No 14493, Saturday 24 May 2025, Hypatia

 ACROSS
7 Group of readers express disapproval at Pak's final strike (4,4) BOOK CLUB {BOO}{paK}{CLUB}
9 Articles about women's breadth of knowledge cause a stir (6) AWAKEN {A}{W}{A}{KEN}
10 Basically melodious, yet noisy Asian bird (4) MYNA [Acrostic] & Lit

11 Scrubs behind square one, say (5,5) CLEAN SLATE {CLEANS}{LATE}
12 Transportation network bypassing river island perpetually (6) ALWAYS {rAiLWAYS}
14 King accepted to protect boxer and man rebelling in era of conflict (4,4) KALI YUGA {K}{ALI}{GUY<}{A}
15 Rhetorical question crashing bot one time - reboot! (2,2,2,3,2,2) TO BE OR NOT TO BE {BOT ONE T REBOOT}*
18 Accessories supplying juice// for// horses (8) CHARGERS [DD]

20 Is this lady posing with sad smile (6) DAMSEL {IS+DAMSEL}*=SAD SMILE [CA]
21 Removes from list when protest's discontinued (7,3) STRIKES OFF {STRIKE'S OFF}
22 Drop nothing at Cambridge college (4) OMIT {O}{MIT}
23 Turn back always entering in right time (6) REVERT {R}{EVER}{T}
24 Test demo of card game finished by Reverend (5,3) DUMMY RUN {Spoonerism of  RUMMY DONE}

DOWN
1 Multilingual theme outlining most mature story's ultimately good (8) POLYGLOT {P{OLd}{storY}{G}LOT}
2 Fine grass cut lady's fingers (4) OKRA {OK}{RAt}

3 Films// that are// hits (6) FLICKS [DD]
4 Challenge grand relative on rent (8) GAUNTLET {G}{AUNT}{LET}
5 Wore my pants with ruffle on top - it's long and cylindrical (6-4) GALLEY-WORM {WORE MY}*<=>{GALL}
6 Location identifier goes out every second on a flashing terminal (6) GEOTAG {GoEs OuT}{A}{flashinG}
8 How to make new doors retract? (5,4,4) BREAK ONE'S WORD {NEW DOORS}* [RA]
13 Eggplants stew with a bit of umami, sage and brine (10) AUBERGINES {Umami SAGE BRINE}*

16 Some let tenants eat breakfast (8) OMELETTE [T]
17 Retired academic's worth inspiring Spain and America (8) EMERITUS {E}{MERIT}{US}
19 Heard struggling with tense hostility (6) HATRED {HEARD T}*
20 Spoil reputation of noble lady courting English fellow (6) DEFAME {D{E}{F}AME}
22 Concerning axes in BlackRock? (4) ONYX {ON}{Y}{X}

REFERENCE LIST

Article=A, Women=W, River=R, Island=I, King=K, Accepted=A, Time=T, Nothing=Zero=O, Right=R, Good, Grand=G, Spain=E, America=US, Tense=T, English=E, Fellow=F, Axes= X and Y. 

No 14492, Friday 23 May 2025, Hypatia

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   Father met mother wearing a Japanese nightdress (6) PAJAMA {P{A}{{J}A}{MA}

