No 14540, Friday 18 Jul 2025, Avtaar

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   Movie choice announced - "Old town in Tennessee's outskirts" (7) PICTURE {(~pick)PIC}{Te...{UR}...eE}

5   Foot fragments outside entrance to Harappan digs (7) FATHOMS {F}{AT{Ha...n}OMS}

10 Like to go on reading (4) PEER {PEE}{R}

11 Egg stored in box is close to first drawer (10) CARTOONIST {CART{O}ON}{IS}{f..sT}

12 University taken over by government is bust (6) STATUE {STAT{U}E}

13 Luncheon's organised without entree? That is unusual (8) NONESUCH lUNCHEONS*

14 Lawyer's restraint binding banks in suit (9) BARRISTER {BARRI{SuiT}ER}

16 Weld aluminium counter holding bucket with long handle (5) LADLE [T<=]

17 School tournament's finale followed by every one (5) TEACH {t...nT}{EACH}

19 Open platform in disused craft leaked, leaving shores of Latvia (9) AFTERDECK {CRAFT+lEaKED}*

23 Country doctor participating in a cricket match, entertained by accountant (8) CAMBODIA {C{A}{MB}{ODI}A}

24 Unsound regulation adopted by leading Central bank (6) FLAWED {F{LAW}ED}

26 Spooner's cooks look for drink (6,4) SPRUCE BEER (~ brews peer to spruce beer)

27 Bird's stomach opening out (4) ROOK bROOK

28 Mike distributed sheet describing promo (7) HEADSET {HE{AD}SET*} A mike per se cannot be a headset

29 Kant's original perception about new religious scripture of fundamental importance (7) KEYNOTE {Kant}{EY{N}{OT}E}

DOWN

2   Avtaar's joining new English cadet for beverage (4,3) ICED TEA {I}{E+CADET}*

3   Card-sharp wins nothing (5) TAROT {TAR{O}T}

4   Condition of insects about to be freed (7) RICKETS cRICKETS

6   Somewhere near a field, German's hidden (6) AROUND {A}{gROUND}

7   Exercise routine in Shetland Islands almost completely performed without trellises, essentially (9) HANDSTAND  {SHeTlANDislANDs}*

8   Say, Chicago's problem taken up by leader of Indiana state in US (7) MUSICAL {SUM<=}{In...a}{CAL}

9   Saw open rifle shot clipping head of Connery in "The Man Who Would Be King" (6,2,5) PRINCE OF WALES {SAW+OPEN+RIFLE}* over {Co...y}

15 Covered with hard stones all over, fencing of castle keeps bulging, basically (4-5) ROCK-BOUND {RO{Ca...e}{Ke..s}{Bu...g}OUND}

18 One-time rich model (7) EXAMPLE {EX}{AMPLE}

20 Insist on measure supporting church (7) ENFORCE {EN}{FOR}{CE}

21 Idiot stealing the lady's smoking thingy (7) CHEROOT {C{HER}OOT}

22 Keep commercial now (6) ADHERE {AD}{HERE}

25 Top of arching, mostly inclined projection on stage (5) APRON {Ar...g}{PRONe}

Reference List

Old Town = UR, Foot = F, To go = PEE, Reading = R, University = U, Accountant = CA, Promo = AD, New = N, Religious scripture = OT(Old Testament), English = E, About = C, Measure = EN, Church = CE, Commercial = AD

No 14539, Thursday 17 Jul 2025, Vidwan

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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

