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