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.

ACROSS

1   Mafia sent criminal to kill associate? That's obvious (8)

5   Dolt is awfully dull (6)

10 Mark area encompassing island's marshy pine forest (5)

11 Fine coat over sheer shirt in German city (9)

12 Left as husband is vile and adulterous (9)

13 Fermented rye in Kenyan town (5)

14 Listens to essentially sensational American newspaper publisher (6)

15 Rob English prince in bar (7)

18 Bid to acquire a small, stylish medieval helmet (7)

20 Wavy border in image, not ordinary (6)

22 Sacks filled with oriental gowns (5)

24 Having hardened skin? Need to get bit of ointment applied (9)

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

26 Prepare pastry on reflection to welcome queen (5)

27 Scoring a little LSD, nut idly totters in state of undress (6)

28 Reevaluate fancy sarees with sequins at the borders (8)

DOWN

1   Ideas by doctor beginning to speak about recurrent seizure (6)

2   Rowdy behaviour in boisterous session, drinking at home (9)

3   Poor son, tense after parent smuggles drug to make money dishonestly (7,4,4)

4   Most smooth in very fine audition (7)

6   Instruction to cops when jails are full to be utterly ruthless (4,2,9)

7   Run to pick up a little unusual magnifying glass (5)

8   Comprehensive performance, taking time and trouble (8)

9   Resulted in scoundrel taking advantage (6)

16 Rogue devised ruse to swindle (9)

17 Dancing bare on ecstasy inside retreat in Scottish city (8)

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

20 Criminal conceals trunk close to lake in German city (7)

21 Shot a despot eliminating old masters (6)

23 Located in Swiss city, taking diamonds for lady (5)

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?

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

No 14531, Tuesday 08 Jul 2025, Crescent

Solution to 20D 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

8   Snigger on ordinary uniform being worn by female in clothing establishment (9) OUTFITTER {O}{U}{T{F}ITTER}

9   Tree's energy absorbed by people from the East (4) NEEM {ME{E}N<=}

10 Mere tip of nose stuck out with photo finish (3,3,7,2) PUT THE MOCKERS ON {MERE+Nose+STUCK+PHOTO}*

12 Up the creek where fish stock might be going for food? (2,3,4) IN THE SOUP [C&DD]

13 Bird for example on edge of nest (5) EGRET {EG}{RE}{nesT}

14 Subject of Queen's lavender clothing collection (7) ENSLAVE [T]

17 Harness team shifting every other horse (3,4) TAP INTO {TeAm}{PINTO}

19 Month in Thailand with some music, March? (5) TRAMP {T}{RA{M}P}

21 A fellow with fun and zeal distraught in sudden-wealth syndrome (9) AFFLUENZA {A}{F}{FUN+ZEAL}*

24 Completely changing trend tough on trailing index (4,2,3,6)  DOWN TO THE GROUND {TREND+TOUGH+ON}*<=>{DOW}

25 Lifeless apartment (4) FLAT [DD]

26 Bosom buddy's first act done was dear (4,1,4) COST A BOMB {BOSOM+Bu..y+ACT}*

DOWN

1   Place India secured by say, education is lauded (12) COMPLIMENTED {COM{PL}{I}MENT}{ED}

2   Images shared by leader of terrorist acts (8) STATUTES {STATU{Te...t}ES}

3   Fruit slice, chilli cheese sandwiches (6) LICHEE [T]

4   Worried old prime minister withdrawing in time (1,5) A TEMPO {ATE} and {O}{PM}<=

5   Crazy joke turning head (8) CRACKPOT {CRACK}{TOP<=}

6   Heavily involved in store checking requirement (4-4) KNEE-DEEP {K{NEED}EEP}

7   Minor wind capsized circling ship (6) LESSER {RE{SS}EL<=}

11 New Deal not a bit deranged, government's outstanding (8,4) NATIONAL DEBT {N}{DEAL+NOT+A+BIT}*

15 Wild animal biting tame animal, it's hunger (8) APPETITE {AP{PET}{IT}E}

16 They stretch decency essentially to hold out topless pictures (8) ELASTICS {decEncy}{LAST}{pICS}

18 One not taking oath nor holding up our end for Union Jack (8) NONJUROR {N{O{u..oN}{J}UR}OR} {Correction {NOR} over {OUR+u..oN+J}* - See comments)

