No 14319, Thursday 31 Oct 2024, Gussalufz

HAPPY DIWALI

Rangoli by Gowri

Solution to 25D 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.

THE + (SIX WORDS)

Solvers can decipher the title and find the Nina and comment on it after 11 AM. 

ACROSS

9   Cover nose when crap's on the other hand (1,8) E CONVERSO*

10 Another brag: A.I. never conceals (5) AGAIN [T]

11 Deep art has trouble coming to a point (7) TAPERED*

12 Is breakfast to be made regularly? Annoying (7) IRKSOME {Is+bReaKfaSt+be+MadE}

13 It helps make wine easy to break down and digest, ultimately (5) YEAST {EASY*}{d...sT}

14 Dick, Ted, etc., dispersed by quarter past four (9) DETECTIVE {TED+ETC}*} and {E}<=>{IV}

16 Hustle around when running! Fine cricket, Don! (10,5) CONFIDENCE TRICK  {C}{FINE+CRICKET+DON}* 

19 Strains and wearying of the soul, sir—going to detach, regrouping in Ohio (9) STRUGGLES [CA] {STRUUGLES+IN+OHIO}*={THE+SOUL+SIR+GOING}

22 Animal longing to be embraced by naked chap (5) HYENA {cH{YEN}Ap}

24 Change licence plates ... perfect (7) ANGELIC [T]

26 Resistance plus current? Finally, the resistance gets hotter (7) RANDIER {R}{AND}{I}{thE}{R}

27 Disguise and/or dress (5) ADORN*

28 The most unsung, faceless yobs heal good man (9) OBSCUREST {yOBS}{CURE}{ST}

DOWN

1   Spooner's fast, wow! Take it easy! (6) GENTLY (~lent gee to gently)

2   Rail company with motorway proposal? One should probe (8) COMPLAIN {CO}{M}{PLA{1}N}

3   All night, tripping under ecstasy? Really! (10) EVERYTHING {NIGHT}*<=>{E}{VERY}

4   Inclined to be pronounced ashen/lifeless (6) GRADED (~ grey dead)

5   Alcohol is ticket for a piece of the big picture (8) HOLISTIC [T]

6   Night over, clock radio ringing (4) DARK [T<=]

7   Sat with old rishi on vacation for enlightenment (6) SATORI {SAT}{O}{RishI}

8   Instinctive and keen, playing to get jack-queen-king (4-4) KNEE-JERK {KEEN*}{J}{ER}{K}

15 Rudely giant hiccup I let out, approaching closer (8,2) CATCHING UP {GIANT+HiCCUP}*

16 Unfortunate sailor from California having to live without a wife (8) CASTAWAY {CA}{ST{A}{W}AY}

17 English, ordinary, boring lunch: a fried, oily fish (8) EULACHON {E} with {O} in {LUNCH+A}*

18 Ticked off by it! (The last letter following loan payment) (8) ITEMIZED {IT} and {ZED}<=>{EMI}

20 Ignore burning state (6) REGION*

21 Note dropped by illicit lover creating anxiety (6) STRESS miSTRESS

23 Circulate oxygen over insides of feet (are awfully revolting) (6) AERATE [T<=]

25 Tall lover? Good (4) L?N? (Addendum - LONG {L}{ON}{G} - See comments)

Reference List

Quarter = E, Around = C, Resistance = R, Current = I, Good man = ST, Motorway = M, Ecstasy = E, Old = O, Jack = J, Queen = ER, King = K, Wife = W, English = E, Ordinary = O, Note = MI, Good = G

No 14318, Wednesday 30 Oct 2025, Bruno

Solution to 13D 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.

This must be a first for THC with so many live characters in the Grid.

