No 14514, Wednesday 18 Jun 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 11A 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   Cracked the quadratic equations on vacation - not hard, it's a thing one learns to like (8,5) ACQUIRED TASTE {ThE+QUADRIATIC+Eq...nS}*

8   See 10 Down

9   Healing mild acne developing over face of inmate (9) MEDICINAL {MILD+ACNE}* over {In...e}

11 Drug, mostly dope in nice resort giving satisfaction (10) I?D?L?E?C? (Addendum - INDULGENCE - {DULl}{GEN} in {NICE}* - See comments)

12 Hit hard and counterattack finally after century (4) TONK {c...cK}<=>{TON}

14 Low, flat cloud of importance, embodying onset of rains (7) STRATUS {ST{Ra..s}ATUS}

16 Upset by one addict knocking back drink (2,1,4) IN A FLAP {1}{FAN<=}{LAP}

17 Checkmate in one move, crushed by European master making a comeback (7) IMPASSE {1} and {PASS} in {E}{M}<=

19 Warn about most vigorous aquatic animal (7) NARWHAL{WARN*}{HALe}

21 Rebellious boy tackling British aristocrats (4) NOBS {S{B}ON<=}

22 Fish in pub with bit of dark rum in a cocktail (10) BARRAMUNDI {BAR}{Dark+RUM+IN+A}

25 Frenzied commotion about a noisy rave (9) DIONYSIAN {DI{A+NOISY}*N} &lit

26 Moving quickly, striving hard for victory (5) HYING (-v+h)HYING

27 Sexy, stylish model in hut with a roughneck? Extremely wild speculation (4,2,3,4) SHOT IN THE DARK {S{HOT}{IN}{T}HED}{A}{Ro...cK}

DOWN

2   Sample of enriched dark cheese (7) CHEDDAR [T]

3   Saving American breaking skull, hip, chest - ultimately difficult job (6,4) UPHILL TASK {A} in {SKILL+HIP+c..sT}*

4   Emir excited about atomic plant (5) RAMIE {R{A}MIE*}

5   Removal of director for primarily shocking corruption (9) DEDUCTION (-s+d)DEDUCTION

6   Piece of popular composition to be played with a bow (4) ARCO [T] 

7   Effort to secure popular, fine wrapping material (7) TINFOIL {T{IN}{F}OIL}

8   Ponder about son turning nine, getting a little defiantly touchy (4-7) THIN-SKINNED {THIN{S}K}{NINE*}{De...y}

10 & 8A Enjoy dentist's job? Very difficult to do (4,7,5) LIKE PULLING TEETH [C&DD]

13 Expressed disapproval and ran quickly to arrest bum on heroin (10) HARRUMPHED {HARED} over {RUMP}{H}

15 Angular unit of acceleration described by a nerd, it's complicated (9) STERADIAN {A} in {A+NERD+ITS}*

18 Start to praise choir boy playing classical music of the bagpipe (7) PIBROCH {Pr...e}{CHOIR+B}*

20 Run, hike, exercise to become more sexually attractive (7) HUNKIER*

23 Farm vehicle overturned outside new hotel (5) RANCH {C{N}AR<=}{H}

24 Indian peasant in yard surrounded by rubbish (4) RYOT {R{Y}OT} Interesting origins of the word

Reference List

Hard = H, European = E, Master = M, British = B, Victory = V, Stylish = IN, Model = T, American = A, Atomic = A, Director = D, Popular = IN, Son = S, Heroin = H, Acceleration = A, Boy = B, New = N, Hotel = H, Yard = Y

No 14513, Tuesday 17 Jun 2025, Dr. X

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   Endless mischief after old politician picks up European model (8) E?E?P?A? (Addendum - EXEMPLAR {LARk}<=>{EX}{MP} over {E} - See comments) 

