No 14472, Wednesday 30 Apr 2025, Crescent

Solution to 12A 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   Specific person primarily thrown out of a joint (9) ARTICULAR pARTICULAR

9   Lug piece of luggage for aristocrat (4) EARL {EAR}{Lu...e}

10 Clandestine exercise primarily renounced, truth broadcast (5,3,7) UNDER THE COUNTER {Ex...e+RENOUNCED+TRUTH}*

12 Sort of leaning Member might share, essentially political? (9) A?I?N?E?T (Addendum ALIGNMENT {LEANING+M}*{p..iTi..l} - See comments)

13 Something that stains Romeo's intent to an extent (5) EOSIN [T] 

14 A record label launches Filipino (7)  TAGALOG {A}{LOG}<=>{TAG}

17 Party leading Government in compact returning pointers, for example (3,4) GUN DOGS {DO}{Go...t}  in {SNUG<=}

19 Send terms of reference (5) REMIT [DD]

21 'Rank' clued incorporating 'rank' became a sore point (9) ULCERATED {ULCE{RATE}D*}

24 Assist girls and send out calls for help (8,7) DISTRESS SIGNALS {ASSIST+GIRLS+SEND}*

25 Day is cold, a record (4) DISC {D}{IS}{C}

26 Speaker stops point about suspensions (9) MORATORIA {ORATOR} in {AIM<=}

DOWN

1   Made in Macau, turned up around France (12) MANUFACTURED {MACAU+TURNED}* over {F}

2   Investigating way out, edging out on the way out (8) STUDYING {ST}{oUt}{DYING}

3   Rocks collapse bringing out one effect of springtime thaw (3,3) ICE RUN {ICE}{RUiN}

4   Slice of Babybel cheese for Turkish ambassador (6) ELCHEE [T] 

5   Cost of space taken up storing grain before end of harvest (5,3) PRICE TAG {GAP<=} over {RICE}{h...sT}

6   Regret making the last top in pure, sky-blue (8) CERULEAN {C{(+e)ERU(-e)}LEAN}

7   Animals barking rub scent every so often in retreat (6) BRUTES {RUB}*{ScEnT<=}

11 Elevated tier assigned offering vantage viewpoint (8,4) RINGSIDE SEAT {TIER+ASSIGNED}*

15 Learned people have this energy kindled with lively crowds (8) LITERACY {LIT}{E}{RACY}

16 Horrible golf, pity to a few (8) GRUESOME {G}{RUE}{SOME}

18 United Thailand splits with royal suffering banishment (8) OUTLAWRY {U}{T} in {W+ROYAL}*

20 Film about current and force lifting fish out of water (6) MISFIT {MIST} over {I}{F}<=

22 Men standing behind expelled Cuban leader (6) CASTRO {OR<=}<=>{CAST}

23 Makes amends for Conservative son (6) RIGHTS {RIGHT}{S}

Reference List

Member = M, Party = DO, Day = D, Cold = C, France = F, Way = STREET = ST, Rocks = ICE, Golf = G, United = U, Thailand = T, With = W, Current = I, Force = F, Men = OR(Other ranks), Son = S

No 14471, Tuesday 29 Apr 2025, Bruno

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   Broadcast breakfast soap opera (6) SERIAL (~cereal)

