No 14551, Thursday 31 Jul 2025, Arden

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   Workers get in, complain about spindles (8) DISTAFFS {DI{STAFF}S}

5   Bit of a methodical person - brings back calm (6) PLACID [T<=]

10 Rich widow's advice on taking a chance (7) DOWAGER {DO WAGER}

11 A hybrid crop - it could bear fruit (7) APRICOT {A}{CROP+IT}*

12 Long time for horse to enter - prod it (3,2) EGG ON {E{GG}ON}

13 Watchdog for thousand American friends in the country (9) OMBUDSMAN {O{M}{BUDS}MAN}

14 Digital entertainment - a special gift (6,6) HIDDEN TALENT [C&DD]

18 Wine and ale can do perhaps in this country (3,9) NEW CALEDONIA {WINE+ALE+CAN+DO}*

21 Against history - only a course (9) ANTIPASTO {ANTI}{PAST}{O}

23 New area can be costly (5) NACRE {N}{ACRE}

24 It helps some people's aspirations (7) INHALER [CD]

25 Repeating it - time not to lose heart (7) ITERANT {IT}{ERA}{NoT}

26 Look, it's somewhat wavering and erratic (6) GANDER [T]

27 Serial killer's last known address? (5,3) DEATH ROW [CD]

DOWN

1   Not happy about keeping an animal inside lower walls (6) DADOES {SAD<=} over {DOE}

2   Refuse to allow comedian to enter Vatican, perhaps (6) SEWAGE {SE{WAG}E}

3   Spy right inside in a country... (9) ARGENTINA {A{R}GENT}{IN}{A}

4   ...besides our fearsome dog barking (3,4,7) FOR GOOD MEASURE*

6   Persuaded a bit - order ultimately came from the South (5) LURED [T<=]

7   Coppers order to surrender finally, but one is cool as they say (8) CUCUMBER {CU}{CU}{MBE}{s...eR}

8   Go off with boyfriend outside school (8) DETONATE{D{ETON}ATE}

9   Heart of a Scot, in short, is poisonous (6,8) CARBON MONOXIDE {sCOt}

15 Lamenting about alliance (9) ALIGNMENT*

16 Making some dough and wanting to announce it (8) KNEADING (~needing)

17 Start with an issue about the terrible women (6,2) SWITCH ON {S{WITCH}ON}

19 Some money the church returned - that's sweet (6) ECLAIR {RIAL}{CE}<=

20 Grant is in Paris, covered by missile launcher (6) BESTOW {B{EST}OW}

22 Cry over endless beat (5) P?L?E (Addendum - PULSE {PUL{lesS}E} - See comments)

Reference List

Complain = DIS, Horse = GG, Thousand = M, Only = O, New = N, Right = R, Church = CE, Is in French = EST

No 14550, Wednesday 30 Jul 2025, Arden

Solution to 26D 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   Working with sales force - one way to reach there fast (2,3,4,5) AS THE CROW FLIES*

