No 12656, Wednesday 19 Jun 2019, Afterdark

ACROSS
1   Exploration in Bay of Bengal, say to collect reading on source of crustacean hatchlings (6) SEARCH {SEA}{R}{Cr...n}{Ha...s}
4   Eardrops (to save money) used in part of the eye (6) RETINA {EAR}* over {TIN}
9   Starch is created by gas reflux only (4) SAGO {GAS<=}{O}
10 Houses are ready, drawing people in leading to loans eventually (10) APARTMENTS {A}PART{MEN}{To}{l..nS} Anno not clear (Addendum - {AP{ART}{MEN}T}{l..nS} - See comments)
11 Show signs of changing sides on request (6) APPEAL APPEA(-r+l)L
12 Notice doctor's work with society providing medicine... (8) EARDROPS {EAR}{DR}{OP}{S}
13 ... making news outside of India (9) FORMATION FORMAT{I}ON Anno pending (Addendum - inFORMATION - See comments)
15 Country's cognizance by law should be even (5) KENYA {KEN}{bY+lAw}

16 Take over America; USSR heartless on gaining power (5) USURP {US}{UssR}{P}
18 Static, yet mobile in Singapore, say (4,5) CITY STATE*
22 Place in Chennai's best to retire in country (8) MALAYSIA {MA{LAY}S}{A1<=}
23 Even though criminal, risk capturing India (6) ALBEIT {AL}{BE{I}T}
25 Perhaps, Indian cricket team is second class, only busy in some way to earn money at England (4,2,4) BOYS IN BLUE {B}{O}{BUSY+IN}* over {L} and {E}
26 Works on alliances after losing power (4) ACTS pACTS
27 Suggest book to study first before entrance exam (6) DENOTE {DEN}{OT}{Exam}
28 A despot has elections rigged eventually at the source to gain support (6) ADHERE Acrostic

DOWN
1   Used a politician to earn orders for cleaner (7) SHAMPOO {SH}{A}{MP}{O}{O}
2   Rose is one with good energy (5) AWOKE {A}{W}{OK}{E}
3   Church and State agree to crown, say (7) CHAPLET {CH}{AP}{LET}
5   Woman goes weak after last course in restaurant (6) EATERY {c...sE}{wATERY}
6   Determined to school trainees to pass final examination (2,7) IN EARNEST {TRAINEES}* over {e...oN}
7   Perhaps a stiff test for Australia to overwhelm the best, with Yuvraj at one end (7) AUTOPSY {AU}{TOPS}{Yu...j} (Addendum - {AU{TOP}S}{Yu...j} - See comments)
8   Without doubt, Tom's self-esteem's strong, almost everyone finds at the very end (13) CATEGORICALLY {CAT}{EGO}{RICh}{ALL}{verY}
14 Murder, perhaps isn't moral (6,3) MORTAL SIN*
17 Does a foe stop short cooking fish? (7) SEAFOOD {DOES+A+FOe}*
19 Yes, closed early and took break on 31st December (4-3) YEAR-END {YEs}{A}{REND} (Addendum - {YEAh}{REND} - See comments)
20 A plant whittles badly when water source is absent (7) THISTLE wHITTLES*
21 You hear teens are upset with precursor of world wide web (6) USENET (~you){U}{TEENS}*
24 Criticism of boy’s flimsy (5) BLAME {B}{LAME}

Reference List
Reading = R, Only = O, Are = A, Society = S, India = I, Chennai = MAS, Power = P, Criminal = AL,  Only = O, Money = L, England = E,  Used = Second Hand = SH, Order = O, With = W, Energy = E, Church = CH, Women = W, Boy = B

GRID

No 12655, Tuesday 18 Jun 2019, Dr. X

ACROSS
1   Leave the queue and misbehave (4,3,2,4) STEP OUT OF LINE [DD]
8   Dim student breaks shoulder (5) BLEAR {B{L}EAR}
9   Fierce rogue snatches idiot’s meaty dish (9) FRICASSEE {FRIC{ASS}EE*}

11 Self-absorbed nut avoiding college to consume spirit (10) EGOCENTRIC {E{GO}CcENTRIC}
12 Hard for fellow in panic to understand (4) HEAR (-f+h)HEAR
14 Good wine for family (7) KINDRED {KIND}{RED}
16 Amateur through analysis virtually flies an aircraft (7) AVIATES {A}{VIA}{TESt}
17 Regular patron in a scrap with character outside (7) HABITUE {H{A}{BIT}UE}
19 On the contrary, cooked me a fantastic Japanese dish (7) EDAMAME {MADE<=}{ME+A}*

21 Waif’s outfit kept in that case (2,2) IF SO [T]
22 Moment when violence flares up following strike on location (10) FLASHPOINT {F}{LASH}{POINT}
25 Being sexy, entices giddy youngsters on vacation to go out (9) EXISTENCE {sEXy+ENTICES}*
26 Not right mocking Greek architectural style (5) IONIC IrONIC
27 Presenting gold case and band featuring a solitaire in the middle (13) ORCHESTRATING {OR}{CHEST}{R{A}{s..iTa..e}ING}

