESPASS {TRE{SPA}SS}

17 Free time for boy? Can read and write (8) L?T?R?T? (Addendum - LITERATE LI(+t-b)TERATE - See comments)

21 Change early theory now and then (5) ALTER {eArLy+ThEoRy}

22 Cat's eyelid covered by round lump (6) OCELOT {Eye} in {O}{CLOT}

23 Steals byzantine ornament (6) TASSEL*

26 Danger of reckless skier losing point (4) RISK SKIeR*

Reference List

Ohio = O, University = U, From = EX, Notice = AD, Lake = L, International = I, Soldiers = OR, Sailor = TAR, Park = P, English = E, Grand = G, Son = S, Queen = R, Party = DO, Time = T, Boy = B, Old = O, Point = E

No 14109, Wednesday 28 Feb 2024, Karaoke

Solution to 19D 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.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Where drinks are served to taste almost openly (2,6) IN PUBLIC {IN PUB}{LICk}

6   Game essentially for this type of clue (6) ACROSS lACROSSe

9   American town enjoys upper-class smartness (6) ACUITY {A}{C{U}ITY}

10 A stupid fight with wife? It's not a good idea (1,3,4) A DIM VIEW {A}{DIM}{VIE}{W}

11 No crime with genuine currencies in marriage functions (10) CEREMONIES {sinCERE}{MONIES}

12 Prize announced for music producer (4) LUTE (~loot)

13 Good in shape and not without heart a bit (8) FRAGMENT {FRA{G}ME}{NoT}

15 Caught king out in the game? Bless you! (6) CHEERS CHEckERS

16 Arrest copper colluding with tipster (3,3) CUT OUT {CU}{TOUT}

18 Doctors reported with papers at the Eastern region of harbour area (8) DOCKSIDE {(~docs)DOCKS}{ID}{E}

20 They come from another planet - It's so futuristic feature, on the contrary (4) UFOS [T<=]

21 Incorrectly wrote other unspecified number (3,2,5) TWO OR THREE*

23 Exhausted to set grid to English daily initially (3-5) DOG-TIRED {GRID+TO+E+Da..y}*

24 Ward councils often lacked handsome youth (6) ADONIS {wArD+cOuNcIlS}

25 It comes from China to make fun of model (3,3) TEA SET {TEASE}{T}

26 Models from past blockbusters overwhelmed Indian Box-Office mainly (8) EXHIBITS {EX}{H{I}{Bo...e}ITS}

DOWN

2   Family type destructive weapons (7) NUCLEAR [DD]

3   Couple is free to take time down (5) UNITE UN(-t)I(+t)TE

4   Bury unusual tale/story (3,2,4) LAY TO REST*

5   Drink and roti prepared in carriage (7) CHARIOT {CHA}{ROTI*}

6   Maybe the Ram's not bound by frontiers (5) ARIES boundARIES

7   They go on turning around peacemakers perhaps (9) REVOLVERS [DD]

8   Jumper's writ initially admitted by bench (7) SWEATER {S{Writ}EATER}

14 Girl's missing. It is the problem of the tongue (9) GLOSSITIS {G}{LOSS}{IT}{IS}

15 Spooner's dance trainer, a pest (9) COCKROACH (~rock coach to cockroach)

17 Removed controls in ground zero following wild fun (7) UNFROZE {ZERO*}<=>{FUN*}

18 Dangerous pass around old ring road (2-2-3) DO-OR-DIE {D{O}{O}{RD}IE}

19 He fights to get rightful tip (7) D?E?I?T (Addendum - DUELIST {DUE}{LIST} - See comments)

21 Violated contract regularly to win second trump card (5) TAROT {cOnTrAcT}* over {tRump} 

22 Henry took a lot of money for powerful explosive (1-4) H-BOMB {H}{BOMB}

Reference List

American = A, Upper-class = U, Wife = W, Good = G, Caught = C, King = K, Papers = ID, Eastern = E, English = E, Model = T, Indian = I, Time = T, Girl = G, Old = O, Henry = H

No 14108, Tuesday 27 Feb 2024, Gussalufz

Solution to 2D 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.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