9   Prove...a sun explodes and becomes this! (9) SUPERNOVA* Semi&lit

10 Record with ceremony (5) WRITE {W}{RITE}

11 City of naked monk (3) RIO pRIOr

12 Recent, never changing control point (5,6) NERVE CENTRE*

13 Arctic creature found via sonar whaleboats (7) NARWHAL [T]

14 Royal scheming about gallery (7) STATELY {S{TATE}LY}

16 One final deposit appallingly stuck-up (4-11) SELF-OPINIONATED*

20 Seen and humiliated after one's banished (7) SIGHTED SlIGHTED 1 or L is banished?

21 I do invocation perhaps for custodians (7) SANCTUS [CA] {SANCTUS+I+DO}* = CUSTODIANS

23 Consistently trusts this for nutty trip ice-cream (5-6) TUTTI-FRUTTI {TrUsTs+ThIs+FoR+nUtTyThIs}

25 Exclude local staff (3) BAR MD

26 Problem of spirit lamp basically (5) PERIL {PERI}{Lamp}

27 Urbane company representing outer America (9) COURTEOUS {CO}{OUTER*}{US}

DOWN

1   German cheats wearing red undergarments (1-7) G-STRINGS {G}{ST{R}INGS}

2   Regularly support on-air ruckus (6) UPROAR {sUpPoRt+On+AiR}

3   Time to soak! Taking day off, Kitty wears ordinary dress for rainy day! (6,4) TRENCH COAT {T}{dRENCH}{C{O}AT}

4   Runs into tender large weed like Gongura (6) SORREL {SO{R}RE}{L}

5   Wife took high risk for a ride on lake (5,3) WATER SKI {W}{ATE}{RISK*}

6   Over-sentimental bit that we enjoy (4) TWEE [T]

7   Abuse at spies' party (8) MISTREAT {MI'S}{TREAT}

8   Dissidence seen in lady's essay regularly (6) HERESY {HER}{EsSaY}

15 Publicly talk about a new sister at the Company with vacuous title (10) ANNUNCIATE {A}{N}{NUN}{CIA}{TitlE}

17 Girl at EU distracted Bond (8) LIGATURE*

18 Implied charge about religious education (8) INDIRECT {INDI{RE}CT}

19 Suspicion is that Charles broke this! (8) D?S?R?S? 

20 An exercise form can be puissant (3-3) SIT-UPS [CA] {SIT UPS+AN}* = PUISSANT 

21 Stalwart has energy to sail forth (3,3) SET OUT {S{E}TOUT}

22 Couple without work clipped small shop at a fair, in addition (2,4) TO BOOT {TwO}{BOOTh}

24 Second line in that is inch (4) ISLE {I{S}{L}E} 

Reference List

With = W, German = G, Red = R, Time = T, Day = D, Ordinary = O, Runs = R, Large = L, Wife = W, New = N, Religious education = RE, Energy = E, Work = W, Second = S, Line = L

No 14538, Wednesday 16 Jul 2025, Spinner

Solution to 5D 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Evaluate taking on a partnership with American organization, finally giving commitment (13) ASSIDUOUSNESS {ASS{I}{DUO}{US}{o...oN}ESS}

10 Hurry, it's real! (5) LEGIT {LEG IT}

11 Therapy for men in tatters, unfulfilled and broken! (9) TREATMENT {MEN} in {TATTERs}*

12 Communist leader locks seats (6) CHAIRS {Co...t}{HAIRS}

13 Choose alternative saving time - maybe? (8) OPERATOR {OPT}{OR} over {ERA}

15 Right coalition's pained cry for insurgent's head (9) ALLOWANCE ALL(-i+ow)OWANCE

16 Strike down priest, nun loses her head! (4) STUN {ST}{nUN}

20 Caps student access cards (4) LIDS {L}{IDS}

21 Boxer in control of clash, claiming title at the end! (9) UNDERWEAR {UNDER}{W{t..lE}AR}

24 Still lacking time, Spinner's cryptic set is most whimsical (8) SILLIEST {StILL}{I}{SET*}

26 Where hidden advantages and the hearts of the emotional lie? (6) SLEEVE [DD]

28 Settled, wealthy society's left for the moon, perhaps? (9) SATELLITE {SAT}{EL{L}ITE}

29 Annoys woman with hollow lines (5) GALLS {GAL}{LineS}

30 Match official fixes holding period to essentially disrupt those keeping it cool (13) REFRIGERATORS {REF}{RIG{ERA}{TO}{disRupt}S}

