No 14914, Saturday 03 October 2026, Avtaar

 ACROSS
1 That is Avtaar entering when I have left, naturally (6) NAMELY {ME} in NAi'veLY

4 Amateur boxing tour disrupted near Cambodia's capital (8) KHARTOUM {HAM} around {TOUR*}<=>K
9 Abandon plant amidst pandemonium (6) DISOWN {SOW} in {DIN}
10 Uplifting energy provided in passing (8) EDIFYING {E}{D{IF}YING}
11 Supply from Canada losing money with onset of recession almost trebled result of international sales (7,2,5) BALANCE OF TRADE {F(-r) O(-m) CANADA+TREBLE(-d)}*
13 Throughout a meeting emotional quotient essentially found wanting (10) INADEQUATE {EQ}{foUnd} in {IN}{A}{DATE}
14 Partners exchanged, means to send data for tweeters? (2-2) HI-FI {-w+H}HI-FI
16 Playful bow (4) ARCH [DD]
18 Part of physics involving inversion of model data (10) STATISTICS {STA{SIT<}TICS}
21 Shouting Help, say, about introduction of arbitrary rule probing storage fee (8,6) CARRYING CHARGE {CRYING}{CHAR}{EG<} around {Arbitrary}{Rule}
23 Director left for Illinois, developing office tower? (8) BUILDING {BU(-d+IL)ILDING}
24 Smelly wonky old studio releasing toxins at the entrance (6) ODIOUS {O}{StUDIO}*
25 Doctor listened and volunteered (8) ENLISTED*
26 Right through, ace is ahead (6) PROPER {PER}<=>{PRO}

DOWN
1 Exposed factor in rising redundancy (4) NUDE [HIPS<]
2 Mom's vehicle given touch of artificial colouring in front (7) MASCARA {MA'S}{CAR}{Artificial}

3 Wife visiting America enters Michigan, say, with Republican congressman (8) LAWMAKER {A{W}M} in {LAKE}+R
5 Composed a story Ditch of Still Water? (11) HYDROSTATIC*
6 Foot for base of prop in standing counter (6) REFUTE {RE(-p+F)FUTE}
7 One old Communist leader turned up checking doctor's paperwork? (7)ORIGAMI {I}{MAO}< around {RIG}

8 Science of drawing? (9) MAGNETICS [CD]
12 Leader quitting act of voluntary humiliation following judge's sanction (11) COUNTENANCE pENANCE<=>COUNT
13 Short-tempered herbalist uncovered case of Icelandic nuts (9) IRASCIBLE {hERBALISt IcelandiC}*
15 Head to investigate mudslinging Brit? (8) ISLANDER {Investigate}{SLANDER}
17 Cheerful bird lifted face (7) CORDIAL {ROC<}{DIAL}
19 Smart mature women leaving tribe? (7) INGROUP {IN}{GROw UP}
20 Group of stars held at the borders, say, furtively hiding ecstasy (6) HYADES {HelD SAY}* around E

22 Sailor entertains special authority on a subject (4) TSAR {T{S}AR}

REFERENCE LIST

Money=M, Emotional Quotient=EQ, Director=D, Illinois=IL, Old=O, Wife=W, America=Am, Republican=R, Foot=F, Special=S.

No 14888, Wednesday 02 Sep 2026, Avtaar

Solution to 5A 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Returning vehicle inspectors recalled final instalment of monetary aid (7) SUBSIDY {BUS<=}{DIS<=}{m...rY}

5   Stretch of land almost entirely neighbouring ravine (7)  ?O?P?S? (Addendum - COMPASS {COMe}{PASS} - See comments)

10 Women wear this amidst anniversaries (4) SARI [HIPS]

11 Couple heading off settler broadcast messages through flight (3,7) AIR LETTERS {pAIR}{SETTLER}*

12 Old women charged by soldier for some Glaswegian meat (6) HAGGIS {HAGS} over {GI}

13 In Shanghai on vacation, drinking controversial hot energy drink made from fruits (8) SMOOTHIE {Sh...aI} over {MOOT}{H} with {E}