4   Drink after silly cat behaves badly (4,2) ACTS UP {SUP}<=>{CAT}*

9   Unidentified pain point manifesting periodically (4) ANON {pAiN+pOiNt}

10 American dug entire ground for eco assessment (5,5) GREEN AUDIT {A+DUG+ENTIRE}*

11 Musical composition of ragas on a tanpura (6) SONATA [T]

12 Press dispatch (8) EXPEDITE [DD]

13 Derisive of actors in Indian attire at inauguration of Cannes (9) SARCASTIC {SAR{CAST}I}{Ca...s}

15 Rank beginners in technical institutes earning recognition (4) TIER Acrostic

16 Co-ordinate on the phone for founder (4) SINK (~sync)

17 Skip exercise by students initially sorting types wrongly (9) MISSPELLS {MISS}{PE}{LL}{So...g}

21 Monkey putting shelled nut in top portion of jaw (8) CAPUCHIN {CAP}{nUt}{CHIN}

22 Advise lacking love for one ailing (6) INFIRM INF(-o+1)IRM

24 Determined sibling cycling behind park before turning ten (10) PERSISTENT {(+er)ERSIST(-er)}<=>{P} and {TEN*}

25 House fly? (4) RACE [DD]

26 Attempts dissertations (6) ESSAYS [DD]

27 Repeatedly consider delivering cotton fabric (6) MULMUL (~mull mull)

DOWN

1   Curious girl's dad checking both gates (7) PANDORA {P{AND}{OR}A}

2   Just undisciplined nationalists thwarting authority, basically! (5) JUNTA Acrostic &lit

3   Hard gangster intercepts, attacks powerful tycoons (7) MUGHALS {MUG{H}{AL}S}

5   John joining work before May's final projection (6) CANOPY {CAN}{OP}{maY}

6   Spooner secured spot for a pithy quote (9) SOUNDBITE (~bound site to soundbite)

7   Murugappa interestingly, collected M.F. Hussain, say (7) PAINTER [T]

8   Entertainment box's live on-site (10,3) TELEVISION SET {LIVE+ON+SITE}* [RA]

14 Triumphs spending time for question in competitions (9) CONQUESTS {CON(-t+qu)QUESTS

16 Thai men's team has its regulars retiring (7) SIAMESE {mEnS+tEaM+hAs+ItS}<=

18 Fancy this posh zone featuring hot dog (4-3) SHIH-TZU {THIS+U+Z}* over {H}}

19 Rallying cries exciting this romantic singer (7) LYRICAL [CA] {LYRICAL+SINGER}*={RALLYING+CRIES}

20 Spirit of weak man's ultimately bleak, sadly (6) WHISKY {W}{HIS}{b..aK}{s..lY}

23 Old fellow promoted strange group (5) FORUM {O}<=>{F} and {RUM}

Reference List

Japanese = J, American = A, Exercise = PE, Student = L, Park = P, Gates = AND, OR, Hard = H, Gangster = AL(Capone), John = CAN, Work = OP, Time = T, Question = QU, Zone = Z, Hot = H, Weak = W, Old = O, Fellow = F

No 14491, Thursday 22 May 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   Masseur wants a little extra charge, being licensed (6-7) RUBBER-STAMPED {RUBBER}{STAMPEDe}