DOWN
2   Fix match! Go under, giving away runs (3,4) TIE DOWN {TIE}{DrOWN}
3   Be responsible for what might be displayed in a shop selling domestic animals (10) PERPETRATE {PER PET RATE}
4   Incompetent fellow in assembly (5) UNFIT {UN{F}IT}
5   Start to speak clutching one drink (9) ORIGINATE {OR{1}{GIN}ATE}
6   Completely avoids conservative bank (4) LEAN cLEAN
7   Clever to embrace very upset wife — that’s easily done (2,5) NO SWEAT {N{SO<=}{W}EAT}
8   Start a conversation with techie? (5,3,3) BREAK THE ICE {TECHIE}* [RA]
10 Brexiteer say, planning secret coup around island (11) EUROSCEPTIC {SECRET+COUP}* over {I}
13 Discourage fool chasing girl on stage (10) DISAPPOINT {DI}{SAP}{POINT}
15 Bit of deluge flooding southern residences (9) DWELLINGS {De...e}{WELLING}{S}
18 Model wearing more vibrant lingerie (7) BUSTIER {BUS{T}IER}

20 Go in van around French city (7) AVIGNON*
23 Strikes back holding oriental weapon (5) SPEAR {RA{E}PS<=}
24 A thug sadly kills girl in American state (4) UTAH {A+THUg}*

Reference List
Student = L, College = C, Hard = H, Fellow = F, Amateur A, Following = F, Right = R, Gold = OR, Runs = R, Conservative = C, Wife = W, Girl = DI, Southern = S, Model = T, Oriental = E, Girl = G

GRID

No 12654, Monday 17 Jun 2019, Dr. X

ACROSS
1   What a trekker in desert might be very close to finding? (3,2,3,5) HOT ON THE TRAIL [DD]
8   Rechecked it! Totally shows the same thing (5) DITTO [T]
9   Associate, presumptuous, rues silly cracks (9) APERTURES {A}{PERT}{RUES*}
11 Free issue includes film review (10) EMANCIPATE {EMAN{PIC<=}ATE}
12 Drunkard’s love for girl in group (4) WINO WIN(-g+o)O
14 Delighted by request to have intercourse endlessly (7) PLEASED {PLEA{SEx}D}
16 Author involved in creating opus speaks freely (5,2) OPENS UP {O{PEN}SUP*}
17 Positive particles from uranium leaking out! Warn head of security (7) CATIONS {CAuTION}{Se...y}
19 Many tucking into hot German bread (7) STOLLEN {STOL{L}EN}

21 Feeling sick, queen discarded a piece of cake (4) EASY quEASY
22 Star and model entering home to cheat (10) HEARTTHROB {HEAR{T}TH}{ROB}
25 Made up any rubbish answer in disdain (4,1,4) SPUN A YARN{SPU{ANY*}{A}RN}
26 Growing old? Getting angry! Not right (5) AGING rAGING
27 Drives, drinks, crushes man on track and gets ruined (4,2,3,4) GOES TO THE DOGS {GOES}{TOT}{HE}{DOGS} (Correction - {GOES}{TOT{HE}{DOG}S} - See comments)

DOWN
2   Brutality of Republican curbed by loss of power (7) OUTRAGE {OUT{R}AGE}
3   When one might wear nice clothes from time to time (2,8) ON OCCASION [DD]
4   Man overwhelmed by work around March (5) TRAMP {TRA{M}P<=}
5   A little stunned after Left topples Right in assembly polls (9) ELECTIONS E(-r+l)LECTIONS (Correction - {E(-r+l)LECTION}{St...d} - See comments)
6   Not good to annoy judge (4) RATE gRATE
7   Public houses around Uri bombed and destroyed (2,5) IN RUINS {IN{URI*}NS}
8   Abundant financial resources? Peep happily through bills (4,7) DEEP POCKETS {D{PEEP*}OCKETS}
10 One given to customer dancing over a little bargain in slump (8,3) SHOPPING BAG {S{HOPPING}{Ba...n}AG}
13 Assessment of learner’s performance in vehicle after crash — primarily disastrous (6,4) REPORT CARD {REPORT}{CAR}{Di...s} What's the role of 'crash'? See comments
15 Law-breaker’s burst of speed on precarious road (9) DESPERADO {SPEED*}{ROAD*}
18 Toe accidentally broken by macho guy making shield for troops (7) TESTUDO {TE{STUD}O*}

20 Passing time, grin and talk about playing tricks (7) LARKING {tALK+GRIN}*
23 Shoot leader of bandits leaving farm (5) RANCH bRANCH
24 Mauls jerk about to throttle woman (4) PAWS {S{W}AP<=}

Reference List
Associate = A, Love = O, Girl = G, Uranium = U, Many = L, Queen = QU, Model = T, Answer = A, Right = R, Republican = R, Man = M, Good = G, Time = T, Woman = W

GRID

Special, Sunday 16 Jun 2019, Raju Umamaheswar

Three answers per commenter till 6 PM (Annotations compulsory)
Please provide all your answers in one comment.