4   Girl's admitting - was playing with rope (6) HAWSER {H{SAW*}ER}

8   Half-black West-facing skid row apartment (7) ?A?T?A? (Addendum - RATTRAP  {PART}{TAR}<= See comments)   

9   Foundation boarded hastily (7) ROADBED*

11 Slow to criticise shop in front (10) DELIBERATE {BERATE}<=>{DELI}

12 Cycling path with style (4) ELAN (+e)ELAN(-e)

13 Often suppressing secret need for drama (5) SCENE {SeCrEt+NeEd}

14 Creative and developmentally disabled, initially unsure, transforming into master finally (8) ARTISTIC A(-u+r)RTISTIC

16 Musical composition from follower starting to thrill continent (8) FANTASIA {FAN}{Th...l}{ASIA}

18 Fat specimen lacking structure basically (5) AMPLE sAMPLE

20 Grab drink recipe (4) TEAR {TEA}{R}

21 Clothes-maker makes a mess with braid (10) SEAMSTRESS {A+MESS}*{TRESS}

23 Setter's laid-back about suggestion of colonoscopy check-up (7) MEDICAL {ME}{LA{Co...y}ID<=}

24 Top team invited to mother's luncheon, at first (7) MAXIMAL {MA{XI}MA}{Lu..h}

25 Study of disease eliminated main cause - accepted alternative, finally (6) SURVEY {ScURV{a...vE}Y}

26 Develop ability to chew and bite etherified piece (6) TEETHE [T]

DOWN

1   Piece of glass finally dropped off at Eastern division (5) SHARE {SHARd}{E}

2   I learnt skipping rope (7) RATLINE*

3   Knowledge of a battle tingling most of senses (9) AWARENESS {A}{WAR}{SENSEs}*

5   In heaven, a cow's not popular (5) ABOVE {A}{BOVinE}

6   Dirty sand and weeds, essentially brought on board causing misery (7) SADNESS {SAND*}{weEds}{SS}

7   Review of expert surprisingly - missing point on chemical (2-7) RE-EXAMINE {EXpERt}*{AMINE}

10 What's sometimes seen on the head of God and Mahatmas - endlessly spreading (6,3) PANAMA HAT {PAN}{MAHATMAs}*

13 Quiet amateur at gym - smaller and lacking form (9) SHAPELESS {SH}{A}{PE}{LESS}

15 Tesla managed by Starlink head's dead - put this in other languages too... (9) TRANSLATE {T}{RAN}*{St...k}{LATE}

17 Dog's not very energetic at first - retriever, maybe? (7) TERRIER RETRIEveR*

19 Last person losing switch is character facing trial (7) PERSIST {PERSon}{IS}{Tr..l}

21 Takes wheels to move? (5) SKATE*

22 Lowest member of underworld gets to the top with nuance (5) SHADE (+s)SHADE(-s)

Reference List

Recipe = R, Team = XI, Eastern = E, Popular = IN, On nboard = Ship = SS, Point = PT, Quiet = SH, Amateur = A, gym = PE. Tesla = T, Very = V, Switch = ON

No 14470, Monday 28 Apr 2025, Hypatia

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

8   Criticise, essentially ruining ancient grammarian (6) PANINI {PAN}{ruINIng}

9   Meddle with current switch boxes (4,2,2) B?T? I? O? (Addendum - BUTT IN ON {BUTT{IN}ON} - See comments)

10 Ring Beth and become happier (8,2) BRIGHTEN UP {RING+BETH}* [RA]

11 Basically got richer, expanding wider! (4) GREW Acrostic &lit

12 More painful cut by mark on bishop's old hat (8) SOMBRERO {SO{M}{B}RER}{O}

14 Section of ulcer is extremely red (6) CERISE [T]

15 Love eggs initially hatched by nimble, small birds (7) OSPREYS {O}{SPR{Eggs}Y}{S}

17 Eloquence of pilot welcoming uncle sadly left out (7) FLUENCY {FL{UNClE*}Y}

20 Mozart of Madras almost succeeding British creator (6) BRAHMA {RAHMAn}{<=>{B}

22 School observatory? (8) AQUARIUM [CD]

24 Originally, Japanese app. visualised AI programming language (4) JAVA Acrostic

25 Boy at peril shot in volatile zone getting top award (5,5) NOBEL PRIZE {B+PERIL}* in {ZONE}*

27 Calculated write-off with auditor's reports (8) RECKONED (~wreck owned) Not sure of Anno (Correction - (~wreck and) - See comments)

28 Places from the East, like Buddhist shrines (6) STUPAS {PUTS<=}{AS}

DOWN

1   Father jogs taking Indian country fans (8) PATRIOTS {PA}{TR{I}OTS}

2   Carol or wrong girl (4) SING {SIN}{G}

3   Integrity of contest inspiring rectitude regularly (6) VIRTUE {VI{RecTitUde}E}

4   Baraats would have this in desert? (7) ABANDON {A BAND ON}

5   Start to crack Hypatia puzzles - not hard and liberal, unlike others (8) ATYPICAL {Cr..k+hYPATIA}*{L}

6   Non-alcoholic beverage given by reveller teasing Spooner (6-4) GINGER-BEER (~binger geer to ginger beer) (Correction - (~binger jeer to ginger beer) - See comments)