9   Vegetable and mushroom pie cooked in ceremonial burner (5,4) PEACE PIPE {PEA}{CEP}{PIE*}

10 Smell of a tomato (5) AROMA {A}{ROMA}

11 Agents of strong players (7) FACTORS {F}{ACTORS}

12 Work for channel (7) PRODUCT {PRO}{DUCT}

13 Evenly trimmed your cocoa plant? (5) YUCCA {YoUr+CoCoA}

14 Vegetable gift? I gag (9) ARTICHOKE {ART}{I}{CHOKE}

16 Male, ultimately corrupt politicians, 24x7 and 7x52? (15) MULTIPLICATIONS {M}{ULT}{POLITICIANS*}

19 Embarrassing enema after exclusive party with Snoop Dogg, perhaps (5,4) STAGE NAME {STAG}{ENEMA*}

22 Story, say, about subject (5) LIEGE {LIE}{EG<=}

24 Commercial flight of Indian aviation company on duty in Rhode Island (3,4) AIR TAXI {AI}{R{TAX}I}

26 SPECTRE's leaders, in Bond's overreaching grasp, grumble about ridiculous totalitarianism (7) BOGGART Acrostic

27 I'm not sure, right or wrong (5) ERROR {ER}{R}{OR}

28 Thought of settling matter, replacing iPad finally with books (9) SENTIMENT SE(-d+NT)NTIMENT

DOWN

1   Stylish cop with suspect (6) SPIFFY {SP}{IFFY}

2   Spooner's sullen, mercurial, absurd (8) ?A?C?C?L ()

3   Ornamental case shielding volatile core (10) DECORATIVE {D{CORE*}ATIVE}

4   Unhealthy atmosphere dictated setter's breathlessness (6) MIASMA (~ my asthma)

5   Country primarily following ludicrously dopiest authoritarian (8) DESPOTIC {Co...y}<=>{DOPIEST}*

6   Pet's upset over snack (4) TACO {CAT<=}{O}

7   Adjusting for outliers in metro districts, urban left's outperforming initially (6) MODULO {MetrO}{D}{Ur..n}{Left}{Ou...g}

8   Wandering wastrel bored by opening of zoo rides (8) WALTZERS {WASTREL}* over {Zoo}

15 Latticed formation fencing grazer's limits? (6,4) CATTLE GRID {LATTICED}* over {Gr..eR}&lit

16 Maiden! Tight maiden over — spinner's first; handled badly? (8) MISNAMED {M}{I{Sp...r}NAMED*}

17 Mate, soil after remixing is most fertile (8) LOAMIEST*

18 Ran and spoke pompously about exercise (8) OPERATED {O{PE}RATED}

20 Dawn of some pterosaur or archosaur (6) AURORA [T]

21 European bad boy and popular girl going out (6) EBBING {E}{B}{B}{IN}{G}

23 What's left in test at Edgbaston? (6) ESTATE [T]

25 Vibe of Jaguar car oddly ignored (4) AURA {jAgUaR+cAr}

Reference List

Strong = F, Male = M, I'm not sure = ER, Right = R, Books = NT, Over = O, Maiden = M, Exercise = PE, Bad = B, Boy = B, Girl = G

No 14107, Monday 26 Feb 2024, Avtaar

Solution to 12D 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.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Private, through road across Monaco's outskirts (6) INMOST {IN}{ST} over {Mo..cO}

4   Most helpless bees left struggling (8) FEEBLEST*

9   One running errands in US auto company hired by bank (3-3) LEG-MAN {LE{GM}AN}

10 Move by doctor to increase recall (6,2) DREDGE UP {EDGE}<=>{DR and {UP}

11 Scrap gold transported on empty hearse is put on a pedestal (4-10) HERO-WORSHIPPED {ROW}{OR}{SHIPPED}<=>{He..sE}

13 Attributes shown by expert training Republican on alliances (10) PROPERTIES {PRO}{PE}{R}{TIES}

14 Island's backing international test venue (4) BALI {I}{LAB}<=

16 Catch the butt of friendly ape (4) COPY {COP}{f...lY}

18 Free charitable activity's starting off outside President's hometown (10) BIRTHPLACE {CHaRITABLE}* over {P}

21 Driver software? (9,5) AUTOMATIC PILOT [CD]

23 Native's present in bar ahead of time (8) INHERENT {IN{HERE}N}{T }

24 Avtaar is invited by nurse for drill in dentistry (6) REAMER {REA{ME}R}

25 Settle software assurance process before portals of every department get installed (8) SITUATED {SIT}{UAT}{Ev..y}{De...t}

26 Tag carrying details embedded in hybrid car digitally (2,4) ID CARD [T]

DOWN

1   Having nothing to do, I start to doodle on walls of lobby (4) IDLY {I}{Do...e}{LobbY}

2   Electric generator's silver mesh secured by tip of metal ring (7) MAGNETO {AG}{NET} in {Me..l}{O}

3   Saw Europe's nervous after US dropped naval strength (3,5) SEA POWER {SAW+EuROPEs}*

5   Brexit supporter set occupier on fire (11) EUROSCEPTIC*

6   Criminal wished to entertain cop (6) BADDIE {BAD{DI}E}

7   Anecdotes from retired legislator about ending in trouble near US city (7) EXEMPLA {EX}{t...lE}{MP}{LA}

8   Following report's closure, doctor saves copy on, say, Amazon's unlimited file storage (4,5) TAPE DRIVE {r...eT}{APE}{DR}{rIVEr}