20 Principle in arithmetic: multiply in addition? (2,4) A? W?L? (Addendum - AS WELL  (Ar...c}{SWELL} - See comments)

22 Iron collars help to alter line of light skin (6) FLENSE {F{LENS}E}

23 Fertiliser containing nitrogen a little less fancied (6) UNREAL {U{N}REA}{Less}

Reference List

Ordinary = O, Uniform = U, Female = F, Energy = E, On = RE, Month = M, Thailand = T, Fellow = F, Place = PL, India = I, Education = ED, Old = O, Ship = SS, New = N, Jack = J

No 14530, Monday 07 Jul 2025, Incognito

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

8   Popular aquarium fish made from gold and iron (4) ORFE {OR}{FE}

9  Perhaps, last available chance for Presley song (3,2,5) NOW OR NEVER [DD]

10 Revolutionary directions for something to say in front of the camera (6) CHEESE{CHE}{E}{S}{E}

11 Need a key turned without use of visual enhancement (5,3) NAKED EYE*

12 Perhaps, love Baal in the first place (5,3) ABOVE ALL*

14 Maybe a pricy software used without licence results in this (6) PIRACY*

16 Boss's student leaving ward (4) STUD STUDent

17 Spy capturing labour leader is fair haired (5) BLOND {B{La...r}OND}

18 Divine being has love? Not bad! (4) GOOD {GO{0}D}

19 Matrons going away from good Samaritan travelling at a leisurely pace (6) ADAGIO {GOoD+sAmarItAn}*

21 Takeishi chopped mushroom (8) SHIITAKE*

23 Briefly described destruction of museum covering dead prince (6,2) SUMMED UP {SUMME{D}U*}{P}

26 Nick's porridge (6) PRISON [DD]

27 Nowadays, Jobs gets new enrolments (10) ADMISSIONS {AD}{MISSIONS}

28 Love before central part of event? It can be hot! (4) OVEN {0}{eVENt}

DOWN

1   Poe hit bird violently? It is forbidden! (10) PROHIBITED* 

2   Booked and waited upon again (8) RESERVED {RE-SERVED}

3   Ms Jolie released Indian lady chancellor (6) ANGELA ANGELinA

4   Small pale bird (4) SWAN {S}{WAN}

5   A boy parked breaking component of vehicle (5,3) BRAKE PAD {A+B+PARKED}*

6   Sex information is with the German (6) ?E?D?R (Addendum - GENDER {GEN}{DER} - See comments)

7   Crooked lawyer drops a woman in bank (4) RELY LawYER*

13 Rob's furniture item is returned (5) LOOTS<=

15 Lofty source of time built from rocket cowl (5,5) CLOCK TOWER*

17 Perhaps, best road is most wide (8) BROADEST*

18 Foolishly forget ID and destroy (3,3,2) GET RID OF*

20 Learner leaves mailbag damaged in country (6) GAMBIA MAIlBAG*

22 One military policeman is hot and mischievous (6) IMPISH {1}{MP}{IS}{H}

24 Language used in Mankhurd, usually (4) URDU [T]

25 Diplomat dropping maid? It's a plan... (4) PLOT diPLOmaT

Reference List

Gold = OR, Revolutionary = CHE, Directions = E,S, Ward = ENT, Dead = D, Prince = P, Nowadays = AD, Indian = IN, The in German = DER, Small = S, Boy = B, Woman = W, Learner = L, Military Policeman = MP, Hot = H

Special, Sunday 06 Jul 2025, WCCC-2025 Prelim 1, Bhalchandra Pasupathy

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 11, Sunday 06 Jul 2025, Vidwan

ACROSS

9   Small, very small rent, covers scarp of common cereal (5,4) SWEET CORN {S}{WEE}{T{Co...n}ORN}

10 Bold monk left France and rose (5) BRIAR {B}{fRIAR}

11 Vision spanning twenty-one years (3) EYE [T]

12 Common craft for tactics (11) GENERALSHIP {GENERAL}{SHIP}

13 Honest, as guards are faceless (7) SINCERE {SINCE}{aRE}

14 Quickly, evenly, penetrates practically at the heart (7) NUCLEAR {N{qUiCkLy}EAR}

16 'Ron there in India'....absolutely correct! (5,2,3,5) RIGHT ON THE MONEY {RIGHT}{ON THE}{MONEY} {Re = Money in India}

