No 14462, Friday 18 Apr 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.

ACROSS

1   Look at company with objectives... "To manufacture railway engines" (11)

9   Planet with hot swamp (5)

10 Countryman spreading rice around animal (9)

11 Show previous inhibition in absence of Indian (10)

12 British order confiscating old instrument (4)

13 Own advertisement at premier tech institute (5)

15 Last taste-maker (4,4)

17 John may be found in this part of the boat, perhaps? (4,4)

19 Place request for arrangement (5)

22 Operation aboard ship to produce carrots (4)

23 Plant input made from sterile fir (10)

26 Extraordinarily quiet alien retiring after starting to exhibit temper. That's manners... (9)

27 After end of road, turn east at junction and start singing songs for two (5)

28 Once daddy, now mummy! It's clear! (11)

DOWN

1   Student support for tree (5)

2   Lived with mixed gender group accepting regular usage (9)

3   Share short moment with horrible yeti (6)

4   Quiver! Lot more can be wrong! (7)

5   Partially revealed meat (4)

6   So a bidder ordered buffet (9)

7   Obama is confused about oriental organism (6)

8   Clergyman snoops at end of feast (6)

14 Top motion about debatable issue (4,5)

16 Ken's information (9)

17 Tense journalist probably did this after he copied (6)

18 Makes boxes containing ecstasy (7)

20 Most infrequent adjustment of rates around end of September (6)

21 Greek goddess's then protected by American adult (6)

24 Sex with excited American teenager primarily produces this secretion (5)

25 VAT on a musical instrument (4)

No 14461, Thursday 17 Apr 2025, Incognito

Solution to 4D 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   Expensive honey (4) DEAR [DD]

9   After getting rid of first date, newly married woman, hugs bridegroom initially giving a sweetener (5) BRIBE {BRI(-d+b)BE

10 A portion of manure and fertilizer (4) UREA [T]

11 Stain part of plant (6) STIGMA [DD]

12 Officially informed movement of tide info (8) NOTIFIED*

13 Counter in church yard showing where the bodies are buried (8) CEMETERY {CE{METER}{Y}

15 Not scientist? (6) NEWTON {TON}* RA

17 Plant agent gets at end of journey (7) FACTORY {FACTOR}{j...eY}

19 City in Washington and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir? Insane! (7) SPOKANE {S{POK}ANE}

22 Fix at territorial army church (6) ATTACH {AT}{TA}{CH}

24 Nude dancing carrying resinous substance! Mad! (8) UNHINGED {UN{HING}ED*}

26 Dig up ancient tool at first in old grotto (8) EXCAVATE {EX}{CAV{A}{Tool}E} A from? (Correction {EX}{CAV{An...t}{Tool}E} - See comments)

