No 14499, Saturday 31 May 2025, Gussalufz

                                     Khadi Urad

 ACROSS
1 Masala French author rejected (5) SUMAC<

4 Took a walk with Sun editor, absorbing stirring nature (9) SAUNTERED {S}{NATURE*}{ED}
9 Answer duo from reporters' small pool (7) RESPOND {REporters}{S}{POND}
10 Escape a very boring racket going round (7) EVASION {A}{V} inside {NOISE}<
11 The reason drinking is back, finally, is this drink! (6) WHISKY{WH{IS}{bacK}Y}
12 Backing grim reckoning for beaver-like creatures (8) MUSKRATS {STARK SUM}<

14 Apostle returning from Honolulu appointment (4) PAUL [T<]
15 Form and structure of swimming pool or gym (including height) (10) MORPHOLOGY {H} in {POOL OR GYM}*
18 Possibly crude European joins (is full of s***, unfortunately) (6,4) FOSSIL FUEL {E} in {IS FULL OF S}*
19 Can Jack love Helen's clothes? (4) JOHN {J}{O}{HeleN}
22 Danger signal from valley, in concerning assertions, essentially (3,5) RED ALERT {DALE} in {RE}{asseRTions}
24 Billionaire on top of crypto revolution suffering regular losses (6) TYCOON {oN Of tOpCrYpTo}<
26 Papa, couch icky, is hiding rodent! (7) ACOUCHI [T]

27 By plugging running, he gets Australia's two openers stumped and run out (7) EXHAUST {X} in {HE*} +{AU}{ST}
28 Sweethearts quarrel, losing heads (it's a mistake) (9) OVERSIGHT {lOVERS}{fIGHT}
29 Suffer quietly, not about to reach closure (3,2) END UP  {ENDUre}{P}

DOWN
1 Squad entering to dine in mess (5-2) SCREW-UP {S{CREW}UP}
2 Men addressed disorderliness? One's sure dubious (9) MESSIEURS {MESS}{I}{SURE*}
3 Approves supporting credit limit of zero for criminals (6) CROOKS {OKS}<=>{CR}{O}
4 Very revolting commercial for beverage (4) SODA {SO}{AD<}
5 Aunt let off shackles, cracked jokes without preparation (10) UNEQUIPPED {aUNt}{lEt}{QUIPPED} 
6 I appreciate that teenager cycling around a vacant nook (5,3) THANK YOU {A}{NooK} in {+TH}YOU{-th}
7 Side with ChatGPT, perhaps, in "Loosely-copied Art" case (5) RAITA {AI} in {ART*}
8 Democracy ends with horrible rulers (7) DYNASTY {DemocracY}{NASTY}
13 "Come forth, no more stealth at last... Cocktail of gin? It's helpful!" (10) COMFORTING {COMe FORTh}{GIN*}
16 Pompous donor appallingly limits free tour (9) OROROTUND {TOUR}* in {DONOR}*
17 Excellent! Is awesome to keep liberal bubbles in line (8) AIRLOCKS {AI}{R{L}OCKS}
18 Extreme right given a turn for variety (7) FARRAGO {FAR}{R}{A}{GO}
20 Express negative ruling against partners (3-4) NON-STOP {NO} 

+ {TOP}<=>{NS}

21 Supply cheese sandwiches, fruit (6) LYCHEE [T]

23 Electronic device died (rusted after trapping oxygen) (5) DIODE {O} in {DIED*}

25 Orderly is almost at hand with a bit of tea (4) NEAT {NEAr}{Tea}

REFERENCE LIST

Sun=S, Editor=ED, Height=H, European=E, Jack=J, Love=O, Concerning=RE, BY=X{2 by 2=2x2}, Quietly=P, One=I, Zero=O, Commercial=AD, Excellent=A1 Partners= N(orth) S(outh) {In Bridge}

No 14998, Friday, 30 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

8   Man's style stays strangely close to inconspicuous IT guys in office (7,8) SYSTEMS ANALYSTS {MANS+STYLE+STAYS}*{i...uS}

9   Restrained by French queen's clamour (6,2) REINED IN {REINE}{DIN}

10 Small hole, setter leased reportedly (6) EYELET (~i let)

11 Time of payment and refusals by editor? Disdainful! (6-5) TOFFEE-NOSED {T}{OF}{FEE}{NOS}{ED}

16 Rare circular tux used for say drama in school (15) EXTRACURRICULAR*

18 Mostly avoid loaded unsheathed vial of gut bacteria! (11) ESCHERICHIA {ESCHEw}{RICH}{vIAl}

21 Man's title included 'pretentious one killed for his beliefs' (6) MARTYR {M{ARTY}R}

23 Dashing date, returning Officer of British Empire with a common Malayali name! (8) DEBONAIR {D} and {O}{B}{E}<=with {NAIR} See my comment in the comments section

