No 14648, Tuesday 25 Nov 2025, Dr. X

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

1   Rebellious men stabbed during poll - a shocking way to die? (13) ELECTROCUTION {ELECT{OR<=}{CUT}ION} 

8   Watery discharge from her gum wound, not good (5) RHEUM {HER+gUM}*

9   Cash, ring and gem at centre stolen by outlaws (9) B?N?N?T?S (Addendum - BANKNOTES  {BAN{KNOT}{gEm}S} - See comments)

11 Dynamic English icon taking lecture relating to revival of traditional style (10) NEOCLASSIC {E+ICON}* over {CLASS}

12 Test about scientifically classified groups (4) TAXA {TAX}{A}

14 Mixed gin with Italian vermouth - extremely elated and lit (7) IGNITED {GIN*}{IT}{El..eD}

16 Liqueur in party, most dry (7) CAMPARI {CAMP}{ARId}

17 American author delights at launch in store (7) GARDNER {GAR{De...s}NER}

19 Contemptible person bit guard, dashed out of university (7) DIRTBAG {BIT+GuARD}*

21 Strange Scottish swindle, billions stolen (4) UNCO bUNCO

22 Frugal person beginning to examine deception by old cheapskate (10) ECONOMISER {Ex...e}{CON}{O}{MISER}

25 Trooper is running back (9) POSTERIOR*

26 & 8D What pole vaulter will do to get lost (4,1,7,4) TAKE A RUNNING JUMP [DD]

27 Model at Ankara, she is extremely skinny (2,4,2,1,4) AS THIN AS A RAKE*

DOWN

2   Recline, swilling old wine (3,4) LIE DOWN*

3   Fighting about ultimately controversial ending (10) COMPLETING {COMP{c...aL}ETING}

4   Finally expose bro's bad habits (5) ROBES {e...sE+BROS}*

5   Completely sure of fraud and wrongdoing involving new director (9) CONVINCED {CON}{VI{N}CE}{D}

6   Fan reviewed Adele's latest song (4) TUNE {NUT<=}{a...lE}

7   Characters in most ravaged Czech city (7) OSTRAVA [T]

8   See 26 Across 

10 Major having a drink with girl on base, a military assembly point (7,4) STAGING AREA {ST{A}{GIN}{G}AR}{E}{A}

13 Atrium refurbished after receiving proper approval (10) IMPRIMATUR {ATRIUM}* over {PRIM}

15 Government's disastrous measure isolates America (9) DIRECTION {DIRE}{aCTION}

18 Gives a different part to versatile actress (7) RECASTS*

20 Boy hikes around Cambodia's capital (7) BISHKEK {B}{HIKES*}{K}

23 Nasal passages in baboon are slender (5) NARES [T]

24 Engage in game show (4) MESH [T]

Reference List

Men = OR, Good = G, English = E, About = A, Italian vermouth = IT, University = U, Billions = B, Old = O, New = N, Director = D, Girl = G, Base = E, America = A 

No 14647, Monday 24 Nov 2025, Mythical

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   Understand measure used by sailors (6) FATHOM [DD]