20 Standard place mostly for arriviste (7) PARVENU {PAR}{VENUe}

21 Hot beverage with hint of tonic water at French country house (7) CHATEAU {CHA}{To..c}{EAU}

23 Cite one reel about campaign (11) ELECTIONEER*

25 More than some bitcoin (3) ETH [T]

26 Courts, say working for prosecution (5) OPINE {OPINE+COURTS}*=PROSECUTION [CA]

27 Spontaneous devil's caper on Tuesday (9) IMPROMPTU {IMP}{ROMP}{TU}

DOWN

1   One examines donkeys' spoors regularly (8) ASSESSOR {ASSES}{SpOoR}

2   Humble faculty head admitted me (6) DEMEAN {DE{ME}AN}

3   Crawler, horny and old, hosting grand social event (4,6) STAG BEETLE {STA{G}{BEE}{T}LE} T from?

4   Couple introducing individual resident of city (6) TOWNIE {T{OWN}IE}

5   Fix unopened core and one missing edge (8) ENTRENCH {cENTRE}{iNCH}

6   Adam's boy basically, turned out evil (4) ABEL {Ad..s}{Boy}{EviL} &lit He was not evil!!

7   The genie belted a number (8) EIGHTEEN* That should have been 'belted out'

8   Power line runs right (6) PROPER {P}{ROPE}{R}

15 Fellow citizen and leader of clan running away from small quarrel (10) COMPATRIOT {COMPAcT}{RIOT}

17 Reading about a yellow flower (8) GARDENIA {READING}*{A}

18 Unhealthy, unstable, unerotic (8) NEUROTIC*

19 Active address of second person, scratching backside of the most rich (8) YOUTHFUL {YOU}{THe}{FULl}

20 Buried men with a remarkable disinfectant (6) PHENOL PHENOmenaL 

21 Disturbing doctrine, mostly hollow pruriency (6) CREEPY {CREEd}{Pr...cY}

22 Release reins carelessly for experiments (6) EXEMPT {EXEMPT+REINS}*=EXPERIMENTS [CA]

24 Side said to be prolific (4) TEEM (~team}

Reference List

Small = S, Bold = B, France = F, Water in French = EAU, Grand = G, Social event = BEE, Power = P, Runs = R

No 14529, Saturday 5 July 2025, Incognito

 ACROSS
8 Setter's North American bird (4) MYNA {MY}{N}{A}

9 Flower-one having Rhesus factor at first (5) RHONE {ONE}<=>{RH}

10 Bird losing foot is 1/12th of a foot (4) INCH {fINCH}
11 Kind of pigeon that won't go astray? (6) HOMING [CD]

12 Lean, wearing wooden shoe, and apparel (8) CLOTHING {CLO{THIN}G}
13 Famous composer playing role is a man eligible for marriage (8) BACHELOR {BACH}{ROLE*}
15 Disembark for match, perhaps (1,5) A LIGHT {ALIGHT}
17 Friends pass away, covered by unopened flowers (7) BUDDIES {BUD{DIE}S}
19 Intoxicated dupe has early intimation (5,2) HEADS UP*
22 Promise// trouble (6) PLIGHT [DD]
24 Court two daughters standing on either side of that lady in place for storing timber (8) WOODSHED {WOO}{D{SHE}D}
26 For example, referee in match. //It's formally announced (8) OFFICIAL [DD]
28 Flowers that can be got from Ellis island? (6) LILIES {ELLIS I}*

30 Used to be tiny around end of summer (4) WERE {WE{R}E}
31 Small part of chapel finial (5) ELFIN [T]
32 Cross Bath by noon (4) SPAN {SPA}{N}

DOWN
1 Beginner's toy spins around radius (4) TYRO {TOY}* around {R}
2 Setter entered vehicle garage and disappeared (8) VANISHED {VAN}{I}{SHED}