8   Lad cuddling a lady in parlour (5) SALON {S{A}{L}ON}

9   Anxiety about lap dancing in unsupported type of bra (9) STRAPLESS{STR{LAP*}ESS}

11 Why dopehead is anxious, in a state of disorder (3,2,5) OUT OF JOINT [DD]

12 Picked up white bucket (4) PAIL (~pale)

14 Chalet built over island is decent (7) ETHICAL {ETH{I}CAL*}

16 Defeat president in charge (7) OUTPLAY {OUT{P}LAY}

17 Training to use gun? No good being shaky (7) TENUOUS {TO+USE+gUN}*

19 Mite that is causing disease of sheep (7) SCRAPIE {SCRAP}{IE}

21 Scoundrel on ecstasy and speed (4) RATE {RAT}{E}

22 Cunning siren acts artfully to ensnare fellow (10) CRAFTINESS {SIREN+ACTS}* over {F}

25 One providing guarantee is notorious, breaks promise endlessly (9) W?R?A?T?R 

26 Model grabbed by thug survived (3,2) GOT ON {GO{T}ON}

27 American damsel is drinking endlessly around afternoon (13) MISSISSIPPIAN {MISS}{IS}{SIPPI{A}Ng}

DOWN

2   Open bar in fancy launch (7) UNLATCH {UNLA{T}CH*} 

3   Promoter's complaint about new performer (10) BENEFACTOR {BE{N}EF}{ACTOR}

4   Former US soldier saves American actress (5) RUSSO [T]

5   Absolute turn-on as hubby finally goes wild (9) TYRANNOUS {TURN+ON+AS+h..bY}*

6   Despair and shock with onset of epidemic (4) MOPE {MOP}{Ep...c}

7   Scrutinise youth's face bitten by insect in retreat completely (7) EYEBALL {BE{Yo..h}E<=}{ALL}

8   Short distance from other small towns perhaps (6,5) STONES THROW {OTHER+S+TOWNS}*

10 Period of frivolous news lacking weight? I'll say so! (5,6) SILLY SEASON {NEwS+ILL+SAY+SO}*

13 Group enthralled by US trip, extraordinarily exciting (8,2) STIRRING UP {RING} in {US+TRIP}*

15 Young woman bored by dull religious ceremony (4,5) LAST RITES {LAS{TRITE}S}

18 One captivated by tenor performing on island in Brazilian city (7) NITEROI {N{1}TERO*}{I}

20 Blue parcel contains guitarist's latest tools for plucking strings (7) PLECTRA {PLEC{g...sT}RA*}

23 Offer millions to engage Italian physicist (5) FERMI [T]

24 Holy Communion in Christmas season (4) MASS [T]

Reference List

Lady = L, Island = I, President = P, Good = G, Ecstasy = E, Fellow = F, Model = T, Afternoon = A, Bar = T, New = N, Shock (of hair) = MOP, Small = S, Weight = W

No 14490, Wednesday 21 May 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 8A 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   Extremely hot, having terrible malaise? Go to doctor (13) HAEMATOLOGIST {HoT} over {MALAISE+GO+TO}*

8   Excellent day for boy in school (5) D?I?L (Addendum DRILL (-b+d)DRILL - See comments)

9   Takes care of a mantis jumping around at home (9) MAINTAINS {A+MANTIS}* over {IN}

11 Shy person is totally stifled by loud wife, turning more depressed (10) WALLFLOWER {ALL} in {F}{W}<= then {LOWER}

12 German wife is cheating endlessly (4) FRAU FRAUd

14 Male hawk in zone near enclosure, not large (7) TIERCEL {TIER}{CELl}

16 Went with doper to rave (7) TROOPED*

17 Dressed to a T, Sue has a meal in a restaurant (4,3) EATS OUT*

19 Needs good, fresh attempt for return of spacecraft into atmosphere (2-5) RE-ENTRY {gREEN}{TRY}

21 Foot is a little inflamed, meeting a doctor (4) IAMB {In...d}{A}{MB}

22 Most self-righteous minister dominating every one (10) PREACHIEST {PR{EACH}IEST}

25 English associate nurses bird ceaselessly (9) ETERNALLY {E}{TERN}{ALLY}

26 Shine in fantastic game, winning medal finally (5) GLEAM {G{m..aL}EAM*}

27 Hollywood star initially managed by playing any minor role (7,6) MARILYN MONROE {Ma...d}{ANY+MINOR+ROLE}*

DOWN

2   Cut around diseased area in armpits (7) AXILLAE {AX{ILL+A}E}

3   Masculine performer grabbing female is villain (10) MALEFACTOR {MALE}{F}{ACTOR}

4   Beat old favourite making a comeback to win millions (5) TEMPO {O}{P{M}ET}<=

5   Stagger back, coming to grips with murder on street in English city (9) LEICESTER {REEL<=} over {ICE}{ST}

6   Starts to grab unhinged terrorist, showing courage (4) GUTS Acrostic

7   Rip rust off support for rider's foot (7) STIRRUP*

8   Where tennis player might hit the ball in the future (4,3,4) DOWN THE LINE [DD]

10 Cleared mess on dusty equipment for playing music (5,6) SOUND SYSTEM*

13 Author facing hard time, involved in swindle in European city (10) COPENHAGEN {PEN}{H}{AGE} in {CON}

15 Last-minute comeback by the side (9) LATERALLY {LATE}{RALLY} 

18 Technique of painting palm tree leaves learner excited (7) TEMPERA {PAlM+TREE}*

20 Gang finally escapes, travelling together to that place (7) THERETO TOgETHER*

23 Trouble say, saving British member in ancient chasm (5) ABYSM {A{B}SY*}{M}

24 Opposed to section of intolerant individuals (4) ANTI [T]

Reference List

Day = D, Boy = B, Loud = F, Wife = W, Large = L, Good = G, English = E, Area = A, Female = F, Old = O, Millions = M, Street = ST, Hard = H, Learner = L, British = B, Member = M

No 14489, Tuesday 20 Oct 2025, Dr. X

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

1   Enter unlawfully in health resort, breaking lock (8) TRESPASS {TRE{SPA}SS}

5   Wife is extremely kinky after drinking hard liquor (6) WHISKY {W}{IS}{KinkY} over {H}

10 Alarm about one essentially spreading disease (7) MALARIA {MALAR{1}A*}{s..eAd..g} (Correction {ALARM}*{1}{spreAding})

11 Supreme powers of one politician backing character smuggling ecstasy (7) IMPERIA {1}{MP}{AIR<=} over {E}

12 Correct apparatus to preserve body parts (5) RECTA [T]

13 Most cheap witness backtracked, essentially lying in case (9) CHEESIEST {CH{SEE<=}{lyIng}EST}

14 /21 / 19 Possess confidential info about a group's misdeeds, like a gravedigger? (4,5,3,6,3,6) KNOW WHERE THE BODIES ARE BURIED [DD]