4   A couple of seconds, and Chatgpt e.g. basically creates artwork (6) MOSAIC {MO}{S}{AI}{Cr...s}

8   Infected model blacked out after striking head (7) TAINTED {T}{fAINTED}

9   Dame possibly wearing princess's ornaments (7) DIADEMS {DAMES}*<=>{DI} (Correction - {DI{DAME*}S} - See comments)

11 Arm Britons! Perhaps, this might solve the problem (10) BRAINSTORM*

12 It nurtures immense lands, Egypt primarily (4) NILE Acrostic &lit

13 Join unit controlled by setter (5) MERGE {M{ERG}E}

14 Reading about a plant with fragrant flowers (8) GARDENIA {READING}*{A}

16 Father a bit nostalgic after stories about fine years of existence (8) LIFESPAN {PA}{No...c}<=>{LI{F}ES}

18 Royal leaves - avoids parodies (5) SKITS SKIrTS

20 Essentially going around that US state (4) UTAH {tHAT+Us}<=

21 Had guests shot?! (6,4) PLAYED HOST {SHOT}* [RA]

23 Aristocrat admits lying about leading developer (7) PIONEER {P{NO1<=}EER}

24 Discussed reports in stages (7) STOREYS (~stories)

25 In auditorium, noticed player in spectacles (6) S?E?E? (Addendum - SCENES {(~seen)SCENE}{S} - See comments)

26 Song about alien traveller initially and princess in legendary ballet (6) ODETTE {OD{ET}{Tr...r}E}

DOWN

1   Extremely frightful appearance and style (5) FLAIR {Fr...uL}{AIR}

2   Port is more acidic (7) TANGIER [DD]

3   Fail to get up and go northward after cycling enthusiasts (9) OVERSLEEP {PEE<=}<=>{(-l)OVERS(+l)L}

5   Dislike quietly replacing daughter's drug (5) OPIUM O(-d+p)PIUM

6   Like well-cooked pasta and beer around study time (2,5) AL DENTE {AL{DEN}{T}E}

7   Criticises change, getting hold of member with note (9) COMPLAINS {CO{MP}{LA}INS}

10 Friendly convict getting cocktail of gin and ale (9) CONGENIAL {CON}{GIN+ALE}*

13 Takes care of leading saint abroad (9) MAINTAINS {MAIN}{SAINT*}

15 Esteemed doctor persecuted after rebuffing unionist (9) RESPECTED PERSECuTED*

17 Improve unit hospital area in front of new church (7) ENHANCE {EN}{H}{A}{N}{CE}

19 Receive from Will, perhaps? (7) INHERIT [CD]

21 Work in silence, they say (5) PIECE (~peace)

22 Ultimately, outfits must satisfy local taste and fashion (5) STYLE Tail acrostic

Reference List

Seconds = MO, S, Model = T, Princess = DI, Unit = ERG, Fine = F, Royal = R, Player = S(South), Alien = ET, Go = PEE< Quietly = P, Daughter = D, Time = T, Note = LA, Unionist = U, Unit = EN, Hospital = H, Area = A, New = N, Church = CE

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 31, Sunday 23 Nov 2025, Incognito

