No 14524, Monday 30 Jun 2025, VMA Nair

Solution to 17D 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 might bring rain near Indian military base until summer, primarily (6) NIMBUS Acrostic

4   One's permitted to fabricate new watch without crown to begin with (8) LICENSEE {LIE}{N}{SEE} over {Cr..n}

9   Community hospital adjoining city (6) PARISH {H}<=>{PARIS}

10 Shopkeeper aspired to tour Roman Catholic Church at last (8) MERCHANT {ME{RC}{c...cH}ANT}

12 Player from Spain excitedly accompanying them for the most part (8) THESPIAN {SPAIN}*<=>{THEm}

13 Recovery of posh platinum vase (6) UPTURN {U}{PT}{URN}

15 A lot of smart newlyweds having sex in lounges (7,5) SITTING ROOMS {STINg}{GROOMS} over {IT}

18 On vacation, healthy chaps rebuilding local hotel compound (5,7) ETHYL ALCOHOL {He...hY} in {LOCAL+HOTEL}*

21 Setter starts to disclose information to company doctor (6) MEDICO {ME}{Di...e}{In...n}{CO}

22 Rerelease unclear changes before end of Month (8) RELAUNCH {UNCLEAR}*{m..tH}

24 Flying from Austria through South Africa, say, avoiding borders of Namibia (8) AVIATION {A}{VIA}{naTION}

25 Element of hydrogen extracted from compound of helium and iodine (6) MILIEU {hELIUM+I}*

26 Italian soldier wearing dirty pants in tension (8) RIGIDITY {R{I}{GI}DITY*}

27 Dirty husband backing recurrent violations without a bit of embarrassment (6) SMIRCH {H}<=>{CRIMeS<=}

DOWN

1   Retired employees retaining position at work and jobs for the boys (8) NEPOTISM {M{SIT}{OP}EN}<=

2   Musical ornaments of modern times lacking essence, sadly (8) MORDENTS {MODERN+TimeS}*

3   Innocent lives overwhelmed by pathetic sound, perhaps (15) UNSOPHISTICATED {IS} in {PATHETIC+SOUND}*

5   Suggestion - avoid eating sandwiches (4) IDEA [T]

6   President ultimately dismissed active impeachment cases? That's a defence strategy (6,9) ESCAPE MECHANISM {IMPEACHMENt+CASES}*

7   Excellent pals? (4-2) SLAP-UP [PALS}* [RA] (Correction - PALS<= )

8  Remaining measuring instrument needs a little servicing (6) EXTANT sEXTANT

11 Planet inhabited by colourful spotted cats (7) MARGAYS {MAR{GAY}S}

14 Organiser welcoming Bob's widow (7) DOWAGER {DO{WAG}ER}

16 Banker taking check for five-dollar bill? That's more dangerous (8) CHANCIER (-fin+ch)CHANCIER

17 Lecturer abruptly concluded after a while (8) ?L?H?U?H (Addendum - ALTHOUGH {L}{THOUGHt}<=>{A} - See comments)

19 Reduce troublemaker's voice (6) IMPAIR {IMP}{AIR}

20 Moving slowly, say, transporting diamonds to current capital of Germany (6) EDGING {E{D}G}{IN}{Ge...y}

23 Pack fish after removing head (4) ROUT tROUT

Reference List

New = N, Hospital = H, Roman Catholic = RC, Posh = U, Sex = IT, Austria = A, Italian = I, Soldier = GI, Husband = H, Check = CH, Lecturer = L, Diamonds = D

Special, Sunday 29 Jun 2025, Crucifix

Three answers per commenter till 1 PM (Annotations compulsory) 

Please submit all your answers in one comment.  