25 Bury nail after leaving one rupee at location as domestic tax (8,7) INTERNAL REVENUE  {INTER}{NAiL}{RE}{VENUE}

DOWN

1   Overenthusiastic words in online language (9) HYPERTEXT {HYPER}{TEXT}

2   Overcome by crack from the south (4) STUN<=

3   Small dirt for example, round blot (6) SMUDGE {S}{MUD}{EG<=}

4   Salt at north lake in mountains (4) TARN {TAR}{N}

5   Fluid risk underpinning a wet kind of sport (5,3) WATER SKI {RISK}*<=>{A+WET}* Semi&lit

6   Impish character in Qwerty Keyboard (4) TYKE [T]

7   Not about controlled ride (5) STEED STEEreD

12 Fashion for vacuous Genoese (5) FORGE {FOR}{Ge...sE}

13 Never changing spirit (5) NERVE*

14 Democrat should cut money (5) DOUGH {D}{OUGHt}

15 Inconsistent Religious Instructions for a broad (9) CAPACIOUS CAP(-ri+a)ACIOUS

17 Enrico misguidedly welcomed by 101 guides (8) CICERONI {ENRICO}* in {CI}

19 Natural like popular black revolutionary (6) INBRED {IN}{B}{RED}

20 Stalk hot relative (5) HAUNT {H}{AUNT}

22 Plant found in every street (4) TREE [T] Every is superfluous

23 Food shop, hour away from capital city (4) DELI DELhI

24 One's orchestrated live for Christmas (4) NOEL {ONE*}{L}

Reference List

Queen in Frenceh = REINE, Time = T, Editor = ED, Man's title = MR, Date = D, Rupee = RE, Small = S. Salt = TAR, North = N, About = RE, Democrat = D, Religious Instructions = RI, 101 = CI, Black = B, Hot = H, Hour = H, Live =L

No 14497, Thursday 29 May 2025, Saral

Solution to 23A 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   Company president followed by a policeman (6) COPPER {CO}{P}{PER}

5  Security added covers, at first to check (8) MORTGAGE {MOR{To}{GAG}E}

9  Rebel in Crimea fighting with king crossing Vatican (8) MAVERICK {CRIMEA}*{K} over {V}

10 Throng primarily major milk products counter (6) MYRIAD {Ma..r}{DAIRY<=}

11 Single guy is disheartened and serious (6) SOLEMN {SOLE}{MaN}

12 Sceptical German overwhelmed by crazy actions (8) AGNOSTIC {A{G}NOSTIC*}

13 Part of very large spinning instrument (4) LYRE [T<=]

14 Used steel to join small devices (10) TELESCOPES {STEEL}{COPE}{S}

16 Perfect leotard I am ordering (6-4) TAILOR-MADE*

18 Cases of dopes lost, missing drug (4) PODS DOPeS*

20 Projecting smart among accountants (8) CASTINGS {CA{STING}S}

22 Grab ananas stuffed fruit (6) BANANA [T]

23 Escort filled with fury essentially in agency (6) ?U?E?U ()

24 Lifts players' hopes losing opener (8) ENHANCES {E}{N}{cHANCES}

25 Barge had ample light (8) HEADLAMP*

26 Dislike rejecting a piece of plastic gift (6) RESENT pRESENT

DOWN

2   Art of public speaking in chapel (7) ORATORY [DD]

3   Gradually spread slice in front (9) PIECEMEAL {MEAL}<=>{PIECE}

4   Again American soldiers backing nationalist in power (5) REIGN {RE}{GI<=}{N}

5   Ace English lawman keeps working to win very easily (4,1,5,5) MAKE A CLEAN SWEEP {ACE+E+LAWMAN+KEEPS}*

6   Think back about short stories initially by church (9) REMINISCE {RE}{MINIS}{CE}

7   Kids often ignoring grid rules (5) GIRLS {GrId+RuLeS}

8   Crushing grain with the hollow rock (7) GRANITE {GRAIN*}{ThE]

14 Web designer creating a natural environment at last (9) TARANTULA  {A+NATURAL}*{e...nT}

15 Rivals playing? Stop entry of writer hiding old name (9) OPPONENTS {STOP}* over {P{O}{N}EN}

17 Generally a market stores royal uniform (2,1,4) AS A RULE {A}{SA{R}{U}LE}

19 Mafia leader holds gun, flashing above enemy's head in cell (7) DUNGEON{D{GUN*}{En..y}ON}

21 Guard controlling anger finally in rage (5) TREND {T{a..eR}END}

22 Stop outside one hotel in state (5) BIHAR {B{1}{H}AR}

Reference List

President = P, King = K, Vatican = V, German = G, Small = S, Drug = E, Players = E,N, Again = RE, Nationalist = N, English = E, About = RE, Church =CE, Old = O, Name = N, Royal = R, Uniform = U, Hotel = H

