No 14595, Monday 22 Sep 2025, Gridzilla

Artwork by Prasanna	Artwork by Prasanna
Artwork by Prasanna	Rangoli by Gowri

Solution to 5D 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   One barely seen in public? (6) NUDIST [CD]

4   Most insignificant strike in Indian state (6) PUNJAB {PUNy}{JAB}

8   Build new YMCA or YWCA perhaps (7) ACRONYM {N+YMCA+OR}* [DBE]

9   Small transmitting device catches signal finally (7) SLENDER {S{s...aL}ENDER}

11 Complaint involved torso and heart (4,6) SORE THROAT {TORSO+HEART}*

12 Nobleman from Germany touring another European country (4) DUKE {D{UK}E}

13 A drama watched in the auditorium (5) SCENE (~seen)

14 Cakes and tarts, perhaps, highlighted on the counter (8) DESSERTS<=

16 Case is established by counsel (3,5) TEA CHEST {EST}<=>{TEACH}

18 Agent about to go in for review (5) RECAP {RE{CA}P}

20 Starts to fly low and circles around a little lower? (4) CALF {Fly}{Low}{And}{Ci...s}<=

21 Hustler gets wind about another hustler (10) HOODWINKER {HOO{WIND*}KER}

23 Wife removed unusually large new blanket (7) GENERAL {LARGE+NEw}*

24 President once said "I am incredibly inspiring" (3,4) IDI AMIN [T]

25 Fight racism, end sexism in society totally, for starters (6) RESIST Acrostic

26 Couples returning from Somerset in UK (6) UNITES [T<=]

DOWN

1   Stopping for snack, she got some Mexican fare (5) NACHO {sNACk}{sHe}{gOt}

2   See full episode in which priest goes for exorcisms essentially (7) DIOCESE {E{-p+c)CISODES}* Full as Anind?

3   A command given before shooting? (3,6) SAY CHEESE [CD]

5   Sombre or sober? (5) U?L?T ()

6   Spooner's European sweetheart is a mystery woman (4,3) JANE DOE (dane jo to jane doe)

7   An order to stop fighting from Tipu? (5,2,2) BREAK IT UP {TIPU}* [RA]

10 Penny breaks brown eggs on a slice of lox and a mushroom (9) TOADSTOOL {TOA{D}ST}{OO}{Lox}

13 Harry sat here disheartened and cried (4,1,4) SHED A TEAR {SAT+HERE+AnD}*

15 Tightened loose wire's end around the centre of circuit (7,2) SCREWED IN {WIRES+END}* over {cirCuit}

17 We are told they hack into safes (7) COFFERS (~coughers)

19 Regina lost engagement ring (7) CONTACT CONTrACT

21 Treats early signs of hepatitis and Lou Gehrig's disease (5) HEALS {He...s}{E}{ALS} E from?

22 Withdraws money for unknown issues (5) EMITS E(+m-x)MITS

Reference List

New = N, From in German = DE, About = CA, Wife = W, Priest = P, Sweetheart = JO, Penny = D, Regina = R, Money = M, Unknown = X