ACROSS
1   Acute, over the normal pitch (5)
4   Article on pawn position in game (9)
9   Helping a learner with oriental philosophy (9)
10 Backing  Former emperor and African leader (5)
11 A beak that’s broken quacks few orders (8,7)
12 Dab hand with spirit or solvent (7)
14 Step on it! (5,2)
16 Short top worn by little nipper (7)
19 Stroke bird, for example (7)
21 Undesirable nag a partner soon abandoned? (7,3,5)
23 Girl who rejects help? (5)
24 Daring sort, guarded English Queen? (9)
25 Those starting wars, we hear, upset one at first (9)
26  Think idly about being in check (5)

DOWN
1   American sports pitch - Most unusual sort (9)
2   Paper object (7)
3   Chairperson absorbing old evidence that's conclusive (5)
4   Couple accepting end of affair, that’s plain (7)
5   Discriminating types not having old favourtites? (7)
6   Turn blue when upset and start by turning violent (9)
7   Rather popular and most reliable? (7)
8   Lower fare (5)
13 To treat a stoop, the appropriate specialist (9)
15 Star writer with style and impact (9)
17 Part oof tremor is coming from North Africa (7)
18 Man on board announced plan (7)
19 During plague old wife’s shown courage (7)
20 A fund  supporting retired vet (7)
21 End up on a spike (5)
22 Fine a thousand pounds (5)

Across Lite version can be accessed at RAJU U 16

Enjoy.

The Sunday Crossword No 3052, Sunday 16 Jun 2019

ACROSS
1   Dodgy download offered by the French: it'll infect the others (3,5) BAD APPLE {BAD APP}{LE}
5   'Unopposed vacuous tycoon' describes president squandering billions (2,1,3) TO A MAN {ObAMA} in {Ty..oN}
10 Sandwich sandwiches fizz and 'fudge!' (5,2) BLAST IT {BL{ASTI}T}
11 What you get if a plan's ill-conceived? (2,1,4) IN A FLAP* &lit
12 Film-maker, vile creature, changing sides (5) LOACH (-r+l)LOACH
13 Boozy yob's unexpectedly got allure (5,4) LAGER LOUT*
14 Masseuse pounds foot, gives blessing (6-6) RUBBER-STAMPS {RUBBER}{STAMPS}
18 So far, Skype IT malfunctioning? Oh, come on (3,5,4) FOR PITYS SAKE*
21 More-or-less learning to fly across England (2,7) IN GENERAL {LEARNING}* over {E}
23 Shout out to Antarctica (5) SOUTH*
24 Consume slice of meat in toastie (3,4) EAT INTO [T]
25 Exhausting American in grump regularly (5,2) USING UP {US}{IN}{GrUmP}
26 Bronze: tin containing uranium, nitrogen and tantalum (6) SUNTAN {S{U}{N}{TA}N}
27 Queen pursues 'favourite' to criticise 'eternal youth' (5,3) PETER PAN {PET}{ER}{PAN}

DOWN
1   Rabbit on bundle containing books (6) BABBLE {BA{B}{B}LE}
2   Spicy madras produces sensations (6) DRAMAS*
3   Aromatic oil, dressing on distilled coulis (9) PATCHOULI {PATCH}{cOULIs}
4   Symbol for 'toilet' shiftily excluding female! (6,4,4) LITTLE BOYS ROOM* Semi&lit
6   Live with Dyson Airblade missing parts (2,3) ON AIR [T]
7   Political figure seen at local recycling in 2010 (7,1) MALCOLM X {LOCAL}* in {MMX}
8   Putting me in post dodgily? (8) NEPOTISM*
9   US blogger, lib, is feeble wimp (3,5,6) BIG GIRLS BLOUSE*
15 Kicks back and captures man alive in bingo hall (5,4) TAKES FIVE {TAKES}{FIVE}
16 Bureaucrats in charge fenced in by tenders (8) OFFICERS {OFF{IC}ERS}
17 Town in Belgium? Absolutely (8) BRIGHTON {B}{RIGHT ON}
19 Ended the call, being anxious (4-2) HUNG-UP [DD]
20 Romantic figure: 'Cold? I'll give you a lift' (6) CHOPIN {C}{HOP IN}
22 Assassin in Japan's concealed? (5) NINJA [T] Assassin on Double duty

GRID

No 12652, Friday 14 Jun 2019, Dr. X

RULES FOR POSTING ON 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.

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

The regular blog will replace the clues at 5 PM.