ACROSS

8   Spy meets in the beginning with a Spanish cry (4) MOLE {Me..s}{OLE}

9   Belts and socks (5) BEATS [DD]

10 Thought from guide accepted (4) IDEA [T]

11 Make by fitting bearing in box (6) CREATE {CR{E}ATE}

12 Moving fast after individual leaves train to get harmful cooking ingredient (5,3) TRANS FAT {FAST}*<=>{TRAiN}

13 God's with president and Russian monk (8) RASPUTIN {RA'S}{PUTIN}

15 One maiden grows old in pictures (6) IMAGES {1}{M}{AGES}

17 Arranging owl feathers gives esoteric information (3,4) LOW DOWN {OWL}*{DOWN}

19 I am having throb in artery in sudden inclination (7) IMPULSE {I'M}{PULSE}

22 To some extent, former manager's a fishy guy (6) MERMAN [T]

24 Take to court about some Europeans and Africans (8) SUDANESE {SU{DANES}E}

26 Twisted muscle around one at commencement of rodeo? That's more ungraceful (8) CLUMSIER {CLUMS{1}ER*}{Ro..o}

28 Staff in ship providing means of propulsion (6) SCREWS {S{CREW}S}

30 Since artificial intelligence is rejected in the continent... (4) ASIA {AS}{AI<=}

31 Resign, leaving emergencies, in turmoil to become host at event (5) EMCEE EMErgEnCies*

32 Eats out in the Orient (4) EAST*

DOWN

1   Animal and snake get rights at first (4) BOAR {BOA}{Ri...s}

2   German representative went around California with editor and suddenly left (8) DECAMPED {DE}{CA}{MP}{ED}

3   Sailor transferred. Not present (6) ABSENT {AB}{SENT}

4   Secures guns after note (7) FASTENS {FA}{STENS}

5   Same pics altered displaying tendency to forget about reality (8) ESCAPISM*

6   Post lunch nap? Start sleeping in Spain at beginning of the afternoon (6) SIESTA {Sl...g}{In}{ES}{The}{Af...n}

7   Editor in Virginia produces Indian scripture (4) VEDA {V{ED}A}

14 Home built from adobe (5) ABODE*

16 Reduces difficulty of eating a salty enchilada snack for starters (5) EASES Acrostic

18 Women getting single measure of drink around tavern in city (8) WINNIPEG {W}{INN}{1}{PEG}

20 Inland Revenue expelled alien by mistake. Scared? (8) UNNERVED {inlaND+REVENUe}*

21 Staggering sot with lots of money gets bird (7) OSTRICH {SOT*}{RICH}

23 Snakes from Mombasa slithering around releasing odour at first (6) MAMBAS MoMBASA*

25 Dude walking around street removed dry dirt (6) DUSTED {DU{ST}ED*}

27 Girl starting to love silly guy (4) LASS {Love}{ASS}

29 Insect from Washington starts to secrete poison (4) WASP {WA}{Se...e}{Po...n}

Reference List

Spanish cry= OLE, Bearing = E, Maiden = M, Ship = SS, German = DE, Representative = MP, Editor = ED, Sailor = AB, Note = FA, Spain = ES, Women = W

No 14646, Saturday 22 November 2025, Crescent

 ACROSS
8 Adult pigs consuming nuts lying around water (5,4) ADAM'S WINE  {A}{MAD<=}{SWINE}
9 Japanese box, endless quarrel behind all the rage (4) INRO {ROw}<=>{IN}

10 Novel after old mill hands experience difficulties (4,2,4,5) FALL ON HARD TIMES {AFTER O MILL HANDS}*
12 Transport reflecting luxury, transport delivering queen (9) EXULTANCE {LUXE<}{TrANCE}
13 China dogging north eastern state (5) NEPAL {PAL}<=>{N}{E}

14 Silly jerk follows cricket match involving one over (7) IDIOTIC {TIC}<=>{O{I}DI<}
17 Melancholy echo left one in prison taken aback (7) ELEGIAC {E}{L}{CA{I}GE<}
19 Set of characters in Balkan jihadi (5) KANJI [T]

21 Symbol of negativity in America on money lapse limiting Government (5,4) MINUS SIGN {IN}{US}<=>{M} {SI{G}N}
24 Nothing too big we fancy for now (2,2,5,2,4) TO BE GOING ON WITH*
25 Hit hard if one's lost faith (4) SLAM {iSLAM}
26 Balding wicket, ultimately hard batting when facing leg spinner (4,2,3)) THIN ON TOP {wickeT}{H}{IN}{ON}{TOP}

DOWN
1 Irregular track if felt pens finally smudge drawing paper? (6,6) RAFFLE TICKET {TRACK IF FELT}* around {smudgE}

2 International Muslim leader retires to eat ordinary cheese (8) HALLOUMI {{I}{MU{O}LLAH}}<

3 Companion caught in topless haunt (6) ESCORT {rES{C}ORT}
4 Victory laps appeal to hearts inwardly (6) WITHIN {W{IT}{H}IN}
5 Rolling at any point by controlling independent suspension (8) REPRIEVE {EVER PER}< over I
6 First ball nails length (8) DISTANCE {D{IST}ANCE}
7 Cleaner operation supporting planet leaving a mark (3,3) MRS MOP {OP}<=>{MaRS}{M}