10 Crime in Madras found to have happened regularly (5) ARSON {mAdRaS+fOuNd}

11 Weapon assessed and smashed (9) MACERATED {MACE}{RATED}

12 Business representative on a ship within reach (7) COMPASS {CO}{MP}{A}{SS}

13 Grounds are ground issues (7) REASONS {ARE*}{SONS}

14 For these old two-wheelers, ban drink leading to social unrest (5) RIOTS chaRIOTS

16 Creams get special mention on Times covers (9) OINTMENTS {MENTION}*{TimeS}

19 It's the mirror image of a tongue (9) MALAYALAM<=>

20 Lament about electronic network (5) DIRGE {E}{GRID}

22 Book about power distribution in a Welsh town (7) NEWPORT {N{POWER*}T}

25 Intend to stop payment for clothing (7) RAIMENT {R{AIM}ENT}

27 See Indian shop with short soldier guarding (9) BISHOPRIC {B{I}{SHOP}RICk} Soldier/Brick? See comments

28 Talk about Indian PM shielding top industrialist (5) IDIOM {MO{In...t}DI}<=

29 Doctor to use algorithm, perhaps (14) RHEUMATOLOGIST*

DOWN

2   Dirty bottles point to same cooking medium (6,3) SESAME OIL {S{E}{SAME}OIL}

3   Dye found within the borders of state capital (5) HENNA cHENNAi

4   You can sit on it if current temperature is cool outside (9) CAMPSTOOL {C{AMPS}{T}OOL}

5   Only Mark gets the prize (5) OSCAR {O}{SCAR}

6   Was ready for any eventuality with a reformed criminal (9) FOREARMED*

7   Pinpoint role so as to allow formal initiation (5) INTRO [T]

8   Somehow assist bury the dead - they are vicious (7) SADISTS {SA{D}ISTS*}

9   House sickness? (6) CANCER [DD]

15 It may sort of turn into a packaging material (9) STYROFOAM*

17 Broken arm in clue is digital (9) NUMERICAL*

18 Run up and run down where plants and trees are grown (9) NURSERIES {RUN<=}{SERIES}

19 Dress restriction you'll find in hotel rooms (7) MINIBAR {MINI}{BAR}

21 Bury original bottom line, wasted toil (6) ENTOMB {BOTtoM+liNE}*

23 A way to stop us spend (5) WASTE {W{A}{ST}E}

24 Sailor to come up on deck (5) TAROT {TAR}{TO<=}

26 Watching - not over bonus (5) I?I?G (Addendum - ICING notICING - See comments)

Reference List

Business = CO, Ship = SS, Electronic = E, Book = NT(New Testament). Indian = I, Point = E, Temperature = T, Only = O, Dead = D, Sailor = TAR

No 14549, Tuesday 29 Jul 2025, Afterdark

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   Hurt by cat on the back to rodent (6) MARMOT {MAR}{TOM<=}

5   Plant found in Milan, Goa accidentally (8) MAGNOLIA*

9   Upset that world organisation's suspended (8) UNSTRUNG {UN}{STRUNG}

10 Systems for class at Indian state school (6) SETUPS {SET}{UP}{S}

11 Builder's a criminal, plot occupied primarily near river (10) CONTRACTOR {CON}{TRACT}{Oc...d}{R}

12 Thug to stay after a break in the middle (4) GOON {GO ON}

13 Arrangement of veins by native? No, it's new (8) VENATION* 

16 Cover can take ball by play-ends (6) CANOPY {CAN}{O}{PlaY}

17 Drunk with spirit after bender by day (6) ?T?N?D (Addendum - STONED {TONE}<=>{S} by {D})

19 Nothing, almost rubbish?! No, at the end America is remarkable (8) FABULOUS {FA}{BULl}{nO}{US}

21 Observe honour conferred on youth leader (4) OBEY {OBE}{Yo..h}

22 Itinerant guy avails oats primarily in erstwhile country (10) YUGOSLAVIA {GUY+AVAILS+Oats}*

25 Princess returns after 6 in city (6) VIENNA {ANNE<=}<=>{VI}

26 Say, a cohort on time has porridge, doesn't finish off with pressure (3,5) AGE GROUP {AGE}{GROUt}{P}

27 Pipe shed used to make pesticide mixture (5,3) SHEEP DIP*

28 Officer picked up by centre (6) KERNEL (~colonel)

DOWN

2   A new information concealed by doctor on state of pregnancy (5) AMNIO {A}{M{N}{I}O}

3   Remote thoughts intrinsic for a composition (5) MOTET [T]

4   Humanist, needing no introduction makes huge waves (7) TSUNAMI hUMANIST*

5   Unit of energy shows zero in electrified magnet (7) MEGATON {MEGAT{0}N*}

6   Grits can almost create problem to the stomach (7) GASTRIC {GRITS+CAn}*

7   Catalog on shape has 8 sides (9) OCTAGONAL*

8   One reminder received by member; you hear it is unprepared (9) IMPROMPTU {1}{M}{PROMPT}{(~you)U}

14 Herbalists, right away danced in set (9) ESTABLISH HErBALISTS*

15 Anyone can become angry and be a nuisance (9) ANNOYANCE*

18 Ground is arid and loose at the end, cracking (3,4) DRY LAND {DRY}{AND+Lo..e}*

19 Play golf with current provided for light (7) FOGLAMP {GOLF*}{AMP}

20 To live at mountains cycling is show (7) BESPEAK {BE}{(+s)SPEAK(-s)}

23 Rare, I designed a drier (5) AIRER*

24 Train in old city's express primarily (5) INURE {IN}{UR}{Ex...s}

Reference List

School = S, River = R, Bender = S, Day = D, Nothing = FA(Fanny Adams), Pressure = P, New = N, Information = I, Member = M, Right = R