7   Intimates dogs (6) BOXERS [DD]

13 Say spot communist leader's identification signs (10) BIRTHMARKS (~ berth marx)

16 Sensibly earn in Yokohama, saving Yen (8) YEARNING [T?] Anno not clear

18 Audacity of chap swimming around shack close to Ritz (8) CHUTZPAH {C{HUT}{ritZ}PAH*}

19 Dance by the French eating badam nuts (7) LAMBADA {L{BADAM*}A}

21 Zoomed wasting seconds in front of room and screamed (6) ROARED {sOARED}<=>{R}

23 Except when American concealed sensual plays (6) UNLESS SENSUaL*

26 Track featuring ordinary beat (4) ROUT {R{O}UT}

Reference List

Mark = M, Bishop = B, Old = O, Small = S, British = B, Boy -= B, Indian = I, Girl = G, Hard = H, Liberal = L, The in French = LA, Second = S, Room = R, American = A, Ordinary = O

Special, Sunday 27 Apr 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)

Enjoy.

The Hindu Sunday Crossword No 1, Sunday 27 Apr 2025, Incognito

Everyman comes to an end from today onwards.

ACROSS

8   Branch stimulant (4) SPUR [DD}

9   Muse: Wrongly rate Oscar (5) ERATO {RATE+O}*

10 Time sun is at its highest, anyway (4) NOON <=>

11 Ipecac mixture? It is usually found on top of a tall mountain (3,3) ICE CAP*

12 Steer one van backing up in front of entrance (8) NAVIGATE {1}{VAN}<={GATE}

13 Mistakenly praised a legendary place (8) PARADISE*

15 Removing plank during Central Park renovation results in a depression in the ground (6) CRATER {CEnTRAl+paRk}*

17 America rejected playing siren for beginning of day (7) SUNRISE {US<=}{SIREN*}

19 Endless glare around moving ice in river of snow (7) GLACIER {GLA{ICE*}Re}

22 The French aristocrat is discharged without punishment (3,3) LET OFF {LE}{TOFF}

24 Badly averse to gorges (8) OVEREATS*

26 Silly men in Asia start to criticize forgetful person (8) AMNESIAC {A{MEN*}SIA}{Cr...e}

28 Stumped after golfers' warning: There are lot of trees here (6) FOREST {ST}<=>{FORE}

30 Shoot sack (4) FIRE [DD]

31 Random number generator for character in Sesame Street (5) ERNIE [DD]

32 Tar leaves veteran at sea! Not odd! (4) EVEN VEtEraN*

DOWN

1   Sweetheart's picture is amazing (4) EPIC {swEet}{PIC}

2   Shedding last piece of outfit, matriarch writhes in place of rest (8) ARMCHAIR MAtRIARCH*

3   Oracle's location given by president in National Capital Territory (6) DELPHI {DEL{P}HI}

4   Mountain prince (7) RAINIER [DD]

5   Unspoken: Number 21 is wrong (3-5) NON-VOCAL {N}{VOLCANO*}

6   Removing outer parts, imagines confusing puzzle (6) ENIGMA iMAGINEs*

7   Customary behaviour from wife about commencement of trouble (4) WONT {W}{ON}{Tr...e}

14 Entertain and take advantage of after morning (5) AMUSE {USE}<=>{AM}

16 Throw out! Throw out short professional from project after end of last phase! (5) EJECT {proJECT}<=>{p..sE}

18 Adds at the end, "Fix fuses in new order" (8) SUFFIXES*

20 Wails, consuming her fruits (8) CHERRIES {C{HER}RIES}

21 It might blow its top destroying cool van (7) VOLCANO*

23 Started operation on English editor (6) OPENED {OP}{EN}{ED}

25 French engineer's file design consumed iron (6) EIFFEL {EIF{FE}L*}

27 Chief guy hugs setter (4) MAIN {MA{I}N}

29 She would drop husband and pick up large contraption to go down the mountainside (4) SLED {S(-h+l)LE}{D} DOWN on double duty?