28 Intelligence agency crazy to cover The Office of Strategic Services (6) MOSSAD {M{OSS}AD}

30 Girl has extraordinarily deep and long cut (4) GASH {G}{HAS*}

31 Pricked gnus returning around end of night (5) STUNG {GNU{n..hT}S<=}

32 Round shaped corral is not closed (4) OPEN {O}{PEN}

DOWN

1   Following old flame in book (4) NEXT {N{EX}T}

2   Footmen hold old cloth and type of shirt piece (8) FRAGMENT {F}{RAG}{MEN}{T}

3   Roughen up damaged brake pad without using pressure at weekend (6) ABRADE {BRAkE+pAD}*

4   Disney's worried about king's organs (7) ?I?N?Y? {Addendum - KIDNEYS {DISNEY}* about{K} - See comments)

5   Worn and taken in in pub on return (6-2) BEATEN UP {EATEN} in {PUB<=}

6   Some followed mongrel in time of restricted movement (6) CURFEW {FEW}<=>{CUR}

7   Only a part of summer exhibition (4) MERE [T]

14 Old piece of legislation is perfect (5) EXACT {EX}{ACT}

16 Snow leopard jumps without a hint of panic and loses some stability (5) OUNCE pOUNCEs

18 Practise on vehicle carrying coffin (8) REHEARSE {RE}{HEARSE}

20 Some hardworking stonemasons somewhere in Jamaica (8) KINGSTON [T]

21 Eliminate our lute which is broken (4,3) RULE OUT* 

23 Indian father engulfed in pain (6) APACHE {A{PA}CHE}

25 Residence possessing silver gets respect, perhaps (6) HOMAGE {HOM{AG}E}

27 Kiss Sam on return for festival (4) XMAS {X}{SAM<=}

29 Top gorilla cross? (4) APEX {APE}{X}

Reference List

Yard = Y, Territorial Army = TA, Church = CH, Old flame = EX, Book = NT(New Testament), Type of shirt = T, Pressure = P, King = K, On = RE,  Kiss = X

No 14460, Wednesday 16 Apr 2025, Incognito

Solution to 26D 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   Pam, cartographer (3,5) MAP MAKER {PAM}* [RA]

5   An increase in sea level, too (2,4) AS WELL {A}{SWELL}

10 Undress in cartoons in a row (5) STRIP [DD]

11 Give a disproportionately large response from rattled EV creator (9) OVERREACT*

12 Undergo misery resulting from bad ruse involving a couple of females (6) SUFFER {SU{FF}ER*}

13 Hmm, a ploy engineered to produce cancer (8) LYMPHOMA*

15 Kind of pottery from Delaware starts to fade temporarily (5) DELFT {DEL}{Fade}{Te...Y}

17 Putting to use and wrapping lungi, I sit (9) UTILISING*

19 After wrong post, see timer (9) STOPWATCH {POST*}{WATCH}

20 General in charge of genes? (5) GENIC {GEN}{IC}

21 Indian actor laid back during meal (8) PRANDIAL {PRAN}{LAID<=}

23 Chop chops around end of day in horror movie (6) PSYCHO {PS{daY}CHO*} A movie I will never forget!

27 Previous Welsh rite is re-enacted (9) ERSTWHILE*

28 Bond actor's chief of MI6 (5) MOORE [DD]

29 Gives back money as prey is lost (6) REPAYS*

30 Goes before party leader goes back (8) PRECEDES {Pa..y}{RECEDES}

DOWN

1   Supporters from Massachusetts streets (5) MASTS {MA}{STS}

2   Left sheet of paper showing list of securities held (9) PORTFOLIO {PORT}{FOLIO}

3   Sufficient quantity for testing, not small (5) AMPLE sAMPLE

4   Hero stands protecting god of love (4) EROS [T]

6   Big and strong son's catching animals (9) STRAPPING {S}{TRAPPING}

7   Muse and orate badly (5) ERATO*

8   Lazy? Crush the garlic! (9) LETHARGIC*

9   Extremely low weighing source of illumination in the battlefield (4,5) VERY LIGHT {VERY}{LIGHT}

14 A lariat thrown around you and me in country (9) AUSTRALIA {A+LARIAT}* over {US}

15 Wrongly said paper is torn? Go away! (9) DISAPPEAR*

16 Pulled along to get married in another town (5,4) TOWED AWAY {TO}{WED AWAY}

18 Erroneously, icon bid on connection between chemical units (5,4) IONIC BOND*

22 A Spanish operation to get a story writer (5) AESOP {A}{ES}{OP}

24 Plant protected by Satsuma clan (5) SUMAC [T]

25 Follows command from old governor and head of state (5) OBEYS {O}{BEY}{St..e}

26 Cut beverage straw in the middle (4) ?E?R (Addendum - TEAR {TEA}{stRaw} - See comments)

Reference List

Female = F, In charge = IC, Street = ST, Small = S, Son = S, Spanish = ES, Operation = OP, Old = O

No 14459, Tuesday 15 Apr 2025, Arden

Artwork by Prasanna

Solution to 15A 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   Running after businesses for protection (6) COCOON {ON}<=>{CO}{CO}