12 Revealed steps to obtain first and surpass others (11) O?T?I?T?N?E (Addendum - OUTDISTANCE {OUT}{D{1ST}ANCE} - See comments)

13 Pig-like animals - species mostly moving around peaks of Chile, Argentina and south end of Ecuador (9) PECCARIES {SPECIEs}* over {Chile}{Ar...e}{e...oR}

15 Broken lock? (5,3) SPLIT END [CD]

17 Bar's taken up most recent random criticism (7) POTSHOT {STOP<=}{HOT}

19 Condition affecting sense of smell wreaked havoc in Samoa (7) ANOSMIA*

20 Small bird crossing river in European city (6) SMYRNA {S}{MY{R}NA}

22 Cross-bar is pressed down (4) TROD {T}{ROD}

Reference List

Road = ST, Training = PE, Republican = R, President = P, Time = T, Cop = DI, River = R

Special, Sunday 25 Feb 2024, Ghaza

Three answers per commenter till 6 PM (Annotations compulsory) 

Please submit all your answers in one comment.  

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITH LESS THAN THREE ANSWERS/ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

Starred clues do not have a definition but they have a common theme.

GHAZA 10

By Ghaza

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Exolve Print Notes Jotter Webifi Ⓒ Ghaza THCC

Crossword ID: SUNDAYSPECIAL 526

Exolve v1.61 February 22, 2025 Report-Bug Exolve-on-GitHub Community

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Across

9	Sign and exchange American options for fish tanks (7)
10	According to Spooner, low back is more spacious (7)
11	Mandatory action for earning citizens, d-day 31st July (3,4)
12	Germ-free monster I let in (7)
13	Goddess of the western port city (5,4)
15	A lawyer requires a precious metal to change (5)
16	* Three reds for LBW, but there’s still a doubt (7)
19	* Ruminate endlessly to unravel (7)
20	* Universities include an “Introduction to Radiology” in the morning (5)
21	Oriental insurers setup rooms for small children (9)
25	* Problem with a split ration (7)
26	* Violent Romeo expelling expat from these compounds (7)
28	Stump with ease at chaotic get-togethers (7)
29	* Transformed worker gets one bundle of cash with no Euro (7)

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Down

1	* Indian goddess and Greek character rising (6)
2	* A trophy that’s odd (6)
3	She offers a prayer (4)
4	A sperm may be glad my entrée has only seconds (6)
5	Erstwhile European President was Soviet (8)
6	Sailors’ quarters towards the front of the fortified building (10)
7	Delicacy for a black Asian with one bit of yoghurt (8)
8	* Depleted Uranium found after Bose’s army left the country (8)
14	Take a pound of Urgelia first – add an egg containing egg-whites (10)
16	Assume the top-notch Reverend’s full of fun (8)
17	Peacekeepers hid a little pea in grass that’s not yet cut (8)
18	Observers reportedly follow a half note and make it smaller (8)
22	Being careful but unreserved mainly is a waste (6)
23	Alanis Morissette’s famous song doesn’t imply 26ac. (6)
24	Plant providing an emulsified mixture and soft edible seeds as uplifting starters (6)
27	Anne Frank’s notes were censored and returned due to a sudden attack (4)

Enjoy.