Reference List

Oscar = O, The in French = LE, Aristocrat = TOFF, Stumped = ST, President = P, Number = N, Wife = W, Husband = H, Large = L, Down = D

No 14469, Saturday 26 Apr 2025, Hypatia

 ACROSS
1 Fill drink before travel (6) SUPPLY {SUP}{PLY}
4 Sensibilities affecting cold, detached economist (8) EMOTIONS {EcONOMIST}*
9 Tom, Dick or Harry (most of those reading this) boring Hathaway, say (6) ANYONE {AN{YOu}NE} Anne Hathaway, the actress or Shakespeare's wife
10 Forefather captivated by dance story (8) ANCESTOR [T]
11 Mini cosmos in embassy (4,10) HIGH COMMISION {MINI COSMOS}* [RA]
13 Squibs essentially going into crackers out of place (10) UNSUITABLE {sqUIbs} going into {UNSTABLE}
14 Fruit//chaat (4) BHEL [DD]

16 Bob doesn't use chair, kneeling originally (4) DUCK [Acrostic]
18 Software capturing racing cars registered in Burj Khalifa, for one (10) SKYSCRAPER {CARS}* in {SKYPE}+{R}

21 Attempt to salvage via tense discussions during heated cult wars (6,2,6) CLUTCH AT STRAWS {T}{CHATS} in {CULT WARS}*
23 Roast about performance in shows (8) DISPLAYS {DIS{PLAY}S}
24 A father stopped by priest for long (6) ASPIRE {A}{S{P}IRE}
25 Disheartened doctors nursing veteran's strange depression (8) DOLDRUMS {DoctorS} nursing {OLD}{RUM}
26 America declines applications (6) USAGES {US}{AGES}

DOWN
1 Instant// photo (4) SNAP [DD]
2 Shy models in images for school subject (7) PHYSICS {SHY}* in {PICS}
3 Playing regularly, composer's skipping over main part (8) LYNCHPIN {pLaYiNg}{CHoPIN}
5 Artists cropped missing Tamil reels (11) MINIMALISTS {MISSINg TAMIL}*
6 Bees tested hold up - some fly (6) TSETSE [T<]
7 Nest ultimately circled by large magnificent bird (7) OSTRICH {nesT} in {OS}{RICH}

8 Jet through special skating arena next to the French river (9) SPRINKLER {SP}{RINK}{LE}{R}
12 Poet and old character actor crossing my city (Manama), at last (4,7) OMAR KHAYYAM {O}{MARK}{HA{mY}{citY}{manamA}M} Easy to solve, tough to parse

13 Global organization's detectives indeed on the fence (9) UNDECIDED {UN} {DE{CID}ED}
15 Checks admitting million supporters of members? (8) ARMRESTS {AR{M}RESTS}
17 Lawyer cracking clue with son (7) COUNSEL*
19 Making a pledge beneath park's shelter (7) PAWNING {P}{AWNING}
20 Basically observe crystals under light augmenting range of vision (6) OCULAR [Acrostic]
22 A man and woman heading for salon cuts (4) HEWS {HE}{W}{Salon}

REFERENCE LIST

Cold=C, Registered=R, Tense=T, Roast=Diss, Priest=P, America=US, Large=OS (Outsize), Special=SP, The French=LE(THE in French), Old=O, Park=P, Man=He, Woman=W.

No 14468, Friday 25 Apr 2025, AFterdark

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

9   Real-time construction (wasting money) of a studio (7) ATELIER {REAL+TImE}*

10 One at the very beginning orders; club has commotion to supply fruit (7) AVOCADO {A}{V}{Or...s}{C}{ADO}

11 First two characters and first officer beginning to negotiate with carelessness (7) ABANDON {A}{B}{AND}{Of...r}{Ne...e}