DOWN

2   Shoddy design masks everything announced (9) SIGNALLED {SIGN{ALL}ED*}

3   Bury outside city centre (8) INTERIOR {INTE{RIO}R}

4   For understanding nuclear, try Oppenheimer's tips (4) UNTO Acrostic

5   Disruptive radioactive element's future gaining muscle basically every day! (10) U?E?P?C?E? (Addendum - UNEXPECTED {U}{NEX{PEC}T}{Every}{Day} - See comments)

6   New season missing lead character (6) NATURE {N}{mATURE}

7   Won outright as some supporters shed tears (5) SWEPT {Su...s}{WEPT}

8   Choose leader or choose to oust leader! (5) ELECT sELECT

9   Confess about turning traitor for spying continuously (7) STARING {S{RAT<=}ING}

14 Very damaging to forget starting or finishing process? (10) VARNISHING {V}{tARNISHING}

17 Clerk hosts unending party for tourist (9) TRAVELLER {T{RAVe}ELLER}

18 Dearest captain leaves behind cricket, ultimately! (7) CLOSEST {C}{LOSES}{c...eT}

19 Hard to maintain endless resolve in fag end of one's career? (8) TWILIGHT {T{WILl}IGHT}

22 Intrinsically dark, I'll eradicate! (6) KILLER [T] Semi&lit?

23 Not in favour of forgetting opening line (5) VERSE aVERSE

25 Measure of anger on being interrupted by onset of thunderstorm after fifty (5) LITRE {I{Th...m}RE}<=>{L}

27 One who might sell short or deliver (4) BEAR [DD]

Reference List

Student = L, Time = T, Left = L, New = N, Very = V, Captain = C, Fifty = L

No 14537, Tuesday 15 Jul 2025, KrisKross

Solution to 9A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Help to pack box for philosopher (8) SOCRATES {SO{CRATE}S}

5   Softly, KrisKross cutting blue game bird (6) MAGPIE {MAG{P}{I}E*}

9   Bug in table #9 - repulsive! (6,2) L?S?E? I? (Addendum - LISTEN IN {LIST}{NINE<=} - See comments)

10 Have a taste - initial sip's enough (6) SAMPLE {Sip}{AMPLE}

12 Landlord tense, wearing formal dress in a place with no residents (5,4) GHOST TOWN {G{HOST}{T}OWN}

13 Suspend cycling near an African state (5) GHANA {(+g)GHAN(-g)}{A}

14 Look around Thar - ultimately arid! (4) SERE {SE{thaR}E}

16 Girl had to pay money without getting caught! (7) LASSOED {LASS}{OwED}

19 Play extremely depressing and teary? (7) TRAGEDY {d...nG+TEARY}* &lit (Correction - {De...nG+TEARY}* &lit - See comments)