The Sunday Crossword No 3295, Sunday 25 Feb 2024

ACROSS

1   Producing a lot of fear? Very much (10) DREADFULLY {DREAD}{FULLY}

6   Milky duck, mate? (4) OPAL {O}{PAL}

9   Around forest, finally decomposing, socks that'll feed plants (6,4) GARDEN HOSE {ARDEN} in {d...nG}{HOSE}

10 Time flying saucer returned to give us something to eat (4) TOFU {T}{UFO<=}

12 Incognisant – unsettled – backing (11) SANCTIONING*

15 Long time back, Everyman's included as potential success (7) NOMINEE {EON<=} over {MINE}

16 I'm surprised seeing Frenchman with salad, as a rule (4,3) OHMS LAW {OH}{M}{SLAW}

17 How you may draw back, wanting time: mistakenly (2,5) IN ERROR {IN tERROR}

19 Is the writer tucking into fish somewhere on the Med? (7) TUNISIA {TUN{IS}{I}A}

20 Blow a fuse, as you did with News of the World, Mr. Murdoch? (4,4,3) LOSE ONES RAG [C&DD]

23 Seabird or two, as we can hear (4) ERNE (~ earn (2D))

24 Hot Priest, we're told, achieved a noisy mode of transport (10) HELICOPTER {H}{ELI}{(~copped a)COPTER}

25 Soft, incredibly lustrous kimono at the outset? (4) SILK Acrostic &lit

26 Who shouted 'Eureka!' and screamed 'Hi!' running around? (10) ARCHIMEDES*

DOWN

1   Appreciates accommodation (4) DIGS [DD]

2   Gross dollop of Béarnaise (4) EARN [T]

3   Part of salad board in actor's space (8,4) DRESSING ROOM {DRESSING}{ROOM}

4   Get mad? Aunt rethinks anger at heart (7) UNHINGE {aUNt}{retHInks}{aNGEr}

5   Monarchy taking part in raffle: so thoughtful! (7) LESOTHO [T]

7   Academic reimagined islets – to no avail (10) PROFITLESS {PROF}{ISLETS*}

8   Raw, one careens with luge and sweats, perhaps (10) LOUNGEWEAR {RAW+ONE+LUGE}*

11 Terrible scene, woven on goddam weaving device (4,3,5) DOOM AND GLOOM {ON+GODDAM}*{LOOM}

13 Cricketers botched friendlies (10) INFIELDERS*

14 Aloof crossword setter's public image, ultimately: awful (10) IMPERSONAL {I'M PERSONA}{a...uL}

18 Hoofed mammals travelled to this place in East London (3,4) ROE DEER (~ rode 'ere)

19 Language used when specifying a kind of bath (7) TURKISH [DD]

21 Nail that may be put to use in stable (4) STUD [DD]

22 Most of cheek in undergarments (4) BRAS BRASs

Reference List

Time = T, Frenchman = M, Hot = H

No 14106, Saturday 24 Feb 2024, Hypatia

Wordplays.com has restarted it's old tricks again by picking up Hypatia's crossword to show the solutions!!!

ACROSS

1   Cowards exploit special work sacking you finally (8) MILKSOPS {MILK}{S}{OPuS}

5  Slowly, Adiga novel connects to core of B'lore (6) ADAGIO {ADIGA}*{blOre}

10 Essentially recall horse cart around fierce competition (3,4) RAT RACE Anno pending <= See comments

11 Sailor performing "show-and-tell", lost when drunk (3,4) OLD SALT {ShOw+AnD+TeLL}*

12 Conscious of a funeral (5) AWAKE {A}{WAKE}

13 Support for stocking American consumer banks (9) SUSPENDER {S{US}PENDER}

14 Quarter joyful after relaxing US holiday (6,2,4) FOURTH OF JULY {FOURTH}{JOYFUL}*

18 Unfortunately, a taciturn student's boring i.e., tongue tied (12) INARTICULATE {A+TACITURN}* over {L} in {IE}

21 Taking risk ultimately forces new board to collapse (9) BREAKDOWN {risK} in {NEW+BOARD}* Semi&lit

23 Cool Kung Fu Panda's a large mammal (5) HIPPO {HIP}{PO}

24 General change reflected in river current (3,4) LEE TIDE {LEE}{EDIT<=}

25 Slaves working in short skirts (7) MINIONS {MINI{ON}S}

26 Occasionally, rich family's met lawyer coolly (6) CALMLY {riCh+fAmiLys+Met+LawYer}

27 Body building (8) ASSEMBLY [DD]

DOWN

1   Host starting to make milk products on the counter (6) MYRIAD {Make}{DAIRY<=}

2   Lease adjacent to aerospace co.? That’s disastrous (6) LETHAL {LET}{HAL}

3   Cops struggling with a gate to reach victim (9) SCAPEGOAT {COPS+A+GOAT}*

4   Wasted resources in game of chance? One needs to let off steam! (8,6) PRESSURE COOKER {P{RESOURCES*}OKER}

6   Basically duck or dive, generally evade! (5) DODGE Acrostic &lit

7   State managed to get German university in Greece (8) GRANDEUR {G{RAN}{DE}{U}R}

8   Stray holders of posts in offices (3-5) OUT TRAYS {STRAY}* [RA]

9   Laurie's medical genius and cast in Sherlock, say, are celebrities (9,5) HOUSEHOLD NAMES {HOUSE}{HOL{AND*}MES} 

15 Reverend's talk followers? No way! (3,6) FAT CHANCE (~chat fans to fat chance)

16 Bad coalition making NATO this ruthless (8)  DIABOLIC {BAD+COaLItIoa}* [CA]

17 We're wandering in trip for so long (8) FAREWELL {FA{WERE*}LL}

19 Pick up father and see doctor in confidence (6) APLOMB {PA<=}{LO}{MB}

20 Meek as described by anonymous eyewitnesses (6) MOUSEY [T]

22 Finish off eating a bit of red plankton (5) KRILL {K{Red}ILL} Krill are not Plankton. They feed on Plankton.

Reference List

Special = S, Student = L, Cool = HIP, German = DE, University = U, Father = PA, See = LO, Doctor = MB