12 Beginner seen in hospital ward shouting (7) ENTRANT {ENT}{RANT}

13 Insight gained in teaching (9) INTUITION {IN}{TUITION}

15 Artist is primarily engaging the breed (5) RAISE {RA}{IS}{En...g}

16 Stateside server has merit (7) DESERVE [T]

19 Muscle displayed in second page at school (7) TRICEPS {TRICE}{P}{S }

20 Police officer drunk in break (5) SPLIT {SP}{LIT}

21 Female's menu disregards men, (European) in the plant (9) FENUGREEK {F}{mENU}{GREEK}

25 Brag about return of investment, otherwise rest (7) ROISTER {ROI}{REST*}

26 One month to receive offer for capital (7) ABIDJAN {A}{BID}{JAN}

28 Coder set out to buy gold at Erode (7) CORRODE {C{OR}RODE*}

29 General's note on regular duel on a type of wave (3,4) LEE TIDE {LEE}{TI}{DuEl}

DOWN

1   Nothing seen during South Africa, Rhode Island trip (6) SAFARI {SA}{FA}{RI}

2   A rule introduced in department for leave (6) DEPART {DEP{A}{R}T}

3   Penny in exotic dress at the inauguration but it's patchy in colour (4) PIED Acrostic

4   British heir essentially succeeded to lead country (6) BRUNEI {B}{hEIr} over {RUN}

5   Fruit of filbert seen in mist, left by a mad man (8) HAZELNUT {HAZE}{L}{NUT}

6   New actors before the bell are appearing together (2-8) CO-STARRING {ACTORS*}{RING}

7   Drone seen at soldier's location (8) PARASITE {PARA}{SITE}

8   It's futile to get footwear for a fewer amount (8) BOOTLESS {BOOT}{LESS}

14 Rita's note in press creates displeasure (10) IRRITATION {IR{RITA}{TI}ON}

16 Deputy Inspector from the beginning is stern in territory (8) DISTRICT {De...e}{In...r}{STRICT}

17 A group of fighters traded biyearly regularly (8) SOLDIERY {SOLD}{bIyEaRlY}

18 English army in New Delhi entrance executed (8) ENFORCED {E}{New}{FORCE}{De..i}

22 More or less, listener could follow nationalist lady without substance (6) NEARLY {EAR}<=>{N} and {LadY}

23 Enjoying dismissal of unknown girl by order (6) ENJOIN ENJOyINg

24 Founder gathers news on doghouse (6) KENNEL {KE{N}{N}EL}

27 Fancy half idli with meat essentially (4) IDEA {IDli}{mEAt}

Reference List

Money = M, Very = V, Club = C, Artist = RA, Page = P, School = S, Female = F, Men = M, Note = TI, Nothing = FA(Fanny Adams), Rule = R, British = B, Left = L, Note = TI, English = E, Nationalist = N, Unknown = Y, Girl = G, New = N

No 14467, Thursday 24 Apr 2025, Afterdark

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

9   One US state holds grain with selfishness (7) AVARICE {A}{VA}{RICE}

10 Expert trainer primarily worried about salt (7) ACETATE {ACE}{Tr...r}{ATE}

11 Apparent papers will be collected in tournament (7) EVIDENT {EV{ID}ENT}

12 Option to buy one dessert (4-3) CHOC-ICE {CHO{C}ICE} Buy 1 or Buy C?

13 Bug eaters to chew the vegetable (5,4) SUGAR BEET*

15 Siemens, solicitor is fat (5) STOUT {S}{TOUT}

16 Big warship to park at the front of boarding point (3,4) BUS STOP {B}{USS}{TO}{Park}

19 Company to insist head should be removed from school (7) COLLEGE {CO}{aLLEGE}

20 Disorder at tea shop regularly to refund (5) CHAOS {CHA}{sHoP<=}

21 Spells of bad weather land cops in trouble at Sweden (4,5) COLD SNAPS {LAND+COPS}{S}

25 Think again about individual help (7) R?L?E?E (Addendum - RELIEVE {RELI{E}VE} - See comments) E from?

26 Auditor's quiet, that is nervy essentially for the bank employee (7) CASHIER {CA}{SH}{IE}{neRvy}

28 Reportedly boy got breads at dawn (7) SUNRISE {(~son){SUN}{RISE} (Correction - {(~ son ryes){SUNRISE} - See comments)

29 Sat uncomfortably with anger, fixed in a place (7) STABILE {SAT*}{BILE}

DOWN

1   Concern on ship for stroke (6) CARESS {CARE}{SS}

2   Wickerwork displayed by American in Germany (6) CANING [T]

3   Mountain of wealth (4) PILE [DD]

4   Instead of dollars, use krone to pay for container (6) KETTLE (-$+k)KETTLE

5   Actor in first cinema takes action on controlled substance (8) NARCOTIC {ACTOR+IN+Ci...a}*

6   Fish is sad, lonesome in house (5,5) LEMON SOLES Letter Bank (Correction - {LONESOME}* in {LS} - See comments)

7   Friend, a bud made a poem of recantation (8) PALINODE {PAL}{1}{NODE}

I never saw a purple cow.

I never hope to see one.