18 Form of high-speed transport by trains, a day trip perhaps (5,7) RAPID TRANSIT {TRAINS+A+D+TRIP}*

21 See 14

23 Punishment is severe, giving up cocaine for good (5) GRUEL (-c+g)GRUEL

24 Cover with a hard coating once perhaps, wanting zero corrosion (7) ENCRUST {oNCE*}{RUST}

25 Praising ad with lungi dance (7) LAUDING {AD+LUNGI}*

26 Foremost of tailors altering vests and boob tubes (2,4) TV SETS {Ta..oR}{VESTS*}

27 Pilot cuddling model in red, becoming intimate (8) FRIENDLY {F{IN+RED}*LY}

DOWN

1   Stopwatches, say, in rows outside entrance to mall (6) TIMERS {TI{Mall}ERS}

2   Wind is remarkably clean source of energy (6) ENLACE {CLEAN*}{En...y}

3   Concerned by red tape in work (9) PERTAINED*

4   Police documents of sly campaign organised to infiltrate gangs (6,8) SEARCH WARRANTS {ARCH}{WAR}{RAN} in {SETS}

6   Hotel certainly has power plugs (5) HYPES {H}{Y{P}ES}

7   Endless anxiety on reflection, securing enclosure for snakes (8) SERPENTS {STRESs<=} over {PEN}

8   Concoction of tea and rye is more frothy (8) YEASTIER {TEA+RYE+IS}*

9   University administrator's haphazard record reviewed after wrongdoing (4,10) VICE CHANCELLOR {CHANCE}{ROLL<=}<=>{VICE}

15 Overwhelmed by storm in Aug, resolved to get meteorological device (4,5) RAIN GAUGE {RA{IN+AUG}*GE}

16 Member in cabaret ordered seafood (8) CRABMEAT {CRAB{M}EAT*}

17 Floral spikes in rooms captivating princess (8) SPADICES {SPA{DI}CES}

19 See 14 Across

20 Troublesome chap supporting immature idea (6) ?L?G?Y (Addendum - PLAGUY {GUY}<=>{PLAn} - See comments)

22 Revel in English dinner jacket, turning to entertain lady (5) EXULT {E}{T{L}UX<=}

Reference List

Wife = W, Hard = H, Politician = MP, Ecstasy = E, Day = D, Cocaine = C, Good = G, Hotel = H, Power = P, Member = M, Princess = DI, English = E, Dinner jacket = TUX, Lady = L

No 14488, Monday 19 May 2025, Afterdark

Solution to 10A 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   Tom's insurers pass over head office and make it all-inclusive (8) CATHOLIC {CAT}{HO}{LIC}