No 14105, Friday 23 Feb 2024, Hypatia

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Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

7   Sourness essentially from lime and gold fish in hodge-podge (11) GALLIMAUFRY {GALL}{lIMe}{AU}{FRY}

8   Steal cycles in a round (3) ORB (-r)O(+r)RB

10 Playboy's comb (4) RAKE [DD]

11 Minister retracting ban on Bangladeshi imports initially (5) RABBI {BAR<=}{Ba...i}{Im...s}

12 Chiefly romantic offering, serenading sweetheart! (4) ROSE {Ro...c}{Of...g}{Se...g}{swEet} Semi&lit

13 Passage extracted from novels I actually recalled (5) AISLE [T<=]

15 American soldiers taking part in Salute to union (9) AGREEMENT {A}{GREE{MEN}T}

16 Say Dennis is changing name at Church (6) MENACE {NAME*}{CE}

18 Women wait outside for turn (6) SWERVE {S{W}ERVE}

21 Angry players seen fighting were rational (4,5) MADE SENSE {MAD}{ES}{SEEN*}

23 Kid eats bananas and the last piece of cake (5) TEASE {EATS*}{cakE}

25 Bond's usually OK, especially undercover (4) YOKE [T]

26 Old and dreary smell (5) ODOUR {O}{DOUR}

27 Sad fool retired without money (4) GLUM {MU{L}G}<=

28 Pick up, scatter and stitch (3) SEW (~sow)

29 Thorough inspection of English bridge after cruise in ship (5,6) STRIP SEARCH {E}{ARCH}<=>{S{TRIP}S}

DOWN

1   Hanger-on in wild American parties (8) PARASITE {A+PARTIES}

2   Plant's only losing money essentially (4) ALOE ALOnE

3   Shrewd asset manager, let us select regularly (5) SMART {asSet+ManAgeR+leT}

4   As per Spooner, tramp embraces cheats (7) HUMBUGS (~ bum hugs to humbugs)

5   Running shoes for coaches (8) TRAINERS [DD]

6   Prayer's regularly put up in worship room (6) ORISON {iN+wOrShIp+RoOm}<=

9   First show of love in Bollywood that is concerning (8) PREMIERE {PREM}{IE}{RE}

14 Made light of abrupt delay even in chaos (8) LEAVENED {DELAy+EVEN}*

17 They bravely cross Europe to Oman's capital in a chopper, perhaps (3,5) EYE TOOTH {THEY}* over {E}{TO}{Oman}

19 Explorer held up by hiccup severely (8) VESPUCCI [T<=]

20 Country blending into sea (7) ESTONIA*

22 Starting from Oliver Twist, reads books and relishes (6) ADORES {Ol...r} in {READS}

24 Active teacher's up to visit Bangkok on vacation (5) BRISK {SIR<=} in {Ba...oK}

27 Attack nanny (4) GOAT {GO+AT}

Reference List

American = A, Soldiers = MEN, Church = CE, Women = W, Players = E,S Old = O, Money = L, English = E, Ship = SS, Love in Bollywood = PREM, Concerning = RE, Europe = E

No 14104, Thursday 22 Feb 2024, Dr. X

Solution to 12A 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.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1 & 24 What demolition workers might do to make audience applaud enthusiastically (5,3,5,4) BRING THE HOUSE DOWN [DD]