No 14548, Monday 28 Jul 2025, Afterdark

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   Sailor and a copper at second counter (6) ABACUS {AB}{A}{CU}{S}

4   Avoids Mark in a book shop at the entrance (8) ABSTAINS {STAIN} in {A}{B}{Shop}

10 Accuracy of abstract is oddly suspicious for starters (9) PRECISION {PRECIS}{Is}{Od..y}N N from?

11 Criminal and US General are similar (5) A?I?E (Addendum - ALIKE {AL}{IKE} - See comments)

12 Attempts to reset implement, engineer succeeds as per sources (5) TRIES Acrostic

13 Tamil leader's party led over Labour and advanced (9) TRAVELLED {Ta..l}{RAVE}{L{L}ED}

14 Private party in dubious trade is deceived (7) TRAPPED {TRA{PP}ED*}

16 Domestic servant in brothel parties (4) HELP [T]

19 No rules for birds and animals (4) COWS CrOWS

21 Note; learner in contest is a wonder (7) MIRACLE {MI}{RAC{L}E}

24 Disclosed by former media editor (9) EXPRESSED {EX}{PRESS}{ED}

25 Tips, tips to cheat ladies, use emotions slyly (5) CLUES Acrostic

26 Staff are Europeans (5) POLES [DD]

27 Your tea is inside, behind sedans, oddly not on furniture (4,5) EASY CHAIR {Y{CHAI}R}<=>{sEdAnS}

28 Sit awkwardly in gown, say causes anxiety (8) DISTRESS {D{SIT*}RESS}

29 Gorilla spotted in Puerto Rico, Sun records (6) PAPERS {P{APE}R}{S}

DOWN

1   Passion of a prince's small (8) APPETITE {A{P}{PETITE}

2   New camera is displaying a landmass (8) AMERICAS {CAMERA+IS}*

3   Constituents of world organisation has appeal (5) UNITS {UN{IT}S}

5   Unbecoming of Ben; digging a hole in the centre of ground (7) BENEATH {BEN}{EArTH}

6   Tourist in 13 leaves daughter for lover at last (9) TRAVELLER TRAVELLE(-d+r)R

7   Cold spike causes licorice to lose its core and wither (6) ICICLE LICorICE*

8   Rates of grains? Add a penny (6) SPEEDS {S{P}EEDS}

9   Matched with female with appeal, to enjoy delightfully primarily (6) FITTED {F}{IT}{To}{En..y}{De...y}

15 Teacher (female) replaces a chip in the front in computer, say (9) PROFESSOR PRO(-c+f)FESSOR

17 Perfect car, a cute model (8) ACCURATE*

18 Evaluates same combination, will be over for certain (8) MEASURES {MEA{SURE}S*}

20 Doctor sets my son's routines (7) SYSTEMS {SETS+MY+S}*

21 Majority of French inside are humble (6) MODEST {MO{DE}ST}

22 Assisted to pay attention to record stored inside (6) HELPED {HE{LP}ED}

23 Retreat to borders, heartless lieutenants causes accidents (6) SPILLS {LIPS<=}{Li...tS}

25 Bean companies active (5) COCOA {CO}{CO}{A}

Reference List

Sailor = AB, Second = S, Book = B, Criminal = AL, General  = IKE(Eisenhower), Labour = L, Private Party = PP, Rules = R, Note = MI, Learner = L, Editor = ED, Your = YR, Sun = S, Prince = P, Appeal = IT, Daughter = D, Penny = P, Female = F, Son = S, Of in French = DE, Record = LP(Long Play), Company = CO, Active = A

Special, Sunday 20 Jul 2025, WCCC-2025 On Stage Final 2, Charlie Methvwn

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 14, Sunday 27 Jul 2025, Dr. X