But I can tell you anyhow

I'd rather see than be one

8   Letters distributed to primarily everyone to migrate (8) RESETTLE {LETTERS}*{Ev...e}

14 Roasting device's resistor damaged, one at the end (10) ROTISSERIE {RESISTOR}*{1}{thE}

16 Terrible setback getting king's support (8) BACKREST {BACK{R}EST*}

17 Say actor telling a story skipping a year of a fish (8) STARLING {STAR}{LyING} Fish or Bird??

18 Choose new reel about fish (8) PICKEREL {PICK}{REEL*}

22 Oslo customer saves an insect (6) LOCUST [T]

23 One police department initially investigating clubs is sharp (6) ACIDIC {A}{CID}{In...g}{Cl..s}

24 New setter's on the way (6) STREET*

27 Vessels are upside down; catch (4) SNAP<=

Reference List

Papers = ID, Siemens = S, Big = B< Tea = CHA, Sweden = S, Quiet = SH, Ship = SS, Dollars = S, Krone = K, House = LS(Lok Sabha), King = R, Year = Y

No 14466, Wednesday 23 Apr 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 19A 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   Day touring exotic Spain is so cool (13) DISPASSIONATE {D{SPAIN+IS+SO}*ATE}

8   Expression used figuratively by tense guy (5) TROPE {T}{ROPE}

9   Irresponsible rogue insulting new tenor (9) IMPRUDENT {IMP}{RUDE}{N}{T}

11 The best part of less hair - no knots! (5,5) LIONS SHARE*

12 Lovely new diamonds (4) NICE {N}{ICE}

14 Devious minister expressing surprise at inauguration is acting (7) INTERIM MINIsTER*

16 One retaliating with fury to tackle extremes of vice (7) AVENGER {A{VicE}NGER}

17 Adult club entertaining women on vacation (5-2) GROWN-UP {GRO{WomeN}UP}

19 Interject as wasted hosts argue (5,2) T?R?W ?N ()

21 Possum energetically turns to catch birds (4) EMUS [T<=]

22 Buffet in canteen beside lake for 100th anniversary (10) CENTENNIAL {IN+CANTEEN}*{L}

25 Hurt by curtailment of rapprochement across border (9) DETRIMENT {DET{RIM}ENTe}

26 Leers as lady goes wild (5) OGLES {L+GOES}*

27 Theft a lot know about is subject of considerable gossip (4,2,3,4) TALK OF THE TOWN*

DOWN

2/10   What person pressing clothes will do to resolve all minor difficulties (4,3,3,8) IRON OUT THE WRINKLES [DD]

3   Giving sexual satisfaction to naughty ladies on vacation in Prague (10) PLEASURING {La..eS+IN+PRAGUE}*

4   Son craving to become smart (5) SWISH {S}{WISH}

5   Single guy drinking wine with model is distinguished (9) IMPORTANT {1}{M}{PORT}{AN}{T} (Correction - {1}{M{PORT}AN}{T} - See comments)

6   Good sense of rising star winning Oscar (4) NOUS {SU{O}N<=}

7   Join stylish girl touring large Chinese city (7) TIELING {TIE}{IN}{G} Over {L}

8   Nut on television halted a broadcast about ruler (7,4) TALKING HEAD {HALTED+A}* over {KING}

10 See 2

13 Supporting fight to crush each cartel (7,3) BEARING OUT {B{EA}{RING}OUT}

15 Shimmering pale flame is national symbol of Canada (5,4) MAPLE LEAF*

18 Cactus flourishing in a pot outside university (7) OPUNTIA {IN+A+POT}* over {U}

20 Woman upset and miserable getting painful infection of finger (7) WHITLOW {W}{HIT}{LOW}

23 Jerk abandoning wife and little one (5) TITCH TwITCH

24 Founder abducted by rebels in Kenya (4) SINK [T]

Reference List

Tense = T, Guy = ROPE, New = N, Tenor = T, Lake = L, Lady = L, Son = S, Guy = MAN, Model = T, Stylish = IN, Girl = G, Large = L, Each = EA, University = U, Woman = W, Wife = W

No 14465, Tuesday 22 Apr 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   Apricots aren't fresh in stall (13) PROCRASTINATE*

8   Nut in English club, enthralled by pot (5) PECAN {P{E}{C}AN}

9 & 14 What factory inspector might do to endure difficulties (2,7,3,4) GO THROUGH THE MILL [DD]