4   A helmsman crossing stream, here in Texas (8) AMARILLO {A}{MA{RILL}O}

10 Confines credit notes - keen to succeed (9) AMBITIOUS {AMBIT}{IOUS}

11 Country in between Argentina, Uruguay (5) NAURU [T]

12 Polite, set to drink essentially one peg (7) GENTEEL {GE{oNe}{TEE}L}

13 Anteater can hide perhaps (7) ECHIDNA*

14 Radical but some recovery from heart-lung machine (5) ULTRA [T<=]

15 Chasing records? Go hang it (8) T?P?S?R? (Addendum - TAPESTRY {TAPES}{TRY} - See comments)

18 Wine bottles - sell contents in the cupboard (8) CELLARET {C{sELl}LARET}

20 Satellite carrying essential cargo - one's slow (5) MORON {MO{caRgo}ON}

23 Flowing stream, I follow the experts (7) MAESTRI {STREAM}*{I}

25 Do wear a hat - it could be felt (7) TACTILE {T{ACT}ILE}

26 Oscar, say, nowadays filled with action (5) AWARD {A{WAR}D}

27 Visionaries have plans to acquire bank (9) IDEALISTS {IDEA{LIST}S}

28 Rule allows the odd dress - do it all over again (8) REDESIGN {RE{DrEsS}IGN}

29 Home bird put in jail (6) INTERN {IN}{TERN}

DOWN

1   Lot of noise over club's indifference (8) CLANGOUR {C}{LANGOUR} Spelling is LANGUOR

2   Ministers can't be sacked accepting bribe at the centre (7) CABINET {CANT+BE}* over {brIbe}

3   Straight away active - follow inner layer (2,3,4) ON THE NAIL {ON}{T{HEN}AIL}

5   Side dish prepared atop homesteads (6,8) MASHED POTATOES*

6   Managed church property (5) RANCH {RAN}{CH}

7   Randomly slept around without stop - refuse to wash (7) LAUNDER {sLEpt+ARoUND}* Why refuse?

8   Witty judge missing as one could see (6) OCULAR jOCULAR

9   In short, Indian daily allowing to take shower - part of child rearing (6,8) TOILET TRAINING {TOI}{LETT{RAIN}ING}

16 Simon Cole used a key (9) SEMICOLON*

17 Physically at home, each issue follows (2,6) IN PERSON {IN}{PER}{SON}

19 Stone setter came up with real rough diamonds (7) EMERALD {ME<=}{REAL*}{D}

21 It's even free, provide a reprint (7) REISSUE {fReE}{ISSUE}

22 Reduce time span, girl to expose all of them (6) IMPAIR {tIMe}{sPAn}{gIRl}

24 Some closed items gave rise to surges (5) TIDES [T<=]

Reference List

Business = CO, Peg = TEE, Nowadays = AD, Club = C, Layer = HEN, Church = CH, Judge = J, Diamonds = D