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

ACROSS
1   Endlessly socialise in co-operative residency (8) DOMICILE {DO{MIx}CILE}
5   Shocked by story going around about husband and model (6) AGHAST {AG{H}AS<=}{T}
10 President wanting hot love in Mediterranean city (5) CAIRO {ChAIR}{O}
11 Hysterics and fury before wife breaks cutlery (9) FIREWORKS {F{IRE}{W}ORKS}
12 Where sailors might be on trial (2,3,4) IN THE DOCK [DD]
13 Surgeon essentially excised mighty diseased glands (5) THYMI MIgHTY*
14 I proceed to enter place and eat greedily (3,3) PIG OUT {P{I}{GO}UT}
15 Lots follow nationalist blockheads (7) NOODLES {N}{OODLES}
18 Take a siesta essentially to be most relaxed (7) EASIEST [T]
20 Roman general avoiding maiden? Just the opposite (6) ANTONY ANTONYm
22 Part of arena was horribly flooded (5) AWASH [T]
24 Tries to interrupt heartfelt recital (9) REHEARSAL {RE{HEARS}AL}
25 Adversities resulting from couples having blown a fuse (9) TRAGEDIES {T{RAGED}IES}
26 Combined square root of -1 with zero (2,3) IN ONE {i}{NONE}
27 Ready to conceal gangster in carriage (6) CALASH {C{AL}ASH}

28 Bounty in flatboats left for Britain on schedule mostly (8) LARGESSE {(-b+l)LARGES}{SEt}

DOWN
1   Cunning rogue enticed maiden finally to go out (6) DECEIT  EnTICED*
2   Foremost saint mishandled finances (9) MAINTAINS {MAIN}{SAINT*}
3   Removed thermal socks partly and waited? (6,4,5) COOLED ONES HEELS [DD]
4   Overlooked consequence of Communist Party’s defeat? (4,3) LEFT OUT {LEFT}{OUT}
6   Be self-evident to leave silently? (2,7,6) GO WITHOUT SAYING [DD]
7   Show in topless joint alongside stream (5) ARRAY {bAR}{RAY}
8   Try to pick up a white wine that’s most savoury (8) TASTIEST {T{ASTI}EST}
9   Couple of knights about to hunt legendary sea monster (6) KRAKEN {K}{RAKE}{N}

16 Slim chances but hopes to meet sultry sirens finally (4,5) LONG SHOTS {LONGS}{HOT}{s...nS}
17 Pompous prince, tad unhinged, kills dissenter at last (8) PEDANTIC {PrINCE+TAD}*
19 Pretentious, dense boy ditched for good (6) TURGID TUR(-b+g)GID
20 Disorder resulting from a mishap, a terrible loss of memory primarily (7) APHASIA {A}{mISHAP+A}*
21 Assert member’s overwhelmed by alcoholic spirit (6) ALLEGE {AL{LEG}E}
23 Very upset, chases associate for help (5) AVAIL {A}{V}{AIL}

Reference List
Husband = H, Model = T, Hot = H, Love = O, Wife = W, Nationalist = N, Maiden = M, Gangster = AL, Left = L, Britain = B, Knight = K, N, Boy = B, Good = G, Very = V, Associate = A

GRID

No 12651, Thursday 13 Jun 2019, Scintillator

ACROSS
1   Meagre artist draws out a prickly fish (6) STINGY STING raY
4   On Fools' Day, beds trees (8) APRICOTS {APR 1}{COTS}

9   Nonsense acting with a loud laugh (6) GUFFAW {GUFF}{A}{W}
10 Turn Asia around to welcome European (8) AUSTRIAN*
12 Run out of fluorine? Iodine could be substituting (2,4,2) IN LIEU OF {FLUOrINE+I}*
13 Jam emptied out pending close of breakfast (6) IMPEDE EMPtIED*
15 Leather from yak's used for tailor-made tops (4) YUFT Acrostic
16 Bad co-stars spoiling TV shows (10) BROADCASTS*
19 Sharing surname with cold and disgusting Mongolian (10) COGNOMINAL*
20 Posh car hired for money (4) MERC [DD]
23 Cryptic message on hot image being circulated (6) CIPHER {RE}{H}{PIC}<=
25 Royal buses assemble here? (8) MAJESTIC [D] You need to be in Bangalore to know the second definition
27 It is possible that aid is distributed over different years (1,4,3) I DARE SAY {AID}*{YEARS}*
28 Trims the edge off dry fruits (6) PRUNES [DD]

29 Try 50-50? (2,6) GO HALVES {GO}{HALVES} &lit
30 Wail loudly to snatch her fruit (6) CHERRY {C{HER}RY}

DOWN
1   Show house's substandard, not fine (7) SIGNIFY {SIGN}{IFfY}
2   Well-dressed lecturer delivered fulfilling drills (2,4,3) IN FULL FIG FUlFULLING*

3   Sour food for the losers? (6) GRAPES [CD]

5   Cushy strip of feathers clipped (4) PLUM PLUMe

6   Belonging in a city rebuilt over months (8) INTIMACY {IN+A+CITY}* over M
7   Twist, as Republican finally falls out for peace (5) OLIVE OLIVEr Why finally?