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITH LESS THAN THREE ANSWERS/ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 10, Sunday 29 Jun 2025, Incognito

ACROSS

7   Author had rejected student (4) DAHL {HAD<=}{L}

8   Behind vehicle enclosure, attempt woodworking (9) CARPENTRY {CAR}{PEN}{TRY}

10 Beat male entering harem wrongly (6) HAMMER {HAM{M}ER*}

11 Tool produced from ear swabs (5,3) SABRE SAW*

12 Fauna file? (8) WILDLIFE {FILE}* [RA]

14 Spread nets on wooden projections (6) TENONS*

16 For example, girl mentioned in echoing song drinks (7) EGGNOGS {EG}{G}{SONG*}

18 University representative is protecting engineers and referees (7) UMPIRES {U}{MP}{I{RE}S}

21 Beg drunken pal to eat legume (6) APPEAL {AP{PEA}L*}

23 Female monsters violently gore second son bearing pole (8) OGRESSES {GORE*}{S}{S}{E}{S}

25 Remove and execute (5,3) CARRY OUT [DD]

27 Fasteners used in window elsewhere (6) DOWELS [T]

29 Says, "Fast trains" (9) EXPRESSES [DD]

30 Dancing one step after releasing pet's snout (4) NOSE {ONE+Step}*

DOWN

1   Guy growing old is running (8) MANAGING {MAN}{AGING}

2   Best platinum ain't missing (4) PLUM {PLatinUM}

3   Tax return on investment after tenth month (6) OCTROI {ROI}<=>{OCT}

4   Plane landed badly destroying car garage (7) CRASHED {CAR*}{SHED}

5   Brave Tim translated word for word (8) VERBATIM*

6   Eye discomfort from pen point (4) STYE {STY}{E}

9   Long pine (5) YEARN [DD]

13 Study directions, stupid! (5) DENSE {DEN}{S}{E}

15 Fixes unguises (5) NAILS [DD]

17 Ran leaving first sweetheart... girl ran away to wed (8) GALLOPED {GAL}{eLOPED}

19 See gal breaking initially stunningly superb monocle (8) EYEGLASS {EYE}{GAL*}{St...y}{Su...b}

20 Voldemort is extra-ordinarily concealing recess (7) MORTISE [T]

22 Aircraft from Nepal circling (5) PLANE*

24 God with plate gives vegetable (6) RADISH {RA}{DISH}

26 Part of peri-peri is ready to eat (4) RIPE [T]

28 What an indecorous person breaks from day after victory? (4) WIND {D}<=>{WIN}

Reference List

Student = L, Male = M, Girl = G, University = U, Engineers = RE(Royal Engineers), Second = S, Son = S, Bearing = E, Pole = S, Return of Investment = ROI, Point = E, Directions = S,E, Day = D

No 14523, Saturday 28 June 2025, Afterdark

 ACROSS
1 General Bury gets everyone behind the country (13) INTERNATIONAL {INTER}+{AL}<=>{NATION} al=everyone? the clue should read almost everyone?
10 Worried about rental arrangement change (9) ALTERNATE {ATE} about {RENTAL}*
11 Keep husband away (5) FORTH {FORT}{H}
12 Group of singers in church dopier often (5) CHOIR {CH}{dOpIeR}

13 Important that in sales the margins are adjusted (9) ESSENTIAL {IN SALES ThE}
14 Longs for Dutch fishes without starters (6) DREAMS {D}{bREAMS}
16 Criticize trouble by resistance (4) RAIL {AIL}<=>{R}
19 Attracting attention to leaders of Pakistan society stating truth (4) PSST [Acrostic}
20 Payout for portrayer acting with fear (6) TERROR {pORTayER}*
25 Had Cooper leading work-together (9) COOPERATE {ATE}<=>{COOPER}
26 Ways to get compliment - chase regularly (5) PATHS {PAT}{cHaSe}
27 Decreasing characters of Maddy in Guru (5) DYING [T]
28 In a way, unlit sign is disparaging (9) INSULTING*
29 Hectoring registrar for procuring electronic coolers (13) REFRIGERATORS {REGISTRAR FOR}* over {E}

DOWN
2 New intern, go back inside. It's all gas (8) NITROGEN {INTERN}* over {GO}<
3 Losing leader in 20 is a mistake (5) ERROR {tERROR}
4 Partners are right closer (6) NEARER {NE}{ARE}{R} Partners or opponents?
5 Value art? Reuse in broadcast (8) TREASURE*
6 Onslaught is hurtful (9) OFFENSIVE [DD]
7 Scared of force and attack, with one in the front (6) AFRAID {F}{RAID}<=>{A}
8 Rocked and rolled with co-ed out of love (6) DANCED {AND}*{CoED}
9 That woman (lady-female) is in terrace (5) SHELF {SHE}{L}{F}
15 Green revolution faces difficulty with ambassador (9) MESSENGER {GREEN}*<=>{MESS}
17 Taking drink in loop (8) STEALING {S{TEA}LING}
18 Smaller? Right inside is more beautiful (8) PRETTIER {P{R}ETTIER}
21 Step down from rule over society (6) RESIGN {RE{S}IGN}
22 Chemical agents found in police department in Athens outskirts (5) ACIDS {CID} in {AthenS}
23 Victor's tense with learner's remark (6) NOTICE {NO(-v+T)ICE}
24 Minor spotted in Naples sermons (6) LESSER [T]
26 Constant allowance for captain, perhaps (5) PILOT {PI}{LOT}