ACROSS

1   Shock as cat's found behind western edge of jungle (6) JOUNCE {OUNCE}<=>{Ju...e}

4   Music media incurring waste's finished (6) CLOSED {C{LOSE}D}

8   Most of vacation with group was cut into parts (7) TRISECT {TRIp}{SECT}

9   Actor with indecent mouth according to Spooner (4,3) JUDE LAW (~lewd jaw to jude law)

11 I avert disaster in metropolis with imagination (10) CREATIVITY {C{I+AVERT}*ITY}

12 Smooth function ends early (4) EVEN EVENt

13 Coffee drink - top layer replaced with some milk's flat (5) MATTE (-l+m)MATTE

14 Actor's diary with sensational entry vandalised after party (5,3) DORIS DAY {DIARY+Se...l}*<=>{DO}

16 Actor, a hard worker, blocked by cruel cast (5,3) BRUCE LEE {B{CRUEL*}EE}

18 Profit and loss expert's office (5) PLACE {P}{L}{ACE}

20 Artist turned away sportsperson and actor (4) CHER arCHER

21 Revolutionary very often has to appear in church with actor (5,5) CHEVY CHASE {CHE}{V}Y{C{HAS}E} Y from?

23 African country's new friend in France has limited influence (7) NAMIBIA {N}{AMI}{BIAs}

24 Germany's eccentric actor (3,4) MEG RYAN*

25 Director's viewpoint's excellent! (3,3) ANG LEE {ANGLE}{E}

26 Reputation of America - immediately needs to be promoted (6) STATUS {US}<=>{STAT}

DOWN

1   One of twelve jogger's jacket seen around gunroom, oddly cut (5) JUROR {Jo..eR} over {gUnRoOm}

2   University President starting to socialise with sour and unpleasant person (7) UPSTART {U}{P}{So...e}{TART}

3   City in Kerala, starts to educate all labourers - becomes "red" (9) COCHINEAL {COCHIN}{Ed...e}{All}{La...s}

5   Terrible, mostly noisy, extremely stinky (5) LOUSY {LOUd}{St..kY}

6   Resurgent posse reestablished to capture witch (7) SEERESS [T<=]

7   One becoming part of European network's English actor (5,4) DIANE LANE {D{1}ANE}{LAN}{E}

10 Actor playing devil - in Singapore on vacation (3,6) VIN DIESEL {DEVIL+IN+Si...rE}*

13 Spanish beach - centre of antihuman articles and drug (9) M?R?H?A?A (Addendum -  MARIHUANA {MAR}{antIHUman}{AN}{A} - See comments) 

15 Review of Copyright on yoghurt wrapping showing people resulting in compensation (9) REPAYMENT {APE}{R}<={Yog{MEN}hurT

17 Old city in British Columbia set up in green building material (7) CURBING {C{UR}B<=}{IN}{G}

19 Having great desire at heart, first to take top off (7) ATHIRST {AT}{H}{fIRST}

21 Credit to setter's intelligence ultimately's an offence (5) CRIME {CR}{I'M}{i...cE}

22 Foundation of strong bridge, propped up, breaks (5) SNAPS<=

Reference List

Music media = CD, Party = DO, Profit and Loss = P&L, Artist = RA, Very = V, Church = CE, New = N, Friend in French = AMI, Excellent = E, Immediately = STAT, University = U, President = P, English = E, Spanish beach = MAR, Copy = APE, Right = R, Old City = UR, Green = G, Heart = H

No 14317, Tuesday 29 Oct 2024, Avtaar

Solution to 14A 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   Damages from opening in air-conditioned vehicles (6) ABUSES {Ai...d}{BUSES}

5   Spooner briefly activated laser causing unexpected problem (8) REVERSAL {REV}{LASER*}

9   Standard boundless wave that carries electrical charges through air (3,5) PAR AVION {PAR}{wAVe}{ION} Remember these envelopes?

10 Mounts facing west in Colorado Rockies affect rice farming, ultimately (4,2) GETS ON Reverse Tail Acrostic

11 Retired teacher, disheartened by hatred showing inclination to mingle (12) EXTRAVERSION {EX}{Te...eR}{AVERSION}

13 Unknown and complex genetic marker (1-3) Z-DNA {Z}{AND*}

14 Quarantined one very particular about leaving India (8) I?O?A?E? (Addendum - ISOLATED {1}{SO}{DETAiL<=} - See comments)