21 American company meets a ruler of ancient empire (4) INCA {INC}{A}

24 Prone to storytelling? (5) LYING [DD]

25 Tree cracking ramshackle tavern causes confusion (9) RAVELMENT {RAV{ELM}ENT*}

27 Faithful soldier leaving base is missing (6) TRUANT {TRUe}{ANT}

28 Slip pal made in writing (8) PROLAPSE {PRO{PAL*}SE}

29 Rabbits in retreat longing to tuck into lettuce (6) CONEYS {CO{YEN<=}S}

30 Judge read about including loan payment in complaint (8) JEREMIAD {J}{ER{EMI}AD*}

DOWN

1   Hermit eating essentially wild fodder (6) SILAGE {S{wILd}AGE}

2   In panic, US to modify policy (6) CUSTOM [T]

3   Master is correct to consume alternate diet (5) ADEPT {A{DiEt}PT}

4   One entering record book is a perfect example (7) EPTIOME {1} in {EP}{TOME}

6   Spies returning to arrest fallen angels to get drug (9) ANALGESIC {CIA<=} over {ANGELS}*

7   Father's withdrawn plan to procure party snack (8) POPPADOM {POP}{PAM<=} over {DO}

8   Reportedly, setter is able to decoy vacuous, pretty girl (3,5) EYE CANDY {(~i)EYE}{CAN}{DecoY}

11 A mostly sick plant (4) ANIL {AN}{ILl}

15 Crisis in Greece - money regularly faked (9) EMERGENCY {GREECE+MoNeY}*

17 Strapping helmet oddly inside storage room (8) ATHLETIC {AT{HeLmEt}TIC}

18 Originally, "Torn Curtain" designed to be silent (8) TACITURN {Tom}{CURTAIN}*

20 Cart overturned in garden (4) YARD<=

21 Contrarian poets think this way? (7) INVERSE {IN VERSE}

22 Ancient town's new helipad not active (6) DELPHI HELIPaD*

23 When it's time to sleep, start to deaden mind (6) ATTEND {AT TEN}{De...n}

26 Tale about ladies in part of France (5) LILLE {LI{LL}E}

Reference List

Softly = P, Tense = T, With = W, Base = E, Judge = J, Record = EP(Extended Play), Party = DO, active = A, Lady = L

No 14536, Monday 14 Jul 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 25A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Angrily pursues groper in lobby (8,5) PRESSURE GROUP*

8   Rastafarian, primarily gaga about style of dance music (5) RAGGA {Ra...n}{GAGA}*

9  Setting aside whiskey, brewed soup somehow and became less drunk (7,2) SOBERED UP {BREwED+SOUP}*

11 Revealed throttling worker close to seedy bar in deprived area (10) SHANTYTOWN {SH{ANT}{s..dY}{T}OWN}

12 Sweetheart's a little lustful after back massage (4) GIRL {Lu...l}<+>{RIG}

14 Sick critic taking drug is suffering from jaundice (7) ICTERIC {ICT{E}RIC*}

16 Fruits in field eaten by boys regularly (7) ORANGES {bO{RANGE}yS}

17 Question in test about angular momentum and mass (7) PROBLEM {PROB{L}E}{M}

19 Turn tight, knocking back wine (7) MEANDER {MEAN}{RED<=}

21 Guy removing top is fit (4) ABLE cABLE

22 Shooter's target is set with beast getting close, finally drawn in by trick (4,6) CLAY PIGEON {C{LAY}{PIG}{c..sE}ON}

25 Fascinated by sign above fourth doorway? (9) E?T?A?C?D (Addendum ENTRANCED {ENTRANCE D} - See comments)

26 Model is almost nude in river (5) INDUS {IS+NUDe}*

27 Sending to infirmary in ship, isolating at sea (13) HOSPITALISING*

DOWN

2   Reigning prince killed in the club (7) REGNANT pREGNANT

3   Dirty secret about last leader of Nigeria (10) SLATTERNLY {S{LATTER}{Ni...a}LY}

4   Loose nuts holding framework, essentially not yet fixed (5) UNSET {UNS{f..mEw..k}T*}

5   Space below new elevated dock (5,4) ELBOW ROOM {BELOW*}{MOOR<=}

6   Exceptional opening of restaurant for fine food (4) RARE (+r-f)RARE

7   Weakness is constant, taking oxygen for malady finally (7) UNDOING UND(-y+o)OING

8   Composed neat, precise words of farewell (4,2,5) REST IN PEACE*

10 What guitarist might do to use influence (4,7) PULL STRINGS [DD]

13 Disasters start to increase as climate changes (10) CALAMATIES {In...e+AS+CLIMATE}*

15 Company member permitted to tackle president involved with others in law-breaking (9) COMPLICIT {CO}{M}{LICIT} over {P}

18 Very perverse loony grabbing model close to studio (4,3) ONLY TOO {LOONY}* over {T}{s...iO}

20 Director on vacation needs hash in German city (7) DRESDEN {Di...oR}{NEEDS}*

23 Entertaining retro party, endlessly shout and sing with rapidly changing pitch (5) YODEL {Y{DO<=}ELl}

24 Saw a spider trapping insect (4) WASP [T]

Reference List

Whiskey = W, Bar = T, Drug = E, Angular momentum = L, Mass = M, Prince = P, Fine = F, Company = CO, member = M, President = P, Model = T, Party = DO

Special, Sunday 13 Jul 2025, WCCC-2025 Prelim 2, S. Sreenivasan(Avtaar)

Three answers per commenter till 1 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)