5   Variety of grass from Australia in retreat - fantastic, I say (6) ZOYSIA {OZ<=}{I+SAY}*

10 Worrywart wants electronic circuit breaker on site (7) FUSSPOT {FUSe}{SPOT}

11 Couple of associates touring research facility with graduate in American state (7) ALABAMA {A}{LAB}{A}{MA}

12 Concern about Vatican sculpture (5) CARVE {CAR{V}E}

13 A little smoke from cooking garlic oil (9) CIGARILLO*

14 Fall apart and put on weight around the hips (2,4-6) GO PEAR-SHAPED [DD]

18 Be utterly destroyed by disastrous megaflop in US (2,2,2,6) GO UP IN FLAMES*

21 Group takes hasty decision at first to make an emergency touchdown (5-4) CRASH-LAND {C{RASH}LAN}{De...n}

23 Bees in apiary circling around flowering plant (5) ANISE [T<=]

24 Critical in retreat after consuming dope (7) EXIGENT {EXI{GEN}T}

25 Old man in a lounge, surveying instrument (7) ALIDADE {A}{LI{DAD}E}

26 Unwillingness to speak in summit, nervous (6) MUTISM*

27 Finest spot outside hotel on vacation (8) SHEEREST {S{H}EE}{REST}

DOWN

1   Most weak, taking tonic finally for strength (6) EFFECT {EFFE{t..iC}Te}

2   Safeguard revolutionary plan to conserve nuclear energy (6) ENSURE {RUS{N}E<=}{E}

3   Sausage and spirit served on pier (9) PEPPERONI {PEP}{ON+PIER}*

4   Deceit shattered the official's firmly held belief (7,2,5)  ARTICLE OF FAITH {ART}{THE+OFFICIAL}*

6  Broadcasting unusual noir films, adult (2-3) ON-AIR {NOIR}* over {A}

7   Stores containing everything for light boats (8) SHALLOPS {SH{ALL}OPS}

8   Snake in Canada horribly crushes old caiman finally (8) ANACONDA {ANAC{O}{c...aN}DA*}

9   Go to eat grandma's extremely nice baked dish (7,3,4) BANGERS AND MASH {BASH} over {GRANDMAS+NicE}*

15 Heat item vigorously to obtain a valuable iron ore (9) HAEMATITE {HEAT+ITEM}* over {A}

16 Playing reggae, member drinks cold beverage (3,5) EGG CREAM {REGGAE}*{M} over {C}

17 Reviewed unusual catalogue featuring American painter of frescoes (8) MURALIST {RUM<=}{LIST} over {A}

19 Trapped by werewolf in a legendary climax (6) FINALE [T]

20 Bond in extremely close fight finally overwhelms guys (6) CEMENT {ClosE}{MEN}{f..hT}

22 Observes hot escort in retreat, cuddling director (5) HEEDS {H}{S{D}EE<=}

Reference List

European = E, Australia = OZ, Associate = A, Vatican = V, Dope = GEN, Hotel = H, Nuclear = N, Energy = E, Adult = A, Old = O, Member = M, Unusual = RUM, Cold = C, American = A, Hot = H, Director = D

No 14512, Monday 16 Jun 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 & 26 What organist wanting to play loudly will do to make every effort (4,3,3,3,5) PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS [DD]

8   Mushroom caps in stack on island (5) PILEI {PILE}{I}

9   Planning stylish finale to entertain theatregoers at premiere (9) INTENDING {IN}{Th...s}{ENDING}

11 Dear wife enthralled by knocking back pegs, getting a little raunchy in excitement (10) SWEETHEART {TEE{W}S<=}{HEA{R}T}

12 Ostracise star consuming heroin (4) SHUN {S{H}UN}

14 Trainees played tennis after taking a little rest (7) INTERNS {INTE{Rest}NS*}

16 Fish in quiz about zodiac sign (7) TELEOST {TE{LEO}ST}

17 Visit bumbling stooge on base (2,2,3) GO TO SEE {STOOGE}*{E}

19 Mysterious scream by model in film (7) CRYPTIC {CRY}{P{T}IC}

21 Bird crushed by rickshaw, killed (4) HAWK [T]

22 Nuts start a riot in Italian eateries (10) TRATTORIAS*

25 Most parched, needs a little nightcap - shaken, not stirred (9) T?R?I?E?T (Addendum - TORRIDEST - {nOT+STIRRED}* - See comments)