8   They can be scorching renderers of melody (7) SINGERS [DD]
11 Motivating slogan at entrance and exit? (2-2-3) DO-OR-DIE {DOOR}{DIE}
14 Graduate fools? Crazy! (7) BANANAS {BA}{NANAS}

17 Western treatment comprises drugs providing relief for diabetic (9) SWEETENERS {SW{EE}TENER*}
18 Toll-free passes indicate in advance (8) FORETELL*
19 Somewhat cynical about quitting good, healthy activity (7) CYCLING {CYNICaL}*{G}
21 Birds' husbandry — extremely ridiculed thing (7) COCKSHY {COCKS}{Hu...rY}
22 Hunt for wise man picked up near church (6) SEARCH (~seer){SEAR}{CH}
24 Sports pain does not last till the end? That's excellent! (5) PEACH {PE}{ACHe}

26 Go out with partner and become unfashionable (4) DATE [DD]

Reference List

Artist = RA(Royal Academician), Acting = A, With = W, Run = R, Cold = C, On = RE, Hot = H, Fine =F, Lecturer = L, Month = M, Graduate = BA, Drug = E, About = A, Good = G, Church = CH, Sports = PE, 

GRID

No 12650, Wednesday 12 Jun 2019, xChequer

ACROSS
7   Appearance on behalf of mother ending in fight (6) FORMAT {FOR}{MA}{f..hT}
8   Biting, cut close to bone (6) SEVERE {SEVER}{bonE}
10 Male needing place to retire with suitable companion (8) HELPMEET {HE}{PL<=}{MEET}
11 Musician's appeal reflected in burning passion (6) LUTIST {LU{IT<=}ST}
12 Racing boat out of yard and harbour in operation (5) YACHT {Y}{AC{H}T}
14 Alert when explosive fuel trails vehicle (7) CAREFUL {CAR}{FUEL*}
15 Novel to follow the timeless touch, entirely from fantasy (3,2,5,5) OUT OF WHOLE CLOTH {TO+FOLLOW+THE+tOUCH}*
18 Merciful chapter before sanction to quarter soldiers (7) CLEMENT {C}{LE{MEN}T}
19 Month to live perhaps (5) MAYBE {MAY}{BE}
20 Mica so used in tile pattern (6) MOSAIC*
21 Kept away from top due to imbecile (5,3) OPTED OUT*
23 King wearing an allowed ornament (6) ANKLET {AN}{K}{LET}
24 About to consider buy back (6) REDEEM {RE}{DEEM}

DOWN
1   Expression of deference unfortunately true of anybody without guts (5,3) AFTER YOU {TRUE+OF+An...dY}*
2   Good to have rent control (4) GRIP {G}{RIP}
3   Overdue book lying hidden (6) LATENT {LATE}{NT}
4   Left in charge, independent say, to act as one may wish (4,4) FEEL FREE {FEE}{L}{FREE}
5   Extremities associated with once the greatest fundamental weakness? (4,2,4) FEET OF CLAY {FEET}{OF}{CLAY}
6   Wives selectively employing craft (6) VESSEL [T]
9   Executive remuneration showing high cost, then over to pink slips? (5,6) STOCK OPTION {COST}*{O+TO+PINK}*
13 Shut up before nasty son comes to show solidarity (5,5) CLOSE RANKS {CLOSE}{RANK}{S}
16 Poor women gagged (8) WRETCHED {W}{RETCHED}
17 Myth demolished about basis of entertainment with 'Silent Movie' (3,5) THE MUMMY {TH{En...t}{MUM}MY*}
18 Church getting vocal about group singing (6) CHORAL {CH}{ORAL}
19 Protection for hand, but struck head off (6) MITTEN sMITTEN
22 Deserts line in battle (4) DUEL {DUE}{L}

Reference List
Place = PL, Appeal = IT, Yard = Y, Harbour = H, Time = T, Chapter = C, King = K, About = RE, Good = G, Book = NT(New Testament), Son = S, Women = W, Church = CH, Line = L

GRID

No 12649, Tuesday 11 Jun 2019, xChequer

Some new words at 20A, 4D and probably 10A which I have not solved.

ACROSS
7   Post that may fit one employed after retirement (6) NOTIFY [T<=]
8   Benefactors having name entered in portals (6) DONORS {DO{N}ORS}
10 Wisdom returning after collapse for bull (8) ?O?D?R?L (Addendum FOLDEROL {FOLD}{LORE<=} - See comments)
11 Dislodged bachelor being fellow manipulated (6) FUDGED (-b+f)FUDGED
12 Rushed having started late, being on time would be pleasing (5) TASTY {T}{hASTY}
14 Chicken 65 for starters gets a shade timeworn (7) YELLOWS {YELLOW}{Si...e}
15 Economies now not in ideal position to get rightful recognition (4,4,4,3) COME INTO ONES OWN*
18 Detail about matter (7) RECOUNT {RE}{COUNT}
19 Sink bin Laden with remains ending in oblivion (5) BASIN {B{ASh}IN}
20 Primate shot crossing a trail (6) GALAGO {G{A}{LAG}O}

21 Creating fuss or getting along? (6,2) MAKING DO {MAKING}{DO}
23 Jumbled mixture eaten by wild game bird (6) MAGPIE {MAG{PI}E*}