3 Economical fur arranged by girl (6) FRUGAL {FUR}*{GAL}
4 Criminal certain to release Ian for musical performance (7) CONCERT {CON}{CERTain}
5 Squash melon now using energy to make drink (8) LEMONADE {MELON}*{AD}{E}
6 This, funnily, starts to recite incantations in the beginning of the Jewish year (6) TISHRI {THIS}*{Recite}{Incantations}
7 Swedish leader is able to read (4) SCAN {Swedish}{CAN}
14 & 16 What a dramatist and poker player might like... (1,4,5) A FULL HOUSE [DD]
16 See 14
18 Dancing teen wins and twists (8) ENTWINES*
20 Reveal daughter is nearby (8) DISCLOSE {D}{IS}{CLOSE}
21 & 27 Reason why quadrupeds can't dance? (3,4,4) TWO LEFT FEET [CD]
23 A kind of pig for a pound in gold? (6) GUINEA [D&CD]

25 Oscar ran away from Rangoon in a frenzy after consuming large tea (6) OOLONG {O}{ranGOON}* around {L}

27 See 21
29 CID leaving Iceland in style (4) ELAN {icELANd}

REFERENCE LIST

North=N, American=A, Foot=F, Daughter=D, Noon=N, Radius=R, Energy=E, Oscar=O (NATO alphabet).

No 14528, Friday 04 Jul 2025, Incognito

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

7   Carry in vehicle... Piece of cake, right? (4) CART {CAke}{RT}

8   Mutant roach DNA covering one spider web like membrane (9) ARACHNOID {ROACH+DNA}* over {1}

10 Distributing grapes endlessly around youth centre in city (6) PRAGUE {GRAPEs} over {yoUth}

11 Scrutinises bug carrying a bit of pollen at start of study (8) INSPECTS {INS{Po...n}ECT}{St..y}

12 Eastern relation, perhaps (8) ORIENTAL* 

14 Insect spreading acid in California (6) CICADA {C{ACID*}A}

16 Extended play is initially tantalising with the French letter (7) EPISTLE {EP}{IS}{Ta...g}{LE}

18 Customers ordered stencil (7) CLIENTS*

21 A kind of pain around end of stomach producing a bile acid (6) CHOLIC {C{s...cH}OLIC}

23 Birds over Crusoe (8) ROBINSON {ROBINS}{ON}

25 Scare right inside marshy land (8) FRIGHTEN {F{RIGHT}EN}

27 Extraordinary priest is most mature (6) RIPEST*

29 Start speech about one drink (9) ORIGINATE {OR{1}{GIN}ATE}

30 Spoil small planet (4) MARS {MAR}{S}

DOWN

1   Grooming aid's hot air goes right into pores at first (8) HAIRGRIP {H}{AIR}{Goes}{Ri..t}{Into}{Po..s}

2   Buck got by throwing gats (4) STAG*

3   Gift story book (6) TALENT {TALE}{NT}

4   Cricketer Shastri mixes oil to prepare stuffed pasta (7) RAVIOLI {RAVI}{OIL*}

5   Tangible clay ship is sailing (8) PHYSICAL*

6 & 15 Arrive, bathe and reveal (4,5) COME CLEAN {COME}{CLEAN}

9   Period editor is worshipped (5) DOTED {DOT}{ED}

13 Stand in support of artist (5) EASEL [CD]

15 See 6 

17 Food additive made from litchi paste spread around eastern pole (8) LECITHIN {LITCHI}* over {E} with N

19 Pants, "Powdered ores rust" (8) TROUSERS*

20 Scotsman hugged Indian queen and Asian national (7) IRANIAN {I{RANI}AN}

22 Oprah goes back for Groucho's brother (5) HARPO<=

24 Edge English cricketer (6) BORDER [DD]

26 Greek and Indian give broad smile (4)  GRIN {GR}{IN}

28 Redrawn map includes university zoo resident, perhaps (4) PUMA {P{U}MA*}

Reference List

Right = RT, The in French = LE, Over = ON, Marshy land = FEN, Small = S, Hot = H, Book = NT(New Testament), Period = DOT, Eastern = E, Pole = N, Indian Queen = RANI, Greek = GR, Indian = IN, University = U