17 Dongle is fixed obliquely (8) SIDELONG*

18 Fast-spreading disease unsettled China's No. 1 poet (4) OVID cOVID

20 Very boring vacuous, soulless article in abstract mandarin (5,7) CIVIL SERVANT {V} and {Va...uS+ARTICLE+IN}* 

23 Smear butter finally into barbecued meat (6) STREAK {ST{b...eR}EAK}

24 Institution looking to hire head for training (8) STARTING {STAR{Tr...g}ING}

25 Parsees reunite every so often with special offerings (8) PRESENTS {PaRsEeS+rEuNiTe}{S}

26 Discovered American vessel docking in South East Germany (6) SUSSED {USS} in {S}{E}{D}

DOWN

2   Hairy animal breed (4) BEAR [DD]

3   Draw cover of short story with faces of Maugham and Thomas Eliot (9) STALEMATE {Sh..t}{TALE}{Ma...m}{Th...s}{El..t}

4   Devious fellow replaced by chief in Red Cross (6) SHIRTY SHI(-f+r)RTY

5   Singer Doris Day belted out with organ fluidly - it is child's play (4-1-4-1-5) RING-A-RING-O-ROSES {SINGER+dORIS+ORGAN}*

6   Grape farmer starting to vilify restless Norwegian wife eloped with associate (8) VIGNERON {Vi...y}{NORwEGIaN}*

7   Chariots blasted outside hotel (5) RATHS {RAT{H}S}

8   Rueful Australian bard pens journal on Nice deporting outsiders (10) APOLOGETIC {A}{PO{LOG}ET{nICe}

12 Supply of skirts included in free trade (10) ADMINISTER {AD{MINIS}TER*}

15 New soap featuring country's traitors (9) APOSTATES {APO{STATE}S*}

16 Discarded empty flagon filled with essential ingredients of port wine (8) FORSAKEN {Fl..oN} over {pORt}{SAKE}

19 Revolutionary is sad about kidnapping tough American (6) BADASS [T<=]

21 Avtaar ending in trance, breaking down retrograde thoughts (5) IDEAS {I}{SA{t...cE}D<=}

22 Immediately after touching, charge gets drained (4) ONCE {ON}{ChargE}

Reference List

Unknown = Z, Very = SO, India = I, Very = V, Special = S, Germany = D, Fellow = F, Day = D, Wife = W, Associate = A, Hotel = H, Australian = A

No 14316, Monday 28 Oct 2024, Hypatia

Solution to 7D 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   Moaned when leaving wife, ruining weekend (6) KEENED wEEKEND*

4   Self-declaration of one matched up or undermined (8) IMPAIRED {I'M}{PAIRED}

9   Feels dissatisfied about German vehicles (6) MOPEDS {MOPE{D}S}

10 Stunning blow (8) KNOCKOUT [CD]

11 Red carpet treatment in a wedding party in summer? (1,4,9) A WARM RECEPTION {DD]

13 Old US president inspiring writer, soprano and cabinet makers (10) CARPENTERS {CAR{PEN}TER}{S}

14 Love sex? Get married, miss! (4) OMIT {O}{M}{IT}

16 Island, primarily oceanic at the shores of Honolulu (4) OAHU {Oc...c}{At}{Ho...lU}

18 Studies and teaches limits (10) CONSTRAINS {CONS}{TRAINS}

21 Insert coin with size adjusted for elders (6,8) SENIOR CITIZENS*

23 Fashionable firm's vulnerable to attack (8) INSECURE {IN}{SECURE}

24 Soon recall author's pen name, say (6) ANONYM {ANON}{MY<=}

25 Help, caress regularly and dance inside (8) KINDNESS {KI{aNd+DaNcE}SS}

26 Scientist connected is online, livestreaming (6) EDISON [T]

DOWN

1   Hindu God known as most amorous, basically (4) KAMA Acrostic

2   Sanction debtor chasing English politician (7) EMPOWER {OWER}<=>{E}{MP}

3   Recommended boyfriend or seducer to hide (8) ENDORSED [T]

5   Engineers hacking Mac and iTunes using digital kit? (8,3) MANICURE SET {RE} in {MAC+ITUNES}*

6   Agree to watch CD expats oddly rejected (6) ACCEPT {AtCh+Cd+ExPaTs}

7   Heavy metal band technician heard buzz starting outside (7) R?O?I?M (Addendum - RHODIUM  {(~roadie)RHODI}{hUM} - See comments)