26 See 1

27 Determination of ace cracking internet scam (13) ASCERTAINMENT {A}{INTERNET+SCAM}*

DOWN

2   Endlessly intoxicated guest tottering around is most disgusting (7) UGLIEST {UG{LIt}EST*}

3   Buried soldier at ground close to outpost (4,2,4) LAID TO REST {SOLDIER+AT}*{o...sT}

4   Odour in estuary containing liquid waste (5) URINE [T]

5   Dilapidated tract in a cold polar region (9) ANTARCTIC {TRACT+IN+A+C}*

6   Give large tip (4) LEND {L}{END}

7   Euphoric after consuming ecstasy, husband cavorts heartily! Ah, well (5-2) HEIGH-HO {H{E}IGH}{H}{cavOrts}

8   Gasps in stadium at inauguration, excited by sizzling tennis stroke (7,4) PASSING SHOT {GASPS+IN+St...m}{HOT}

10 Experts in heredity, say, backing extraordinary scientist (11) GENETICISTS {EG<=}{SCIENTISTS}

13 Pal dancing with my spouse endlessly! Somehow, feign ignorance (4,6) PLAY POSSUM {PAL*}{MY+SPOUSe}*

15 Most elegant nurses start to explain gynaecological procedure (5,4) SMEAR TEST {SM{Ex...n}ARTEST}

18 Revolting drunkard having fight with daughter is concerning (7) TOWARDS {SOT<=} over {WAR}{D}

20 Unsure about most costly cocked hat (7) TRICORN {T{RICh}ORN}

23 Three tenors entertaining upper-class society at centre with all performing together (5) TUTTI {T}{U}{T}{T}{socIety}

24 Enjoy match (4) LIKE [DD]

Reference List

Island = I, Stylish = IN, Wife = W, Heroin = H, Base = E, Model = T, Ace = A, Cold = C, Large = L, Ecstasy = E, Husband = H, Daughter = D,  Tenor = T, Upper-class = U

Special, Sunday 15 Jun 2025, Veeyares

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 8, Sunday 15 Jun 2025, Vidwan

Artwork by Prasanna

ACROSS

6   Land most insignificant shot (6) PUNJAB {PUNy}{JAB}

8   Modern North-Africans going west to find some space for media (8) NEWSROOM {NEW}{MOORS<=}

10 Quality article on weak king, tart and Church of England (5,5) THINK PIECE {THIN}{K}{PIE}{CE}

11 Aware of some corrupt officers (2,2) UP TO [T]

12 Helping cops? Very old form of escaping! (8) AVOIDING {A{V}{O}IDING} 

15 A character in a story, say that leans towards the Right (6) ITALIC {CD}

16 Movie maker shaping her to campaign (13) CINEMATOGRAPH*

18 End of sleeve about to be the point of detachment (3-3) CUT-OFF {CUT}{OF}F (Addendum - {CU{TO}FF} - See comments)

19 Media hovering around popular conservative ruler (8) PRINCESS {PR{IN}{C}ESS}

21 This stone can be used to make hospital (4) OPAL {OPAL+THIS}*=HOSPITAL [CA]

22 Trendy food shop's supply, mostly lacks in taste (10) INDELICATE {IN}{DELI}{CATEr}

25 Attractive and aggressive badminton players? (8) SMASHERS [CD]

26 Without money, fellow fails and hurts (6) WOUNDS {WO}{fUNDS}

DOWN

1   POTUS runs away from confrontation (4) BUSH BrUSH

2   Music player at bar with island spirit (6) DJINNI {DJ}{INN}{I}

3   Most eager about opening of non-vegetarian joint (4) KNEE {K{No...n}EEn}

4   Commotion created by sibling, you and sound of laughter! (8) BROUHAHA {BRO}{U}{HAHA}

5   As per Spooner, Rob struggles to find the stage (10) FOOTLIGHTS (~loot fights to footlights)

7   Probe IIM staff about initial ordeal of a new employee (7,2,4) BAPTISM OF FIRE*

9   Chinese tree, small peg and good choice of whiskey basically (7,6) WEEPING WILLOW {WEE}{PIN}{G}{WILL}{Of}{Wh...y}

13 Seductress entraps copper wearing uniform and judge to get something that clears the air! (6,4) VACUUM PUMP {VA{C{U}U}MP}{UMP}