8   Allow member to enter passage into mine (5) ADMIT {AD{M}IT}

9   Incessant drinking - starting to become aloof (9) UNBENDING {UN{Be...e}ENDING}

11 Money gone, stolen outside West Hollywood (10) TINSELTOWN {TIN}{SELTO{W}N*}

12 Declining number of bees in capital of Polynesian country (4) ?P?A (Addendum - APIA APIAn - See comments)

14 Fellow entertaining a crowd endlessly in Mexican city (7) GUAYMAS {GU{A}Y}{MASs}

16 Gap in combustible rock without carbon is shaped like an egg (7) OVOIDAL {cO{VOID}AL}

17 One making allegations about rebellious cocaine addict (7) ACCUSER {CA<=}{C}{USER}

19 Media magnate is often defending Republican party (7) MURDOCH {MU{R}{DO}CH}

21 Debonair billionaire touring revolutionary city in Middle East (4) IBRI [T<=]

22 Try sweets perhaps after ordinary seafood dish (6,4) OYSTER STEW {TRY+SWEETS}*<=>{O}

25 Analysis of real-time info finally becoming better (9) MELIORATE {REAL+TIME+infO}*

26 CPR, oxygen saves delegate (5) PROXY [T]

27 Pay for stable over exotic isle in due course (2,4,7) AT ONES LEISURE {ATONE}{S{ISLE*}URE}

DOWN

2   Old chap abducted by revolting character in European country (7) ROMANIA {O}{MAN} in {AIR<=}

3   Lowest possible rent, home's close to market (10) NETHERMOST {RENT+HOMES}*{m...eT}

4   Dump husband, press for custody (5) TRUST ThRUST

5   Bowl more craftily, allowing no space (5,4) ELBOW ROOM*  {BOWL+MORE}* over {0}

6   Has drinks, loses head (4) OWNS dOWNS

7   Skidded and hurtled over edge (7) SLIPPED {S{LIP}PED}

8   Visual problem in a spot with murky mist (11) ASTIGMATISM {A}{STIGMA}{MIST*}

10 Girl entertaining old wealthy rogue to have sex (2,3,3,3) GO ALL THE WAY {G{O}AL}{WEALTHY*}

13 Very mean reviews in press primarily show envious reaction (4,6) SOUR GRAPES {SO}{URG{PAR<=}E}{Show}

15 They are used by graffiti artists in bridges to cover beam with bit of colour (5,4) SPRAY CANS {SP{RAY}{Co...r}ANS}

18 Piece of armour of king in fancy closet (7) CORSLET {CO{R}SLET*}

20 Come first, getting gold in the open air (7) OUTDOOR {OUTDO}{OR}

23 Gist of article on case of malpractice (5) THEME {THE}{Ma...cE}

24 See 1 Across

Reference List

Member = M, Money = TIN, West = W, About = CA, Cocaine = C, Republican = R, Party = Do, Ordinary = O, Old = O, Husband = H, Mean = PAR, King = R

No 14103, Wednesday 21 Feb 2024, Dr. X

Solution to 8A 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.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Difference in attitudes breaking up ageing parent and son essentially (10,3) GENERATION GAP {AGEING+PARENT+sOn}* &lit

8   Forces controlled by Maoist in underground revolution (5) U?I?S ()

9   Men reviewed problem with main knob controlling church pipes (5,4) ORGAN STOP {OR}{SNAG<=}{TOP}

11 & 18 Detailed narrative in breezy weather report? (4-2-4,7) BLOW-BY-BLOW ACCOUNT {C&DD]

12 Hotel just needs strong locks (4) HAIR {H}{fAIR}

14 Characters in terrible unrest around America (7) NATURES {N{A}TURES*}

16 Rebellious writer in European country acting out awkwardly (7) INEPTLY {I{PEN<=}TaLY}

17 Worrying about daughter hooking up on the internet (1-6) E-DATING {E{D}ATING}

19 Granitic rock is found in lawn (7) GREISEN {GRE{IS}EN}

21 Every beauty's topless (4) EACH pEACH

22 Swindle by phoney tourism company (10) CONSORTIUM {CON}{TOURISM*}

25 More courageous with money belt (9) DOUGHTIER {DOUGH}{TIER}

26 Dog picking up right scent (5) TRAIL {T{R}AIL}

27 Gain an advantage over some charlatan easily (5,1,5,2) STEAL A MARCH ON*

DOWN

2   Remove part of text from it due to blunders (4,3) EDIT OUT* &lit

3   Order of demolition finally liberates Cold War capital (4,6) EAST BERLIN  {d...oN+LIBERATES}*

4   America, Britain hosting gathering about nuclear weapon (1-4) A-BOMB {A}{MOB<=}{B}

5   Popular girl arguing is getting under one's skin (9) INGROWING {IN}{G}{ROWING}

6   Number series, new for student (4) NINE (-l+n)NINE

7   Seduce a model with finesse, overcoming resistance (7) ATTRACT {A}{T}{T{R}ACT}

8   Myth or otherwise, a blunder to consume dope (5,6) URBAN LEGEND {A+BLUNDER}* over  {GEN}

10 Socialite raised drink, cuddling pretentious maiden in a retreat (5,6) PARTY ANIMAL {LAP<=} over {ARTY}{M+IN+A<=}

13 Erotic item shaped like a heavenly body (10) METEORITIC*

15 Unmarried Italian woman and character cavorting on air (9) SIGNORINA {SIGN}{ON+AIR}*

18 See 11 Across

20 Largely formal event featuring a Greek dish (7) STIFADO {STIFf}{A}{DO}

23 Extremely scary broadcast about Middle Eastern country (5) SYRIA {ScarY}{AIR<=}

24 Hunter heartlessly traps bird (4) RHEA [T]

Reference List

Men = OR, Hotel = H, Strong = F, America = A, Acting = A, Daughter = D, Right = R, Britian = B, Girl = G, New = N, Student = L, Model = T, Resistance = R. Dope = GEN, Maiden = M, Event = DO