8   Has a blast dancing on estate after the onset of Diwali (9) DETONATES {ON+ESTATE}*<=>{Di...i}

12 Can store abruptly aid supply without right IDs (6-5) RATION-CARDS {CAN+STORe+AID} * over {R}

13 Spooner asking bar girl for cutlery item (9) CHOPSTICK (~stop chick to Chopstick}

15 Confronted wild zebra near shelter put up (8) BRAZENED {ZEBRA*}{DEN<=}

17 Actively involved, fair setter's new (5-2) HANDS-ON HANDSO(-me+n)N

19 Proceeds without a player's turn (7) INNINGS wINNINGS

20 Also picked up by jail bird (6) TOUCAN {(~too)TOU}{CAN}

22 PM raised in Gulf country (4) OMAN<=

Reference List

Wife = W, German = D, Soprano = S, Married = M, Sex = IT, English = E, Engineers = RE, Right = R, New = N, Player = W(West in Bridge game)

The Sunday Crossword No 3329, Sunday 27 Oct 2024

ACROSS

1   Polish admirer, nude (4) BUFF [MD]

3   Straitened, distressed, but back in office (10) REINSTATED*

9   Curses and rants, being heartless (4) RATS RAnTS

10 Way to wear swimwear in major thoroughfares (5,5) TRUNK ROADS {TRUNK{ROAD}S}

12 So began my day, unpredictably: it’s a toss-up (8,4) ANYBODYS GAME*

15 Portion of cinnabun, chai: nourishing – and free! (7) UNCHAIN [T]

16 Swiss multinational and Dutch cosied up (7) NESTLED {NESTLE}{D}

17 Reckoned was plausible (5,2) ADDED UP [DD]

19 Initially Schubert and Liszt’s illustrious educator – renowned Italian! (7) SALIERI Acrostic &lit

20 Everyman’s describing idiot husband – misguided satire – crazy scenes (4,8) MASS HYSTERIA {M{ASS}{H}Y}{SATIRE*}

23 Character seen towards end of The French Lieutenant’s Woman? (10) APOSTROPHE Definition by example

24 Irish musician in African country, needing no introduction (4) ENYA kENYA

25 Actor, waiting where Cluedo weapon concealed? (10) UNDERSTUDY {UNDER STUDY}

26 Eats pilaf regularly – here? (4) ASIA {eAtS+pIlAf}Semi&lit

DOWN

1   Scuba – radar deployed – voracious fish! (10) BARRACUDAS*

2   Taking LSD, greasy hippies – in the end, they’re in a cell (5,5) FATTY ACIDS {FATTY}{ACID}{h...eS}

4   Nobleman over there at crack of dawn? (5,2) EARLY ON {EARL}{YON}

5   Buried in Parthenon, a gong, one with straight edges? (7) NONAGON [T]

6   At, sadly, a place of trade stocking American flipping fishy dish (12) TARAMASALATA  {AT}{ALAS}{A}{MAR{A}T} <=

7   In the auditorium, drew amphibian (4) TOAD (~towed)

8   Do be quiet – lolly? (4) DOSH {DO}{SH}

11 ‘Ho! Abruptly draw back, draw back!’ – one who entered tomb (6,6) HOWARD CARTER {HO}{DRAW<=}{RETRACt<=} Abruptly seems to be in the wrong place

13 Plans suggested by erotic etchings (10) BLUEPRINTS {BLUE}{PRINTS}

14 To make greater numbers, is Swedish band touring a capital city? (5,5) ADDIS ABABA {ADD}{IS}{AB{A}BA}

18 Deal – or collapse (4,3) PASS OUT [DD]

19 Was hacking, chesty daughter given treatment? (7) SCYTHED {CHESTY+D}*

21 Pasta sauce in uniform covered with bit of old cloth (4) RAGU {U}<=>{RAG}

22 While using phone, removed central part of cable (4) CORD (~cored)

Reference List

Dutch = D, Husband = H, American = A, Daughter = D, Uniform = U

Chennai Open Online Cryptic Crossword

 