5   Before last month, retreat/resort was set apart (6) SPACED {DEC<=}<=>{SPA}

9   One in island, say a'int supplied preserve (8) MAINTAIN {MA{1}N}{AINT*}

10 Stop working on drain (6) ?E?I?E (Addendum - RETIRE {RE}{TIRE} - See comments)

12 One country provides refuge to gangster from another country (9) AUSTRALIA {AUSTR{AL}IA}

13 Intentions are hid easy, kept buried in (5) IDEAS [T]

14 Includes date in commercials (4) ADDS {A{D}DS}

16 Position of Titans crashed after running over ball (7) STATION {STATI{O}N*}

19 Earl almost gets chills regularly at committee (7) COUNCIL {COUNt}{ChIlLs}

21 Scoundrel found in bank (4) HEEL [DD}

24 Vendors in confusion miss doctor's stoves (5) OVENS VENdOrS*

25 Yes, Harry stayed across road the day before (9) YESTERDAY {YE}{STE{RD}AY*} 

27 Journo nailed it originally within (6) EDITOR [T]

28 Soldier crossing lines at Elektrostal borders to correspond (8) PARALLEL {PARA}{LL}{El...aL}

29 Worry about small lock (6) STRESS {S}{TRESS}

30 Backed a commie filled with poetry (8) REVERSED {RE{VERSE}D}

DOWN

1   Dotcom masking hidden punctuation marks (6) COMMAS [T]

2   Longing to get a new T-shirt (6) THIRST*

3   As per sources Oxford University's training English readers in remote (5) OUTER Acrostic

4   Commander-in-Chief in remote isle like unemotional persons (7) ICICLES {I{CIC}LES*}

6   State cited paper revision will be after page is removed (9) PREDICATE {CITED+pAPER}*

7   Critic takes time to cover current conditions (8) CRITERIA {CRIT}{ER{I}A}

8   Doctor gives drug and signs off for bandage (8) DRESSING {DR}{E}{SIGNS*}

11 Yes, in Germany, Romans on vacation get containers (4) JARS {JA}{Ro..nS}

15 Toss coin, sides will produce results (9) DECISIONS*

17 Commanding Officer in new store to get vehicles (8) SCOOTERS {S{CO}OTER}*{S} Last S from?

18 Better drink at Rio after ecstasy and some rum (8) SUPERIOR {SUP}{RIO}<=>{E} and {Rum}

20 Prepares amateurs (4) LAYS [DD]

21 Prisoner in army given time (7) HOSTAGE {HOST}{AGE}

22 Grown-ups laud profusely but test regularly (6) ADULTS {LAUD*}{TeSt}

23 City on vacation, clued without substance as ordered (6) CYCLED {CitY}{CLuED}

26 Camera set to cover wipe out (5) ERASE [T]

Reference List

Insurers = LIC, Gangster = AL(Capone), Date = D, Soldier = PARA, Road = RD, Line = L, Small = S, Page = P, Drug = EYes in German = JA, Ecstasy = E

Special, Sunday 18 May 2025, Ghaza

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)

Part-B: Fill in the blanks with a clue number e.g. 5d, 17a, etc.

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 4, Sunday 18 May 2025, Dr. X

ACROSS

1   Doctor offering lung surgery initially for patient (4-9) LONG SUFFERING {OFFERING+LUNG+Su...y}*

8   See 20 Down

9   Prince chatters after consuming ecstasy, makes overtures (9) PREAMBLES {P}{R{E}AMBLES}

11 New beach manor, at a bargain price in France (1,3,6) A BON MARCHE*

12 Lives large on vacation in Capri, say (4) ISLE {IS}{La.gE}

14 Shines in tussle, easily crushing resistance (7) LUSTRES {LUST{R}ES*}

16 Excel in covert operation (7) OVERTOP [T]

17 Worker in NHS, a sad person who is no longer of significance (3-4) HAS-BEEN {BEE} in {NHS+A}*

19 Maiden in bed, extremely eager for enthusiastic kiss (7) SMACKER {S{M}ACK}{Ea.eR}

21 Standard part of oven or microwave (4) NORM [T]

22 Cook sent in more soup (10) MINESTRONE*

25 Thoroughly envy rich English rogue (5,4) EVERY INCH {ENVY+RICH+E}*

26 Favourite student describing a part of a flower (5) PETAL {PET}{A}{L}

27 Outrageous clip with nude belle gets censored (4-9) BLUE-PENCILLED*

DOWN

2   Old fare turned sour and pungent (7) ODOROUS {O}{DO}{SOUR*}

3   Meet to catch ultimately shady character in unofficial trading place (4,6) GREY MARKET {GRE{s..dY}{MARK}ET}

4   Penny enthralled by remarkably pure stimulant (5) UPPER {UP{P}ER*}

5   Fine hot topless dancing in places of lascivious entertainment (9) FLESHPOTS {F}{H+TOPLESS}*

6   Crash close to steep slope (4) RAMP {RAM}{s..eP}

7   Empty group in maths final keeps university students a little stupefied (4,3) NULL SET {N{U}{LL}{St...d}ET}

8   Little difference in coins of low value (5,6) SMALL CHANGE [DD}

10 Get approval for catching extremely loathsome creep running clandestine unit (7,4) SLEEPER CELL {S{Lo...mE}{CREEP*}ELL}

13 Briefly look at huge swimming pool in city on the Black Sea (10) SEVASTOPOL {SEe}{VAST}{POOL*}

15 Awareness of judge grasping crux of testimony (9) SENTIENCE {SENT{testImony}ENCE}

18 Unusual stamp featuring ancient city's queen (7) SURREAL {S{UR}{R}EAL}

20 & 8A Be aware of what is going on, like a tennis umpire? (4,3,5) KNOW THE SCORE [DD]