No 14527, Thursday 03 Jul 2025, Arden

Solution to 1D 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

6   Exult as the ultimate champion bags final medal (5) GLOAT {G{m..aL}OAT}

7   Fancy yachts carrying it is seen as a virtue (8) CHASTITY {CHAST{IT}Y*}

10 Reason it's said to make one laugh in hell (7) INFERNO {INFER}{NO} NO or N2O?

11 Activity protects America flooding (7) DOUSING {DO{US}ING}

12 Fought over how the woman was dressed overall (7) CLASHED {CLA{SHE}D}

13 Small place in China ruined Charlie (7) CHAPLIN {CHA{PL}IN*}

14 Compromising on death - there is hidden rage (11) ENDANGERING {END{ANGER}ING}

19 Home gets, say, butane fuel (7) BAGASSE {BA{GAS}SE}

21 Arranged in sets - a kind of poetic form (7) SESTINA {IN+SETS}*{A}

23 Help set back foundation of black granite (7) DIABASE {AID<=}{BASE}

25 Reportedly not a pleasant end for the family (7) DYNASTY (~die nasty}

26 Copier, it provided a welcome drink (8) APERITIF {APER}{IT}{IF}

27 Works with team leader on lubricants (5) TOILS {Team}{OILS}

DOWN

1   Combine ideas with Charlie, one gets even (8) ?O?F?A?E (Addendum - CONFLATE  {C}{ON{FLAT}E} - See comments)

2   Request architects to provide a stiffener (6) STARCH [T]

3   Agreement that electric cable can be wound close to armature (10) ACCORDANCE {AC}{CORD}{CAN*}{a...rE}

4   Poet's come up with something mediocre (4) BARD<=

5   A material to suit oneself (2,4) AT WILL {A}{TWILL}

6   Malfunction starts - good luck charm has it inside (6) GLITCH {Good}{Luck}{Charm}{Has} over {IT}

8   Huge waves have no rocky mountains (7) TSUNAMI {TSUNAMI+NO}*=MOUNTAINS [CA]

9   Any indoor game is a pain (5) AGONY {A{GO}NY}

13 Angry VIP will raise (7,3) CHEESED OFF {CHEESE}{DOFF}

15 Anguish of the French couple (7) DESPAIR {DES}{PAIR}

16 Denied profits, Matilda dropped the odds (8) GAINSAID {GAINS}{mAtIlDa}

17 Follow a union member right away (5) ABIDE {A}{BrIDE}

18 Greek gods deal with strays (6) SATYRS*

20 Drink and academic performance gets hit (6) GRAPPA {G{RAP}PA}

22 Witness Brown coming up into the house (6) SENATE {SE{TAN<=}E}

24 Leaders enjoy and take sufficient provisions (4) EATS Acrostic

Reference List

Ultimate champion = GOAT(Greatest of all time), Charlie = C, Electric = AC, Of the in French = DES, Right = R

No 14526, Wednesday 02 Jul 2025, Arden

Solution to 21D 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   Stray cattle interrupt Indian game - it's in Chennai (7,6) LATTICE BRIDGE {LATT{I}CE*}{BRIDGE}