14 Around Australia, extremely hot whale heaves every now and then, suffering in sweltering conditions (4,5) HEAT WAVES {A} in {HoT+WhAlEs+hEaVeS}*

16 Rough, old-fashioned diamonds replaced with crown of 27 (5) ROWDY (-d+r)ROWDY

17 Sensational Avtaar - lively grids (5) GAMEY {GA{ME}Y}

19 Crude behaviour from a couple of locals joining leaders in India slamming masses (9) BARBARISM {BAR}{BAR}{In...a}{Sl...g}{Ma...s}

23 Learned people in Kuwait are tilting towards the West (8) LITERATI [T<=] 

24 Stands slimy fellows when wife's gone (6) EASELS wEASELS

26 Attire of the Bali male in novel (10) HABILIMENT {THE+BALI+M+IN}*

27 Vermilion from game "Bleeding heart" (4) RUBY [DD] (Addendum  RUgBY - See comments)

28 Nothing about leaving the new clinic modernised is part of scientific practice (7) TECHNIC {THE+N+ClinIC}*

29 One gossiping page wanting toy (7)  RATTLER pRATTLER

DOWN

2   Blind character from Athens turned up a piece of fine workmanship (7) UNAWARE {NU<=}{A}{WARE}

3   Resistance-free cord in fiddle (5) STING STrING

4   Posters in river leading to ancient body of saline water (4,3) DEAD SEA {DE{ADS}E}{An...t}

6   Wild cat fur from old piece of land outside church (6) OCELOT  {O}{LOT} over {CE}

7   Set up empty pit with fire out for piece of confectionery (5,4) PETIT FOUR {PiT+FIRE+OUT}*

8   Packed together, English riders struggled (7) SERRIED {E+RIDERS}*

9   Question about topless indecent fabric cut from below (5-8)  CROSS EXAMINED {aCROSS}{EX}{MINED} Anno not clear (Addendum - {C}{gROSS}  with {DENIM}{AXE}<= - See comments}

15 Following that hard trailing article on humour (9) THEREWITH {H}<=>{THE}{RE}{WIT}

18 Add zest to batting in a match (7) ANIMATE {IN+A}*{MATE}

20 Taking out large beet leaf mixed in stock of meat (4,3) BEEF TEA {BEET+lEAF}*

21 Easy clue is, perhaps, this simple basically and not very verbose (7) SOLUBLE {Si...y}{vOLUBLE} Something is wrong in this clue See comments

22 Elk from a crater in Western India (6) WAPITI {W}{A}{PIT}{I}

25 Parade prop (5) STRUT [DD]

Reference List

Soldier = GI, Hot = H, Energy = E, Australia = A, Diamonds = D, Wife = W, Male = M, New = N, Page = P, Resistance = R, Old = O, Church = CE, English = E, About = C, Hard = H, On = RE, Large = L, Very = V, Western = W, India = I

No 14857, Tuesday 28 Jul 2026, Avtaar

Solution to 26A 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Relatives rejected incentives to accept work (7) SPOUSES {SOPS<=} over {USE}

5   Cataract patient stabbed by rogue (7) CASCADE {CAS{CAD}E}

9   Bottega in Florence had couch in front of reception (7) ATELIER {ATE}{LIE}{Re...n}

10 Bond's race to arrest KGB's head free of violence, ultimately (7) LINKAGE {LINe{Kgb}AGE}

11 Possibly informal document reflecting on media losing power in Delaware (5,4) DRESS CODE {DOC<=}<=>{pRESS} in {DE}

12 Hassle to get rid of phosphorus compound found in perfumes (5)  ESTER pESTER

13 Civilian lawyer in Saudi? (5) MUFTI [DD]

15 Body in the open - alarming murder? (9) SCARECROW {SCARE}{CROW}

17 What removes moisture from soiled soft rinsed clothing rapidly after draining? (4,5) SPIN DRYER {P+RINSED}* over {Ra...lY} Semi&lit