ACROSS

1   Deleting old, bad quality picture (8) PORTRAIT {POoR}{TRAIT}

5   Blunders with boastful talk after consuming very strong drug (6) GAFFES {GA{FF}{E}S}

10 Lady falling for Romeo, audacious rogue (7) VARIANT {VA(-l+r)RIANT}

11 Slim European men captivating girl (7) ELEANOR {LEAN} in {E}{OR}

12 Belief in alternate netherworld (5) TENET [T]

13 Giant mice all over the place? That's mysterious (9) ENIGMATIC*

14 Flawed individual's crazy about ancient ring, possessed by spirits (7,5) DAMAGED GOODS {MAD<=}{AGED}{GO{O}DS}

18 Fixing fracture in his leg after taking incision (12) ESTABLISHING {IN+HIS+LEG}* over {STAB}

21 Fail completely to perform backstroke perhaps (2,5,2) GO BELLY UP [DD]

23 Leader's measure (5) RULER [DD[

24 Fictional character in short story by a British amateur (3,4) ALI BABA {ALIBi}{A}{B}{A}

25 Lights up and smokes, losing head after misfortune (7) ILLUMES {fUMES}<=>{ILL}

26 Alleges angrily - student killed birds (6) EAGLES ALlEGES*

27 One on schooner is tense, communicates about trouble (8) STAYSAIL {S{T}AYS}{AIL}

DOWN

1   Turns, reacts to vipers around bags (6) PIVOTS [T]

2   Enthusiastic group hosting a party at centre (6) RARING {R{A}{paRty}ING}

3   Knocking back whiskies in bar, start to order exotic dish of meat (5,4) ROAST LAMB {B{MALTS}AR}<= with {Or..r}

4   Expecting onset of adversity, while Nifty may crash (2,3,6,3) IN THE FAMILY WAY {Ad...y+WHILE+NIFTY+MAY}*

6   Beverage in morning for elite group (1-4) A-TEAM {A{TEA}M}

7   Cheat having sex in retreat after lively party (8) FUNCTION {C{IT<=}ON}<=>{FUN}

8   Smartest tip from solicitor upset scoundrel in trial (8) SPRUCEST {So...r}{P{CUR<=}EST}

9   Bit stoned, I pee foolishly outside hotel - that's impertinent (6,3,5) BESIDE THE POINT {BIT+STONED+I+PEE} over {H}

15 Usually perk up after dope and ecstasy (9) GENERALLY {RALLY}<=>{GEN}{E}

16 Live close to central station in capital city (8) BELGRADE {BE}{c...aL}{GRADE}

17 Slashing con tackling sailor boy (8) STABBING {ST{AB}{B}ING}

19 Female graduate edited manual (6) ALUMNA*

20 Bad cold sore releasing a little dark, oily liquid (6) CRESOL {COLd+SoRE}*

22 Rent large facility (5) LEASE {L}{EASE}

Reference List

Old = O, Very strong = FF, Drug = E, Lady = L, Romeo = R, European = E, Men = OR(Other ranks), British = B, Amateur = A, Student = L, Tense = T, Sex = IT, Hotel = H, Dope = GEN, Ecstasy = E, Sailor = AB, Boy = B, Large = L

No 14547, Saturday 26 July 2025, Bruno

 ACROSS
6 Luxurious, soft, and green (5) PLUSH {P}{LUSH}
7 End of toe and limb caught in vehicle, that can travel fast (8) TELEGRAM {T{toE}{LEG}RAM}
10 June, Bill, and Leah partly come to English party (7) JUBILEE {JUne}{BIll}{LEah}{E}
11 Bar's subdued - one left for party (7) BANQUET {BAN}{QUiET}
12 Magazine featured John playing game (7) MAHJONG {MA{JOHN*}G}

13 Desiring model with a rear-end that's rounded (7) CRAVING {C{(+reaR-a}(+A-r)VING} CARVING with A and R interchanged 
14 Storm observed here & perhaps tracked - wee high, basically (7,4) WEATHER DECK {TRACKED WEE High}*

19 Arrogant, oppressing, evil, bad boy (7) VILLAIN {V{ILL}AIN}
21 America's universal friend.. at most times (7) USUALLY {US}{U}{ALLY}
23 Invoice number missing time causing protest (7) INVEIGH {INV}{EIGHt}
25 Note flying gull putting end of anchovy on victim (4,3) FALL GUY {FA}{GULL*}{anchovY} 
26 Inconvenient accommodation for Eastern queen trapped in 9D (8) STEERAGE {ST{E}{ER}AGE}
27 Unknown, operated by Unit, when reversed gives a kind of operator (5) UNARY {Y RAN U}<

DOWN
1 Part of play when mud's flung on boy, who's dancing (4,4) DUMB SHOW {MUD}*{B}{WHO'S}*
2 Avoiding AA, sot finally in allopathy treatment? That's kinda flaky... (6) PHYLLO {aLLOPatHY}*