11 Designed to a T, such integrated circuits oddly lack sophistication in a way (7,5) SILICON CHIPS

{SILICON CHIPS+TO A T}*={LaCk SOPHISTICATION}[CA]
15 Slender leg topped by hickey (8) THINGAMY {THIN}{GAM}{bY}
16 Inherit money, Tax Officer takes half of same (4,4) COME INTO  {CO{saME}IN}{TO}
18 Fool admitted to team had to open (8) INITIATE {I{NIT}I}{ATE}
20 Pick the Spanish books in trips (6) NIBBLE {{EL}{B}{B}{IN}}<
22 Gill's head? (6) NOGGIN [DD]
23 Instrument to detect bleep, say on the radio (6) SENSOR {~CENSOR}

Reference List

Adults=A, Old=O, Luxury=Luxe, China=pal (from the cockney rhyming slang, China plate=mate), North Eastern=NE, One=I, Echo=E, Left=L, America=US, Money=M, Government=G, Hard=H, batting=In, Leg=On, International=I, Ordinary=O, Caught=C, Hearts=H, First=Ist, Operation=Op, Mark=M, Tax Officer=TO, Side=Eleven=11=II, The Spanish=El, Book=B.

No 14645, Friday 21 Nov 2025, KrisKross

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

1   Sailor's date more pretty, they say (8) SEAFARER (~see fairer)

5   Music say, endlessly pained old king (6) ARTHUR {ART}{HURt}

9   Got bowled, but continued to bat? (6,2) PLAYED ON [DD]

10 Two firms working to provide cover (6) COCOON {CO}{CO}{ON}

12 Large furniture store's popular very quickly (4,1,4) LIKE A SHOT {L}{IKEA'S}{HOT}

13 Game is still tense (5) EVENT {EVEN}{T}

14 Punish ultras controlling synagogue (4) SHUL [T]

16 Ripped new hood in dance (7) HOEDOWN*

19 Exceed number of deliveries to score a single (7) OVERRUN {OVER}{RUN}

21 A techie on vacation making advance payment (4) ANTE {AN}{Te..iE}

24 Identical electronic coil (5) TWINE {TWIN}{E}

25 It helps musician play Modern Tempo, without percussion devices, primarily (9) METRONOME {MOdERN+TEMpO}*

27 Leading spinner from India who got England all out? (6) GANDHI [CD]

28 At once, POW heartlessly shot in city (4,4) CAPE TOWN {AT+ONCE+PoW}*

29 Free former politician involved in case of embezzlement (6) EXEMPT {EX}{Em...{MP}...nT}

30 Remove a judge after a short month (8) SEPARATE {A}{RATE}<=>{SEP}

DOWN

1   Deliver in an agile fashion (6) SUPPLY [DD]

2   Answer student's question about US state (6) ALASKA {A}{L}{ASK}{A}

3   An end of screwdriver - one turning a nut (5) ARECA {A}{s...eR}{ACE<=}

4   Manage to withdraw almost 50% - that's significant (7) EPOCHAL {COPE<=}{HALf}

6   US leader briefly revolted, so angry (9) ROOSEVELT {REVOLTEd+SO}*

7   Method to catch flying goose in pen (8) HOOSEGOW {HO{GOOSE*}W}

8   Sound from mobile - resonating, harsh, frequently ignored! (8) RINGTONE {REsONaTING}*

11 Must bathe regularly in US state (4) UTAH {mUsT+bAtHe}

15 Unwrapped needle to stitch stylish strap (9) HORSEWHIP {tHORn}{SEW}{HIP}

17 Italian family in Universal enthralled by film-making technique (8) MONTAGUE {MONTAG{U}E}

18 Opposition bound to take over Spain if doubled (8) DEFIANCE {D{E}{IF<=}ANCE}

20 Identity of national sport (not golf) (4) NAME {N}{gAME}

21 Expert nurses tense about exercise (7) ACTUATE {AC{TAUT<=}E}

22 Ring made from round acorn nuts (6) CORONA {O+ACORN}*

23 A setter wearing worker's cap (6) BEANIE {BE{AN}{I}E}

26 Revolutionary software possibly contributing to musical production (5) OPERA [T<=]

Reference List

Firm = CO, Large = L, Tense = T, Electronic = E, Student = L, Stylish = HIP, Universal = U, Spain = E, National = N, Golf = G