REFERENCE LIST

Husband=H, Church=CH, Dutch=D, Resistance=R, Electronic=E, Partners(in Bridge)= N(orth) S(outh) and E(ast) W(est), Force=F, One=A, Love=O, Lady=L, Female=F, Right=R, Society=S, Police Department=CID, Victor=V, Tense=T, Constant=PI.

No 14522, Friday 27 Jun 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

1   UK shapes differently for reorganisations (5-3) SHAKE-UPS*

5   Unfeeling, lacks love - thick skin (6) CALLUS CALLoUS

10 One role that is distinct (5) APART {A}{PART}

11 A research facility's expert's heading off to get a mineral (9) ALABASTER {A}{LAB}{mASTER}

12 Costly to sacrifice pawn for knight at the end in general (9) EXTENSIVE EX(-p+t)TENSIVE

13 Colour of mineral found outside Switzerland (5) OCHRE {O{CH}RE}

14 Parrot having regular urge to get decayed vegetable (6) REPEAT {uRgE}{PEAT}

15 Draw wine and fruit first off (7) STIPPLE {aSTI}{aPPLE}

18 Dismissed move on settlement (7) OUTPOST {OUT}{POST}

20 Hector's son adopted by an apostle (6) PESTER {PE{S}TER}

22 Implant made by doctor post ECG at first on journo (5) EMBED {MB}<=>{Ecg}{ED}

24 Poisonous sting by ant, bee is primarily killing, horrible (9) SNAKEBITE {ANT+BEE+IS+Ki...g}*

25 UV, RAT involved in treatment of spine condition (9) CURVATURE {C{UV+RAT}*URE}

26 Fruit is old almost, I have half of it (5) OLIVE {OLd}{I}{haVE}

27 Showy or silent somehow (6) TINSEL*

28 Automobile check started hastily covered nothing (4,4) ROAD TEST {R{O}ADTEST*}

DOWN

1   Labour's right is drivel (6) SLAVER {SLAVE}{R}

2   One section reportedly intended to be flat (9) APARTMENT {A}{PART}{(~meant)MENT}

3   New internee located leading to an understanding (7,8) ENTENTE CORDIALE*

4   Musician uses kapi, Ani strums inside (7) PIANIST [T]

6   Crooked antisocial robbed (billion lost) synthetic hormones (8,7) ANABOLIC STEROID {ANTISOCIAL+ROBbED}*

7   Lady at church has lock (5) LATCH {L}{AT}{CH}

8   Magician more upset about Roman Catholic English (8) SORCERER {SO{RC}{E}RER}

9   Press release covers copy, special records (6) PAPERS {P{APE}R}{S}

16 Drop in price housing European Community, turning constant (9) PRECIPICE {PR{EC}{PI<=}ICE}

17 Outage put crew in disturbance, guarding Ohio (5,3) POWER CUT {PUT+CREW}* over {O}

19 Brainless fusspot messes up a bet (4-2) TOSS-UP FUSsPOT*

20 Spot bachelor getting ordinary fake medicine (7) PLACEBO {PLACE}{B}{O}

21 Allow free lentils, not entirely (6) RELENT RE{LENTils} Error in the clue

23 Nobleman meets group of attorneys over noon (5) BARON {BAR}{O}{N}

Reference List

Pawn = P, Switzerland = CH, Son = S, Journo = ED, Right = R, Billion = B, Lady = L, Church = CH, Roman Catholic = RC, English = E, Press release = PR, Special = S, Bachelor = B, Ordinary = O, Over = O, Noon = N

No 14521, Thursday 26 Jun 2025, Pixie Dust

FOR ATTENTION OF ALL VISITORS TO THE BLOG

I have reopened the blog so that anyone can access it, however from 7 PM onwards today, I will again be restricting access to the blog permanently and only custom readers will be able to access the blog. 