10 Expert on conservative framework (5) CRACK {C}{RACK}

11 Special separator for, say, Placido Domingo (5,4)  OPERA STAR* 

12 Uncompromising one - cleans it out (9) INELASTIC {1+CLEANS+IT}*

13 Part of outdoor pineapple plant (5) ORPIN [T]

14 Anger building within - loves the plant (7) OREGANO {O{ANGER*}O}

16 Provokes Finnachio - regularly faces defeat (7) INCITES {fInNaChIo}{SET<=}

18 Pick an artist - a tragic character (7) ELECTRA {ELECT}{RA}

20 Country garden - oddly none in Spain (7) GRENADA {GaRdEn}{NADA}

22 Wealth American invested in public convenience (5) MEANS {ME{A}NS}

24 New Englander on Trump's shopping list (9) GREENLAND*

26 Puts up with later changes in digits (9) TOLERATES {TO{LATER*}ES}

27 Bury where the ashes are kept (5) INURN {IN URN}

28 It's cooling off around the border - he knows how crooks operate (13) CRIMINOLOGIST {ITS+COOLING}* over {RIM}

DOWN

2   Scholarship - expert has made mistake (7) ACADEME {AC{MADE*}E}

3   Dismantle or participate around first of April (4,5) TAKE APART {TAKE {Ap..l}PART}

4   Power threat using day time switch... (5) CLOUT CLOU(-d+t)T

5   ...for every one inland violating the law (9) BREACHING {BR{EACH}ING}

6   Kids can show all of them in the middle of the state (5) IDAHO {kIDs}{cAn}{sHOw}

7   Run down with round head ingot (2,2,3) GO TO POT {G{O}{TOP}OT}

8   Sea urchins do come up amidst the American wreckage (13) ECHINODERMATA {DO<=} in {THE+AMERICAN}*

9   With impressive stature, playing to the gallery (13) GRANDSTANDING {GRAND}{STANDING}

15 Great ape gets most of the fruit and a groundnut (9) ORANGUTAN {ORANGe}{A+NUT}*

17 Can single appliance lead to thorough washing? (9) CLEANSING* 

19 Upcoming report includes Indian online shop (1-6) E-TAILER {REL{I}ATE}<=

21 Danger signals as in framing painting from bottom to top (7) A?A?U?S ()

23 Credit in total leads to a scuffle (5) SCRUM {S{CR}UM}

25 Rest left to stand (5) EASEL {EASE}{L}

Reference List

Indian = I, Conservative = C, Artist = RA, None in Spain = NADA, American = A, Day = D, Time = T, Credit = CR, Left = L

No 14525, Tuesday 01 Jul 2025, Arden

Solution to 4A 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   Australian native crazy to get a business degree (6) NUMBAT {NU{MBA}T}

4   Having the means to vent Nitrogen through the back (8) ?F?L?E?T (Addendum - AFFLUENT {AF{FLUE}{N}T} - See comments)

10 Beer drinking - entire publicity is on a singer (9) BALLADEER {B{ALL}{AD}EER}

11 The diminished part of reclaimed compound (5) IMIDE [T<=]

12 A bizarre topic, "Eating right fruit" (7) APRICOT {A}{TOPIC*} over {R}

13 Difficult astride a horse - looking exhausted (7) HAGGARD {H{A}{GG}ARD}

14 After weekend rains join regular Chinese characters (5) KANJI {weeK}{rAiNs+JoIn}

15 First of all make missing employees go into another shift - there will be resistance shown (8) OHMMETER {Make}{Mi...g}{Em...s} in {OTHER}*

18 Plants spiked device (8) CALTROPS [DD]

20 'Royal Crown', part of Nova Scotia rail road (5) TIARA [T]

23 Cup of tea left to become cold (7) CHALICE {CHA}{L}{ICE}

25 A country blocks message - taking a break (7) PAUSING PA{USING} Anno pending (Addendum - {P{A}{US}ING} - See comments)

26 Books houses - time to go for hotel (5) TOMES (-h+t)TOMES

27 Grounds restrict parking as they get into their shells (9) TERRAPINS {TERRA{P}INS}

28 Reporters go about collecting some money to back horses (8) HACKNEYS {HACK{YEN<=}S}

29 Cancel river crossing permit (6) DELETE {DE{LET}E}

DOWN

1   Bankers involved a state (8) NEBRASKA {BANKERS}*{A}

2   Average in America for a factory to manage (7) MILLRUN {MILL}{RUN}

3   A new car, perhaps this could be revolutionary (9) ANARCHIST {A}{N}{CAR*}{THIS*}

5   Opt for the smart activity usually (3,3,4,4) FOR THE MOST PART*

6   Fish bit the fly finally - you're not telling the truth (5) LYING {L{flY}ING}

7   Domain equilibrium - both sides cross (7) EMIRATE {Eq...uM}{IRATE}

8   Strive to nab, close in (6) TRENDY {TR{END}Y}

9   Other converts not yet ostracised (4,2,8) SENT TO COVENTRY*

16 Following gents without clothes - how old are we? (9) ENTOURAGE {gENTs}{OUR AGE}

17 Willingness to provide gearless version (8) LARGESSE*

19 Harry came in around the second of January looking pale (7) ANAEMIC {CAME+IN}* over {jAn...y}

21 Spaniard's admission in a square perhaps is absurd (7) ASININE {A}{SI}{NINE}

22 Put a lid on a drink (6) SCOTCH [DD]

24 Norwegian playwright in describing our stock market (5) IBSEN {I{BSE}N}

Reference List

Publicity = AD, Right = R, Horse = GG, Left = L, Time = T, Hotel = H, Parking = P, New = N, Yes in Spain = SI