24 Nowhere short of hundred runs so far (3,3) ERE NOW {NOWhERE}*

DOWN
1   Sprinkling of ground over new root (3,2,3) ONE OR TWO {O+NEW+ROOT}*
2   Boss leaving scrutiny unfinished (4) STUD STUDy
3   Affectionately switching sides without a brawl (6) AFFRAY  {AFF(-l+r)RY} over {A}
4   Flag on traverse, one with edge nicked? (8) GONFALON {FLAG+ON}*{ONe} Semi&lit

5   Happy hours, so bottomless deal in wayside taverns (10)  ROADHOUSES {HOURS+SO+DEAl}*
6   Shows drug addicts taking heroin (6) USHERS {US{H}ERS}
9   Trade I ply from tea stall (4,3,4) PLAY FOR TIME*
13 Sept. 11 commute leaving significant impact (4,6) STEP CHANGE {SEPT}* [RA] What's the role pf 11? See comments
16 Nationalist wearing blue uniform gets hysterical (8) NEUROTIC {N}{E{U}ROTIC}
17 Act during opportunity, then finally relax (4,4) WIND DOWN {WIND{DO}OW}{theN} There's an extra O in the fodder
18 Dominions are free from American charity? (6) REALMS {ARE}*{aLMS} (Addendum - {aRE}{ALMS} - See comments)
19 Where dough is made from bread or the other way round (6) BAKERY [C&DD]
22 Goose protecting new-born (4) NENE {NE{N}E}

Reference List
Name = N, Bachelor = B, Fellow = F, About = RE, Hundred = H, Over = O, Heroin = H, Nationalist = N, Uniform = U, American = A, New = N

GRID

No 12648, Monday 10 Jun 2019, Skulldugger

Tough one from Skulldugger.

ACROSS
1   Idyllic setting outside earth (6) HEAVEN {H{E}AVEN} &lit
4   Spell fairy put on old duke (6) PERIOD {PERI}{O}{D}
9   Air to paralyse fish (4) ?A?E {Addendum - DACE (~daze) - See comments)

10 Seasoning as amenable as salt (4,6) ABLE SEAMAN*
11 Rod is involved in anarchist plot (6) PISTOL {P{IS}TOL*}
12 Oldie's prodigal redhead son grunts (8) SOLDIERS {OLDIES}*{Re...d}{S}
13 Much that might be had at flea market (5,4) GREAT DEAL [DD]
15 Thin layer with fairly regular mass (4) FILM {FaIrLy}{M}
16 Intend to traverse the Northern Alps from the east (4) PLAN [T<=]
17 USA mandate to repeal immigrant's right repulsive to a sickening extent (2,7) AD NAUSEAM {USA+MANDAtE}*
21 Boeing leak that can be traced to criminal? (8) CONTRAIL {CON}{TRAIL} I don't think it's a leak

22 Instruments with unexpected drawback returned to Operations Research (6) ORGANS {OR}{SNAG<=}
24 Nancy's father finds politician (conservative) imperious (10) PEREMPTORY {PERE}{MP}{TORY}
25 Sound level for swimmers (4) RAYS (~raise)
26 RCMP must excel in this Canadian political constituency (6) RIDING [DD]
27 Stopped, picked up, impounded (6) CEASED (~seized)

DOWN
1   High achiever leaving college with additional burden (7) HEAVIER AcHIEVER*
2   Competent chief of army division briefly (5) ADEPT {Army}{DEPT}
3   Sanctioned drug nurse administered initially reduced body fluids (7) ENABLED {E}{Nu..e}{Ad...d}{BLED}
5   Exam cleared even by unintelligent student annulled with little effort (6) EASILY {ExAm}{SIlLY}
6   Foolish remarks asinine, beastly, it must be admitted (9) INANITIES {ASININE}* over {IT}
7   Local street rally with back-up plan (7) DIAGRAM {MARG}{AID}<=
8   Family acted on old Don's behalf (5,3,5) FLESH AND BLOOD*
14 Discrimination for a time interrupted state of equality two people had briefly (9) APARTHEID {A}{PAR}{T}HEID Anno pending (Addendum - {A}{PAR}{T}{HE}{I}{'D} - See comments)
16 Leading revolutionary embraced by colleague a trailblazer (7) PIONEER {P{NO 1<=}EER}
18 She follows; Lawrence, a short, callous Yankee leads (7) ACOLYTE {TE} after {A}{COLd}{Y}
19 Cross recklessly one day around mid-morning (7) ANNOYED {ONE+DAY}* over {m.rNi.g}
20 Female boxing program to materialise (6) HAPPEN {H{APP}EN}
23 Shoots shell from gunwale on ship (5) GERMS {Gu...lE}{RMS}

Reference List
Old = O, Duke = D, Son = S, Mass = M, Politician = MP, College = C, Drug = E, Lawrence = TE

GRID

Special. Sunday 09 Jun 2019, K Koteswar Rao

Three answers per commenter as usual till 6 PM (Annotations compulsory)
Please provide all your answers in one comment.