19 Swimmers going back to get a bit of practice and rest (5) SLEEP {EELS<=}{Pr...e}

22 Perhaps Indian sent back from China economising (5) OCEAN [T<=]

23 Fabric 's restyling cut most of return (9) STRUCTURE {'S}{CUT+RETURn}

25 Sustained energy of revolutionary instigates killing spree at the end (7) STAMINA ANIMATeS<=

26 Take rook with rook conceding lead (7) D?C?I?E ()

      Kid daughter let in, breaking rule (7) DECEIVE (-r+d)DECEIVE - See comments   

27 Company backs probing fellow escaping from spare suite (7) RETINUE {UNIT<=} in {fREE}

28 Prepare to visit old East European religious scholar (7) EXEGETE {GET} in {EX}{E}{E}

DOWN

1   Cool sneakers boosted hero's state (7) STARDOM {MOD}{RATS}<=

2   Feel son evolved without help (7) ONESELF*

3   Big shot turned up aboard in loafers (5) SPIVS {S{VIP<=}S}

4   Extremely old is surely exotic (9) SERIOUSLY  {O+IS+SURELY}*

5   Split iceberg left in pit (5) CALVE {CA{L}VE}

6   They cut below in sequence avoiding edges of icicle (9) SUNDERERS {UNDER} in {SERieS}

7   Electrical accessory in a mobile device mounted behind avoiding poles (7) ADAPTER {A}{PAD<=}{sTERn}

8   I caught crook hiding rupees in frontal arch close to temple? (7) EYEBROW {(~i)EYE}{B{R}OW}

14 Space at the beginning I intend to change before working (9) INDENTION {I}{INDENT}*{ON}

16 Flight link from peak in adjacent island to hill spanning British river (3,6) AIR BRIDGE   {Ad...t}{I} and {RIDGE} in {B}{R}

17 Surety's bankrupt charged by completely heartless nieces (7) SPONSOR {'S}{PO{Ni..eS}OR}

18 Muddled divorced spouse stopping in front (7) INEXACT {IN}{EX}{ACT}

20 Unique cross and clubs going missing - difficult to spot (7) ELUSIVE ExcLUSIVE

21 Introduce promotion covering start of exciting race on the radio (7) PRECEDE {PR}{Ex...g}{(~seed)CEDE}

23 Small step above room (5) SPACE {S}{PACE} What's the role of above?

24 Suspicion of theft dismissed by corner drug store (5) CACHE {CAtCH}{E}

Reference List

Couch = LIE, Power = P, Soft = P, Daughter = D, Rule = R, Fellow = F, Old = EX, East = E, European = E, Left = L, Rupees = R, Island = I, British = B, River = R, Divorced spouse = EX, Clubs = C, Promotion = PR, Small = S, Drug = E

No 14828, Wednesday 24 Jun 2026, Avtaar

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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Propose checking new inspector's authority (6) PUNDIT {PU{N}{DI}T}

5   Trainer given key after dropping institute's driver (8) COACHMAN {COACH}{MAiN}

9   Land in Vakola is dug up (8) SLOVAKIA*

10 Solid brown on tail of cat (6) TRUSTY {RUSTY}<=>{caT}

11 Perjury of leader being laid out in public? (5,2,5) LYING IN STATE {LYING}{IN}{STATE}

13 Force Republican to give up seat for head of party (4) PUMP (-r+p)PUMP

14 Weakened disoriented side badly losing final (8) DISABLED {SIDE+BADLy}* 

17 Fear of extremely unusual strains in water-clover, for example (4-4) FOUR-LEAF {FEAR+OF+Un...aL}*

18 Harry lying about stealing Avtaar's earnings (4) GAIN {N{I}AG<=}

20 Repetition by initially accentuating leading letter-sounds (12) ALLITERATION {ITERATION}<=>{Ac...g}{Le...g}{Le...r} &lit