No 14458, Monday 14 Apr 2025, Arden

HAPPY VISHU

Rangoli by Gowri

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

9   Loves to protect the tail enders in play (7) OTHELLO {0}{THE}{tail}{taiL}{0}

10 Material for soldiers - new incursion into Palestine area? (7) ORGANZA {OR}{GA{N}ZA}

11 Internal pressure is same - acting all around leading to a gridlock (7) IMPASSE {P} in {IS+SAME}*

12 Take it as supreme manifestation (7) PRESUME*

13 International rating agency's copy right to even things out (9) SANDPAPER {S&P}{APE}{R}

15 Work on the game, get the fruit (5) MANGO {MAN}{GO}

16 Non-lethal launcher for touring around (4,3) RIOT GUN*

19 Ways to express falsehoods about civil society body (7) LINGOES {LI{NGO}ES}

20 Beginners falter and in no time pass out (5) FAINT Acrostic

21 Cops failing on detail (4,5) VICE SQUAD {VICE}{SQUAD}

25 Nothing to hide - sort out air passage (7) NOSTRIL {N{SORT*}IL}

26 Marine pollution - regularly follow over part of the ship (7) FLOTSAM {FoLlOw}{MAST<=}

28 Supporters in the US find their origins without hesitation (7) ROOTERS {ROOT{ER}S}

29 Electric shock perhaps plays a role (7) ACTRESS {AC}{TRESS}

DOWN

1   Is blocking block? Come up with questions (6) ?O?I?S (Addendum - POSITS {ST{IS}OP}<= See comments)

2   Composer's copyright and an invitation for a ride... (6) CHOPIN {C}{HOP IN}

3   ...and discharge about fifty (4) PLUS {P{L}US}

4   Become vigorous like one among the sheep (4,2) TONE UP {T{ONE}UP}

5   Constant pressure over men said to be substantial (8) CORPORAL {C}{OR}{P}{ORAL}

6   Pacts are good to intercept spies (10) AGREEMENTS {AG{REEM}ENTS} Anno not clear See comments

7   Union settlement has to stop insinuation (8) INNUENDO {INNU{END}O*}

8   Very hungry, becomes a nervous wreck (8) RAVENOUS*

14 "Summon a machinist" is an absorbing book (4-6) PAGE-TURNER {PAGE}{TURNER}

16 On Sunday, best plant (8) REFINERY {RE}{FINERY}

17 Love calling, oversight? (8) OMISSION {0}{MISSION}

18 Harry, not Elvis is the story teller (8) NOVELIST*

22 Loose clothing can cover the back (6) CAFTAN {C{AFT}AN}

23 Awful result in N. Ireland (6) ULSTER*

24 Crazy to come up and demand such fabric (6) DAMASK {MAD<=}{ASK}

27 Pledge one and take half first of all (4) OATH Acrostic

Reference List

Soldiers = OR, New = N, Pressure = P, Right = R, Hesitation = ER, Copyright = C, Fifty = L, Sheep = TUP, Constant = C, Good = REEM, On = RE

Special, Sunday 13 Apr 2025, Sanklak (R)

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 Sunday Crossword No 3353, Sunday 13 Apr 2025

24A

ACROSS

1   Detective Inspector, cop, old copper, last thing in obnoxiousness: dinosaur! (10) DIPLODOCUS {DI}{PLOD}{O}{CU}{o...sS}

6   Nothing new about Welshman (4) OWEN {O}{NEW<=}

9   Jalopy in which conductor confined? (10) RATTLETRAP {RATTLE}{TRAP}

10 Rowers swaggered (4) CREW [DD]

12 Snob: one who calls everyone simply ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’? (4-7) NAME-DROPPER [C&DD]

15 Catchy song remixed, Warmonger – No Good (7) EARWORM WARMONgER*

16 One’s just arrived, consumed by inert gas (7) NEONATE {ATE}<=>{NEON}

17 Sally’s beginning to wear uniform – twice, as a rule (7) USUALLY {SALLY}* with {U} and {U}

19 Polymeric rows, ornately twisted – essential in nutrition, primarily? (7) PROTEIN Acrostic &lit

20 Pages describing Scotsman Oscar having row with keyboardist (5,6) PIANO PLAYER {P{IAN}{O}P}{LAYER}

23 The writer swindles revered figure (4) ICON {I}{CON}

24 From prison, runs into trouble – who sees it all? (3,7) BIG BROTHER {B(-r)IG}{B(+r)ROTHER}

25 Standard choice of extremes of Neoplatonism (4) NORM {N or M}

26 Meets anger flexibly for treaties (10) AGREEMENTS*

DOWN

1   As you heard, one who’ll stain clothes is awful (4) DIRE (~dyer)

2   Meaty spread for the Crown (4) PATE [DD]

3   English actor to flourish following location of Disney World (7,5) ORLANDO BLOOM {BLOOM}<=>{ORLANDO}

4   ‘Best opera? Time’s running out! Time’s running short!’ … ‘I’m not sure’ (7) OPTIMUM {OPera}{TIMe}{UM}

5   African’s somewhat smug and annoying (7) UGANDAN [T]

7   Lacks power supply in offices etc (10) WORPLACES*

8   City’s owner, surprisingly, Banks (3,7) NEW ORLEANS {OWNER*}{LEANS}

11 Yogurt: ‘moo’ or ‘oat’, principally? Irritated parent’s testy response (2,2,4,4) GO TO YOUR ROOM {YOGURT+MOO+OR+Oat}*

13 Topless – impertinence – starting again! (10) RESUMPTION pRESUMPTION

14 Minstrel with horn going round queen, old and grumpy (10) TROUBADOR {T{R}{O}UBA}{DOUR}

18 Flogging – initially taking seconds, becoming year – crying in pain (7) YELLING (-s+y)YELLING

19 Outstanding isle for exile: constantly speak up (7) PAYABLE {ELBA<=}<=>{sPeAk} (Correction - {ELBA}{YAP}<= - See comments)