No 14644, Thursday 20 Nov 2025, Incognito

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   Writer endlessly getting up and approving (11) AUTHORISING {AUTHOr}{RISING}

9   In India, Zoroastrian pairs dance (5) PARSI*

10 What one may handle when making masala dosa? It's a controversial subject! (3,6) HOT POTATO [DD]

11 Swan and linnet playing a game (4,6) LAWN TENNIS*

12 Port from Birkenhead, England (4) ADEN [T]

13 Variety meat? It's not on... Has a bit of lard (5) OFFAL {OFF}{A}{Lard}

15 Space traveller having one kind of drug (8) ASTEROID {A}{STEROID}

17 Oscar writes about north-eastern head of state's transparency (8) OPENNESS {O}{PEN{NE}{St...s}S}

19 Spice? And Indian? (5) CUMIN {CUM}{IN}

22 Word for period of time (4) TERM [DD]

23 Rented Oman building and decorated (10) ORNAMENTED*

26 Horrible creature captures a Yankee priory (9) MONASTERY {MON{A}STER}{Y}

27 Wrongly maims prayer leaders (5) IMAMS*

28 Help UN agent making a mammoth weapon (8,3) ELEPHANT GUN*

DOWN

1   Projectile concealed in marrows (5) ARROW [HIPS]

2   Halt intro performed in sporting event (9) TRIATHLON*

3   Some Washington handler available nearby (2,4) ON HAND [T]

4   Works out by instinct manufacture of tin suit (7) INTUITS*

5   Engineers leaving free press? (4) I?O? (Addendum - IRON = FreE  - See comments)

6   Violently ram our dog for Brig.? (9) GUARDROOM*

7   An election with love for Greek god (6) APOLLO {A}{POLL}{O}

8   Silly Leonardo giving up old ritual initially for Lent (6) LOANED {LEoNArDO}*

14 Type of eggs kept in front of cooking equipment without charge (4-5) FREE-RANGE {FREE}{RANGE}

16 More than old church editor in Germany (9) EXCEEDING {EX}{CE}{ED}{IN}{G}

17 Punctual? Not me! I can be wrong! (2,4) ON TIME* 

18 Scream, "South Indian children" (7) SCREECH {S}{CREE}{CH}

20 Streaker from Jhunjhunu district? (6) NUDIST [T]

21 Ada leaves country by that ravine (6) CANYON {CANada}{YON}

24 Mark a twin wrongly (5) TWAIN*

25 Mislead to some extent, "An isolated landmass" (4) ISLE [HIPS}

Reference List

Oscar = O, North-eastern = NE, And = CUM, Yankee = Y, Engineers = RE(Royal Engineers), Old = EX, Church = CE, Germany = G, South = S, Children = CH 

No 14643, Wednesday 19 Nov 2025, Incognito

Solution to 21D 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   Therefore, state makes broth (4) SOUP {SO}{UP}