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 12, Sunday 13 Jul 2025, Arden

ACROSS

1   Safe keeping - I reach out to an ever-smiling character (8,3) CHESHIRE CAT {CHES{I+REACH}*T}

7   Entry not by sky (3) LOB LOBby

9   Permit refused to enter a joint (5) MITRE [T]

10 Help poor Monica to come inside compound (5,4) AMINO ACID {A{MONICA*}ID}

11 Principality runs into a mansion, perhaps (3,6) SAN MARINO  {R} in {A+MANSION}*

12 Bear it in Japan, daily (5) PANDA [T]

13 Principal, after a change of heart is letting (7) LEASING LEA(-d+s)SING

15 Indian cosmetic for an Indian cricketer? Shows no interest (4) KOHL KOHLi

18 Retreating bear - not like some birds (4) EMUS asSUME<=

20 Scale up original module (7) CAPSULE*

23 Copying centre page - fix inside (5) APING {pA{PIN}Ge}

24 Healing in cuts - turns to incidental music (9) MEDICINAL {MEDICINAL+IN+CUTS}*=INCIDENTAL MUSIC

26 Work listed - take him in to strip (9) DISMANTLE {DIS{MAN}TLE*}

27 Regular pear, cut in half with another fruit (5) PAPAW {PeAr}{PAre}{W}

28 Light material not on (3) RAY RAYon

29 Harry no matter has a cap (3-1-7) TAM-O-SHANTER*

DOWN

1   River fish I caught for teddy (8) CAMISOLE {CAM}{SOLE} over {I}

2   European sea, not in pollution (8) ESTONIAN*

3   Scavenger shortly has to receive some money (5) HYENA {H{YEN}As}

4   Peregrine migration possible without it (7) ROAMING MiGRtIAON*

5   Fish caught in hook outside (7) CHINOOK {C}{IN+HOOK}* (Correction - {C}{H{IN}OOK} - See comments)

6   Joint support for military transport (9) TROOPSHIP {HIP}<=>{TROOPS}

7   Clear blue film - removed and despatched as told (6) LUCENT {bLUe}{(~sent)CENT}

8   Deadline to block light - there is uproar (6) BEDLAM {BE{D}{L}AM}

14 Trimming allocation to house a settler (9) IMMIGRANT {TRIMMING}* over {A}

16 Dog breed tips? (8)  TURNSPIT {TIPS}* [RA]

17 Does flow in and spoil (8) DEFLOWER {DE{FLOW}ER}

19 Post my operation there is minute mark (7) SYMPTOM {POST+MY}*{M}

20 They keep asking basketball players to get close to hundred (7) CADGERS {CA{h...eD}GERS}

21 Keep sharp and erect please (6) PANDER [T]

22 Regret sending forces into such an awful place (6) PIGSTY {PI{G'S}TY}

25 Oil source starts - cartel's oil production rises again (5) COPRA Acrostic

Reference List

Runs = R, Interest = I, With = W, Caught = C, Dead = D, Line = L, Minute = M

No 14535, Saturday 12 July 2025, Dr. X

 ACROSS
1 Unstable scoundrel interrupts popular show (8) INSECURE {IN}{SE{CUR}E}
5 Twisted and tap-danced on vacation after consuming alcoholic drink (6) TWINED {Tap-danceD} over {WINE}
10 Cobra discovered in tree (5) CAROB*

11 Youth eating jelly-like substance on date in outdoor restaurant (3,6) TEA GARDEN {TE{AGAR}{D}EN}
12 Compound of nitrite is causing eye problem (9) RETINITIS*
13 Pastry with rum at centre in Estonian city (5) TARTU {TART}{rUm}
14 Gemstones stolen by scallywag at estate (6) AGATES [T]

15 Female reviewed order for resinous substance (7) SHELLAC {SHE}{CALL<}
18 Fish eggs after eating supreme variety of lettuce (7) ROMAINE {RO{MAIN}E}