21 Feature observed in etching (4) CHIN [T]

22 A woman – a flower – Everyman with chance? Almost (4) IRIS {I}{RISk}

Reference List

Detective Inspector = DI, Old = O, Good = G, Uniform = U, Scotsman = IAN, Oscar = O, Runs = R, Queen = R, Seconds = S, Year = Y

No 14457, Saturday 12 Apr 2025, Arden

ACROSS
1 Lets those sickly-looking to change places - back to front (6) ALLOWS {(-s)ALLOW(+S)}
4 Ex-US president had an issue with this animal (8) BUSHBABY {BUSH}{BABY}

9 Remember, genuine student gets first class (6) RECALL {RE{Class}AL}{L}
10 Investigate time taken to enter centre of the warship (8) CORVETTE {COR{VET}{T}E}

12 Country access without using borders (8) PORTUGAL {PORTAL} outside {UsinG}

13 Not good to include whole song (6) BALLAD {B{ALL}AD}
15 Heavy drinking affected eminent pacer (12) INTEMPERANCE*
18 Unexpectedly, //from the sea (3,2,3,4) OUT OF THE BLUE [DD]
21 Cheats work, must include luck regularly (6) MULCTS {MUST*} over {LuCk}
22 Cave in thicket allows everyone to retreat (8) COLLAPSE {COPSE} outside {ALL<}
24 Pigeonhole class players (8) TYPECAST {TYPE}{CAST}
25 Second shock from fine wool (6) MOHAIR {MO}{HAIR}

26 Priest takes half an hour to get in - becomes irritable (8) CHOLERIC {C{HOur}LERIC}
27 Left after match, being pure (6) VESTAL {VESTA}{L}

DOWN
1 One relating to nutrition is wasting away (8) ATROPHIC {A}{TROPHIC}
2 Cut - one enters later perhaps (8) LACERATE {ACE} inside {LATER*}
3 Such amateurs - low built, bushy and drooping at the ends (6,9) WALRUS MOUSTACHE*

5 Voucher without business, coming very soon... (4) UPON {coUPON}

6 ...however, as a close variety of bananas (4,1,5,5) HAVE A SCREW LOOSE*
7 As usual, it takes some of them to raise a tyrant (6) ATTILA [T<]
8 Relents to the unknown - is led away (6) YIELDS {Y}{IS LED}*
11 Arrived with many to the old court premises (7) CAMELOT {CAME}{LOT}
14 Force war on group (7) FACTION {F}{ACTION}
16 Animal perhaps a help inside a hospital wing (8) ELEPHANT {A HELP}* inside {ENT}
17 Right to interrupt federal organization to get a postponement (8) DEFERRAL {R} inside {FEDERAL*}
19 One meticulously keeps it - makes you want to throw up (6) EMETIC [T]
20 A sign to restrict double parking in city (6) ALEPPO {A}{LE{P}{P}O}
23 Brought up in bits and pieces - some of it is wine (4) ASTI [T<]

REFERENCE LIST

Student=L, Time=T, Second=Mo, Left=L, One=Ace,A, Business=Co, Unknown=Y, Force=F, Right=R, Parking=P.

