No 14241, Wednesday 31 Jul 2024, Saral

Solution to 6D 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   Perfect opinion by liberal (5) IDEAL {IDEA}{L}

9   Choose right poem for conductor (9) ELECTRODE {ELECT}{R}{ODE}

10 Outstanding number chart (7) NOTABLE {NO}{TABLE}

11 After the beginning, universe is in gradual process of assimilation (7) OSMOSIS {cOSMOS}{IS}

12 Cabinet maker, former US President accommodating writer (9) CARPENTER {CAR{PEN}TER}

14 Backing everyone working in plain (5) LLANO {ALL<=}{ON} How does ON get reversed?Seems to be an error in the clue

15 Details of tours on vacation led by deputy in charge (7) DEPICTS {TourS}<=>{DEP}{IC}

18 Grants from nurse by Sunday (7) EXTENDS {EX}{TEND}{S}

19 Satellite's antenna on the radio (5) ARIEL (~aerial)

20 Hotel receptionist at first led host moving to entrance (9) THRESHOLD {H+Re...t+LED+HOST}*

24 Surprisingly precise instructions (7) RECIPES*

25 Bird, large one about to be put in cage (7) PELICAN {PE{L]{1}{CA}N}

27 Bombing MiGs? EU did wrong? (9) MISGUIDED*

28 Blade provided to cut short joint (5) KNIFE {KN{IF}Ee}

DOWN

1   Most prefer city in France for outing (6) PICNIC {PICk}{NICe}

2   Crushing cane, beet, sugar finally for sweet stuff (6) NECTAR {CANE+beeT+s..aR}*

3   Piece from bomb blast? Not quite! (4) SLAB BLASt*

4   Supply from core user possibly (8) RESOURCE*

5   Urges student in the end to fill copies (10) STIMULATES {S{s...nT}IMULATES}

6   Director on board, unknown, was corrupt, dividing money (8) ?O?S?A?N (Addendum COXSWAIN {CO{X}{WAS*}IN} - See comments)

7   Meetings on board suppressing angry noises (8) SESSIONS {S{NOISES*}S} Will 'on board' lead to ship (SS)?

9   Not odd time for game (5) EVENT {EVEN}{T}

13 Oil producer, manufacturing usual type, adding chemical initially (10) EUCALYPTUS {USUAL+TYPE}* over {Ch...l}

15 Dark shades primarily bordering UP city pictures (8) DIAGRAMS {DI{AGRA}M}{Sh..s}

16 As per Spooner, crime by paparazzi to Diana,say (8) PRINCESS (sin press to princess)

17 Reject ideas? (3-5) SET-ASIDE [IDEAS}* [RA]

21 Quick! Wrap idlis in part (5) RAPID [T]

22 Goblin concealed flower (6) ORCHID {ORC}{HID}

23 Obstinate person of party with new chief (6) DONKEY {DO}{N}{KEY}

26 Water body covered in snowflakes (4) LAKE [T]

Reference List

Liberal = L, Right = R, Deputy = DEP, In charge = IC, Sunday = S, Hotel = H, Large = L, About = CA, Unknown = X, On Board = SS, Time = T, Party = DO, New = N