23 Moral principle in quote about capturing hearts (5) ETHIC {CI{H}TE<=}

24 Promotion in class hotel for model (4) HYPE (-t+h)HYPE

 

Reference List

Prince = P, Ecstasy = E, Resistance = R, Maiden = M, English = E, Student = L, Old = O, Penny = P, Fine = F, University = U, Ancient city = UR, Queen = R, Hearts = H, Hotel = H, Model = T

No 14487, Saturday 17 May 2025, Afterdark

 ACROSS
9 Decorates cot, kisses and leaves the first partner (7) BEDECKS {BED}{pECKS}
10 Heard you returned bull and collected money, it's wifelike (7) UXORIAL {U(~you)}{OX<}{RIAL}
11 Weird HQ note taken primarily in secrecy (2,3,2) ON THE QT {HQ NOTE Taken}*
12 Corruption in bank? Book removed and cooked noticeably (7) KNAVERY {bANK}*{VERY}
13 Toy traded by Electrical Engineer (5,4) TEDDY BEAR* {TRADED BY Electrical}* E for Electrical is not there in Chambers

15 Debut in first test, Rohit to hit out (5) INTRO {IN}{Test}{ROhit}
16 Woke up bloodshot, of a bluish colour (4-3) ROSE-RED {ROSE}{RED}
19 Shrink showcasing success in national television's lady (European) (7) DWINDLE {D{WIN}D}{L}{E}
20 Beats wife and flies (5) WHOPS {W}{HOPS}
21 Out of den, Bin Laden gave explosive unobstructed (9) NAVIGABLE {BIN LAden GAVE}*
25 Note missing in rent money as per second hearing (7) RETRIAL {REnT}{RIAL}
26 Insects' pictures shows egg inside (7) IMAGOES {IMAG{O}ES}

28 White horse in the front is an expresser of disgust, lets out a neigh (7) WHICKER {White}{Horse}{ICKER}
29 Rising frost worried Islamic nation (7) EMIRATE {RIME<}{ATE}

DOWN
1 Recede from battle with electricity board (3,3) EBB OUT {BOUT}<=>{E}{B}
2 Perhaps our bosses have a Tesla; reordered (6) EDITED {ED}{I}{T}{ED}
3 UK school certificate changes, Chinese is removed and edited (4) GCSE {ChanGES}*
4 Fly with group in empty turbojets above earth (6) TSETSE {Turbojet{SET}S}{E}
5 Stud made a mistake, lost rupees and hid out (8) HUNKERED {HUNK}{ERrED}
6 Concentrating on LOC is in, managed by a Lieutenant Governor (10) LOCALISING {LOC}{A L{IS}{IN}G}
7 Divided group, led by gender-ambiguous person, met the journo (8) BISECTED {SECT}<=>{BI}+{ED}
8 Deposit millions in the centre, it's mine (8) CLAYMORE {C{LAY}{M}ORE}
14 Standards of dirty casks terrible (10) YARDSTICKS*
16 We are (in the centre) aware of strange tree (4-4) REWA-REWA {WE aRe AWARE}*

17 Oddly Smith is wearing glasses, primarily elegant and suave man (8) SMOOTHIE {SM{OO}THI*}{Elegant}
18 Doctors hold viewpoint on promotional materials (8) DANGLERS {D{ANGLE}RS}
22 Asserts that sins will leave a void inside (6) VOICES {V{O}ICES}
23 All the plant & animal life in a region have boron traces (6) BIOTAS {B}{IOTAS}
24 Listener captivating police officer and engineer simpler (6) EASIER {EA{SI}{E}R}
27 Sailor has sex appeal just a small part (1,3) A BIT {AB}{IT}

REFERENCE LIST

Book=B, National Television=DD (Door Darshan), Lady=L, European=E, Wife=W, Note=N, Egg=O, Electricity Board=EB, Tesla=T, Earth=E, Rupees=R, Lieutenant Governor=LG, Gender-ambiguous person=BI (sexual), Millions=M, Glasses=OO, Doctors=DRs, Boron=B, Void=nothing=O, Engineer=E, Sailor=AB(Able-Bodied (seaman)), Sex appeal=It.