Those who want access to the blog as custom readers may therefore send me an e-mail at deepakgita@gmail.com and I will approve the same. Those who have already done so need not do so again.

I have been forced to change the settings as one person refused to adhere to the rules of the blog despite being advised on many occasions. Once the blog is restricted to custom readers (as it was for few days last week), I will have the administrative power to remove anyone who does not follow the rules.

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   Look at prison, we hear it's breathtaking (6) ?C?N?C (Addendum SCENIC (~see nick - See comments)

5   Graduate's football position? (8) HALFBACK {BAck}

9   Girl grew excited! (one who can't stay still!) (8) WRIGGLER* 

10 A wild animal died on ship (6) ABOARD {A}{BOAR}{D}

11 Funny act is repeated several times to get numbers (10) STATISTICS {ACT+IS}* Letter Bank

12 Tramp takes rough expeditions keenly to begin with (4) TREK Acrostic

13 Filling gifts & fun all over the place (8) STUFFING {GIFTS+FUN}*

16 Segment of broken or malformed set (6) NORMAL [T]

17 Internally, send ideas - try please! (6) ENDEAR {sENd}{iDEAs}{tRy}

19 Notice crazy help tamper building without hesitation (8) PAMPHLET {HELP+TAMPer}

21 Struggle with vision (4) VIEW {VIE}{W}

22 Inactivity in country for men only! (10) STAGNATION {STAG}{NATION}

25 Cheeps affected conversation (6) SPEECH* 

26 Cross over unopened booth at first to reach two universities (8) OXBRIDGE {BRIDGE}<=>{bOX}

27 Spooner asked Peppa Pig Parrot to cut down candy? (8) LOLLIPOP (~polly lop to lollipop)

28 Show Mercy from where Len toppled (6) RELENT [T]

DOWN

2   Wagon carries a measure (5) CARAT {CAR{A}T}

3   Dark cavalryman in conversation (5) NIGHT (~knight)

4   Company mislaying island's larger than life statues (7) COLOSSI {CO}{LOSS}{I}

5   Henry offending fish (7) HERRING {H}{ERRING}

6   Upset about one boy's affair (7) LIAISON {AIL<=}{1}{SON}

7   Bishop depressed with rising decay in church burner (9) BLOWTORCH {B}{LOW}{ROT<=}{CH}

8   My God! Engineer delayed match (9) CORRELATE {COR}{RE}{LATE}

14 Not an amateur racketer, top sinner in disguise! (6,3) TENNIS PRO* 

15 Basically foreigners were dancing with scoundrel in coast (9) FREEWHEEL {Fo...r}{WERE*}{HEEL}

18 Sprung up with new seed pod (7) ROSEHIP {ROSE}{HIP}

19 Ape's comfort soup food? (3,4) PEA SOUP {APE}* [RA]

20 Tiny skirt and fancy bra in counter (4-3) MINI-BAR {MINI}{BRA*}

23 Hearing test (5) TRIAL [DD]

24 Member of Hindustan Agrochemicals from the south (5) ORGAN [T<=]

Reference List

Graduate = BA, Died = D, With = W, Company = CO, Henry = H, Bishop = B, My God! = COR, Engineer = RE(Royal Engineers), New = HIP

No 14520, Wednesday 25 Jun 2025, Avtaar

FOR ATTENTION OF ALL VISITORS TO THE BLOG

I am reopening the blog so that anyone can access it, however from 7 PM on Thursday 26 Jun onwards, I will again be restricting access to the blog permanently and only custom readers will be able to access the blog. 

Those who want access to the blog as custom readers may therefore send me an e-mail at deepakgita@gmail.com and I will approve the same. Those who have already done so need not do so again.

I have been forced to change the settings as one person refused to adhere to the rules of the blog despite being advised on many occasions. Once the blog is restricted to custom readers as it was for the past few days last week, I will have the administrative power to remove anyone who does not follow the rules.