9   Respond about part of play (5) REACT {RE}{ACT}

10 Removing ring, Oprah plays musical instrument (4) HARP oPRAH*

11 Some Berber people wrongly argue after end of breakfast (6) TUAREG {ARGUE}*<=>{b...sT}

12 Violently simmers, consuming energy, to produce dips (8) IMMERSES {SIMMERS}* over {E}

13 Bits of projectile maybe sharp and start to neutralise enemy lines (8) SHRAPNEL {SHARP*}{Ne...e}{En..y}{Li..s}

15 Once confused about some blighters as a group (2,4) EN BLOC {EN{BLi...s}OC*}

17 In any case, child gets egg and five fish (7) ANCHOVY {AN{CH}{O}{V}Y}

19 Refuse courteously and fall (7) DECLINE [DD}

22 Vessel containing bits of radish, melon and marine creature (6) SHRIMP {SH{Ra...h}I{Me..n}P}

24 Opened pound cake prepared without using egg (8) UNPACKED {PoUND+CAKE}*

26 Secret coteries reconstituted (8) ESOTERIC*

28 Chopping mango tree after sending away Tom results in anger (6) ENRAGE {mANGo+tREE}*

30 Watering hole next to new shed (4) BARN {BAR}{N}

31 Shakespeare's weapon? (5) SPEAR [HIPS]

32 Sailor gets nothing for food (4) TARO {TAR}{O}

DOWN

1   First eliminated from soft fruit squash and bean curd (4) TOFU {sOFT+frUit}*

2   Come near a parish priest with an insect (8) APPROACH {A}{PP}{ROACH}

3   Mythical creature's pullover (6) DRAGON {DRAG ON}

4   Cricketer Shastri joins ex-Nepalese PM to prepare stuffed pasta (7) RAVIOLI {RAVI}{OLI}

5   Postal ticket editor initially exhibited results in mad rush (8) STAMPEDE {STAMP}{ED}{Ex...d}

6   Supernatural being's revolutionary massage (6) CHERUB {CHE}{RUB}

7   Release part of RAF reels (4) FREE [T]

14 Gut feeling that a person with kyphosis can have? (5) HUNCH [DD]

16 Animal's weight (5) OUNCE [DD]

18 Turn water into steam as I prove erroneously (8) VAPORISE*

20 Damaged ale crate cut into flesh (8) LACERATE*

21 Come after triumph (7) ?U?C?E? (Addendum - SUCCEED [DD] - See comments)

23 Indian Navy nurse's mean (6) INTEND {IN}{TEND}

25 When Victor goes away, poverty may result in rhythmic composition (6) POETRY POvERTY*

27 Place to sit and prepare eats (4) SEAT*

29 Dress from Annanagar boutique (4) GARB [T]

Reference List

About = RE, Energy = E, Child = CH, New = N, Watering hole = BAR, Sailor = TAR, Parish priest = PP, Indian Navy = IN, Victor = V

No 14642, Tuesday 18 Nov 2025, Incognito

Solution to 27A 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   Hidden a foam cudgel when travelling? (11) CAMOUFLAGED*