No 14315, Saturday 26 Oct 2024, Hypatia

ACROSS

1   Problem child, say rebelled at retreat (8) DRAWBACK {WARD<=}BACK - See comments 

5   Every now and then, cook at sites including beaches (6) COASTS {CoOk+At+SiTeS}

10 Evergreen America's most noisy party (7) AVOCADO {A}{VOCAl}{DO}

11 Dan Brown's book? Presume, it's not out (7) INFERNO {INFER}{NO}

12 Footballer confused by audience (5) MESSI (~messy)

13 Harry marks his identity initially in ethnic group (9) KASHMIRIS {MARKS+HIS+Id...y}*

14 Teams for vice presidential candidates (7,5) RUNNING MATES {TEAMS}* [RA] &lit

18 Allow Duke stopping rest with royal performer (6-6) BALLET-DANCER {BAL{LET}{D}LANCE}{R}

21 Pass extremely large and fit associate (9) COLLEAGUE {COL}{LargE}{AGUE}

23 One dumped from a plant's floor (5) AMAZE {A}{MAiZE}

24 Intricately carved toggle seen regularly in belt as buckle! (7) NETSUKE {iN+bElT+aS+bUcKlE}

25 Veiled model is somehow graceful in movement (7) LISSOME [T]

26 Seat in blue cycle pushed forward (6) SADDLE {SAD}{(+d)DLE(-d}

27 Ambitious candidate playing a part in society (8) ASPIRANT {A+PART+IN+S}*

DOWN

1   Moral code of American lawyer governing injury (6) DHARMA {D{HARM}A}

2   Spark in the middle of amusement park's fixture (6) AROUSE cAROUSEl

3   Michael Jackson number joined by dancing due to ecstasy (9) BEATITUDE {BEAT IT}{DUE*}

4   Police caught odd Kerala gang in tale of intrigue (5-3-6) CLOAK-AND-DAGGER {C+ODD+KERALA+GANG}*

6   British aid agency supporting animal species, half destroyed (5) OXFAM {OX}{FAMily}

7   Story or novel featuring Indian ladies club (8) SORORITY {STORY+OR}* over {I}

8   Top songs in records by English director (8) SCORSESE {SCOR{So..s}ES}{E}

9   Nervous reaction evoked by an acupuncturist's tools (4,3,7) PINS AND NEEDLES [DD]

15 Make shrine transforming this Madurai temple's Goddess and Queen (9) MEENAKSHI {MEENAKSHI+R}*={MAKE SHRINE} [CA]

16 Jack transfers out of Europe and runs away (8) ABSCONDS {AB}{SeCONDS}

17 Heard you had entered, sadly dull and howled in pain (8) ULULATED {(~you)U} and {ATE} in {DULL}*

19 Urgent call ringing mother to return with a snack (6) SAMOSA {S{MA<=}OS}{A}

20 Second veto (6) REJECT [DD]

22 Even more quality clothing (5) EQUAL [T]

Reference List

Party = DO, Not out = NO, Duke = D, Royal = R, Pass = COL, American lawyer = DA, Caught = C, Indian = I, English = E, Queen = R, Jack = AB

No 14314, Friday 25 Oct 2024, Dr. X

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS FOR FRIDAY ONLY

All those who are not regular commenters but who are rookie commenters or silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake in the annotation someone will correct it with the right annotation.

PLEASE NOTE, SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTEMPTING THE ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED

Each commenter is requested to post only 5 answers thereby giving others also a chance to participate. Please provide all your answers in one comment.

Regular solvers/Veterans can post 1 answer each, but after 11 AM only.