Solution to 23D 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   Amateur cuts, opening both sides of the belly (7) VENTRAL {VENT}{R}{A}{L}

5   Hue and cry about the end of casual love affair (7) CLAMOUR {C}{c...aL}{AMOUR}

9   Bull run - support reversing - having crossed central point (7) RHUBARB {R}{BRA<=} over {HUB}

10 "Computer file is corrupted", associate stated (4,3) DATA SET {A+STATED}*

11 Rush to hire help for extra payment (9) SURCHARGE  {SUR{CHAR}GE}

12 Bailiff constantly recalled arresting leader in Exeter (5) REEVE {EV{Ex...r}ER<=}

13 Cavity in heavenly object's retracted (5) SINUS {SUN IS}<=

15 Will's assistant finally sent abroad, having trained (9) TESTAMENT {a...nT}{ES{TAME}NT*}

17 Victory with a service turning the other way (4,5) VICE VERSA {V}{A+SERVICE}*

19 Hello! Bored by working, dear? (5) HONEY {H{ON}EY}

22 Senior socialist revolutionary following final of the league (5) ELDER {RED<=}<=>{thE}{L}

23 Supplement to suppress cocaine craving (9) ADDICTION {ADDI{C}TION}

25 Trapping snail in gigantic nets (7) NAILING [T]

26 Fashionable belt with ring featured in commercial online (1,2,4) A LA MODE {A{LAM}{O}D}{E}

27 Romans sculpted Sicily's terminal in work of stone (7) MASONRY {ROMANS}*{s...lY}

28 Destinies fulfilled - sealed by locking of lips (7) KISMETS {KIS{MET}S}

DOWN

1   Group of bugs survives, unexpectedly evading the introduction of vaccine (7) VIRUSES SURvIVES*

2   Books about international organisation operating to support launch of research for quantum particle (7) NEUTRON N{EU}T}{Re...h}{ON}

3   Hit book banned by Gulf (5) REACH bREACH

4   Sign on hill describing earth's saviour (9) LIBERATOR {LIB{E}RA}{TOR}

5   Bum died in jail (5) CADGE {CA{D}GE}

6   Father changed clothing, carpet and effects (9) AFTERMATH {AFTER{MAT}H*}

7   Blue film-set holding up old boys (7) OBSCENE {SCENE}<=>{OB}

8   Engineers deal with seclusion (7) RETREAT {RE}{TREAT}

14 Royal emblem featuring forgotten head of Europe (9) SOVEREIGN {S{OVER}{E}IGN}

16 Don't go near ribbon store, says Spooner (5,4) STAND BACK (~band stack to stand back)

17 Country fellow sent up after Avtaar stops scan (7) VIETNAM {MAN}<=>{V{I}ET}

18 Blackguard passes tea carriers (7) CADDIES {CAD}{DIES}

20 Few supporting topseed's offensive (7) NOISOME {SOME}<=>{NO 1}

21 Americans in tug visit retreats (7) YANKEES {YANK}{SEE<=}

23 Young lady, one left abandoned in American city - is fuming (5) A?G?Y (Addendum - ANGRY {GiRl} in {A}{NY} - See comments)

24 Chic college girl (5) CLASS {C}{LASS}

Reference List

Amateur= A, About = C, Run = R, Support = BRA, Associate = A, Help = CHAR, Victory = V, League = L, Cocaine = C, Commercial = AD, Online = E, Books = NT(New Testament), Book = B, Earth = E, Died = D, Old boys = OB, Engineers = RE(Royal Engineers), Left = L, American = A, College = C

No 14519, Tuesday 24 Jun 2025, Hypatia

FOR ATTENTION OF ALL VISITORS TO THE BLOG

I am reopening the blog so that anyone can access it, however from 7AM on Friday 27 Jun onwards, I will again be restricting access to the blog permanently and only custom readers will be able to access the blog. 

Those who want access to the blog as custom readers may therefore send me an e-mail at deepakgita@gmail.com and I will approve the same. Those who have already done so need not do so again.

I have been forced to change the settings as one person refused to adhere to the rules of the blog despite being advised on many occasions. Once the blog is restricted to custom readers as it was for the past 3 days, I will have the administrative power to remove anyone who does not follow the rules.