9   Fliers going round air terminal getting drinks (5) BEERS {BEE{aiR}S}

10 Had sample altered to produce light fitting (9) LAMPSHADE*

11 Took away sailor's treatise lying with editor (10) ABSTRACTED {ABS}{TRACT}{ED}

12 Chinese chairman consumes king fish (4) MAKO {MA{K}O}

13 Setter leaving China, travelling to get egg and tortilla chip (5) NACHO {CHiNA}*{O}

15 Getting away from Spain and pacing around (8) ESCAPING {ES}{PACING*}

17 In front of barn, Indian woman endlessly pulped (8) SQUASHED {SHED}<=>{SQUAw}

19 Behind mine, territorial army makes bread (5) PITTA {PIT}{TA}

22 Between 1,100 and 1,000 billion to produce rocket propelled weapon (1,1,1,1) I C B M {1}{C}{B}{M}

23 Veerappan is excited to capture saint when releasing a race driver (10) VERSTAPPEN {VEERAPPaN}* over {ST}

26 Chapati is rolled around old and large sausage (9) CHIPOLATA {CHIP{O}{L}ATA*}

27 Hot when full, but cold when initial two-fifths is thrown away (5) S?I?Y (Addendum - SPICY spICY - See comments)

28 Animals and pagan saint circle around heart of goddess (5,6) GIANT PANDAS {PAGAN+SAINT}* over {godDess}

DOWN

1   Revolutionary paramilitary organisation's game (5) CHESS {CHE}{SS}

2   Rapidly increases hotel space in ship following Greek letter (9) MUSHROOMS {H}{ROOM} in {SS} after {MU}

3   What you might need to do before removing shoes? Messily clean university first... (6) UNLACE {CLEAN+Un...y}*

4   After fifty one, male lovingly strokes molluscs (7) LIMPETS {LI}{M}{PETS}

5   With fuel, Henry makes wide cut (4) GASH {GAS}{H}

6   Playwright admits art is destroyed (9) DRAMATIST*

7   Get damaged boat in (6) OBTAIN*

8   Kelvin is captured by gnome sailing in river (6) MEKONG {ME{K}ONG*}

14 Awkwardly climb rung going to pieces (9) CRUMBLING*

16 Valued IDs appear to be forged (9) APPRAISED*

17 Exchange cane (6) SWITCH [DD]

18 Girl hugged by heartless animal is graceful (7) ELEGANT {ELEp{G}hANT} 

20 Puts new napkin initially in soya sauce and irritates (6) ANNOYS {N}{Na...n} in {SOYA}*

21 South African Bantu people and volunteers capture bird (6) TSWANA {T{SWAN}A}

24 American tax authority is after Pennsylvania couples (5) PAIRS {IRS}<=>{PA}

25 Furniture from El Paso factory (4) SOFA 

Reference List

Sailor = AB, Editor = ED, King = K, Spain = ES, Old = O, Large = L, Hotel = H, Ship = SS, Male = M, Henry = H, Kelvin = K, Girl = G, Volunteers = TA(Territorial Army)

No 14641, Monday 17 Nov 2025, Incognito

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

8   Seaside town singer throws away crumpled note (4) ?A?I (Addendum - BARI BARItone - See comments)

9   Romans excel, I hear, and double a score (5) FORTY (~forte)

10 Slippery creatures found in creel sometimes (4) EELS [T]

11 Bachelor's vice? Spreading gel! (6) SINGLE {SIN}{GEL*}

12 Many a hog running around in the wood (8) MAHOGANY*

13 Actor Kelly hops around first, producing gas (8) PHOSGENE {GENE}<=>{HOPS*}

15 Travelling Mounties leaving US promptly (2,4) ON TIME MOuNTIEs*

17 Continue newspapers with old name (5,2) PRESS ON {PRESS}{O}{N}

19 Most riches may provide shelter to a bird (7) OSTRICH [T]

22 Come from east and join (6) EMERGE {E}{MERGE}

24 His cubs run around single flower (8) HIBISCUS {HIS+CUBS}* over {1}

26 Animal's horribly long pain (8) PANGOLIN*

28 Boer captures maiden and bachelor making... military aircraft (6) BOMBER {BO{M}{B}ER}

30 Ballerina's dress for bishop (4) TUTU [DD]

31 Last letter from the Greeks (5) OMEGA [CD]

32 Liar counterfeited currency (4) LIRA*

DOWN

1   Metro leaves Baltimore for island (4) BALI BALtImore

2   Causes revulsion from one small girl surrounded by dust at start of sandstorm (8) DISGUSTS {D{1}{S}{G}UST}{Sa...m} 

3   Bad side effect after losing disc? No longer capable of action... (6) EFFETE {sidE+EFFEcT}*

4   Actor Chopra, that is right, for PM (7) PREMIER {PREM}{IE}{R}

5   Pythons coil around centre of log in cyclones (8) TYPHOONS {TYPH{lOg}ONS*}

6   Heaviness of Greek leader in white building (6) WEIGHT {WEI{Gr..k}HT*}

7   John gives shelter to large tribe (4) CLAN {C{L}AN}

14 Quarters for females built by male rabbit with a bit of masochism (5) HAREM {HARE}{Ma...m}

16 Scotsman and Australian in former Portuguese colony (5) MACAU {MAC}{AU}

18 Ignore 6 balls, John, and start kicking (8) OVERLOOK {OVER}{LOO}{Ki...g}

20 Look like Mrs Lee going around carrying boy at end of lane (8) RESEMBLE {MRS+LEE}* over {B} and {lanE}

21 Arranged lunch around north eastern part of railway link between UK and France (7) CHUNNEL {CHUN{NE}L*}

23 Gar stew (6) RAGOUT {GAR}* [RA]

25 A kind of lynx from pre-Christian time occupying sailing vessel (6) BOBCAT {BO{BC}AT}

27 Excited graduate throwing dart gets fever (4) AGUE GradUAtE*

29 Lord is fearless to some extent (4) EARL [HIPS]

Reference List

Old = O, Name = N, East = E, Small = S, Girl = G, Right = R, Large = L, John = LOO, Boy = B