No 14456, Friday 11 Apr 2025, Arden

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   Thirty seconds to channel port - thing is to show will power (4,4,6) MIND OVER MATTER {MIN}{DOVER}{MATTER}

10 Force horse - regularly show such colour (5) OCHRE {fOrCe+HoRsE}

11 Following the flock - sick man always smoked a cigar (9) CHURCHILL {CHURCH}{ILL}

12 Girl and her family may land in a pickle (7) GHERKIN {G}{HER}{KIN}

13 Calculating outside the shop neatly (7) SMARTLY {S{MART}LY}

14 First of all, let it mix inside totally - check (5) LIMIT Acrostic

16 I condemn a poor capital (9) ISLAMABAD {I}{SLAM}{A}{BAD}

19 Retainers return fare without irritation (7-2) HANGERS-ON {NOSH<=} over {ANGER}

20 Music record is concealed inside (5) DISCO [T]

22 In the style of an ex-president not only in a Southern state (7) ALABAMA {ALA}{oBAMA}

25 One not going against the ultimate stripper (7) ACETONE {ACE}{NOT<=}{thE}

27 Call again - lost interest over tense vixen? (9) TERMAGANT {TERM}{AGAiN}{T}

28 Is having limited scope for these famous universities (5) IVIES {IS} over {VIEw}

29 Way to get into more debt - democrats egg on perversely (6,8) SECOND MORTGAGE {DENOCRATS ON EGG}*

DOWN

2   Strange menu, 80% in China love cooked mongoose (9) ICHNEUMON* {MENU+CHINa+0}*

3   Ultimately joker can cut all other cards - that's rubbish (5) DRECK {D{j..eR}ECK}

4   Perhaps, I can enter rocky caves - there are openings (9) VACANCIES {I+CAN}* in {CAVES}*

5   Wins after close to four dismissals (5) ROUTS {fouR}{OUTS}

6   One gets hold of diamonds that are highly valued (9) ACCLAIMED {AC{CLAIM}E}{D}

7   Oliver's wind (5) TWIST [DD]

8   Conveyed air seeps in a rush (7) RELAYED {RE{LAY}ED}

9   Head of government in one long race (6) MONGOL {MON{Go...t}O}{L}

15 On the other hand, the 27 gets a home (4,5) THEN AGAIN {THE}{NAG}{A}{IN}

17 Ancestral building in the city? (9) LANCASTER*

18 According to place in existence (9) BESTOWING {BE{STOW}ING}

19 Henry wearing a suit even in very hot places (7) HEARTHS {HEART{H}S}

21 Implied threat over essential site evacuations (2,4) OR ELSE {OveR}{Es...aL}{SitE}

23 Maurice has a heart, perhaps of gold (5) AURIC [T]

24 A large gun causing panic (5) ALARM {A}{L}{ARM}

26 For example, protecting family by being frugal with supplies (5) EKING {E{KIN}G}

Reference List

Girl = G, In the style of = ALA, Interest = I, Tense = T, Diamonds = D, Long = L, Henry = H, Large = L

No 14455, Thursday 10 Apr 2025, Pixie Dust

Solution to 26A 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   Supreme Court, on edge with European Conspiracy (6) SCHEME {SC}{HEM}{E}

4   Spooner's old man puts money on uncollectible bills (3,5) BAD DEBTS (~dad bets to bad debts)

9   Extremely bizarre and unfinished comical model for a roundel (6) BEZANT {Bi...rE}{ZANy}{T}

10 An interesting branch of Engineering? Mechanical perhaps? (8) CHEMICAL MECHanICAL*How is AN deleted? [CA] - See comments

12 Marry without token of commitment in gathering (8) RALLYING {R{ALLY}ING}

13 Look! Ads upset city periodically (6) ASPECT {AdS+uPsEt+CiTy}

15 Sadly, aunt's here in a distressing medical condition (12) NEURASTHENIA*

18 Frequently used devious escort in negotiation (12) INTERCESSION {ESCORT+IN}* INES Anno not clear Letter Bank - See comments 

21 Tool switch is electrical partly (6) CHISEL [T]

22 Sinful - be repulsed surrounded by food (8) DEVILISH {D{LIVE<=}ISH}

24 Neat brushes for hanging locks? (8) COWLICKS {COW}{LICKS}

25 They have layers and layers in views without perceptual intelligence to begin with (6) ONIONS OpiNIONS

26 Full of oneself - must nag or rant, intrinsically stuck-up (8) A?R?G?N? (Addendum - ARROGANT [T<=] - See comments) 

27 Briefly abandoned, Pixie Dust leaves top of the church tower (6) BELFRY BRiEFLY*

DOWN

1   Carol's out of body experience, right? It's daunting (8) SOBERING {SO{B}{E}{R}{I}NG} Is an acrostic indicator missing?