11 Endlessly intoxicated, rambling in state of agitation (10) EXCITATION INTOXICATEd*

12 Bit pale, lacking energy (4) WHIT WHITe

14 See 9

16 Fierce culmination of climate changes - not frozen over in winter (3-4) ICE-FREE {FIERCE+c...tE}*

17 Information on origin of epileptic convulsion relating to heredity (7) GENETIC {GEN}{Ep...c}{TIC}

19 Wild at first, son in band becomes mature (5,2) GROWS UP {GRO{Wild}{S}UP}

21 Starts to observe very unusually mutated egg cell (4) OVUM Acrostic

22 Fling with lady in control turned more delightful (10) HEAVENLIER {HEAVE}{REI{L}N<=}

25 Tireless nurse is out, frantically saving patient at centre (9) STRENUOUS {NURSE+iS+OUT}*

26 Located small improvised explosive device outside bar (5) SITED {S}{I{T}ED}

27 Making out with stunning redhead slyly when he's away (13) UNDERSTANDING {STUNNING+REDheAD}*

DOWN

2   Recover from cold, tucking into celery salad (7) RECYCLE {RE{C}YCLE*}

3   Checks firm involved in swindles (10) CONSTRICTS {CON{STRICT}S}

4   Try technique to master slang (5) ARGOT {AR{GO}T}

5   Loves wearing lace, making an impression on people? (9) TATTOOING {TATT{00}ING}

6   Charged about 500 for ancient aromatic ointment (4) NARD {RAN<=}{D}

7   Ego hurt easily? Becoming more resilient (7) TOUGHER*

8   Impressive in sack? Gossip is mostly true (11) PRESTIGIOUS {GOSSIP+Is+TRUE}*

10 Explosive in the tempo, built by revolutionary (3-8) HOT-TEMPERED {THE+TEMPO}*{RED}

13 Appreciated medley of disco genre (10) RECOGNISED*

15 Most contemptible person consuming ecstasy with songstress is lewd (9) LECHEROUS {L{E}{CHER}OUSe}

18 New running route close to town - it's free of charge (7) NEUTRON {N}{ROUTE*}{towN}

20 Bowled over by model stealing money bag in retreat (7) S?I?T?N (Addendum - SMITTEN {S{M}IT}{NET<=} - See comments)

23 Panorama in Kiev is tantalising (5) VISTA [T]

24 Con peddled ecstasy previously (4) ONCE {CON*}{E}

Reference List

English = E, Club = C, Energy = E, Information = GEN, Son = S, Lady = L, Small = S, Bar = T, Cold = C, Try = GO, 500 = D, Ecstasy = E, New = N, Money = M

No 14464, Monday 21 Apr 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 27A 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   Brand of fancy car beside a shed (8) DESCRIBE {CaR+BESIDE}*

5   Dried grape from Sahara is insipid (6) RAISIN [T]

10 Humiliates young socialite and fool consuming ecstasy (7) DEBASES {DEB}{AS{E}S}

11 Airing broadcast about European country (7) NIGERIA {NIG{E}RIA*}

12 Raccoon-like animal in film institute (5) COATI {COAT}{I}

13 Dance romantically, holding woman close at the end to show devotion (9) ADHERENCE {DANCE}* over {HER}{closE}

14 Garish escort animatedly describing rise from poverty to wealth (4-2-6) RAGS-TO-RICHES*

18 Friend captivates model right away with performance in flat (6-2-4) MATTER-OF-FACT {MA{T}TE}{R}{OFF}{ACT}

21 Hollow vessel filled with new kind of tobacco (9) CAVENDISH {CAVE}{N}{DISH}

23 Put up tribute after losing president (5) RAISE pRAISE

24 A revolutionary plan to tackle boy's recurrent loss of smell (7) ANOSMIA {A}{AIM<=} over {SON<=}

25 Not one nor the other is inert compound containing helium (7) NEITHER {NEIT{HE}R*}

26 Pour out a little fluid in garbage right away (6)  EFFUSE {rEF{Fl..d}USE}

27 Fly airplane close to ground in extremely hush-hush operation across border (5-3) ?E?G?-H?P (Addendum - HEDGE-HOP {Hus{EDGE}husH}{OP} - See comments)

DOWN

1   Reason most dive in river (6) DEDUCE {DE{DUCk}E}

2   Small British club hosting a midnight meeting of witches (6) SABBAT {S}{B}{BAT} over {A}

3   Awfully cute star inviting India's captain to live in the country (9) RUSTICATE {CUTE+STAR}* over {In..a}

4   Vacation spent in doing work? Sadly, my old husband is a leader in L&T (7,7) BUSMANS HOLIDAY {MY+O+HUSBAND+IS+A+L&t}*