No 14486, Friday 16 May 2025, Vidwan

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   Timeless quotes about one American giant found in the woods (7) SEQUOIA {QUOtES*} over {1}

8   Fat black bumpkin (7) BLUBBER {B}{LUBBER}

10 Get real upset about ordinary, true character (5,3) ALTER EGO {GET+REAL}* over {O}

11 Production about Putin's houses (6) OUTPUT [T]

12 As if it has no variety for someone interested in haute couture (11) FASHIONISTA*

15 Go slow inside city (4) OSLO [T]

17 Mixing pain and love softly (5) PIANO {PAIN+0}*

18 Certainly hard to follow most of class (4) YEAH {H}<=>{YEAr}

19 Called in are soldiers! Time for understanding! (11) ARRANGEMENT {AR{RANG}E}{MEN}{T}

22 Take off day to teach (not American, not English) (6) DEDUCT {D}{EDUCaTe}

23 No, no! Certainly not! Team Spirit's almost all gone permanently! (8) EVERMORE {nEVER}{MORalE}

25 Sea creature, bold and fiercely alive, gobbles up heart of diver (7) BIVALVE {B}{IVAL{diVer}E*}

26 Wasting years in sarcasm, out of bounds wise men from time of Sangams or Keezhadi (4,3) IRON AGE {IRONy}{sAGEs}

DOWN

1   Judge's playful, grabs lady's sides, stingy creature! (9) JELLYFISH {J}{EL{LadY}FISH}

2   A threat can be assured (6) DURESS {DURESS+A}=ASSURED [CA]

3   Sounds like correct practice (4) RITE (~right)

4   Oldest boon in form of a precious mineral (10) BLOODSTONE*

5   Release notice (8) OBITUARY [CD]

6   Mostly notice odd part of blood (5) SERUM {SEe}{RUM}

9   An unfit peon becoming a writer! (8,3) FOUNTAIN PEN*

13 Critical: Cry not - Work hard at home ignoring one's heart! (10) IMPERATIVE {whIMPER}{nATIVE}

14 Mostly oriental sense of pride, passing over good chocolate candy (6,3) EASTER EGG {EASTERn}{E{G}Go}

16 Prophetic visual about Gunners (8) ORACULAR {O{RA}CULAR}

20 Some term in English for fur (6) ERMINE [T]

21 Foreigner involves in crime to get established (3,2) SET IN {S{ET}IN}

24 Get container for audience (4) EARN (~urn)

Reference List

Time = T, Black = B, Ordinary = O, Hard = H, Day = D, American = A, English = E, No = N, Bold = B, Judge = J, Work = W, Good = G, Gunners = RA(Royal Artillery)

No 14485, Thursday 15 May 2025, Crescent

ACROSS

8   Majority of the country switching sides in shame (9) PLURALITY {(-r+l)LURAL} in {PITY}

9   Some flea preparing to jump (4) LEAP [T]

10 Simple test is mostly good base for philosophers studying knowledge (15) EPISTEMOLOGISTS {SIMPLE+TEST+IS+GOOd}* Had to cheat for this one

12 Adolescent drinking a nuisance around outdoor café (3,6) TEA GARDEN {TE{A}{DRAG<=}EN}

13 Cut to equally divide a sweet (5) HALVA {HALVe}{A}

14 Clubs, say, in environs of Paris (7) PUTTERS {Pa{UTTER}riS}

17 Custom houses withdrawing concession counter (7) RIPOSTE {RI{SOP<=}TE}

19 Customary number by comedian taking off Chaplin's original (5) NOMIC {N}{cOMIC}

21 Creature's lair old man briefly disturbed (9) ARMADILLO {LAIR+OLD+MAn}*

24 Endlessly rich king doubling gold enthralled by craven, evil route to wealth (6,5,4) YELLOW BRICK ROAD {RICh}{K} in {YELLOW}{B{OR<=}AD}