23 Regressive characters facing extremely violent sexual attachment change over time (6) EVOLVE {Ex...y}{Vi...t}{LOVE}<=

24 Earlier introduction of tax ruined neighbourhood shop (8) RETAILER {EARLIER+Tax}*

25 Judge, say, with a vacuous look clumsily crosses in a carefree manner (8) JAYWALKS {J}{SAY+W+A+LooK}*

26 Where you find environs for Pranayama, invoking a deity (6) PAGODA {Pr...mA} over {A}{GOD} Semi&lit

DOWN

2   Mostly unpleasant taste of imported fruit (4) UGLI {UGLy}{Im...d}

3   Real estate magnate's daughter constantly implicating staff in retreat (9) DEVELOPER {D}{EV{POLE<=}ER}

4   Every now and then Yankee engages in money fraud (4-2) TAKE-IN {T{yAnKeE}IN}

5   One working for a mission from Africa has freed Government in trouble (6,9) CHARGE D'AFFAIRES*

6   A cut gem's placed on hard floor (8) ASTONISH {A}{STONe}{IS}{H}

7   Ferret circling a resort (5) HAUNT {H{A}UNT}

8   Opposition is hesitant when challenged (10) ANTITHESIS*

12 Further stay set up by old European state (10) YUGOSLAVIA {ALSO}{GUY}<={VIA}

15 Start batting at first, say, when given a stint at the crease (9) BEGINNING {Ba...g}{EG}{INNING}

16 Erotic film on email oddly missing essence of sex (8) VENEREAL {VENeER}{EmAiL}

19 Excellent weed raised at the bottom of elevated mine (6) TIPTOP {POT<=}<=>{PIT<=}

21 Relative's smart act (2-3) IN-LAW {IN}{LAW}

22 Randy's lodge, almost fully erected (4) ?E?D (Addendum - LEWD DWELl <= - See comments)

Reference List

New = N, Inspector = DI(Detective Inspector), Institute = I, Republican = R, Judge = J, Daughter = D, Hard = H, Stay = GUY 

No 14797, Tuesday 19 May 2026, Avtaar

Solution to 1D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Almost relaxed about conducting children's drill (6) SCHOOL {LOOSe<=} over {CH}

4   Recurrent mistake inhibiting No.1 in Open American championship (8) ESPOUSAL {LAPSE<=} over {Open}{US}

9   Delivery of the French whiskeys reduced by 50% (6) LABOUR {LA}{BOURbons}

10 Non-combatant John defending criminal vilified after disappearance of female editor (8) CIVILIAN {CAN} over {VILIfIed}