20 Most basic pub on English street (6) BAREST {BAR}{E}{ST}
22 Dream about maiden on island in American city (5) MIAMI {AIM<}{M}{I}
24 Inform head of university - iodine found in strange chemical element (9) TELLURIUM {TELL}{U}{R{I}UM}
25 Where kite might be// under one's control (2,1,6) ON A STRING [DD]
26 Affair in flat with model (5) EVENT {EVEN}{T}
27 Blackmail old tenor entertaining degenerate in retreat (6) EXTORT {EX}{ROT<}{T}
28 Baron supports musicians (8) BASSISTS {B}{ASSISTS}

DOWN
1 Staid car dealer checking driving license, say (2,4) ID CARD [T]
2 Spring to grab rogue beginning to attack girl in plot (9) STRATAGEM {ST{RAT}{Attack}{G}EM}
3 Member of government in centre, a bit agitated about short skirts (7,8) CABINET MINISTER {CENTRE A BIT}* around {MINIS}
4 Rolls hash at store (7) ROTATES*
6 Controlling anger, treat shrew artfully to be dominant partner in marriage (4,3,8) WEAR THE TROUSERS {TREAT SHREW}* over {ROUSE}
7 India loses ultimately, Kohli run out for zero (5) NADIR {INDiA}*{R}
8 Criticise fool apprehending retired individual (8) DENOUNCE {D{ONE<}UNCE}
9 Makes posh suits, clothes (6) CAUSES {CA{U}SES}
16 Power tussle in Congress finally resolved (9) LUSTINESS {TUSSLE IN congresS}*
17 Lad endlessly captivated by mentor playing musical instrument (8) TROMBONE {MENTOR}* over {BOy}

19 Need twist in tale (6) ENTAIL*
20 Retired aristocrat penning journal about Italian city (7) BOLOGNA {NOB<} over {LOG}+A
21 Acts theatrically to seem dynamic (6) EMOTES*
23 Sailor's command - start to abandon Titanic (5) AVAST {Abandon}{VAST}

REFERENCE LIST

Popular=In, Date=D, English=E, Street=St, Maiden=M, Island=I, University=U, Iodine=I, Model=T, Old=Ex, Tenor=T, Baron=B, Girl=G, Posh=U, About=A.

No 14534, Friday 11 Jul 2025, 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.

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

ACROSS

1   Mafia sent criminal to kill associate? That's obvious (8) MANIFEST {MAFIa+SENT}* 

5   Dolt is awfully dull (6) STOLID*

10 Mark area encompassing island's marshy pine forest (5) TAIGA {TA{I}G}{A}

11 Fine coat over sheer shirt in German city (9) FRANKFURT {F}{RANK}{FUR}{T}

12 Left as husband is vile and adulterous (9) FAITHLESS {LEFT+AS+H+IS}*

13 Fermented rye in Kenyan town (5) NYERI* 

14 Listens to essentially sensational American newspaper publisher (6) HEARST {HEARS}{sensaTional}

15 Rob English prince in bar (7) DEPRIVE {D{E}{PR}IVE}

18 Bid to acquire a small, stylish medieval helmet (7) BASINET {B{A}{S}{IN}ET}

20 Wavy border in image, not ordinary (6) CRIMPY {C{RIM}oPY}

22 Sacks filled with oriental gowns (5) ROBES {ROB{E}S}

24 Having hardened skin? Need to get bit of ointment applied (9) CALLOUSED {CALL}{Oi...t}{USED}

25 Gets eager, cracks sequence of code hidden in software (6,3) EASTER EGG*

26 Prepare pastry on reflection to welcome queen (5) EQUIP {PIE<=} over {QU}

27 Scoring a little LSD, nut idly totters in state of undress (6) NUDITY {NUT+IDlY}*

28 Reevaluate fancy sarees with sequins at the borders (8) REASSESS {SAREES}{Se...nS}

DOWN

1   Ideas by doctor beginning to speak about recurrent seizure (6) MOTIFS {MO}{FIT<=}{Sp..k}

2   Rowdy behaviour in boisterous session, drinking at home (9) NOISINESS {NOS{IN}ESS*}

3   Poor son, tense after parent smuggles drug to make money dishonestly (7,4,4) FEATHERES ONES NEST {SON+TENSE}*<=>{F{E}ATHER}