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

ACROSS

1   Action of reliable pace bowler, ultimately unique (13) IRREPLACEABLE {RELIABLE+PACE+b...eR}*

8   Former CBS chief in telecast is charismatic (5) TISCH [T]

9   Rushing with bandage to wrap wound on front of thigh (9) SCUTTLING {S{CUT}{Th..h}LING}

11 Impressiveness of century, revolutionary talent (10) NOTABILITY {TON<=}{ABILITY}

12 Annoyed by husband getting rude, losing head (4) HURT {H}{cURT}

14 Delicate lady avoids fermented drink (4,3) ICED TEA DElICATE*

16 Emphatically, he rejects a terrible meal with fish (7) HIMSELF {MEaL+FISH}*

17 Old pilot's remarkable feat (7) EXPLOIT {EX}{PILOT*}

19 Italian pal acting in a soap (7) PAISANO*

21 Tire puncture (4) BORE [DD]

22 Most frivolous and most unhealthy to consume heroin (10) SHALLOWEST {S{H}ALLOWEST}

25 See 10 Down

26 Kiss in retro lounge beside English bar (5) EXILE {LI{X}E<=}{E}

27 See eight cute pert models (3,3,7) GET THE PICTURE*

DOWN

2   Flower-shaped ornament in collection covered by rust, beginning to erode (7) ROSETTE {RO{SET}T}{e..dE}

3   Show's fantastic, international hit in box office finally (10) EXHIBITION {I+HIT+IN+BOX+o...cE}*

4   Some widely sold brand of disinfectant (5) LYSOL [T]

5   Criminal is hurt, nabbed by police officer in pursuit (9) COURTSHIP {IS+HURT}* in {COP}

6   Worker beginning to extract stake (4) ANTE {ANT}{Ex...t}

7   Relaxation in large retreat? That's guaranteed (7) LEISURE {L}{IE<=}{SURE}

8   Foolishly, be insolent with wife resulting in painful problem (6,5) TENNIS ELBOW {BE+INSOLENT+W}*

10 & 25 What untrained sprinter might do to make a bad start (3,3,2,3,5,4) GET OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT [C&DD]

13 Cannabis smuggled by men into rave is supreme (10) OMNIPOTENT {POT} in {MEN+INTO}*

15 Desire bit of bread, tucking into excellent cut of beef (9) AITCHBONE {1TCH}{Br..d}ONE}  in {A ONE}

18 Rejected bribe, inspired by moral principle (7) PURPOSE {PUR{SOP<=}E} 

20 Circulate lie ruthlessly to seize workshop (7) ATELIER [T]

23 Strip of wood is cut to make heavy stick (5) LATHI {LATH}{Is}

24 Top entertainer received quartet of showbiz awards (1,1,1,1) E G O T {En...r}{GOT} &lit

Reference List

Century = TON, Husband = H, Lady = L, Heroin = H, Kiss = X, English = E, Large = L, Wife = W, Cannabis = POT 

No 14313, Thursday 24 Oct 2024, Dr. X

Solution to 9D 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   Struggles to secure cheap flats (4-4) BLOW-OUTS {B{LOW}OUTS}

5   Flight in space circulating Earth (6) ESCAPE {SPACE*}{E}

10 Not very hazy around river, have a row (5) ARGUE {vA{R}GUE}

11 Passionately intimate inside island retreat (2,7) IN EARNEST {I}{NEAR}{NEST}

12 Denounced heartless man involved in criminal act (9) CONDEMNED M(-a)N in {CON DEED}

13 One observing constituent wanting victory for nationalist (5) NOTER (-v+n)NOTER

14 Lead character in suspense film is murderer (6) SLAYER {Su...e}{LAYER}

15 Wet items on ground (7) MOISTEN*

18 Bone in grave starting to unnerve maiden (7) STERNUM {STERN}{Un...e}{M}

20 Animal in Gujarat, mostly wild (6) JAGUAR GUJARAt*

22 Utensil guy brought back contains fruits (5) UGLIS [T<=]

24 Promoted broadcast on Rushdie (9) NOURISHED*

25 Harassed husband dreading fights (3-6) HAG-RIDDEN {H}{DREADING*}

26 Remain in bed long, indulge on vacation? Getting excited! (3,2) LIE UP {L}{In...gE}{UP} 

27 Most annoyed - therefore, relax (6) SOREST {SO}{REST}

28 Bladder infection resulting from spasticity leaving father distressed (8) CYSTITIS SpaSTICITY*

DOWN

1   Become pale in bar after consuming line with cocaine and heroin (6) BLANCH {B{L}AN}{C}{H}

2   Specialised part of cell in egg allergen analysed (9) ORGANELLE {O}{ALLERGEN*}

3   Where chapstick maker hopes to see his product being discussed by many (2,9,4) ON EVERYONES LIPS [C&DD]

4   Finally publish secret behind model becoming slimmer (7) THINNER {p...sH}{INNER}<=>{T}

6   Shy person invites hot girl on trip after drinking bit of Kahlua (9,6) SHRINKING VIOLET  {INVITES+H+GIRL+ON}* over {Ka...a}