11 Following mushy, thick paella Avtaar will calm down (4,1,5,4) TAKE A CHILL PILL {THICK+PAELLA}*{I'LL}

13 Savoury can be chosen after starter for dinner (10) DELECTABLE {ELECTABLE}<=>{Di...r}

14 Ebbing river that is close to Warsaw Embankment (4) WEIR {R}{IE}{w...aW}<=

16 Show rear end of catheter removed from ass (4) MOON MOrON

18 Menacing coach upset by stragglers, finally isolated places for late-comers? (10) GRAVEYARDS {GRAVE}{DRAY<=}{s...rS}

21 Chemical from mobile charging distorted resolution (14) NITROCELLULOSE {NITRO{CELL}ULOSE*}

23 Male model exposed retrograde tendency to play favourites (8) NEPOTISM {M}{SIT}{OPEN}<=

24 Round table made flat on both sides (6) OBLATE {O}{TABLE}*

25 Confirming result briefly on phone (8) ENSURING {ENSUe}{RING}

26 Afternoon school's principal visiting faculty nowhere to be seen (6) ABSENT {A}{B{Sc...l}ENT}

DOWN

1   Deposit left in knife dropped down (4) S?L? (Addendum - SILT S(-l)I(+l)LT - See comments)

2   Spike in upwardly mobile Mongolian Bohemians (7) HOBNAIL [T<=]

3   Old coins from Britain embodying earliest signs of unusually lavish luxury (8) OPULENCE {O}{P{Un...y}{La...h}ENCE}

5   Bent lever is lit to control pressure in instrument (6,5) SPIRIT LEVEL {LEVER+IS+LIT}* over {P}

6   Flyer to Rio leaving borders (6) ORIOLE [T]

7   Party embracing the essence of quick unaided execution (7) SUICIDE {S{qUICk}IDE}

8   Hosts in stadium having come cycling (9) LANDLORDS {L{(-l)AND(+l)L}ORDS}

12 President Brown visited by leader in Idaho introducing a boy (11) CHAIRPERSON {CHA{Id..o}R}{PER}{SON}

13 Work out ending in Korean cinema about absolute authority (9) DOMINANCE {DO}{k...aN+CINEMA}*

15 Shortened course before spot of baked dessert (8) SYLLABUB {SYLLABUs}{Ba..d}

17 Amidst work, actor uncovered organisation with extensive network (7) OCTOPUS {O{aCTOr}PUS}

19 Model again exercising. perhaps with energy, letting pressure off (7) RESHAPE {pERHAPS}*{E}

20 Siren's topless photograph linked to her missing husband (6) HOOTER {sHOOT}{hER}

22 Do without cocaine for semifinal run, say (4) HEAT cHEAT

Reference List

Children = CH, The in French = LA, John = CAN, Female = F, Editor = ED, River = R, Male = M, Afternoon = A, Old = O, Coins from Britain = PENCE, Pressure = P, Energy = E, Husband = H, Cocaine = C

No 14768, Wednesday 15 Apr 2026, Avtaar

HAPPY VISHU

Solution to 17A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Party in bar turned extremely raunchy (7) REVELRY {LEVER<=}{Ra...hY}