14 Dog comes back donning alien dress (3-2) GET-UP {PUG<=} over {ET}

17 Plan some new organic growth (8) NEOPLASM* 

20 Mess is hollow CSK getting into forced change of leadership (6) COCKUP {CO{CsK}UP}

23 No one declines King's table (4) DESK {DiES}{K}

24 Oddly this day is good (4) TIDY {ThIs+DaY}

Reference List

King = K, Church of England = CE, Very = V, Old = O, Popular = IN, Conservative = C, Trendy = IN, Without = WO, Runs = R, Fellow = F, Island = I, Good = G, Uniform = U, Judge = UMP, Alien = ET

No 14511, Saturday 14 June 2025, Vidwan

 ACROSS

8 Regularly orders accused to get out (6) RESCUE {oRdErS aCcUsEd}
9 Unfairly conducted court proceeding - it could be militarist (8) MISTRIAL {IT+MISTRIAL}*=MILITARIST [CA]
10 Naive altruist achiever embracing god, embracing love! (2-6) DO-GOODER {DO{GO{O}D}ER}
11 One raise can be pitiful (6) UPLIFT {I+UPLIFT}*=PITIFUL [CA]
12 Pride and prejudice basically ruined a pickpocket (6) DIPPER {PRIDE Prejudice}*
13 Probably Norman could be ordinary seaman (1,4,3) I DARE SAY {NORMAN+I DARE SAY}*=ORDINARY SEAMAN [CA]
15 Baptist quietly discarded English fabric (7) BATISTE {BApTIST}{E}

17 Forever seemingly ridden with misfortune (7) REVERSE [T]
20 Egyptians on borders swarmed and celebrated (8) ESTEEMED {EgyptianS}{TEEMED}
22 They give different colours adopting right home appliances (6) DRYERS {D{R}YERS}
23 Bakery product, cold, can be catalogued (6) GATEAU {COLD+GATEAU}*=CATALOGUED [CA]

25 A wet trap fitting found in kitchens (3,5) TAP WATER*
26 Left bitter possibly by love and words of opera (8) LIBRETTO {L BITTER}*{O}
27 Split second reverberation? Could be helicopters! (2-4) RE-ECHO {SPLIT+REECHO}*=HELCOPTERS [CA]

DOWN
1 Flour is kneaded! Meal is on! (8) SEMOLINA*

2 Partner - manage without spades, hearts, clubs and dice ultimately! (10) ACCOMPLICE {ACCOMPLIsh}{C}{dicE}
3 Merchant resting in Eindhoven dormitories (6) VENDOR [T]
4 Implicate Emily, cut and chopped by angry Rob (7) EMBROIL {EMILy ROB}*
5 Love small, cute bags? Gloat occasionally and kiss! (8) OSCULATE {O}{S}+{CUTE} over {gLoAt}
6 Part of natural river (4) URAL [T]
7 Rough bit of fibre, Africa cultivated originally, exported (6) RAFFIA {Fibre AFRIcA}* & LIT

14 Starting to excitedly prepare my new polisher (5,5) EMERY PAPER {Excitedly} {PREPARE MY }*
16 Time's short but drunk king's starting to unite an ancient city (8) TIMBUKTU {TIMe}{BU{K}T}{Unite}
18 Much of broadcast is painful, headless, loud and shrill (8) SCREECHY {SCREEn}{aCHY}
19 Issue - 'No money in India in knowledge' (7) EDITION {EruDITION}
21 Cats hold it back still (6) STATIC {C{IT}ATS}<
22 Love prevails over power! Time to resign! (6) DEPART {DE{P}AR}{T}
24 Money held by neurologist (4) EURO [T]

REFERENCE LIST

Love=O, One=I, Quietly=P, Right=R, Left=L, Spades=S, Hearts=H, Clubs=C, Small=S, King=K, Money in India=Ru(pee), Power=P, Time=T.

