No 14650, Thursday 27 Nov 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 8A 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   Model married hot, hep bisexual (13) HERMAPHRODITE*

8   Fine hotel in spot alongside river (5) S?E?R ()

9   Features trains leaving France for capital of Turkey (9) QUALITIES QUALI(-f+t)TIES

11 Facing a very difficult situation, miner exits frantically (2,8) IN EXTREMIS*

12 Japanese seasoning picked up by mom is outstanding (4) MISO [T]

14 Fine white linen of maiden in taxi, most expensive (7) CAMBRIC {CA{M}B}{RICh}

16 Relaxing with slim girl after drinking a bit of wine (7) THAWING {TH{A}{Wine}IN}{G}

17 Company reviewed suggestion to incorporate department making jam (7) OCCLUDE {CO<=}{CLU{D}E}

19 Copper and gold discovered at large Mexican city (7) CUAUTLA {CU}{AU}{AT+L}*

21 Hunter nearly snares sea-eagle (4) ERNE [T]

22 Arrives outside bar with ultimately glamorous beauty (10) COMELINESS {COME{LINE}S}{g...uS}

25 Prince left serious after bad attack (9) OFFENSIVE {pENSIVE}<=>{OFF}

26 Rise up to welcome many Muslim rulers (5) EMIRS {E{M}IRS*}

27 Enters into a dispute with member wanting difficulty in puzzles (7,6) CROSSES SWORDS {CROSS{mESS}WORDS}

DOWN

2   English batter may be excellent at first glance (7) EYEBEAM {E}{MAY+BE+Ex...t}*

3   Quiet about demagogue beginning to impose ban (10) MORATORIUM {M{ORATOR}{Im...e}UM}

4   Put out pastry to entertain queen (5) PIQUE {PI{QU}E}

5   One probing cartel is remarkably level-headed (9) REALISTIC {1} in {CARTEL+IS}*

6   Kill Mafia boss outside institute (2,2) DO IN {DO{I}N}

7   Model in retreat cuddling bisexual lady on island in capital city (7) TBILISI {SIT<=} over {BI}{L} on {I}

8 & 20 Be on the verge of breaking a law, like reckless yachtsman might do? (4,5,2,3,4) SAIL CLOSE TO THE WIND [DD]

10 They are seen in bars, straying on vacation, picking up attractive girls (4,7) SHOT GLASSES {St..nG} over {HOT}{LASSES}

13 Murderer outside pub reverses vehicle finally, runs over Chilean police officer (10) CARABINERO {CA{BAR<=}IN}{v...lE}{R}{O}

15 Nice to be tipsy, drinking Old Monk (9) COENOBITE {NICE+TO+BE}* over {O}

18 Talk about origin of indigenous tree (7) CONIFER {CON{In...s}FER}

20 See 8 Down 

23 Former partners introducing company's top managers briefly (5) EXECS {EXE{Co...y}S}

24 Opening of academy by rising star (4) ANUS {A}{SUN<=}

Reference List

France = F, Maiden = M, Girl = G, Department = D, Large = L, Prince = P, Many = M, Member = M, English = E, Queen = QU, Bisexual = BI, Lady = L, Island = I, Runs = R, Over = O, Old = O