No 14102, Tuesday 20 Feb 2024, Dr. X

Solution to 8A 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.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1 & 26 Conceited reason to buy new footwear (3,3,3,4,5) TOO BIG FOR ONES BOOTS [C&DD]

8   Nevertheless getting rid of old planes (5) E?E?S (Addendum - EVENS {EVEN So} - See comments)

9   Prince inherits rare medical condition (9) NEPHRITIS {P+INHERITS}*

11 Wild animal behind mysterious den surrounded by round blue plants (10) DANDELIONS {LION}<=>{DEN}* in {SAD<=}

12 Nail criminal crossing river (4) BRAD {B{R}AD}

14 Tempts by endlessly seducing artfully (7) INDUCES {SEDUCINg}*

16 One sold fresh strips of pasta (7) NOODLES*

17 Mexican dish contains most cheap brand of sauce (7) TABASCO {TA{BASe}CO}

19 Romp with primarily sexy male in escapade (7) SCAMPER {Sexy}{CA{M}PER}

21 Excited since beginning of game (4) AGOG {AGO}{Game}

22 Pub having unhealthy, substandard oriental menu (4,2,4) BILL OF FARE {B{ILL}{OFF}AR}{E}

25 Tripping on pure LSD in show (9) SPLENDOUR*

26 See 1

27 Little shots drunk after consuming drugs - they make women higher? (8,5) STILETTO HEELS {LITTLE+SHOTS}* over {EE}

DOWN

2   Love exotic dance featuring island's sea nymph (7) OCEANID {O}{CEAN{I}D*}

3   Spooner's coffin found in wreck (6,4) BASKET CASE (~casket base to basket case)

4   Bottled spirits? That is gin, rum (5) GENII {IE+GIN}*

5   Postpone broadcast about nuclear rivals (9) OPPONENTS {POSTPONE}* over {N}

6   Bulldog repeatedly bites fiend (4) OGRE [T]

7   Note a bit of lump within the intestine (7) ENTERAL {ENTER}{A}{Lump}

8   Taken in by charms, misdeed by model has an unhappy outcome (4,2,5) ENDS IN TEARS {END{SIN}{T}EARS}

10 Encounter maiden lost in distress around byroads (4,7) SIDE STREETS {mEET} in {DISTRESS}*

13 Master uttered with enthusiasm about boy's ethical courage (5,5) MORAL FIBRE {M}{ORAL}{FI{B}RE}

15 Angry leader of insurgents trapped by stalwart engaged in a decisive gunfight (4,2,3) SHOT IT OUT {S{HOT}{In...s}TOUT}

18 Brochure in trunk about deer in retreat (7) BOOKLET {BOO{ELK<=}T}

20 Wolf and ape injured pheasant (7) PEAFOWL*

23 Passage to be performed slowly by girl in vocal round (5) LARGO {G} in {ORAL<=}

24 Reviewed isolated organic compound (4) ENOL <=

Reference List

Old = O, Prince = P, River = R, Male = M, Island = I, Nuclear = N, Model = T, Maiden = M, Master = M, Boy = B, Girl = L

No 14101, Monday 19 Feb 2024, Dr. X

Solution to 1A 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.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   I turned confused during audition, being most nervous (8) T?M?D?S? (Addendum - TIMIDEST {T{I}{DIM<=}EST} - See comments)