4   Most smooth in very fine audition (7) SOFTEST {SO}{F}{TEST}

6   Instruction to cops when jails are full to be utterly ruthless (4,2,9) TAKE NO PRISONERS [C&DD]

7   Run to pick up a little unusual magnifying glass (5) LOUPE {LO{Un...l}PE}

8   Comprehensive performance, taking time and trouble (8) DETAILED {DE{T}{AIL}ED}

9   Resulted in scoundrel taking advantage (6) CAUSED {CA{USE}D}

16 Rogue devised ruse to swindle (9) IMPOSTURE {IMP}{TO+RUSE}*

17 Dancing bare on ecstasy inside retreat in Scottish city (8) ABERDEEN {BARE*}{DE{E}N}

19 Slip in grove, cutting front of hand (6) TICKET ThICKET

20 Criminal conceals trunk close to lake in German city (7) COLOGNE {CO{LOG}N}{lakE}

21 Shot a despot eliminating old masters (6) ADEPTS {A+DESPoT}*

23 Located in Swiss city, taking diamonds for lady (5) BASED BASE(-l+d)D

Reference List

Associate = A, Area = A, Island = I, Fine = F, Shirt = T, Husband = H, English = E, Prince = PR, Small = S, Stylish = IN, Ordinary = O, Oriental = E, Queen = QU, At home = IN, Drug = E, Time = T, Ecstasy = E, Old = O, Diamonds = D, Lady = L 

No 14533, Thursday 10 Jul 2025, Vidwan

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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

2   See you survive around year (3) BYE {B{Y}E}

8   Fish and some peanuts in return (4) TUNA [T<=]

9   Sounds like height of resentment (5) PIQUE (~peak)

10 Eye blueberry pickings at times (4) LEER {bLuEbErRy}

11 Spoil plan by Spooner for runway (6) TARMAC (~mar tack to tarmac)

12 Payment for a permit for drain (8) ENFEEBLE EN(-a+fee)FEEBLE

13 Cab service from Athens, not right for a technology genius (8) UBERGEEK {UBER}{GrEEK}

16 Edgar Allan's essay or literary work (6) POETRY {POE}{TRY}

18 Immortal divine messenger going north with deists every so often (7) AGELESS {AnGEL}{dEiStS}

19 Preventing, keeping model away from getting wet (7) SOPPING StOPPING

22 Stylish Charlie to miss fountainhead of youth (6) CLASSY {C}{LASS}Yo..h}

24 I'm thus treated resulting in family ruin (8) UNFAIRLY {UNFAIRLY+IM}*=FAMILY RUIN [CA]

25 Roman emperor nursing local infection of ear (8) TINNITUS {T{INN}ITUS}

28 Crooked cops taking it back for appearance (6) OPTICS {OP{IT<=}CS*}

30 Forget peace without borders (4) OMIT cOMITy

31 Country stuck in uncertain diatribes (5) INDIA [T]

32 New fellow taking out date in birthday suit (4) NUDE {N}{dUDE}

33 Linger in Bangalore, on the way back (3) LAG [T<=]

DOWN

1   Haul around and dance (4) HULA*

2   Consolation exam at Royal Castle (8) BALMORAL {BALM}{ORAL}

3   Long piece, most played (4) EPIC PIECe*

4   Second quake rattled core of Himalayas, making high-pitch sounds (7) SQUEAKY {S}{QUAKE*}{Y } Core of Himalayas Y?

5   Almost quit without a folio (4) LEAF {LE{A}Ft}

6   Stiff hair (6) ?L?E?E ()

7   Scoundrel appearing during the elections (4) HEEL [T]

14 Land deals regularly for bread roll (5) BAGEL {BAG}{dEaLs}

15 Witness a yokel penning an article (5) ESSAY [T]

16 Evidence of spiritual strength (5) PROOF [CD]

17 Learn working of kidneys (5) RENAL*

20 Eager about India's art (8) PAINTING {PA{I}NTING}

21 Bus overturned, Yankee democrat is back for government assistance (7) SUBISDY {BUS<=}{Y+D+IS}<=

23 Composition of NATO base inside South Africa (6) SONATA {S{NATO*}A}

26 One adult male, bachelor, inept and corrupt for example (4) IAMB {1}{A}{M}{B} Where is the definition? Definition by example. See comments