Solution to 5A 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   Rat forcing cat to run (8) TURNCOAT*

5   Free delivery (6) ?E?C?E (Addendum - RESCUE [DD?] - See comments)

10 Little daughter at hospital ward nursed by mother (7) MODICUM {MO{D}{ICU}M}

11 Hypatia's books collected by cool Egyptian architect (7) IMHOTEP {I'M}{H{OT}EP}

12 Enthroned, Middle Eastern, elite ruler principally (5) EMEER &lit

13 Irregular sleep delayed husband ultimately snuggling close to you (9) NODULATED {NOD}{LATE}{h...nD} over {yoU}

14 Transfer result about unit in plant's output (7,5) PASSION FRUIT {PASS ON}{FRUIT} over {1}

18 British queens embrace new church avoiding mass exercises (5,7) BENCH PRESSES {B}{Em{N}{CH}PRESSES}

21 Strong green tea initially mixed with ice (9) ENERGETIC {GREEN+Tea+ICE}*

23 Ibexes breathing hard for oxygen in mountain passes (5) GHATS {G(-o+h)HATS}

24 Escalating tension? (7) VERTIGO [CD]

25 Cheerful or insecure self-confession (7) AMIABLE {AM I ABLE}

26 Gaining admission in US, a lad soon leaves (6) SALADS [T]

27 Indians and Belgians abroad (8) BENGALIS*

DOWN

1   Periodically the PM appears in bad mood (6) TEMPER {ThE+pM+aPpEaRs}

2   Require vacating judge to acquit (6) REDEEM {Re...rE}{DEEM}

3   Bug Spooner's music tutor (9) COCKROACH (~rock coach to cockroach)

4   Direction Bond gives regularly: "A martini isn't stirred" (14) ADMINISTRATION {bOnD+A+MARTINI+ISNT}*

6   They lit lamps initially in compound (5) ETHYL {THEY}*{La..s}

7   Life-size hoarding tackling sex - "Don't do that!" (3,2,3) CUT IT OUT {CUT OUT} over {IT}

8   Speed up former training with fresh diet (8) EXPEDITE {EX}{PE}{DIET*}

9   Choose as e.g., any futile pursuit (4,5,5) WILD GOOSE CHASE {CHOOSE+AS+EG}* [RA]

15 Young bird finally catching fish quickly took flight sitting above (9) FLEDGING {birD}{LING}<=>{FLED} (Correction {c...nG}{LING}<=>{FLED} - See comments)

16 Sees hint from SEBI over BSE reforms (8) OBSERVES {Sebi+OVER+BSE}*

17 Liberal Government's reliant as a whole (8) INTEGRAL {G+RELIANT}*

19 Play Game Boy endlessly reaching ultimate level (6) GAMBOL {GAMe}{BOy}{l..eL}

20 Flowers outlast erstwhile shows (6) ASTERS [T]

22 Champ's name in part of a crossword (5) GRIND {GRI{N}D}

Reference List

Daughter = D, Books = OT(Old Testament), Cool = HEP, British = B, New = N, Church = CH, Mass = M, Hard = H, Sex = IT, Training = PE, Government = G, Name = N