No 14496, Wednesday 28 May 2025, Karaoke

Solution to 22D 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   It comes before fraction of a second essentially implied perhaps by books (7,5) DECIMAL POINT {A+seCOnd+IMPLIED}*{NT}

9   Guy from college taking drink after mixing a drop of brandy (5) CABLE {C}{A{Br...y}LE}

10 Hotbeds run over run (9) NURSERIES {RUN<=}{SERIES}

11 Students take time to clear volume for marks (7) NOTICES NO(-v+t)TICES

12 Mortified remains found in a sack (7) ABASHED {A}{B{ASH}ED}

13 Without any uncertainty, mixed alcoholic drink (8) TINCTURE {UNCERTaInTy}*

14 Group to change sides. It's a clerical habit (5) FROCK F(-l+r)ROCK

18 Nothing lost for a bait? Decline! (5) DECAY DEC(-o+a)AY

20 Spooner says "Need toilets for the unfinished tasks" (8) BACKLOGS (lack bogs to backlogs)

24 Nurse is slow to understand work (7) LACTATE {L{ACT}ATE}

26 Most effortless employment initially getting a short afternoon nap (7) EASIEST {{Em...t}{A}{SIESTa} 

27 Big-bellied uncle hits short boy brutally (2,3,4) IN THE CLUB {UNCLE+HITs+B}*}

28 Heavenly food fish, new for Thor at first (5) MANNA MAN(-t+n)NA

29 Revolting expert leaves weather forecast in a mess. Expect unpleasant things to happen (4,3,5) FEAR THE WORST {WEATHER+FORecaST}*

DOWN

1   She makes introductory appearance? Director is extremely tense after having doubt (9) DEBUTANTE {DE{BUT}AN}{TensE}

2   Hair style of staff maybe? (4-3) CREW-CUT {CREW}{CUT} Maybe/Cut? (Addendum STAF = {CREW cut} - See comments)

3   The cloth is under-sized and small to put on (8) MINISTRY {MINI}{S}{TRY}

4   Rope in associate involved in criminal trial (6) LARIAT {LARI{A}T*}

5   Live recording of exercise outdoor (4-3) OPEN-AIR {O{PE}N AIR}

6   It comes straight from the horse's mouth perhaps? (5) NEIGH [CD]

7   Worried about cheat carrying iodine and deadly poison (7) ACONITE {A{CON}{I}TE}

8   Adult party goes out of the way (5) ASIDE {A}{SIDE}

15 Stop rig hiding mutineers heartily bound together (5-4) CLOSE-KNIT {CLOSE}{K{m..iNe..s}IT}

16 What a violinist would do to play and acknowledge applause (4,1,3) TAKE A BOW [DD]

17 Puffers' accessory, almost thrash out in any case (7) ASHTRAY {THRASh}* in {AnY}

19 Lay a drink of holly near old city (7) AMATEUR {A}{MATE}{UR}

21 Running a risk around high mountains primarily in this place? (7) KASHMIR {A+RISK}* over {H}{Mo...s}

22 He drinks excessively, king moves up in the same way (5) ?L?I? (Addendum - ALKIE AL(+k)I(-k)E - See comments)

23 Saint leaves in secrecy for hospital in good shape (6) HEALTH (-st+h)HEALTH

25 Girl with copper connection (5) CUTIE {CU}{TIE}

Reference List

Books = NT(New Testament), College = C, Run = R, Time = T, Volume = V, Boy = B, New = N, Small = S, Associate = A, Exercise = PE, Adult = A, Old city = UR, High = H, King = K, Saint = ST, Hospital = H

No 14495, Tuesday 27 May 2025, Avtaar

Solution to 17A 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   Bar conducting probe? Disgraceful! (6) INDIGN {IN{DIG}N}