3 Rest, perhaps - no good after that workout (10) STRENGTHEN {REST}*{NG}{THEN}
4 Hunk essentially lacking courage retreats (4) SLAB {BAlLS}<
5 California city's zoning lead outlaid every other stone (6) LAZULI {LA}{Zoning}{oUtLaId}

6 Jean often wears parents' nightwear (6) PAJAMA {PA{JeAn}MA}
8 Part of boat tips in under nautical waterline during storm (7) GUNWALE {G{Under}{Nautical}{Waterline}ALE}
9 Mount horse on end of saddle (5) STAGE {STAG}{saddlE}
13 Mark's merciful action in empty complex (10) CIRCUMFLEX {MERCIFUL}* in {CompleX}
15 Artist at Virginia sent back by immigration authorities - that's wrong (7) AVARICE {RA}{VA}< +{ICE}
16 Lightweight metalworking building went bust - was abandoned (8) KILOGRAM {MetALwORKInG}*
17 Egg-shaped ring with topless skirt (5) OVOID {O}{aVOID}
18 Limits of seismology, zoology, genealogy and heavenly alignment (6) SYZYGY {SeismologY}{ZoologY}{GenealogY}

20 The French... very discontented about sex and humour (6) LEVITY {LE}{V{IT}erY}
22 Sign of mutual exchanges? (6) UMLAUT*
24 Boss' part of the administration (4) HEAD [T]

Reference List

Soft=P, English=E, One=I, Magazine=Mag, America=US, Universal=U, Invoice=INV, Time=T, Eastern=E, Queen=ER, Unit=U, Boy=B, No Good=NG, Artist=RA, Virginia=VA, Ring=O, Sex=It.

No 14546, Friday 25 Jul 2025, Pixie Dust

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.

Regular solvers/Veterans can post 1 answer each, but after 11 AM only.

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

7   Partly miss our celebrity author (6) SOURCE [T]

8   Drunk and beaten (8) HAMMERED [DD]

9   Capital of Finland's impressing and enchanting (8) FETCHING {Fi...d}{ETCHING}

10 Oppose somewhat difficult sis, erratically backtracking (6) RESIST [T<=]

11 To raise money, boy is married the next day (8) TOMORROW {TO}{(-b+m)MORROW}

12 Look Noel lay oddly withdrawn (6) LONELY {LoOk+NoEl+LaY}

13 Broken nails, yet used often substantially? (11) ESSENTIALLY {NAILS+YET}* Letter Bank

18 Hired help's extremely lonesome here (6) TEMPLE {TEMP}{Lo...mE} Definition not clear?

20 Ruled as monarch over decades, finally stepped down (8) RESIGNED {RE{d...sS}IGNED}

22 Stu and Zan missed last letters in verse (6) STANZA {STu}{ANd}{ZAn}

23 Accommodating Bill, performing without Charlie around 3rd of September (8) ADAPTING {AD}{Ac{sePt...r}TING}

24 Log from Spooner's craft corner? (8) NOTEBOOK (boat nook to notebook) 

25 First signs of respite is seen in North Gujarat revolt (6) RISING Acrostic

DOWN

1   Thus build home with wife by hook or crook (7) SOMEHOW {SO}{HOME+W}*

2   Short path to hills in vehicles (8) TRACTORS {TRACk}{TORS}

3   Major sore in pants (6) SENIOR*

4   Rain check? (8) UMBRELLA [CD]

5   Almost bare model (6) LESSON {LESS ON}

6   Boisterous teens, extremely lively in a nervous way (7) TENSELY {TEENS}*{Li..lY}

8   Market war at peak? (4-5,4) HIGH-WATER MARK {MARKET+WAR}* [RA]

14 Leave crazy conservative missing the last lift (8) ELEVATOR {LEAVE*}{TORy}

15 Most fair polygraph picked up (8) LIGHTEST (~lie test)

16 Notices corrupt department (7) SECTION*

17 Shrinking wife leaves following the French in tendency (7) LEANING {wANING}<=>{LE}

19 Small animals pose in disguise (6) PONIES*

21 In audition looks fixedly at steps (6) STAIRS (~stares)

Reference List

Boy = B, Married = M, Bill = AD, Charlie = C, Wife = W, The in French = LE

No 14545, Thursday 24 Jul 2025, Pixie Dust

Solution to 7A 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   Knight overwhelmed by cad's feelings (6) ?R?A?T (Addendum - BREAST {B{R}EAST} - See comments)