25 Key opener for India only scoring zero (4) ISLE {In..a}{SoLE}

26 Neutralizing agent shrinking stuff that is spread over hides (9) NULLIFIER {FILL<=}{IE} in {RUN<=}

DOWN

1   Small space in pantry, type designed for pots (1,6,5) A PRETTY PENNY {EN} in {PANTRY+TYPE}*

2   Cow could be cogitating (8) RUMINANT [DD]

3   Staff drawing up slogan (6) MANTRA {MAN}{ART<=}

4   Shot dead after row about money (6) FILMED {D}<=>{FIL{M}E}

5   Make up excuse, primarily fabricated, entirely without a hint of truth (8) EYELINER {Ex...s}{ENtIRELY*} 

6   Mark of identification to dispatch most important part (8) FLAGSHIP {FLAG}{SHIP}

7   Maiden I save following behind mother (6) DAMSEL {SELf}<=>{DAM}

11 Corporate members are hard pressed by bears, at first usually going short (12) SHAREHOLDERS {ARE}{H} in {SHOuLDERS}

15 Shut in, intimate in conclusion (8) ENCLOSED {EN{CLOSE}D}

16 Bar stops good friends turning violent (4-4) SLAP-BANG {BAN}{G}<=>{PALS<=}

18 Old man is cooking fish (8) SALMONID*

20 Harass sleepers close to midnight (6) MOLEST {MOLES}{m...hT}

22 Male bounding first is in the first place (6) MAINLY {MA{1}NLY}

23 Animal, little goat, child rears (3-3) DIK-DIK {KID}{KID}<=

Reference List

Number = N, King = K, Small space = EN, Dead = D, Money = M, Following = F, Hard = H, Good = G

No 14484, Wednesday 14 May 2025, Pixie Dust

Solution to 1A 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   This formula was epic! Swear...amazing! (6) R?C?P? (Addendum - RECIPE  {RECIPE+WAS}*={EPIC+SWEAR} [CA] - See comments)

4  A hit is humbling (8) ABASHING {A}{BASHING}

9   Dry a wet Roan, tied on and off (6) AERATE {A+wEt+RoAn+TiEd}

10 Husband with irritation about boundless love leading to spiritual awakening? (8) HANGOVER {H}{ANG{lOVe}ER}

12 It's a trivial sum, we hear to former Vice-President (8) TWOPENCE (~to pence)

13 Sneer at casual top and soft shoe (6) BOOTEE {BOO}{TEE}

15 Sadly cut my lip, repeatedly in mass? (12) MULTIPLICITY* Letterbank

18 How to make tech order confidential? (3,3,6) OFF THE RECORD {TECH+ORDER}* [RA]

21 A short writer meets a biblical character (6) AQUILA {A}{QUILl}{A}

22 Ebenezer, for one has no love for a Spanish bum (8) SCROUNGE {SCRO(-o+un}UNGE}

24 Trend with each custom and disappear (4,4) FADE AWAY {FAD}{EA}{WAY}

25 Scan reels (intermittently fast forwarding) lol! Entertaining from the beginning (6) RIFFLE Acrostic

26 Research from broken nails, say (8) ANALYSIS*

27 Rebel maniac touts sandwiches (3,3) ACT OUT [T]

DOWN

1   Strangely I met Lear! Live... (4-4) REAL-TIME*

2   Spooner's usual chills in shared rides? (3,5) CAR POOLS (~par cools to car pools)

3   Extravagant life! Play, act and chat... It's an illusion, literally! (8,7) PATHETIC FALLACY*

5   Solicitor's nib (4) BEAK [DD] Judge, yes. But solicitor?

6   Leo say, reprogrammed 'Cheat with Food Sizing!' (4,2,3,6) SIGN OF THE ZODIAC*

7   Request popular antioxidant perhaps (6) INVITE {IN}{VIT E}

8   Some stone dragon erected in park (6) GARDEN [T<=]

11 A pass year, extremely tame for follower (7) ACOLYTE {A}{COL}{Y}{TamE}

14 Groan! Notice about credit (card history mainly) (7) SCREECH {S{CR}EE}{Card}{Hi...y}

16 Despicable person, say, controls neighbourhood's main croaker, briefly - going up and down (2,3,3) TO AND FRO {TOA{Ne...d}D}{FROg} 

17 Supporter can be heard with e-book (8) ADHERENT {HEARD*}{E}{NT}

19 Port city in Germany? Yes, couple of fellows naturally acclimatised from the beginning (6) JAFFNA {JA}{FF}{Na...y}{Ac...d}

20 Plain hard nutmeg bottles brought up (6) TUNDRA [T<=]

23 Try one whose business is picking up? (4) TAXI {TAX}{1}

Reference List

Husband = H, A in Spanish = UN, Each = EA, Year = Y, Credit = CR, Book = NT(New Testament), Yes in German = JA< Fellow = F