5   Every other breach damages entrances (8) BECHARMS {BrEaCh}{HARMS}

9   Long, endless, singular, rambling conclusion to speech (8) LANGUISH {SINGULAr}*{s...cH}

10 Young girl taking time filming Germany's interior sections (6) MIDSTS {MIS{T}S} over {D}

11 1960s rock song by Roger, I played outside bank (7,5) ELEANOR RIGBY {BY+ROGER+I}* over {LEAN}

13 Along with a lasso, a shikar's leader left (4) ALSO {A}{LasSO}

14 Husband taken in by inflexible, tasteless, vacuous notions (8) THOUGHTS {T{H}OUGH}{Ta...eS}

17 How to get a team member in office? (8) ?O?K?A?E (Addendum - WORKMATE {TEAM}* [RA] - See comments)

18 Land is flat, without fencing and extremely backward (4) LAOS {fLAt}{SO<=}

20 Growth of leaves in newly fenced corners after cutting cedar's root (12) FRONDESCENCE {FENCED+CORNErS}*

23 Leaving a jet, more energetic (6) SPRYER SPRaYER

24 Extraordinary tenor - cracking numbers - in Mexican folk ensembles (8) NORTENOS {N{TENOR*}OS}

25 Plug-uglies, primarily employed by moneylenders who take possession by force (8) USURPERS {USUR{Pl...s}ERS}

26 Head of krill nibbled by curious Welsh predators (6) WHELKS {WHEL{Kr..l}S*}

DOWN

2   Old boatman's sweetheart turning up outside entrance of apartment (4) NOAH {HON<=} over {Ap...t}

3   Ethiopian on vacation visits, looking around for cosy fireplace (9) INGLENOOK {INGL{Et...aN}OOK*}

4   Overwhelmed by bills, Avtaar cries (6) NOISES {NO{I}SES}

5   Suffering Chinese bend over centre of Parthenon, starting to supplicate, away from public view (6-3-6) BEHIND-THE-SCENES {CHINESE+BEND}* over {parTHEnon} and {Su...e}

6   Country advanced, after arresting leaders of resistance outfits (8) CAMEROON {CAME ON} over {Re...e}{Ou...s}

7   Tops from an old Delhi artisan inspiring gowns in Hanoi (2,3) AO DAI Acrostic

8   Idiot boxes underground, reviewed by operating key on remote control (4,6) MUTE BUTTON {MUT{TUBE<=}T}{ON}

12 Like diamonds, graphite and lead in Anthony Trollope's novel (10) ALLOTROPES {An...y+TROLLOPES}*

15 Bond film "Ancient fellow" described by Spooner (6,3) GOLDEN EYE (~olden guy to golden eye)

16 Cheerful accountant supported by disheartened judge (8) CAREFREE {CA}{REFeREE}

19 One tight singer, finally belted out without a break (2,1,3) IN A ROW {1}{NARrOW}

21 Beam article about caste in Kerala (5) NAYAR {RAY}{AN}<=

22 Footwear box (4) SOCK [DD]

Reference List

Time = T, Germany = D, Husband = H

No 14494, Monday 26 May 2025, Bruno

Solution to 8D 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   Spouse returned blame and then split (7) PARTNER {RAP<=}{RENT<=} Reversal indicator missing?

7   Rebellion allowed pair (7) COUPLET {COUP}{LET}

9   Our really lovely old place starts with a deck (5) ORLOP Acrostic

10 One from Guangzhou's unable to love - seen desperate (9) CANTONESE {CAN'T}{O}{SEEN*}

11 Royal assassin's first to be sent out to put someone in danger (7) IMPERIL IMPERIaL

13 Obscure way to remove top of disk (3-3) BLU-RAY {BLUR}{wAY}

15 Victor, one day, it could explode around area creating cancer causing stuff (13) RADIOACTIVITY {VICTOR+1+DAY+IT}* over {A}