8   Conservative girl provided YMCA's file (8) CLASSIFY {C}{LASS}{IF}{Y}

9   Hot nurse's oddly meridional (8) SOUTHERN*

10 Caught an idle broadcast (6) NAILED*

11 From the beginning the English Rose Resort in Faridabad inspired contentment - it's fabulous! (8) TERRIFIC Acrostic

12 Some have to escape embargos (6) VETOES [T]

13 Spooner mentions 'Bride's tresses' say, in varieties of occupations? (5,2,4) WALKS OF LIFE (~locks of wife to walks of life)

18 Empty container inside tub (6) VACANT {VA{CAN}T}

20 Extremely long ground used in second test (8) STRONGLY {S}{TR{LONG*}Y}

22 Letters from Josiahs in uppercase held back, correct? (6) PUNISH [T<=]

23 Puffy's old flame, passionate at first and extremely enamoured (8) EXPANDED {EX}{Pa...e}{AND}{En...eD}

24 Struggle with new flickering sign in alerts (8) WARNINGS {WAR}{N}{SIGN*}

25 Slimmer red tie, perhaps (6) DIETER*

DOWN

1   Criminal prepared a meal holding recipe (7) CROOKED {C{R}OOKED}

2   So these bugs made a mess of aerobatics? (8) BACTERIA {BACTERIA+SO}^= AEROBATICS [CA]

3   Jerks cycling around elevated railway is the very thing (6) ITSELF {(-f}ITS(+f)F} over {EL}

4   Four involved in wanton celebration (8) CARNIVAL {CARN{IV}AL}

5   Top model was ultimately knocked over, right? (1-5) T-SHIRT {T}{waS}{HI{R}T}

6   How deer could be presented? (7) OFFERED {DEER}* [RA]

8   Potentially use coin over and over again for mental activity? (13) CONSCIOUSNESS {USE+CON}* Letter Bank

14 Annoyingly the sink has a bit of crack where dishes are kept? (8) KITCHENS {THE+SINK}* over {Cr..k}

15 Engaged men, say, without any essential resources (8) FINANCES {FI{aNy}ANCES}

16 Brown returns to the mountains, it's to be expected! (7) NATURAL {TAN<=}{URAL}

17 Rip Van Winkle, for one, sold even poetry every now and then (7) SLEEPER {SoLd+EvEn+PoEtRy}

19 A mortgage scheme basically for foreigners (6) ALIENS {A}{LIEN}{Sc...e}

21 Attacks implicating political leader led to outpouring (6) RAPIDS {RA{Po...l}IDS}

Reference List

Knight = R(Ritter), Conservative = C, Second = S, Old flame = EX, New = N, Recipe = R, Elevated railway = EL, Right = R

No 14544, Wednesday 23 Jul 2025, Saral

Solution to 6D 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   Loots guns (6) RIFLES [DD]

9   Kids cried hard, jumping, chewing piece of lollipop with honey essentially (8) CHILDREN {CRIED+H}* over {Lo...p} with {hoNey} 