5   Put on stage for Mussolini, perhaps (7) PRODUCE {PRO}{DUCE}

10 Small water inlet outside entrance to bathroom (4) BABY {BA{Ba...m}Y}

11 Mobile mass seen briefly on river around source of oil (6,4) SESAME SEED {MASS+SEEn}*{DEE<=}

12 Caution by English guards to walk softly (6) TIPTOE {TIP}{E} over {TO}

13 Shout about bone across centrepiece in grill used in the kitchen (8) CULINARY {C{UL{grIll}NA}RY}

14 Stir as tension breaks (9) SENSATION*

16 Fiend in English county heartlessly stealing money (5) DEMON {DEvON} over {M}

17 Very likely committed Bob's heading to border (5) ?O?N?  (Addendum - BOUND [MD] - See comments) 

19 Snare in celebration springing back behind bust (5,4) BOOBY TRAP {PARTY<=}<=>{BOOB}

23 Rum from Antigua - rare medicine - on the counter (8) DEMERARA [T<=]

24 Overcome by corrosion, banks of Euphrates turned reddish brown (6) RUSSET {RUS{Eu...eS<=}T}

26 Seals cracks in intricately woven material (10) TAPESTRIES {TAPES}{TRIES}

27 Helps millions fleeing terrible disease (4) AIDS mAIDS

28 Messenger Avtaar's apprehending scoundrel with hesitation (7) MERCURY {M{ER}{CUR}Y}

29 Dream of fellow worker shattered, say (7) FANTASY {F}{ANT}{SAY*}

DOWN

2   Devious general cancelling PR (7) EVASIVE pErVASIVE

3   Country broadcast logotype giving away 50 rings (5) EGYPT loGoTYPE*

4   Honour vision about becoming leader (7) RESPECT (+re)RESPECT(-re)

6   Back member after German leaves fold (6) RUMPLE {RUMP}{LEg}

7   Purge toxic insecticide with fluorine, after dropping ice (9) DISINFECT {iNSECTIcIDe+F}*

8   Man in church given port for good health (7) CHEERIO {C{HE}E}{RIO}

9   My coach's positive when I have cut off straying of the mind and body (13) PSYCHOSOMATIC {MY+COACHS+POSITive}*

15 US city backs probing radical faceless agencies having identical traits (9) SYNGENEIC {NY<=} in {aGENCIES}*}

18 Lover at eatery having had too much (7) OVERATE [T]

20 Coffee-maker is included in 22, say (7) BARISTA {IS} in {(~barter)BARTA}

21 Section of Mossad negated flipping schedules (7) AGENDAS [T<=]

22 Stock exchange? (6) BARTER [CD]

25 Lean factory replacing leader with second (5) SLANT (-p+s)SLANT

Reference List

English = E, Money = M, Millions = M, Hesitation = ER, Fellow = F, 50 = L, About = RE, German = G, Fluorine = F, Church = CE, I have = I'VE, Second = S

No 14739, Thursday 12 Mar 2026, Avtaar

Solution to ??? has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Thinking about article on origin of Kazakh people (7) MANKIND {M{AN}{Ka...k}IND}

5   Scrap union's rule amidst return of Oriental pandemic disease (7) DIVORCE {E}C{R}OVID}<=

9   Building in college to preserve antique receptacle for clothing (7) HOLDALL {H{OLD}ALL}

10 Consumer of weekend US erotica (3-4) END-USER [T]

11 Tory who's in a soup bungling request for guest's preference (5,4,6) WHATS YOUR POISON*

12 Fish cake and light soups regularly kept out on the counter (5) SUSHI {lIgHt+SoUpS}<=

14 Bigwig with suit catching international flight (9) STAIRCASE {STA{I}R}{CASE}

16 Agave fibre from Lemhi Pass in a pickle (5,4) SISAL HEMP*

18 Country, say, Vespucci summarised incompletely in review (5) MUSIC [T<=]

21 Grand Ormolu that stands for path of integrity? (4,5,6) HIGH MORAL GROUND  {GRAND ORMOLU}* [RA]

24 Popular drug smuggled in fleece for Brit in South Africa (7) ROOINEK {ROO{IN}{E}K}

25 Flat surface at the end of empty abyss is rocking (7) ASTABLE {TABLE}<=>{AbysS}

26 Provided drink after unwrapping wine (7) OFFERED {cOFFEe}{RED}

27 Holding rings for miniature speakers, they play the horn (7) TOOTERS T(+oo-wee)OOTERS

DOWN

1   Old-time New Yorkers' way of working with birds (7) MOHAWKS {MO}{HAWKS}

2   One in the middle of Elgar cryptic "Face of Somalian antelopes" (7) NILGAIS {1+IN+eLGAr}*{So...n}

3   Yes, mam instinctively recalled entertaining religious scholars (5) IMAMS [T<=]

4   Boy climbing atop villa overlooking one Himalayan town (9) DALHOUSIE {LAD<=}{HOUS{1}E}

5   Love holding king down (5) DREAR {D{R}EAR}

6   Affair involving Earl featured in 6-G hit film (5-4) VIDEO-GRAM {D{E}O} in {VI}{G} and {RAM}

7   Ship arose eerily outside the Last Ocean (4,3) ROSS SEA {SS} in {AROSE}* Can a sea be called an ocean?

8   Order first item from rose new incense boxes (7) ENRANGE {ENRA{New}GE} - Confirmed by Avtaar. ROSE being changed to NEW in the online version.

13 Person lighting weak explosive drilling under hollow (9) ILLUMINER {ILL}{Und{MINE}eR}

15 One taking fight to the next round? (9) APPELLANT [CD]

16 Tips from Slavic star introducing piece of zippy, fast music (7) SCHERZO {Sl..iC}{HER{Zi..y}O}

17 Stop working of fins moving around cap in generator (4,3) SIGN OFF {OF+FINS}* over {Ge...r}

19 Fall way behind after cycling ends in awful failure (7) STUMBLE (+s)STUMBLE(-s) Not sure of Anno

20 Beggars start to dance in prison with discharged rangers (7) CADGERS {CA{Da..e}GE}{Ra..eS}

22 Searched thoroughly, runs with nude shedding top (5) RAKED {R}{nAKED}

23 Old brown liquor lacking pressure sent up (5) RETRO pORTER<=

Reference List

Rule = R, Oriental = E, International = I, Popular = IN, Drug = E, Way of working = MO(Modus Operandi), King = R, Affair = DO, Earl = E, Ship = SS, Runs = R, Pressure = P