19 Black ship's water tank (6) BOILER {B}{OILER}

20 Jealous of blended vino - English and American bottles (7) ENVIOUS {E}{VINO*}{US}

23 Journey to ends of capital in submarine for performance venue (5,4) STRIP CLUB {S{TRIP}{Ca...aL}UB}

24 Love to go in for a rough style (5) VOGUE V(-a=0)OGUE

26 Stockpile of unopened jam (7) RESERVE pRESERVE

27 Loose relative loses foot to snake (7) UNCLASP {UNCL(-e+asp)ASP}

DOWN

1   Test of morals? (4) ORAL [T]

2   Killer is up around new gym, at the centre of library (6) SNIPER {I{N}S<=}{PE}{libRary}

3   Lots of adult rock's contrived (9) TRUCKLOAD*

4   Often young violas lacking strings essentially are transported from former Serbia? (8) YUGOSLAV {YoUnG}{ViOLAS}*

5   Entire bird's anatomic heart is at medium speed (10) ALLEGRETTO {ALL}{EGRET}{anaTOmic}

6   Earnings for climbing into mine (6) PROFIT {P{FOR<=}IT}

7   Drawbacks of having no interest in stars (4) CONS iCONS

8   Make clothes colourful, even, and mostly positive (3-3) T?E-?Y? (Addendum - TIE-DYE {TIED}{YEs} - See comments)

12 Delay in revoking Artificial Intelligence paper - rebel gets lift (10) PLAGIARISE {LAG} in {AI}{P}<= and {RISE}

14 Metal's tasty on the outside, surprisingly bitter in the middle (9) YTTERBIUM {Y{BITTER*}UM}

16 Amateur experiment exploded, setter escaped (8) INEXPERT EXPERImeNT*

17 A boy - one taking drugs is an offender (6) ABUSER {A}{B}{USER}

18 Middle-East General, softly dozing (6) ASLEEP {eASt}{LEE}{P}

21 Musical direction: 5, 4... 1 (6) VIVACE {V}{IV}{ACE}

22 Gel rubbed on bottom of knee gives happiness (4) GLEE {GEL*}{kneE}

25 Prod animal with end of rod, squeezing top of tail (4) GOAD GOA(-t+d)D

Reference List

Area = A, Black = B, English = E, New = N, Gym = PE, Interest = I, Paper = P, Boy = B, Softly = P

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 5, Sunday 25 May 2025, Arden

ACROSS

1   Little grebe's no good, returning in weekend (8) DABCHICK {BAD<=}{CHIC}{weeK} 

5   Managed the police department that's gone bad (6) RANCID {RAN}{CID}

10 Lines crossed filling empty pitcher of beer (7) PILSNER {Pit{LINES*}cheR}

11 Faces death, sure shot (7) ENDURES {END}{SURE*}

12 Wise man takes time to guide (5) STEER {S{T}EER}

13 Just teach in another language, first of all (9) IMPARTIAL {IMPART}{In}{An...r}{La...e}

14 With weapon criminal scared to follow our money carriers (8,4) ARMOURED CARS {ARM}and {SCARED*}<=>{OUR}

18 Commanding height Patton gave in exchange (7,5) VANTAGE POINT* 

21 Tend to bottle anger, northern Irish moss? (9) CARRAGEEN {CAR{RAGE}E}{N}

23 Spare glove let out (5) GAUNT GAUNTlet

24 Left exposed - terrible fiend, this Turkish official (7) EFFENDI {lEFt}{FIEND*}

25 Happiness in reviewing the number one story (7) ELATION {NO 1}{TALE}<=

26 Squeeze both sides briefly - do they produce oil? (6) SESAME {Sq...zE}{SAME}

27 Aliens catching cold, are heading west among others (2,6) ET CETERA {ET{C}{ET}{ARE<=}

DOWN

1   Measure to include record discharge (6) DEPOSE {D{EP}OSE}

2   Risk cover for entire Swan Lake, perhaps (6) BALLET {B{ALL}ET}

3   Payments for American privilege accompanied by a song (9) HONORARIA {HONOR}{ARIA}

4   Can recognise vaguely - is it how the tumor starts? (14) CARCINOGENESIS {CAN+RECOGNISE}*{IS}

6   Steps to take the head off the snake (5) ADDER lADDER

7   Prime number? (8) CARDINAL [DD]

8   Show record miss (8) DISCLOSE {DISC}{LOSE}

9   Attack corner building - not vacant to be let out cheaply (10,4) PEPPERCORN RENT {PEPPER}{CORNER*}{NoT}

15 Run down and study before a tiger is shot (9) DENIGRATE {DEN}{A+TIGER}*

16 First lady's got a hint about people shifted from danger zones (8) EVACUEES {EV{A}{CUE}E'S}

17 Joins Steffi in nets to play (8) ENGRAFTS {EN{GRAF}TS*}

19 Chill with tailless cat on top of stone (6) PUMICE {ICE}<=>{PUMa}

20 Empty street, again zebra lines are in a group (6) STANZA {StreeT}{AgaiN}{ZebrA}

22 Latin year represented in Boolean numbers (5) ANNUM [T]

Reference List

In = CHIC, Time = T, Northern = N, Alien = ET, Record = EP(Extended Play), Cold = C

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