11 Defilement of instrument rewriting on it (9) VIOLATION {VIOLA}{ON+IT}*

12 One scoundrel with drug is furious (5) IRATE {1}{RAT}{E}

13 Old wager returning inside retreat with small laptops (9) NOTEBOOKS {O}{BET}<= in {NOOK}{S}

16 Gas contained in volcano gradually coming back (5) ARGON [T<=]

17 Grave words in record by Thai president is altered (7) EPITAPH {EP}{THAI+P}* 

19 Chef eventually drops buds (7) FLOWERS {cheF}{LOWERS}

21 Notices cycles in fish (5) SHARK (+s)SHARK(-s)

22 Informed about her strangely quiet entry (9) THRESHOLD {T{HER*}{SH}OLD}

24 Nausea, disoriented European abandoned steam bath (5) SAUNA NAUSeA*

25 Size fixed, game unit designed finally (9) MAGNITUDE {GAME+UNIT+d...eD}* 

27 Painter using simulator not ordinary (8) MURALIST {SIMULAToR}*

28 Spread samosas, plates right away with lemon for starters (6) SPRAWL Acrostic

DOWN

1   Five entering Ripon building near church area (8) PROVINCE {PRI{V}ON*}{CE}

2   Struggle of English force opening castle (6) EFFORT {E}{Fo..e}{FORT}

3   Gamble with a Greek character (4) BETA {BET}{A}

4   Avoid bright star, hot chaps (4) SHUN {S{H}UN}

5   Large reptiles initially rolling, turning a log with tails (10) ALLIGATORS {Ro...g+A+LOG+TAILS}*

6   Realign bent cross above  (8) ?R?A?G?E (Addendum - TRIANGLE {REALIGN}<=>{T} - See comments)

7   Indian ushering new bird trainee (6) INTERN {I}{N}{TERN}

10 Backlash of company controlled by wealthy, evading taxes from the beginning (8) RICOCHET {RI{CO}CH}{Ev...g}{Ta..s}

14 Leader of brigadier wants to include post for forces (10) BLACKMAILS {Br...r}{LACK{MAIL}S}

15 Harry argues engaging two females for voting right (8) SUFFRAGE {SU{FF}RAGE*}

18 Rush from extremely heavy rain maybe engulfing ancient city (2,1,5) IN A HURRY {HeavY+RAIN}* over {UR}

20 Note sly dude moving abruptly (8) SUDDENLY {N+SLY+DUDE}*

21 Sailors pruned, picked up second plant (6) SESAME {SE{A}AMEn}

23 Missing the first funny remark related to viewers (6) OCULAR jOCULAR

25 Reviewing contents of that same post (4) MAST [T<=]

26 Rogues banishing the Spanish in drives (4) IMPS IMPelS

Reference List

Hard = H, Drug = E, Old = O, Record = EP(Extended Play), President = P, Quietly = SH, European = E, Ordinary = O, Church = CE, English = E, Hot = H, Indian = I, Cross = T, New = N, Female = F, Note = N, Second = S, The in Spanish = EL

No 14543, Tuesday 22 Jul 2025, VMA Nair

Solution to 11D 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   A daybreak at sea (6) ADRIFT {A}{D}{RIFT}

4  An expert at calculation, say, interrupts a very promising person (8) COMPUTER {COM{PUT}ER}

9   Worthless experiment by China (6) PALTRY {TRY}<=>{PAL}

10 Brilliant student about to crack exam for a program on small screen (8) TELECAST {ACE}{L}<= in {TEST}

12 Arabian authorities primarily plan to detain a person from ancient Syria (8) ARAMAEAN {AR}{Au...s}{M{A}EAN}

13 Compound having same formula as another is more complex (6) ISOMER* 

15 Troll daughter trapped in shelter without a bit of compassion for own failure to recognise reality (4-8) SELF-DELUSION {ELF}{D} in {SEcLUSION}

18 Menopause file? (6,2,4) CHANGE OF LIFE {FILE}* [RA]

21 Fellow leaving recreation ground around noon to relax (6) UNBEND {fUN}{BE{N}D}

22 Resembling glass from Soviet Union, perhaps, containing borax essentially (8) VITREOUS {SOVIET+U}* over {boRax}

24 Master's vocal about suggestion of importing alcoholic drink (8) ORIGINAL {OR{Im...g}{GIN}AL}

25 Colour of trendy work outfit, basically (6) INDIGO {IN}{DIG}{Ou...t}

26 University at last promoted a little regionalism in language for an exceptional intellectual (8) UBERGEEK {U}{BE}{(+r)RG(-r)EEK}