27 Slender dress (4) TRIM [DD}

28 Stop allowing wearing of gem (4) OPAL [T]

29 Law of Catholic state banished millions (4) CODE {C}{mODE}

Reference List

Year = Y, Right = R, North = N, Model = T, Charlie = C, New = N, India = I, Yankee = Y, Democrat = D, Adult = A, Male = M, Bachelor = B, Catholic = C, Millions = M

No 14532, Wednesday 09 Jul 2025, Vidwan

Solution to 13A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

Seems to be a 'CROSS' day today

ACROSS

8   A volatile liquid, curse associated with Danes crossing borders (6) HEXANE {HEX}{dANEs}

9   Occupation means an Engineer in Gen X! (8) ANNEXING {AN}{IN+GEN+X}*

10 Racy naked image (3) PIC sPICy

11 Some of that axial muscle disorder (6) ATAXIA [T]

12 Figures of Scottish women checking into a match (8) HEXAGONS {HE{X}{A}{GO}NS}

13 Kind of plant with only one main branch, later replaced by a side from one side only (8) ?N?A?I?L (Addendum - UNIAXIAL UNI(-later+a+xi)AXIAL - See comments)

15 Close quarters, almost close to a group of nine (6) ENNEAD {EN{NEAr}D}

17 X is following a Y, for example (4) AXIS {X}{IS}<=>{A}

18 Best and more works for reformist (5) FIRST {FIRST+MORE}*=REFORMIST [CA]

19 One going after exact type of public transportation (4) TAXI {1}<=>{TAX}

20 Set free! Set off! Fly! (6) TSETSE {SET*}{SET*}

22 I'd go next perhaps for cleansing body from inside (8) DETOXING*

24 '6 Down Pix' producing and putting on some gripping stuff! (8) EPOXYING  {OXYGEN+PIX}* An extra X in the fodder

26 Principles of alliance incorporating a basic mantra (6) AXIOMS {AXI{OM}S} 

28 Rent some stripteasers (3) RIP [T]

29 Top conservative quietly replaced to shield one thrown out (8) EXPELLEE {EX(-c+p)PEL}{LEE}

30 Bull looks at sunflower-like plants (6) OXEYES {OX}{EYES}

DOWN

1   One of the canonical hours to send lewd message on phone (4) SEXT [DD}

2   Vacuous, compunctionless, taxman abandoned felines (4,4) MANX CATS {Co...eS+TAXMAN}*

3   North-Eastern friend, one of our neighbours (6) NEPALI {NE}{PAL}{1} Semi&lit

4   Single rate for what graduate wants (9,6) BACHELORS DEGREE {BACHELORS}{DEGREE}

5   One following, guarding every amateur (8) INEXPERT {1}{NEX{PER}T}

6   1/3rd of water's gone, wasted, tapped by earlier two generations (6) OXYGEN {GONE}* over {XY}

7   Presently unknown (4) ANON [DD]

14 Mostly following American link (5) NEXUS {NEXt}{US}

16 Growth hormone from faux indigos (5) AUXIN [T]

18 Law overwhelms love, failing to be adaptable (8) FLEXIBLE F(+lex-o)LEXIBLE

19 Words and wiles, women's unleashing materials (8) TEXTILES {TEXT}{wILES}

21 Table emptied by me to vote for American cuisine (3-3) TEX-MEX {TablE}{X}{ME}{X}

23 It is used to serve drink to a pet stray (6) TEAPOT*

25 Petty cunning female going after power (4) POXY {fOXY}<=>{P}

27 Men having independent bearing (4) MIEN {M{I}EN}

Reference List

Into = X, Match = GO, Side = XI, Conservative = C, Quietly = P, Shield = LEE, Women = W, By = X, Vote = X, Female = F, Power = P