No 14510, Friday 13 Jun 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

1   Guard quietly learning by repetition at court (7) PROTECT {P}{ROTE}{CT}

5   Iron hand overcoming resistance of central government (7) FEDERAL {FE}{DE{R}AL}

10 Work without slightest of hate in heart (4) CORE ChORE

11 Form of true crust (9) STRUCTURE* Form on Double duty

12 Grow old, plan and plan (6) AGENDA {AGE}{AND*}

13 Time wasted in diplomacy, creeper takes it as process (8) ACTIVITY {tACT}{IV{IT}Y}

14 Thoroughly popular team abroad (6-3) INSIDE-OUT {IN}{SIDE}-{OUT}

16 Ideal company within Indian borders (4) ICON {Ind{CO}iaN}

17 See giant? Could be Egyptians! (4) ESPY {ESPY+GIANT}*={EGYPTIANS} [CA]

18 Anger was felt occasionally with a small bit of hared towards this standard feature in TV media broadcasts (9) NEWSFLASH {aNgEr+WaS+FeLt}{A}{S}{Ha...d}

22 More depressing or good place to relieve men? That is right! (8) GLOOMIER {G}{LOO}{M}{IE}{R}

23 Drug with love transforming into ecstasy as in this place (6) HEREIN HER(-o+e)EIN

25 Prepare brews, infusing boundless love to resolve differences for time being (5,4) PAPER OVER {PREPARE}* over {lOVe}

26 Soundly criticise King's work (4) BOOK {BOO}{K}

27 Cures almost all sick, nothing concerning faith (7) SECULAR {CURES+ALl}*

28 Small round urban habitat housing European people (7) SOCIETY [S}{O}{C{E}ITY}

DOWN

2   Something used to control mob in Brazilian city - the generic usual name basically! (4,3) RIOT GUN {RIO}{The}{Ge...c}{Us..l}{Name}

3   Hook-up with model? That is cool! (3-2) TIE-IN {T}{IE}{IN}

4   Fall of scoundrel involved in argument (7) CASCADE {CAS{CAD}E}

6   Time for small tax stir (6) EXCITE EXCI(-s+t)TE

7   Uncertain like one very old Catholic in uniform (9) EQUIVOCAL {EQU{1}{V}{O}{C}AL}

8   Old Iranian in a waistcoat darns regularly (7) AVESTAN {A}{VEST}{dArN}

9   True, voters are exploited valuable mass (8,5) TREASURE TROVE*

15 One minute dance put up spontaneously (9) IMPROMPTU {1}{M}{PROM}{PUT*}

17 Cover cut out for a comfort (7) ECLIPSE E(-a+clip}CLIPSE

19 Lively piece of music at school with zero jiggles (7) SCHERZO {SCH}{ZERO*}

20 Pass pins (4,3) SPIN OUT {PINS}* [RA]

21 Corbusier razed some mountain range (6) SIERRA [T]

24 Priest losing last buck (5) RABBI RABBIt

Reference List

Quietly = P, Court = CT, Hand = DEAL, Resistance = R, Time = T, Popular = IN, Small = S, Good = G, Men = M, Right = R, Ecstasy = E, King = K, European = E, Model = T, Cool = IN, Very = V, Old =O, Catholic = C, Minute = M, Dance = PROM, School = SCH 

No 14509, Thursday 12 Jun 2025, Crescent

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

8   Spooner's stomach aid for gymnastic posture (9) HANDSTAND {~stand hand to handstand)

9   First to last, dirty paintings (4) OILS (-s)OIL(+s)S

10 Rugby Union team rep, lively, consumed by disposition to be feverish (3,1,11) RUN A TEMPERATURE {RU} and {TEAM+REP}* in {NATURE}