6   Needle in feeding trough cutting maiden (5) ANGER mANGER

7   Champ wearing extremely snazzy hair tie (8) SCRUNCHY {Sna{CRUNCH}zzY} Never new this name!!

8   Capture territories inside transcontinental region (4,4) NEAR EAST {NE{AREAS}T}

9   What gully fielder is waiting for, just in case (2,3,3,6) ON THE OFF CHANCE [C&DD]

15 Suffering at home, healing after taking a little rest (9) INCURRING {IN}{CUR{Rest}ING}

16 Medicate a model wanting drug primarily to become very thin (8) EMACIATE {MEdICATE+A}*

17 Repel crook stealing extremely valuable ring (5,3) STAVE OFF {STA{Va...lE}{O}FF}

19 English tenor enthralled by remarkably high octave (6) EIGHTH {E}{IGH{T}H*}

20 Act without restraint in border to crush alien resistance (3,3) LET RIP {L{ET}{R}IP}

22 Star in retreat pressing doctor for drugs (5) NUMBS {NU{MB}S<=}

Reference List

Ecstasy = E, European = E, Institute = I, Model = T, Right = R, New = N, President = P, Small = S, British = B, Old = O, Maiden = M, English = E, Tenor = T, Alien = ET, Resistance = R

Special, Sunday 20 Apr 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)

Enjoy.

The Sunday Crossword No 3354, Sunday 20 Apr 2025

ACROSS

1   Aplomb – or kind of a trick? (10) CONFIDENCE [DD]

6   4, whichever way you look at it! (4) BOOB<=>

9   Cutter between Channel Islands, losing direction, distressed (7) INCISOR {IN}{CI}{SORe}

10 Bullfighter Damon shown exit, we hear (7) MATADOR {(~matt)MAT A DOOR}

12 ‘Paella?’ groaned displaced American writer (5,5,3) EDGAR ALLAN POE*

14 Jury’s findings after court’s thrown out Italian scorer (5) VERDI VERDIct

15 Runners’ trainers? (9) BEANPOLES [CD]

16 Excess denim – rare – fancy! (9) REMAINDER*

18 Part of caterpillar going slowly (5) LARGO [T]

20 Per Spooner, the time for gardening had come: no-one told me (3,3,1,2,4) HOW WAS I TO KNOW (~now was i to hoe how was i to know)

23 To begin with, thoroughbred turned, went at moderate pace (7) TROTTED {Th...d}{ROTTED}

24 Mix using seeds to augment relish – delicious, primarily? (7) MUSTARD Acrostic Semi&lit

25 Confines swans (4) PENS [DD]

26 Buff and shine statue, mostly vigorously (10) ENTHUSIAST {SHINE+STATUe}*

DOWN

1   Prune extract (4) CLIP [DD]

2   Heavily armed and dim – peacekeepers flipping! (7) NUCLEAR {UN<=>NU}NUCLEAR

3   At home, Mark supposing that Everyman is able take time to be petty (13) INSIGNIFICANT {IN}{SIGN}{IF}{I CAN}{T}

4   Fright being topless, a mistake (5) ERROR tERROR

5   Chair reupholstered with lamé fabric (5,4) CAMEL HAIR {CHAIR+LAME}*

7   Crossword setter’s into dictionary, mate: that’s kind of complex (7) OEDIPAL {OED}{I}{PAL}

8   Where you might get a flat top – hopefully not from the tenor (10) BARBERSHOP [CD/Semi&lit]

11 They go up and down in tailspin, storm raging (13) TRAMPOLINISTS*

13 Somewhat extrovert, he topes too much (4-3-3) OVER-THE-TOP [T]

15 Badly bred, dined staying in PJs? (9) BEDRIDDEN*

17 Butcher’s second wife unhappy (3,4) MOW DOWN {MO}{W}{DOWN}

19 Basic facts; a little conflict’s arisen (3,4) RAW DATA {A}{TAD}{WAR}<=

21 Va-va-voom, or emphatically minimal speed? (5) OOMPH {00 MPH}

22 Change hearts of greedier visitors (4) EDIT {greEDier}{visITors}

Reference List

Court = CT, Peacekeepers = UN, Time = T, Second = MO, Wife = W