5   Worries about one getting tooth decay (6) CARIES {CAR{1}ES}

10 English poet's fantastic response, expressing love (7) SPENSER RESPoNSE*

11 Maniac in a cult perhaps (7) LUNATIC*

12 Mites in a vehicle on island (5) ACARI {A}{CAR}I}

13 Discussion about extreme of lassitude with cocaine withdrawal (9) SECESSION {S{l...dE}{C}ESSION}

14 Rehab centre in hospital's lousy! Yeah, so awful (7,5) HALFWAY HOUSE {H}{YEAH+SO+AWFUL}*

18 Thoughtless rogue defrauds girl (12) DISREGARDFUL*

21 New club has retro band (9) ORCHESTRA {C+HAS+RETRO}*

23 Food around noon as planned (5) MEANT {MEA{N}T}

24 Celebrate in fancy resort around lunchtime (7) ROISTER {RO{1}STER*}

25 Most important person in family starting to prattle, enthralled by drink (7) KINGPIN {KIN}{G{Pr...e}IN}

26 Himalayan native and girl in health resort (6) SHERPA {S{HER}PA}

27 Writer enthralled by ultimate hard drug, one causing sorrow to be forgotten (8) NEPENTHE {NE{PEN}T}{H}{E}

DOWN

1   Italian model initially under scrutiny (6) TUSCAN {T}{Un..r}{SCAN}

2   Frenzied woman and guy consuming ecstasy on a date (6) MAENAD {MA{E}N}{A}{D}

3   Break up as boyfriend imbibes, continues to drink (9) DISSIPATE {D{IS}{SIP}ATE}

4   Hair starting to fall, right? Operation certain to tackle medical problem (6,8) STRESS FRACTURE {TRESS}{Fall}{R}{ACT} in {SURE}

6   Declines to entertain new girl (5) AGNES {AG{N}ES}

7   Thing I rue terribly - ignoring husband's love affair (8) INTRIGUE {ThING+I+RUE}*

8   Assisted criminal in vile deeds (8) SECONDED {SE{CON}DED*}

9   Coach's advice to rugby players lifting device (5,3,6) BLOCK AND TACKLE [DD]

15 High society females heartily entertained by hot nude male models (4,5) HAUT MONDE {femAles} in {HOT+NUDE+M}*

16 Interrupts a con stealing Japanese vases (8) ADJOURNS {A}{D{J}O}{URNS}

17 Discovered silicon close to the area of folded rock strata (8) ISOCLINE {SILICON+thE}*

19 Prince in trouble facing tense reprimand (6) CARPET {CAR{P}E}{T}

20 Princess wanting separate carriage (6) STANCE diSTANCE

22 Legally bar shadiest opium houses (5) ESTOP [T]

Reference List

Island = I, Cocaine = C, Hospital = H, Club = C, Noon = N, Ultimate = NET, Model = T, Ecstasy = E, Date = D, Right = R, New = N, Husband = H, Male = M, Japanese = J, Prince = P, Tense = T, Princess = DI

Special, Sunday 18 Feb 2024, Ajji

Three answers per commenter till 6 PM (Annotations compulsory) 

Please submit all your answers in one comment.  

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITH LESS THAN THREE ANSWERS/ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

AJJI 21

By Ajji

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Squares filled: 0/158

Exolve Print Notes Jotter Webifi Ⓒ Ajji THCC

Crossword ID: SUNDAYSPECIAL 525

Exolve v1.61 February 22, 2025 Report-Bug Exolve-on-GitHub Community

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Across

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Down

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Jotting pad: (click here to shuffle)

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Down & Up

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Across

1	Tendency to display sympathy about disturbed person (10)
6	Regret after first trial, being sincere (4)
9	A cotton seed capsule ablaze heartlessly for cloaks of Roman soldiers (7)
10	Staff controlling model at setter’s ancient Egyptian uranologist (7)
12	Wrote in cipher about old prestigious car, rusted (8)
13	A bachelor with 101 summers (5)
15	Regal gold backing unknown Aluminium (5)
17	Fluid mechanics brings bad luck (9)
19	A single in jumble, interrupts the fellowship of non-drinkers causing inability to feel pain (9)
21	Astronaut loses trot and flies for a steam bath (5)
23	Lift incomplete paradise (5)
24	That man is back with love in fraud, sticking together (8)
27	Try this cocktail while craving for water (7)
28	Diocese head loses work after massage, nonsense! (7)
29	Half the setter with unlimited care leaves the door half open (4)
30	Instrument to measure elevation – layer missing, followed by some term endlessly (10)

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Down

1	Reap excitedly for fruit (4)
2	Study of diseases of the ear is topology losing power, in confusion (7)
3	Eastern king losing head turns mathematician (5)
4	Mad pets go up with ease regularly to describe relatives as in olden days (9)
5	Inverted the repository and drank in excess (5)
7	Princess loses enthusiasm but goes after the retreating former woman prime minister of Israel to turn into a Mathematician (7)
8	Eyes spiral nervously causing bacterial infection (10)
11	The divine utterances with student replaced by husband produce edible plants (7)
14	Bhattacharya left Switzerland in a mess and became an Indian Mathematician (10)
16	Toggle toggles to get an old fashioned game throwing sticks at stake (7)
18	Hearse with SoS troubled and coasts (9)
20	South Indian traditional dress of women covered by article, followed by a plant (7)
22	University is highest and first relating to ideal existence (7)
24	Youth initially is arrested by firm heartless lady, shyly (5)
25	Live up in total, to produce an oily substance to protect the skin (5)
26	Move rapidly round and round endlessly making a low continuous sound (4)

Enjoy.