12 Abnormally thin English couple catching a cold, one died (9) EMACIATED {E}{MA{C}{1}ATE}{D}

13 Record ton on batting left-handed (5) INEPT {EP}{T}<=>{IN}

14 Observant, required when husband replaces note (7) HEEDFUL (-n+h)HEEDFUL

17 European cycling champs are superior in organisation (7) M?N?G?R (Addendum - MANAGER {(-ger)MAN(+ger)GER} over {A} - See comments)

19 Regrets circumventing lecturer's principles (5) RULES {RU{L}ES}

21 Wretched place concealing start of potential viral disease (9) VARICELLA {pLACE+VIRAL}*

24 Model of one, expect I am in line for this? (15) EXEMPLIFICATION {OF+1+EXPECT+I+AM+IN+L}* &lit

25 Discharge brat (4) SNOT [DD]

26 Monotone, one curiously odd? Yes, strangely delivered (9) UNICOLOUR {ONe+CURIOUsLy}*

DOWN

1   Chore rashly done ending in acute muscle cramp (7,5) CHARLEY HORSE {CHORE+RASHLY+donE} (Correction - {CHORE+RASHLY}*{a..tE} - See comments)

2   One nobody picked up before steady flood (8) INUNDATE {1}{(~none)NUN}{DATE}

3   African thug climbing this to start casing section (6) TSOTSI [T<=]

4   Rodent damage mounting to millions (6) MARMOT {MAR} and {TO}{M}<=

5   Damn dude, lousy rider (8) ADDENDUM*

6   Spot of balm coating bit of chapped area (8) LOCATION {LO{Ch...d}{A}TION}

7   Top bishop, contemptible person (6) BLOUSE {B}{LOUSE}

11 Performers in street near ground (12) ENTERTAINERS*

15 Fellow ends up supporting American nit-pickers (8) FUSSPOTS {F}{STOPS<=}<=>{US}

16 Setter's entering inebriated party (4,2,2) LIVE IT UP {L{I'VE}IT UP}

18 Delay over pilot flying crock for drugs (8) GALLIPOT {LAG<=}{PILOT*}

20 First infiltrates security, seconds later stays under cover? (3-3) LIE-INS {LIE{1}N}{S}

22 Sultana's rule reportedly saving lives (6) RAISIN {(~reign)RAIN} over {IS}

23 Don quickly reversing operation divides family (4,2) CLAP ON {CLA{OP<=}N}

Reference List

Rugby Union = RU, English = E, Cold = C, Died = D, Record = EP(Extended Play), Ton = T, Batting = IN, Husband = H, Note = N, Are = A, Lecturer = L, Line = L, Steady = DATE, Millions = M, Area = A, Bishop = B, Fellow = F, Seconds = S

No 14508, Wednesday 11 Jun 2025, Kriskross

Solution to 10A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance. 

Open for anyone to solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Leaders in genetics organise lab experiments making small artificial humans (6) GOLEMS Acrostic