7   Data stolen by extremely adept spy (5) AGENT {Ade{GEN}pT}

8   Recording new teen band (8) ENTERING {TEEN*}{RING}

9   Occasionally spies around to gather bit of data (6) ?E?D?M (Addendum - SELDOM {MO{Data}LES<=} - See comments)

16 Most shoddy investigation about outbreak on island (9) TRASHIEST {T{RASH}{I}EST}

17 Although married, such a rogue - extremely amorous (2,4,2) AS MUCH AS {M+SUCH+A}*{Am...uS}

19 Knight in gloomy ode sung by soloist (6) MONODY {MO{N}ODY}

20 Flight leaving Thailand for Japanese sporting event (7) JOURNEY (-t+j)JOURNEY

21 Chooses American studs to entertain princess at inauguration (6) ADOPTS {A}{DO{Pr...s}TS}

23 Runs after bear with European brand of pistol (5) LUGER {R}<=>{LUG}{E}

Reference List

Earth = E, Very = V, River = R, Island = I, Man = M, Victory = V, Nationalist = N, Maiden = M, Husband = H, Long = L, Line = L, Cocaine = C, Heroin = H, Model = T, Hot = H, Married = M. Knight = N, Thailand = T, Japanese = J, American = A, Runs = R, European = E

No 14312, Wednesday 23 Oct 2024, Dr. X

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.

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

ACROSS

1   Popular celebrity going around with damsel at premiere (8) STANDARD {ST{AND}AR}{Da...l}

5   Strengthen unit to break revolutionary group (4,2) ?O?E ?P (Addendum - TONE UP - {ONE} in {PUT<=} - See comments)

10 Model in snap, mostly consuming dope (7) CLASSIC {CL{ASS}ICk}

11 Groups of eight in old tunnels around Thailand (7) OCTAVES {O}{C{T}AVES}

12 Help to review article about princess (5) DIANA {AID<=}{AN<=]

13 One left helpless, primarily overwhelmed by potentially lethal sickness (3,6) ILL HEALTH {1}{L}{L{He...s}EALTH*}  Semi&lit