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 30, Sunday 16 Nov 2025, Dr. X

ACROSS

1   Fine independent girl captivated by lousy rogue? Try to explain that! (2,6) GO FIGURE {F}{I}{G} in {ROGUE}*

5   Part of chest is sore, covered by red rash (6) DRAWER {D{RAW}ER*}

10 Leader of band finishes and bows (5) BENDS {Band}{ENDS}

11 Foremost of stars acquired outstanding following (9) SHADOWING {St..s}{HAD}{OWING}

12 Get article about giving up ultimately harmful product causing cancer (9) CIGARETTE {GET+ARTIClE}*

Smoking is Injurious to health! Smoking causes Cancer.

13 Creeps in spot, knocking back drinks - extremely disgusting (5) EDGES {SEE}<= over {Di...nG}

14 Ancient warship in German city, endlessly circling island (6) BIREME {B{I}REMEn}

15 One seen in recreation room playing snooker essentially with couple (4,3) POOL CUE {snoOker+COUPLE}* Semi&lit

18 Author, we hear, is one who redresses wrong (7) RIGHTER (~writer)

20 Trounced in game shows, giving up (6) CEDING [T]

22 Temperature in area around engine (5) MOTOR {RO{T}OM}<=

24 Altering track by old band (9) TAILORING {TAIL}{O}{RING}

25 Caught unawares by open AI's endless range of knowledge (9) OVERTAKEN {OVERT}{Ai}{KEN}

26 Explosive stuff in container brought back by rebellious men (5) NITRO {TIN<=}{OR<=}

27 Programme featuring extremely unkempt musician (6) LUTIST {L{Un...pT}IST}

28 Wrong indeed, so unfair (3-5) ONE-SIDED*

DOWN

1   Start to admire swamp around both sides of creek in retreat (2,4) GO BACK {Ad...e}{BOG}<= {CreeK}

2   Stylish Attorney-General involved in dalliance is cheating (9) FINAGLING {F{IN}{AG}LING}

3   Complaint after bad meal in a resort - it gets messy (15) GASTROENTERITIS*

4   Flower-shaped ornament is extremely elegant in new store (7) ROSETTE {ROS{El...nT}TE*}

6   What surgeon removing implants will do to remind one of past unpleasant experiences (6,3,6) REOPEN OLD WOUNDS [C&DD]

7   Twist arm around wrestler's back (5) WRING {W{w...eR}ING} 

8   Badly regrets eating essentially spicy roll (8) REGISTER {REG{spIcy}STER*}

9   Peddled very pure cocaine essentially in wild party (4-2) RAVE-UP {V+PURE+cocAine}*

16 Found guilty of fraud and wrongdoing, arresting Tesla's director (9) CONVICTED {CON}{VIC{T}E}{D}

17 Intro to big announcement by comic drinking liquor (4,4) DRUM ROLL {D{RUM}ROLL}

19 Reshoot scene of libertine cuddling European model (6) RETAKE {R{E}{T}AKE}

20 Most stylish leader of group performing has new hairstyle (7) CHIGNON {CHIc}{Gr..p}{ON} over {N}

21 Ancient American lodge collapsed (3-3) AGE-OLD {A}{LODGE}*

23 Chirp of a small bird is pretty tuneful primarily (5) TWEET {TWEE}{Tu...l}

Reference List

Fine = F, Independent = I, Girl = G, Island = I, Temperature = T, Old = O, Men = OR(Other Ranks), Stylish = IN, Very = V, Tesla = T, Director = D, European = E, Model = T, American = A