4   Reports about extremely unjust laws (8) STATUTES {STAT{Un..sT}ES}

10 Banker with cool, more elegant clothes (9) F?N?N?I?R (Addendum - FINANCIER {F{IN}ANCIER} - See comments)

11 Stupid one visiting pub to get last of booze (5) INANE {IN{A}N}{b..zE}

12 Perhaps Bolivar is one expelled from South American country (7) SURNAME SURiNAME

13 Crime of middleman (7) OFFENCE {OF}{FENCE}

14 Lightweight cat (5) OUNCE [DD]

15 Associate, inflamed about fake news, gave a reply (8) ANSWERED {A}{NEWS*}{RED}

18 He examines bum with diseased sores (8) ASSESSOR {ASS}{SORES*}

20 Insects are regularly chasing young animal (5) PUPAE {ArE}{PUP}

23 Part of duet "Instant love" (7) SECONDO {SECOND}{O}

25 Metal-plated hospital vehicle (7) CHOPPER {C{H}OPPER}

26 Sex ultimately provides delight (5) EXULT [T]

27 Stop the Spanish entering ground to get fuel (6,3) DIESEL OIL {DIE}{S{EL}OIL}

28 Young children in sports meet, primarily everyone following lines (5,3) SMALL FRY {Sp...s}{Meet}{ALL}{F}{RY}

29 Guides drug addicts to consume heroin (6) USHERS {US{H}ERS}

DOWN

1   Fights hard to work in present place (4,4) GIFT SHOP {FIGHTS*}{OP}

2   Want to manage marathon (4,3) LONG RUN {LONG}{RUN}

3   Element of Japanese comic seen differently (9) MANGANESE {MANGA}{SEEN*}

5   Nurse abruptly covers blunder, with staff protecting her finally in panic (6-8) TERROR-STRICKEN {T{ERROR}{ST{heR}ICK}ENd}

6   Boss taking time to replace company's main embezzler (5) THIEF (-c+t)THIEF

7   Student in a home covered by ash, say (7) TRAINEE {TR{A}{IN}EE}

8   Drunk set off to marry (6) STEWED {SET*}{WED}

9   New anodyne rids twitching - but its effect is temporary (4,4,6) NINE DAYS WONDER*

16 Many sleepy or active workers get paid by them (9) EMPLOYERS {M+SLEEPY+OR}*

17 Fellow starts to examine rust lines in metal rings (8) FERRULES {F}{Ex...e}{Rust}{RULES}

19 Peruvian city's university surrounded by Byzantine arches (7) SECHURA {SECH{U}RA*}

21 Indian child and father's act winning Oscar (7) PAPOOSE {PA}{PO{O}SE}

22 Experts spending money for flowers (6) ASTERS mASTERS

24 The French thrash rebellious African state (5) NATAL {LA}{TAN}<=

Reference List

Associate = A, Hospital = H, The in Spanish = EL, Following = F, Lines = RY, Heroin = H, Time = T, Home =IN, Many = M, Fellow = F, University =U, The in French = LA

No 14507, Tuesday 10 Jun 2025, Incognito

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   Caution! Washington is ahead of Royal Navy! (4) WARN {WA}{RN}