14 Aside from wild tigers, he saw glimpse of panther (5,7) STAGE WHISPER {TIGERS+HE+SAW+Pa...r}*

18 Told cooks to bring in fine oriental starter of teriyaki chicken (5,3,4) BROKE THE NEWS {BR{OK}{E}{Te...i}{HEN}EWS}

21 Suspects swindle but strangely taken in by young lady (9) MISDOUBTS {MIS{DO}{BUT*}S}

23 I don't spread rumour (2-3) ON-DIT*

24 Palimpsest in athenaeum contains poem of six six-line stanzas (7) SESTINA [T]

25 Swilling egg nog and gin non-stop (7) ONGOING {O+NOG+GIN}*

26 Couple in lake docked craft (6) METIER {ME{TIE}Re}

27 Drunk woman reeled outside bar and tumbled about (8) WELTERED {W+REELED*} over {T}

DOWN

1   Leave court after winning custody at first case of divorce (6) SECEDE {SE{Cu...y}E}{Di...cE}

2   American lawyer abducted by outlaw in Iranian city (6) ABADAN {A}{BA{DA}N}

3   Separate from heartless nut, stifled by miserable marriage finally (9) DISMANTLE {DISMA{NuT}L}{m...gE}

4   Batter caught hooking recklessly, disturbing a stable situation (7,3,4) ROCKING THE BOAT {BATTER+C+HOOKING}*

6   Unusual route at sea (5) OUTRE*

7   Case of jealousy, dumps hubby finally to run away (8) ENVELOPE {ENVy}{ELOPE}

8   Hundreds at inauguration entertained by troops playing new wind instrument (4,4) POST HORN {POST{Hu...s}OR*}{N}

9   Take the instinctive course like dog tracking a scent might do? (6,4,4) FOLLOW ONES NOSE [DD]

15 Intricately decorated sketch secured by twine cut artfully (9) INWROUGHT {ROUGH} in {TWINe}*

16 Stomach problem after a gathering around afternoon (8) ABOMASUM {SUM}<=>{A}{MOB<=} over {A}

17 Look after residence temporarily as she is out travelling (5-3) HOUSE-SIT*

19 Precarious ridge below peak of Everest - becoming more anxious (6) EDGIER {RIDGE}*<=}{Ev...t}

20 Presented revolutionary French artist introducing latest in art (6) STAGED {DEGA{arT}S<=}

22 Nothing pleasant in prison (2,3) ON ICE {O}{NICE}

Reference List

Old = O, Thailand = T, Left = L, Oriental = E, Swindle = DO, Woman = W, Bar = T, Court = SEE< American = A, Lawyer = DA, Caught = C, New = N, Afternoon = A

No 14311, Tuesday 22 Oct 2024, Dr. X

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

1   Horrible rogues troubling maiden on base (8) GRUESOME {ROGUES*}{M}{E}

5   Model beginning to seduce prince in party (6) SCULPT {Se...e}{CUL{P}T}

10 The German state is magnificent, captures traveller's heart (5) REICH {RI{t..vEl..r}CH}

11 Call accountant to check account, getting Jaguar's latest sports vehicle (6,3) RACING CAR {R{AC}ING}{CA}{j...aR}

12 & 24 Be alternatively occupied, as busy seafood chef might say? (4,5,4,2,3) HAVE OTHER FISH TO FRY [DD]

13 Check paperwork finally and sign again (5) REINK {REIN}{p...rK}

14 Removes one's clothes in voyage aboard ship (6) STRIPS {S{TRIP}S}

15 Please speak about fine model making a comeback (7) SATISFY {SAY} over {F}{SIT}<=

18 Threatens to tackle government beginning to abolish wine shops (7) BODEGAS {BODE{G}{Ab...h}S}

20 Suave rogue stealing lady's treasures (6) VALUES {VA{L}UES*}

22 Character spilling new brown pigment (5) UMBER nUMBER

24 See 12

25 Badly infected patient at centre is weak (9) DEFICIENT {INFECTED+patIent}*

26 Love to look at mountain nymph (5) OREAD {O}{READ}

27 Loves to host extremely important figures (6) DIGITS {DIG{Im...nT}S}

28 Spiders scurrying around bottom of table and chairs (8) PRESIDES {PR{t..lE}SIDES*}

DOWN

1   Good shirt, various sizes (6) GIRTHS {G}{SHIRT*}

2   Intoxicated nut in dive is unwelcome (9) UNINVITED*

3   Experiment with mutated virus at centre, scaring the docs (12,3) SCHRODINGERS CAT {viRus+SCARING+THE+DOCS}*

4   Tramps litter endlessly over bridge (7) MARCHES {M{ARCH}ESs}

6   Saluting actor on set for good job (15) CONGRATULATIONS* Semi&lit

7   Some broccoli, chickpeas, fruit (5) LICHI [T]

8   Old jailers run tests, extremely worried about escape perhaps (8) TURNKEYS {RUN+TestS} over {KEY}

9   Startles starlet at premiere with endless kiss (6) SCARES {St...t}{CARESs}

16 Fellow chasing woman on ground in English city (9) SHEFFIELD {F}<=>{SHE} and {FIELD}

17 Top seed knocked out! Noise in a ground increased (8) ?B?U?D?D (Addendum - ABOUNDED {A}{B{sOUND)ED} - See comments)

19 Hurt by endless rubbish about cuddling female (6) SUFFER {REFUSe<=} over {F}

20 Six chapatis sent up for guest (7) VISITOR {VI}{ROTIS<=}

21 Group of stars, close to many in the underworld (6) HYADES {H{manY{ADES}

23 Haze over swamp hampers force chasing fugitive finally (5) BEFOG {BOG} over {F}<=>{f...vE}

Reference List

Maiden = M, Base = E, Prince = P, Account = AC, Ship = SS, Fine = F, Government = G, Lady = L, New = N, Good = G, Fellow = F, Female = F, Force  F