No 14518, Monday 23 Jun 2025, Hypatia

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

7   Modern AI trial unit's practical (11) UTILITARIAN*

8   Socialise after captain of Mumbai team retired (3) MIX {Mu...i}{XI<=}

10 Bragged in party (4) ?R?W (Addendum - CREW [DD] - See comments)

11 Middle Easterners re-building Basra (5) ARABS*

12 Attacks fools (4) MUGS [DD]

13 River Seine, extremely hot earlier to bathe (5) RINSE {R}{SeinE}<=>{IN}

15 Fancy clothes in wash - rest mostly dirty (9) SHERWANIS {IN+WAS+RESt}*

16 Invites him later to tour capital city (6) SHIMLA [T]

18 Colourful bird or two on air before May (6) TOUCAN {(~two)TOU}{CAN}

21 A rich child's booster seat (4-5) HIGH-CHAIR {A+RICH}* [RA]

23 Leaders of huge empires inheriting remarkable status! (5) HEIRS Acrostic Semi&lit

25 Women passing through never sent back in Sabarimala, say (4) TOWN {N{W}OT<=} Sabarimala is a hill and not a town

26 Perfect old performance (5) EXACT {EX}{ACT}

27 Incomplete cipher requiring a final part (4) CODA {CODe}{A}

28 Oddly join with girl to dance (3) JIG {JoIn}{G}

29 Reserved match, pointed Spooner (5-6) TIGHT-LIPPED (~light tipped to tight-lipped)

DOWN

1   Sea creature's prominent angle (8) STARFISH {STAR}{FISH}

2   Reflection of animal in stream (4) FLOW<=

3   Ultimately unfinished country album? (5) ATLAS {AT LASt}

4   Infuse exotic herb tea (7) BREATHE*

5   Language without writing tools, pens (8) SANSKRIT {SANS}{K{R}IT}

6   Antelope seen in his log cabin regularly (6) NILGAI {iN+hIs+LoG+cAbIn}

9   Young author's unpopular, discontented, boring friend (8) IMMATURE {I'M}{MAT{Un...aR}E}

14 Recalled why no HP mystery features a musical composition (8) SYMPHONY [T<=]

17 Allow sharing chat - one unusually active (8) ATHLETIC {LET} in {CHAT+1}*

19 A newly wed daughter securing ghunghat initially clipped (8) ABRIDGED {A}{BRID{Gh...t}E}{D}

20 Basic test about state leading to arrest killer (7) PIRANHA {P{IRAN}H}{Ar...t}

22 Working in ICICI? Most famous! (6) ICONIC {IC{ON}ICi}

24 Looted from shop changing hands (5) STOLE STO(-r+l)LE

27 Initially cut or paste your transcript (4) COPY Acrostic 

Reference List

Hot = IN, Women = W, Girl = G, Writing = R, Basic test = Ph

Special, Sunday 22 Jun 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 Cryptic on Sunday No 9, Sunday 22 Jun 2025, Arden

ACROSS

9   Aunty in trouble withe investment contract (7) ANNUITY* 

10 Tough to hold out - nothing inside? Sounding uncertain (7) HOODLUM {HO{O}DL*}{UM}

11 Obstructs containers (7) HAMPERS [DD]

12 Polish figure crossing the line of no return (7) RUBICON {RUB}{ICON}

13 Country came out - no stopping aid going west (9) MACEDONIA {CAME}*{AI{NO}D<=}

15 High rent all around - it's a source of irritation (5) THORN {T{H}ORN}

16 Some lad abandoned the maiden (7) DAMOSEL*

19 Zany, zany get a flower (7) YANGTZE*

20 Warriors name in German admission (5) NINJA {N}{IN}{JA}

21 Makes fun of outputs - not out, but that's OK (2,2,5) UP TO SNUFF {FUN+OF+outPUTS}*

25 Showing interest in special race, so refuse (7) SCORIAE {I} in {RACE+SO}*

26 Call within a month to capital (7) ABIDJAN {A}{BID}{JAN} Former capital

28 Vulgarian - trust a crook to keep quiet (7) UPSTART {TRUST+A}* over {P}

29 Some come back and get selected - it's heavenly (7) CELESTE [T<=]

DOWN

1   Growing tuber on the border creates disturbance (6) MAYHEM {YAM<=}{HEM}

2   Coming around is incomprehensible (6) GNOMIC* Is this definition correct?

3   Award for play (4) GIVE [DD]

4   Compound featuring setter's very big home (6) MYOSIN {MY}{OS}{IN}

5   Drug dealer's fast to contain damage (8) PHARMACY {P{HARM}ACY}

6   Groom workers to get hold of a top team of fighters (10) COMBATANTS {COMB}{ANTS} over {A}{Team}

7   Need to stop fight for a state of oblivion (8) BLACKOUT {B{LACK}OUT}

8   Nice men appointed by English Cardinal (8) EMINENCE {NICE+MEN}*{E}

14 Book on Indian political party's rise - talk about accepting a constant input (3,7) DAS KAPITAL {SAD<=}{KA{PI}TAL*}

16 Victim of a natural disaster is around, moving (8) DINOSAUR* 

17 Big animal entertains volunteer group, becomes much smaller (8) MONGOOSE {MO{NGO}OSE}

18 Award winner delayed importing fertiliser (8) LAUREATE {LA{UREA}TE}

22 Leadership change - country in a daze (6) TRANCE (-f+t)TRANCE

23 Only under central fund - that's not fair (6) UNJUST {JUST}<=>{fUNd}

24 Plant experience - news trickling in (6) FENNEL {FE{N}{N}EL}

27 Invested legitimately, banks doing nothing (4) IDLY {In...eD}{Le...lY}

Reference List

High = H, Name = N, Yes in German = JA, Interest = I, Quiet = P, Very big = OS, Home = IN, English = E, Constant = PI, Volunteer group = NGO, New = N

No 14517, Saturday 21 June 2025, Karaoke

Because of one rotten egg in the blog I have taken the following step.