9   Puts back a structure (5) S?U?A (Addendum - STUPA {PUTS}<={A} - See comments)

10 Ambience in Saurashtra (4) AURA [T]

11 After fish, endlessly lick bulb (6) GARLIC {GAR}{LICk}

12 Think deeply, friend, about ebbing tide (8) MEDITATE {M{TIDE<=}ATE}

13 Hand over wine and document for travelling abroad (8) PASSPORT {PASS}{PORT}

15 Mixing beer with feet? Sorrowful! (6) BEREFT {BEER}*{FT}

17 Asks Kim, "Knitting monkey cap?" (3,4) SKI MASK*

19 Concluded on basis of reasoning, "Bird is tailless, indeed" (7) DEDUCED {DE{DUCk}ED}

22 Change stick (6) SWITCH [DD]

24 Discovers sun rotating and going round our planet (8) UNEARTHS {UN{EARTH}S*}

26 Baker's escape from prison (5,3) BREAK OUT [RA]

28 Semi-spherical structure over front of door has hole! It's ill-fated... (6) DOOMED {DOME}{Door} over{O}

30 Mislead to some extent, "Land in water" (4) ISLE [T]

31 Team in revised set leaves (5) EXITS {E{XI}TS*}

32 Ruler seen in the mirage (4) EMIR [T]

DOWN

1   Ceremonial war dance from Mahakaushal (4) HAKA [T]

2   Man clues wrongly: Personification of America (5,3) UNCLE SAM*

3   Mad man and Yankee caught in shop demolition (6) PSYCHO {PS{Y}{C}HO*}

4   Hands over vehicle rejected by MIT staff initially (7) SUBMITS {BUS<=}{MIT}{St..f}

5   Mike and I, at first, begin lacquering exquisite jawbone (8) MANDIBLE {M}{AND}{I}{Be..n}{La...g}{Ex...e}

6   Male flower, sir (6) MASTER {M}{ASTER}

7   Boy with animal's a rude child (4) BRAT {B}{RAT}

14 Crooked like borough in London (5) ASKEW {AS}{KEW}

16 Meat from broken shelf (5) FLESH*

18 For example, Hesperus' drinking glass (8) SCHOONER [DD]

20 Fully removed our depot building (8) UPROOTED*

21 Reduce dog shadow (7) CURTAIL {CUR}{TAIL}

23 London flower placed back to cover meat (6) THAMES {SET<=} over {HAM}

25 Most senior engineer led Estonia (6) ELDEST {LED*}{EST}

27 Lady leaves highest mountain for others (4) REST eveREST

29 Removing flare from damaged fireplace? It's heroic! (4) EPIC fIrEPlaCe*

Reference List

Yankee = Y, Caught = C, Mike = M, Male =M, Boy = B

No 14506, Monday 09Jun 2025, Incognito

Solution to 30A 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   Turbulent water behind vessel used to be hot (4) WASH {WAS}{H}

9   Food items having monetary value in casinos (5) CHIPS [DD]

10 Unlatch old corral (4) OPEN {O}{PEN{

11 Meaning "Bring in" (6) IMPORT [DD]

12 During distribution of medals, engineers rejected gems (8) EMERALDS {EM{RE<=}ALDS*}

13 Wrongly recites about love in secret (8) ESOTERIC{ES{O}TERIC*}

15 Rules, "LBW", say, by mistake (6) BYLAWS*

17 People of higher social position placing teetotaller amongst drinks (7) BETTERS {BE{TT}ERS}

19 Dined heavily and fed, including extraordinary eats (7) FEASTED {F{EATS*}ED}

22 Permits everyone having ring with sapphire at first (6) ALLOWS {ALL}{O}{W}{Sa...e}

24 Things a footballer should achieve but not score? (3,5) OWN GOALS [CD]

26 About one path going round tomb without a body in it (8) CENOTAPH {C}{ONE+PATH}*

28 Sit back capturing half German animals (6) TIGERS {SIT<=} over {GERman}

30 Weapons seen at fronts of ships (4) ?O?S ()

31 Call back about one colour (5) LILAC {CAL{1}L<=}

32 Bird's home in Pine Street (4) NEST [T]

DOWN

1   Man with objective to damage (4) MAIM{M}{AIM}

2   Spilling tea with short variable resistor (8) RHEOSTAT {TEA+SHORT}*

3   Duck egg removed from vehicle (6) SCOTER SCOoTER

4 & 21 What Bond got when he joined a cold storage company? (7,2,5) LICENCE TO CHILL [C&DD]

5   Put together beam-less construction (8) ASSEMBLE*

6   An item of cricket paraphernalia missing? Results in an extra run... (2,4) NO BALL [C&DD]

7   Maiden gets tip to repair (4) MEND {M}{END}

14 Go quietly and rob (5) STEAL [DD]

16 Revolutionary invention? (5) WHEEL [C&DD]

18 Devilish and horrible scar on friend (8) RASCALLY {SCAR*}{ALLY}

20 Japanese rulers carry model weapons (8) SHOTGUNS {SHO{T}GUNS}

21 See 4

23 Old boy with love for first person performing in an orchestra, perhaps (6) OBOIST {OB}{0}{1ST}

25 See memo about integrated chip (6) NOTICE {NOT{IC}E}

27 For example, large sense of self-importance of people (4) EGOS {EG}{OS}

29 Indian Bond leaves Indian biscuit (4) RUSK RUSKin

Reference List

Hot = H, Old =O, Engineers = RE(Royal Engineers), Teetotaller = TT, With = W, About = C, Man = M, Maiden = M, Model = T, Old Boy = OB, Large = OS, Indian = IN

Special, Sunday 08 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.