27 Welsh soldiers rejected ecstasy and dope (6) RENEGE {RE} and {E}{GEN}<=

DOWN

1   Develop computer program before survey (8) APPRAISE {RAISE}<=>{APP}

2   After retirement, disheartened senior keeps bond in safe (8) RELIABLE {ELd{BAIL}ER}<=

3   Progressive female soldiers charge at weak ruler (7-8) FORWARD-THINKING {F}{OR}{WARD}{THIN}{KING}

5   Submit our business expenses yearly for starters (4) OBEY Acrostic

6   Harry prefers scene featuring dupe for meeting with reporters (5,10) PRESS CONFERENCE {PREFERS+SCENE}* over {CON}

7   Agony aunt runs away, avoiding national media on vacation (6) TRAUMA {AUnT+R}*{MediA}

8   Crash outside junction close to busy traffic circle (6) ROTARY {RO{T}AR}{busY}

11 Business consultant originally spent 1000 dollars (7) ?A?L?N? (Addendum - CALLING {Co...t}{ALL IN}{G} - See comments)

14 A beautiful woman ultimately becomes convent's latest nun (7) ASCETIC {A}{SCE(-n+t)TIC}

16 Prepared notice describing popular substance found in tobacco (8) NICOTINE {NICOT{IN}E*}

17 Get some new fancy jewel (8) GEMSTONE {GET+SOME+N}*

19 Couple of countries turned up to host event for number puzzle (6) SUDOKU {UK}{US}<= over {DO}

20 Force Rob right away to misrepresent government shares (6) OBLIGE {rOB}{LI{G}E}

23 Video of some patient from the south (4) TAPE [T<=] 

Reference List

Day = D, China = PAL(Rhyming slang), Student = L, Arabian = AR, Daughter = D, Fellow = F, Noon = N, Union = U, Trendy = IN, University = U, Last = BE, Soldiers = RE(Royal Engineers), Ecstasy = E, Dope = GEN, Female = F, Soldiers = OR, Runs = R, National = N, Junction = T, 1000 dollars = G, Popular = IN, New = N, Event = DO, Right = R, Government = G

No 14542, Monday 21 Jul 2025, Karaoke

 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   According to Spooner, beggars dance when author lacks inspiration at times (7,5) WRITERS BLOCK (blighters rock to writers block)

9   Beggar going around neighbourhood collecting money (5) TRAMP {P{M}ART<=}

10 Expert statement, master rejected by apple of the eye (9) COMPETENT {COmM{PET}ENT} 

11 Handsome earl bent to hug girl (7) ELEGANT {E}{LE{G}ANT}

12 Name that is assumed by everyone carrying plastic money with no hassle ultimately (7) ALLONYM {ALL}{MONeY}*

13 Dummies for babies to suck, then rest (8) SOOTHERS {SO}{OTHERS}

14 Drop small court petition first (5) SWOOP {S}{WOO}{Pe...n}

18 Give up cocaine immediately to make up for deficiencies (5) ATONE {AT ONcE}

20 Bear touring around Accra often in container (3,5) TEA CADDY {TE{AcCrA}DDY}

24 Praises once in a funny manner about plan (7) ENCOMIA {ONCE*}{AIM<=}

26 Ready for action, thespian performing without a trace of tears (2,5) IN SHAPE tHESPIAN*

27 Haze and frost follow wind destroying island in peace (9) ARMISTICE {MIST}{ICE}<=>{AiR}

28 Unpleasant smell from skunk essentially passing through swinging door (5) ODOUR {ODO{skUnk}R*}

29 Ask section about eligible trains primarily. It is good for several trips (6,6) SEASON TICKET {ASK+SECTION}*{El...e}{Tr...s}

DOWN

1   How a table could become a conveyance! (9) WHALEBOAT*

2   Short drive, almost long charge (7) IMPEACH {IMPEl}{ACHe}

3   Continuing in the same way, alien chasing alien participating in mixed race (2,6) ET CETERA {ET}{C{ET}ERA*}

4   Relish deer (6) SAMBAR [DD]

5   Fabrication prolonged, goes unnoticed (4,3) LIES LOW {LIE}{SLOW}

6  Unadulterated drug infesting society (5) CLEAN {CL{E}AN}

7   Freethinker takes time to participate in a robbery (7) ATHEIST {A}{T}{HEIST}

8   At start, players must struggle for wicket (5) STUMP {Pl...s+MUST}*

15 Amount for one differing from others in a group? (3-3-3) ODD-MAN-OUT {AMOUNT}* [RA]

16 Using brie repeatedly causes disease! (8) BERIBERI {BERI}* Letterbank

17 Both years unusual, so sad to remove from memory (2,5) BY HEART {BoTH+YEARs}*

19 Magi returned without taking special revenge! (7) NEMESIS {wISEMEN<=}{S}

21 Money in short supply? No tension for outerwear (7) CASSOCK {CASh}{StOCK}

22 Right side of a cricket field at arm's length basically (5) LEGAL {LEG}{Arm}{Le...h}

23 Food and the like, one rejected in counter-attack (6) ?A?I?N (Addendum - RATION (R etal i ATION)

25 Celestial object swapped tails for philosopher (5) COMTE COM(E<=>T)

Reference List

Money = M, Master = M, Earl = E, Girl = G, Small = S, Court = WOO, Cocaine = C, Island = I, Drug = E, Time = T, With = W, Special = S, Tension = T, and the like = ET AL