2   Filbert's confusion initially labelled eccentric (8) HAZELNUT {HAZE}{La...d}{NUT}

3   My one illegal activity? (5,10) MONEY LAUNDERING {MY+ONE}* [RA]

5   Hurt a revolutionary (4) ACHE {A}{CHE}

6   Cosmetic, Denise manufactured around beginning of course in Home Economics class (8,7)  DOMESTIC SCIENCE {COSMETIC+DENISE}* over {Co...e}

7   Gallant alien's vessel (6) BUCKET {BUCK}{ET}

8   Cook welcomes liberal praise (6) SALUTE {SA{L}UTE}

11 One more article parent failed to initiate (7) ANOTHER {AN}{mOTHER}

14 Extremely thirsty associate went out for lemonade, finally rested (7) PERCHED P(-a+e)ERCHED

16 Greeting bird with love, very loudly -(established a natural connection) (3,2,3) HIT IT OFF {HI}{TIT}{O}{FF}

17 Honestly (incongruously) like a thief in the night! (2,3,3) ON THE SLY*

19 Originally, ants created a comfortable inhabitation around spiny tree (6) ACACIA Acrostic

20 Compete eagerly with Queen's witness (6) VIEWER {VIE}{W}{ER}

23 Similar to some matchmaking (4) AKIN [T]

Reference List

European = E, Model = T, Neat = COW, Alien = ET, Liberal = L, Associate = A, Loudly = F, With = W, Queen = ER

No 14454, Wednesday 09 Apr 2025, Saral

Solution to 24A 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   Metal chip one brought forward (6) SILVER S(+1)IL(-1)VER

