No 14088, Saturday 03 Feb 2024, Arden

ACROSS

1   India briefly in the midst of coal shortage, may be gets a professional digger (13) ARCHAEOLOGIST {In..a} in {COAL+SHORTAGE}*

10 It can turn both ways (5) ROTOR <=> [CD]

11 International language, best to be exposed - each one to follow (9) ESPERANTO {bESt}{PER}{AN}{TO}

12 Make it look pretty with morning glories spread outside (9) GLAMORISE {GL{AM}ORISE*}

13 Tempted to return inside, rules restrict (5) LURED [T<=]

14 Fall flat, it's possible before a spell (7) CANTRIP {TRIP<=>{CAN}

16 Predict a team to take command (7) DICTATE [T]

18 Snake renamed, perhaps (7) MEANDER*

20 Reject paper money upfront for some mineral (7) REALGAR {RAG<=}<=>[REAL}

22 Order main course, include some chicken dish (5)  DERMA [T]

24 Boycott East German - is blocking lot of people (9) OSTRACISE {OST}{RAC{IS}E}

26 It's very hot and messy - deal with China (9) ENCHILADA {DEAL+CHINA}*

27 Dog right in the back (5) TRAIL {T{R}AIL}

28 Impoverished, strange in a way (2,5,6) IN QUEER STREET {QUEER} in {IN}{STREET} In on double duty?

DOWN

2   Control frames - skill up or teach new skills (7) RETRAIN {RE{ART<=}IN}

3   He had briefly taken shelter, was protected (9) HARBOURED {H{ARBOUR}E'D}

4   Some time left to raise the tree (5) ELEMI [T<=]

5   He may not hear you, but knows what you're talking about (3,6) LIP READER [CD]

6   Key test for a mountain dweller (5) GORAL {G}{ORAL}

7   Fermented grains added to a drink (7) SANGRIA {GRAINS}*{A}

8   I'm categorised to direct these plays (13) TRAGICOMEDIES*

9   They do recall going around with old penny, rather unemotionally (4-9) COLD-HEARTEDLY {THEY+DO+RECALL}* over {D}

15 Bid to stop crime at minister's house (9) PARSONAGE {P{ARSON}AGE}

17 Appeal - Let current flow inside (9) CHARACTER {CHAR{AC}TER}

19 Half chicken - I can say it is from Timbuktu (7) AFRICAN {AFRaid}{I}{CAN}

21 Make a face, a serious one (7) GRIMACE {GRIM}{ACE}

23 Cast in gold for so long (5) ADIEU {A{DIE}U}

25 Asians add a drop of alcohol in this (5) THAIS {TH{Al...l}IS}

Reference List

East in German = OST, Right = R, Key = G, Old penny = D