I have changed the settings to custom readers.

Those of you are unable to comment now onwards please send me an email and I will add you to the custom readers list. That way I can delete someone who doesn't follow the rules.

Please bear with me for a few days I will add all the regulars by sending you an invitation to join after you send me your email.

In case you do not get the email after I send it, please check your Spam folder.

Col Gopinath

Artwork by Prasanna

ACROSS
1 Often drunken man crashed into India Gate by accident (4,3,5) TIME AND AGAIN {MAN}* inside {INDIA GATE}*
9 Fluid injected into body of the other side mostly with key adrenaline (5) ENEMA {ENEMy}{Adrenaline}
10 Opt to pocket daughter's offer? May it not happen! (3,6) GOD FORBID {GO{D} FOR}{BID}
11 Trouble from the borders of Pahalgam intruded by butchers mainly in the job (7) PROBLEM {PahalgaM} over {RO{Butchers}LE}
12 The Spanish glue lacking essential viscous ingredient (7) ELEMENT {EL}{cEMENT}
13 Maybe penchant for a writer's last work? (4,4) SWAN SONG {SWAN}{SONG} penchant to be split and read as pen chant
14 Original Inuit can keep gun in house (5) IGLOO {Inuit}{G}{LOO}

18 Primarily bribe on duty becomes extra income (5) BONUS {Bribe}{ONUS}
20 Central forces involved in action set out for illegal substance (8) NARCOTIC {foRCes} in{ACTION}*
24 Keep record of return gift on promotion (7) DIARISE {AID<}{RISE}
26 Odd man out having interest for ice (7) DIAMOND {ODD MAN}* over I
27 Finally olive oil with inapt treatment causing loss of hair (9) EPILATION {olivE OIL INAPT}*
28 Easier to solve after key tip-off and put out of your mind (5) ERASE {EASiER}*
29 How do forums, take time, to spread rumours? (5-2-5) WORDS-OF-MOUTH {HOW DO FORUMS}* over {T}
 

DOWN
1 It is socially acceptable thing// for this //vegetable (3,6) THE POTATO [DD] The Potato or The Clean Potato is given in Chamber's Thesaurus and the Wikitionary.
2 Disease, maybe nameless, but not new (7) MEASLES {nAMELESS}*
3 Case of facility recruiting unnamed professional killers (8) ARGUMENT {ART} over {GUnMEN}
4 He avoids setter perhaps having date with editor on vacation (7) DODGER {DO{D}G}{EditoR}
5 Attempt a poem on horse, get an exclamation of approval (4,3) GOOD EGG {GO}{ODE}{GG}
6 Setter's depressed, doesn't take long to saturate (5) IMBUE {I'M}{BlUE}
7 Make-shift estate facing violent wind (7) TEMPEST {TEMP}{EST}
8 Checks issues, withdraws money for daughter (5) EDITS {E(-m+D)ITS}
15 Doctor hopes to examine a bone. He manipulates skeletons (9) OSTEOPATH {HOPES TO}* over {A}{T}
16 Some applaud a numbing narcotic painkiller (8) LAUDANUM [T]
17 Mixture of small cider and water essentially for beverage (4,3) ICED TEA {CIDEr wATEr}*
19 Tight-fitting garment, one put on by a rural dean (7) UNITARD {UNIT}{A}{RD}

21 Couple of beverages drunk heartily in country house (7) CHATEAU {CHA}{TEA}{drUnk}

22 Ride away after stealing large gold brick (5) IDLER {RIDE* over L}
23 Sheep hurriedly gone out of burning engine room (6) MERINO {engINE RoOM}

25 Friend is radical, good-for-nothing primarily (5) AMIGO {AMI(-n+G)O}

REFERENCE LIST

Daughter=D, The Spanish=EL, Gun=G, Time=T, New=N, Horse=GG(gee-gee), Setter's=I'M, Long=L, Make Shift=Temp(orary), Estate=EST, Money=M, Daughter=D, Bone=T (the T bone), One=Unit, Rural Dean=RD, Good=G.