ACROSS
8   One who is controlled by others gets up in power stroke (6)
9   Bishop goes after spies in exclusive horse-drawn coach (8)
10 Elegant and off-peak pulse in Asia (8)
11 Academic Principal is a stupid person (6)
12 Bishop leaves shooter to change gradually (6)
13 Military installation at troubled Basra accommodates setter with dope (4,4)
15 Slaughter Turkey beast (7)
17 The organ that offers credit? (7)
20 Draw in remaining pay (4-4)
22 Condescends to European natives, it is said (6)
23 State of uncertainty caused by unknown tangle reportedly (3-3)
25 Team companion (8)
26 It may be rare to see a dismal second over (4,4)
27 Moneyback apple! (6)

DOWN
1   It's child play - Eat up. However, we are abstained! (8)
2   Ancient city follows one sect in counterfeit occupation producing honey! (10)
3   Holy man takes fruit, without pastor, as the main element of diet (6)
4   Ammonia gas safety measures contain weapon to fight back (7)
5   Expert to get promotion and end up in the world of scholars (8)
6   Niagara falls for some return (4)
7   Newcomers’ answer found around invention (6)
14 One with reading will be going through binomial distribution (10)
16 Heading about spectacles without a summary appointment (2-6)
18 One more! (8)
19 Play tennis with power? No, it’s bowling game (7)
21 We hail loudly for a moment (6)
22 Deserted planet due to acute deficiency (6)
24 Reportedly comprehends negatives (4)

Across Lite version can be accessed at KKR 24

Enjoy.

The Sunday Crossword No 3051, Sunday 09 Jun 2019

Excellent Crossword today after a long time with some excellent surfaces.

ACROSS
1   On postcard, she composed phrase describing America (6,3,4) ACROSS THE POND*
10 Unpleasantly cold, a roly-poly pudding (5) ALOOF {A}{FOOL<=}
11 Musical number requiring tenor with nifty footwear (3,3,3) TEA FOR TWO {T}{FOOTWEAR*}

12 Kohl has row in Europe, the old rivals taking sides (9) EYELINERS {E}{Y{LINE}E}{Ri..lS}
13 Samson gutted, full of anger: 'Delilah!' (5) SIREN {Samso{IRE}N}
14 Nosing around, taking in north Berkshire village (7) SONNING {SON{N}ING*}
16 Play a game (7) OTHELLO [DD]
18 One's in independent company, producing French playwright (7) IONESCO {I}{ONES}{CO}
20 Holy man threw up: blimey (7) STREWTH {ST}{THREW*}
22 Impersonating wild dingo (5) DOING*
24 Full of wickedness, Lawson's cooking for family (4-2-3) SONS-IN-LAW {SON} in {LAWSON}*
26 No matter which of you hoovers, we will be messy (9) WHOSOEVER*
27 Feminist with endless desire, foremost of radicals (5) GREER {GREEd}{Ra...s}
28 In part of Australia, to interbreed is epitome of bravery (8,5) VICTORIA CROSS {VICTORIA}{CROSS}

DOWN
2   Shorten to make tight and fashionable (5,2) CLOSE IN {CLOSE}{IN}
3   Restricted, slim fit of pants (3-6) OFF-LIMITS*
4   'Insatiety' describes creative Frenchman (5) SATIE [T]
5   Photos identifying leaders: 'laughable tosh' (9) HEADSHOTS {HEADS}{TOSH*}
6   Boat capsized in still waters (5) POOLS<=
7   Ant scrambled up mountain without man's involvement (7) NATURAL {ANT*}{URAL}
8   With trendy element, weakens story (9,4) WATERSHIP DOWN {WATERS DOWN} over {HIP}
9   Not working until The Telegraph's approaching deadline (4,2,3,4) DOWN TO THE WIRE {DOWN}{TO}{THE}{WIRE}
15 Ignore Brexiteer admitting defeat before start of referendum (5,4) GLOSS OVER {G{LOSS}OVE}{Re...m}
17 Bring her a sinister omen (9) HARBINGER*
19 City's 'New Look, Old Vibe' essentially retrograde (7) NAIROBI {N}{AIR}{O}{vIBe<=}
21 With tweaks, could be an award-winning actress (7) WALTERS {W}{ALTERS}
23 Leave to become less popular (2,3) GO OUT [DD]
25 Coronary artery bypasses? No! (4,1) NARY A [T]