9   A democrat near California engaged in election campaign (8) ADVOCATE {A}{D}{VO{CA}TE}

11 Department preparing cities for peace treaty (9) ARMISTICE {ARM}{CITIES*}

12 Gist of article by setter (5) THEME {THE}{ME}

13 Order food containing good nutrients primarily (9) ALIGNMENT {ALI{G}{Nu...s}MENT}

16 Nymph animatedly following layer, regularly leaving fairyland excitedly (5) NAIAD {fAIrylAND}*

17 Falsely sue queen with anger for title (7) ESQUIRE {SUE+Q}*{IRE}

19 Expert creating some art (7) MAESTRO*

21 Inundated villa was horrible inside (5) AWASH [T]

22 An Indian again chasing very drunk showing patience (9) SOLITAIRE {A}{I}{RE}<=>{SO}{LIT}

24 Joint swelling is huge (5) J?M?O (Addendum - JUMBO {J}{UMBO} - See comments)

25 A time with goal amended in reminder list (9) CATALOGUE {A}{T}{GOAL*} in {CUE}

27 Stun America rejecting report issued every now and then (8) SURPRISE {US<=}{RePoRt+IsSuEd}

28 Open temporary shelter after pilgrims' arrival at first (6) PATENT {TENT}<=>{Pi...s}{Ar...l}

DOWN

1   Amplify complex case delayed (8) ESCALATE {CASE*}{LATE}

2   Some calumniated former students (6) ALUMNI [T]

3   Mostly crowded retreats (4) DENS DENSe

4   Star lost ring near eastern lounge (4) IDLE {IDoL}{E}

5   Europe, say curbing German company (10) CONTINGENT {CONTIN{G}ENT}

6   Press Association silent about jurywoman (8) PANELIST {P}{A}{SILENT*}

7   Story line for example with point (6) LEGEND {L}{EG}{END}

10 Dead flies collected around the French sea initially (8) LIFELESS {LIFE{LE}{Sea}S*}

14 People next-door building new big house, having terrace essentially (10) NEIGHBOURS {N}{BIG+HOUSE}* over {terRace}

15 Propose to drop criminal model (8) TEMPLATE conTEMPLATE

18 Problem of a GM covered by papers (8) QUAGMIRE {QU{A}{GM}IRE}

20 About to interrupt poet collapsing on volunteer in drama (8) OPERETTA {OPE{RE}T*}{TA}

21 Change notice ahead of fair (6) ADJUST {AD}{JUST}

23 One section moved behind in fireplaces (6) INGLES (-s)INGLE(+s)S

25 Endless chase perhaps for money (4) CASH CHASe*

26 Block wild foal (4) LOAF*

Reference List

Democrat = D, Good = G, Right = R, Queen = Q, Indian = I, Again = RE, Drunk = LIT, Joint = J, Time = T, Eastern = E, German = G, Press = P, Association = A, Line = L, The in French = LE, New = N, Volunteer = TA(Territorial Army), Notice = AD

No 14453, Tuesday 08 Apr 2025, Karaoke

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

1   Agreed to stop doing something and retired (6,2,1,3) CALLED IT A DAY [DD]

9   Reportedly, takes home seabirds (5) ERNES (~earns)

10 Party perhaps too big mainly to get vote in this? (6,3) BALLOT BOX {BALL}{TOO+Big}*{X} Semi&lit

11 Criminal in prison, not silent when handcuffed (2,5) IN IRONS {IN+pRISON}*

12 Fish maybe more graceful when drinking left out water mainly (7) SWIMMER S(-l+w}WIMMER

13 Dispatch rider bags letters essentially for nobleman (8) COURTIER {COUR{letTers}IER}

14 Quiet shooter, they say (5) PEACE (~piece)

18 Apart from cycling clues (5) ASIDE (+as)ASIDE(-as)

20 Rodent-killer is fighting a battle, lost headgear! (8) WARFARIN WARFARINg

24 Theoretical explosion huge initially, God forbid first (3,4) BIG BANG {BIG}{G}<=>{BAN}

26 Load rifle case in box (7) FREIGHT {F{RiflE}IGHT}

27 Three should leave European Union at the outset (9) THRESHOLD {THREe}{SHOuLD}

28 Miser holed up in crevasse (5) SAVER [T<=]

29 It gives odour of rotting flesh? - Sweep floor properly in unoccupied chamber (6,6) CORPSE FLOWER {Cham{SWEEP+FLOOR}*beR}

DOWN

1   Proceeds from criminal money? Spend for the audience (9) CONTINUES {CON}{TIN}{(~use)UES}

2   Stupid person steals money [no cents] to spend extravagantly (4,3) LASH OUT {L{cASH}OUT}

3   Adorns with raised work, messes around with book often (8) EMBOSSES {MESSES+BoOk}*

4   Murder plan take heads off and treat badly (3-3) ILL-USE {kILL}{ rUSE}

5   Deadly poison in bacon items (7) ACONITE [T]

6   I hear everything of poor quality in the music collection (5) A?B?M (Addendum - ALBUM {(~all)AL}{BUM} - See comments) All doesn't sound like AL in ALBUM

7   Charm of bride ends with consumption of arsenic ultimately (7) BEWITCH {BridE}{WIT{a...iC}H}

8   In addition, ten square in times? (5) EXTRA {E{X}{T}RA}

15 Nurse's grievance resolved without final compensation, right? (9) CAREGIVER {GRIEVAnCE*}{R}

16 Top of passing fashion coming up? It's a bloomer (8) DAFFODIL {LID}{OF}{FAD}<=

17 Expecting delivery of cast iron, untied occasionally inside (2,5) IN UTERO {IN{UnTiEd}RO*}

19 Formulates key roadmap on battle over drink (5,2) DRAWS UP {D}{WAR<=}{SUP}

21 It cuts exorbitant rates in fiscal wars primarily (7) FRETSAW {Fi...l}{RATES*}{Wars}

22 Helps a top society go to the bottom (5) ABETS {A}{BE(-s)T(+s)S}

23 Turn a blind eye to rude king killing knight or earl (6) IGNORE {kING*}{OR}{E}

25 Rubbish collector in dress circle (5) GARBO {GARB}{O}

Reference List

Vote = X, Silent = P, Left = L, Money = TIN, Cent = C,  Key = D, Society = S, Knight = K, Earl = E