GRID

No 12647, Saturday 08 Jun 2019, Vulcan

Across

1. City in Asia, not good surprisingly (8) SANTIAGO {ASIA+NOT+G*}
5. Perform with cat? (3,3) ACT OUT  Reverse anagram of {CAT}
9. Climber edgy, then has gotten flexible (8) LIMBERED (T)  Anno correct? Can"Then" be a valid hidden word indicator?
10. A day before game, extremely nervous (2,4) ON EDGE {ON E}{D}{GamE}
11. Nagging desire to have fish (8) NEEDLING {NEED}{LING}
12. Get together and drink with basically money at stake (4,2) TEAM UP {TEA}{Money}{UP}
14. Poorly adapting, an endangered species (5,5) GIANT PANDA {ADAPTING+AN*}
18. Version of the altered stationery (10) LETTERHEAD {THE+ALTERED*}
22. Consider empty gallery at first for dance (6) GYRATE {GallerY}{RATE}
23. Downpour, //  it's blinding (8) CATARACT (DD)
24. Thin layer over a creature (6) ANIMAL {LAMINA<=}
25. Wife is primarily happy with lean needs (4,4) WISH LIST {W}{IS}{Happy}{LIST|
26. Striving // hard (6) TRYING (DD)
27. Appear smaller, say, and continuous (8) SEAMLESS {~SEEM LESS}

Down

1. Farewell performance no good (2,4) SO LONG {SOLO}{N}{G}
2. Piece of music // that's more unemotional (6) NUMBER (DD)
3. Business is about principles (6) IDEALS {I{DEAL}S}
4. Go with fresh information (5,5) GREEN LIGHT {GREEN}{LIGHT}
6. Deceive and invite scorn (8) CONTEMPT {CON}{TEMPT}
7. Work done by this guy at the start of day when required (2,6) ON DEMAND {DONE*}{MAN}{Day}
8. The one turnaround for actor (8) THESPIAN {THE}{SPI{A}N}
13. Straight to a matinee with each person following the other (3,2,1,4) ONE AT A TIME {TO+A+MATINEE*}
15. Infamous tirade after slump (8) FLAGRANT {FLAG}{RANT}
16. Infinity in entirety originally (8) ETERNITY {ENTITERY*}
17. Prevent/stop deluge (8) RESTRAIN {REST}{RAIN}
19. Penetrate large territory that's endless (6) FATHOM {FAT}{HOMe}
20. Dog perhaps domesticated by an American in exile (6) CANINE (T)
21. Data about university's rank (6) STATUS {STAT{U}S}

Reference List

Good=G, A=One, Day=D, Wife=W
No=N, Good=G, One=A, University=U

Colour/Font Scheme

Definition, Solution, Component letters, Embedded links, Theme word,  Anagram Indicator, C/C indicator, Reversal Indicator, Hidden word Indicator, Letter Pick indicator, Deletion Indicator, Homophone Indicator, Movement Indicator, Positional Indicator, Substitution, Indicator, Link/Connector, Extraneous

GRID

No 12646, Friday 07 Jun 2019, Anon

RULES FOR POSTING ON 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.

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

The regular blog will replace the clues at 2 PM.

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

ACROSS
1   Staff in charge of gum (6) MASTIC {MAST}{IC}
4   Behind a small sea bird (6) ASTERN {A}{S}{TERN}
9   Boy almost starts debate in African country (4) CHAD {CHAp}{De...e}

10 Placed bowers atop sea vessels (10) POWERBOATS*
11 Force rude doctor on ship (6) DURESS {RUDE*}{SS}
12 Remove reversing bus from land (8) SUBTRACT {BUS<=}{TRACT}
13 Are suites renovated on water bodies? (9) ESTUARIES*
15 Starts soothing patiently, a sore muscle cramp (5) SPASM Acrostic
16 Tolerate assistant without first book (5) ABIDE {A{B}IDE}
18 Honourees steal urea? Ridiculous! (9) LAUREATES*
22 Slit tote crudely with spike (8) STILETTO*
23 Sickly bird loses warmth at first (6) SALLOW SwALLOW
25 Regulated variety in musical instrument (10) RESTRAINED {RE{STRAIN}ED}
26 Crave for press reportedly (4) NEED (~knead)
27 Pervert in USA district (6) SADIST [T]
28 Tyrants miss last buses at stations (6) DEPOTS DEsPOTS

DOWN
1   Mother to scream, from first to last, at drivers (7) MAHOUTS {MA}{(-s)HOUT(+s)S}
2   Son unemployed? Creep! (5) SIDLE {S}{IDLE}
3   Enforcer extracts bit of truth from fraud (7) IMPOSER IMPOStER
5   Cut regular diet, portray clerk (6) SCRIBE deSCRIBE
6   Weird operations to remove new cross-eye (9) ESOTROPIA OPERATIOnS*

7   Pays attention to advertisements (7) NOTICES [DD]
8   Widest rotunda weird, convoluted (7,6) TWISTED AROUND*
14 In a riot, nude adult rose and fell (9) UNDULATED*
17 Annoys siblings, not last sister (7) BOTHERS BrOTHERS
19 Remains at lodge around Utah boundary (7) RESIDUE {RESID{Utah}E}
20 Extricate device partly from programmers who run away (7) ELOPERS devELOPERS
21 Roams with receptacle in St. Kitts’ borders (6) STRAYS {TRAY} in {StkittS}
24 Slow 40 day period of love (5) LENTO {LENT}{O}

Reference List
Small = S, Ship = SS, Mother = MA, Son = S, New = N,

GRID