No 14711, Saturday 07 Feb 2026, Avtaar

 ACROSS
1 Retired officer about to be welcomed into fair on the hour (6) O'CLOCK {COL C<} in {OK}
5 Women's trophy losing base - broken by kid in flannels (8) WASHRAGS {W}{ASH{RAG}eS}
9 Swine's struggle to restrain one bold mongrel (4,4) WILD BOAR {WAR} around {I}{BOLD*}
10 Stretch out after cycling, play to get silver (6) UNFOLD {(-f)UN(+F)}{OLD}
11 Doctor brings soulless classical fiddlers near the beach (7-5) CALLING CRABS {BRINGS CLAssiCAL}*

13 Cover over pool (4) LIDO {LID}{O}
14 Yankee firm cornered by famous Confederate soldier (4-4) GREY-COAT {GRE{Y}{CO}AT}
17 Maharashtrian city's drive to seize completely bare area (8) SHOLAPUR {SPUR} over {wHOLe}{A}
18 Heartless disruptive debauched senior (4) ROUE {ROgUE}
20 Entertaining compositions of mercurial Dmitriev in empty theatre (12) DIVERTIMENTI {DMITRIEV IN TheatrE}*

23 Mound in Channel Islands that is hot (6) CHILLI {C{HILL}I}
24 Solicit a report about holding of a musical (8) OPERATIC [T<]
25 In a way, I was tense, breaking till (2,2,4) AS IT WERE {I WAS T}*{ERE}
26 Rising and sinking motion in water body outside El Salvador starting to wane (6) SEESAW {SE{ES}A}{Wane}

DOWN
2 Note in message academician's left for Avtaar (4) CHIT {CH(-a+I)T}
3 Antique church in Oslo rebuilt with tips from Orlando's leading designers (3-6) OLD-SCHOOL {CH} in {OSLO Orlando's Leading Designers}*
4 Hillocks in golf links complex lacking traces of grass in front (6) KNOLLS {gOLf LiNKS}*
5 Operating out of the flat of her mom? (7,4,4) WORKING FROM HOME {OF HER MOM}* [RA]
6 Vehicle carrying container with crown of gold conveyed secretly (8) SMUGGLED {SLED} around {MUG}{Gold}
7 Remit 2 rupees covering base fee (5) REFER {R}{R} around {FEE*}
8 Sweet gruel regularly taken with a roll having hole inside (5,5) GULAB JAMUN {GrUeL}{A B{JAM}UN}

12 Couple of drunks starting to sing outside Grand Hotel giving memorable moments (10) HIGHLIGHTS {HIGH LI{G}{H}T}{Sing}
15 L'il lady in retreat entering Bond vehicle in front for tissue (9) CARTILAGE {GAL<}in {TIE}<=>{CAR}
16 Found guards put marks with holes near entrance to fuming volcano, say (8) SPITFIRE {S{PIT}{Fuming}IRE}
19 Judge standing with latest section, reasons (6) INFERS {REF<} in {IN}{S}
21 Spinning yarn about absorbing launch of clothes show (5) ECLAT {TALE<} around {Clothes}
22 Well-known singer in lounge belting out number (4) DIVA {DIVAn}

REFERENCE LIST

Officer=Col., About=C, Women=W, One=I, Over=O, Yankee=Y, Firm=CO, Area=A, Channel Islands=CI, Tense=T, Academician=A, Church=CH, Rupee=R, Grand=G, Hotel=H, Judge=REF(eree), Number=N. 

No 14681, Friday 02 Jan 2026, Avtaar

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ACROSS

1   Log on-line? (6) RECORD {RE}{CORD}

4   Substitute works after drink (8) SUPPLANT {PLANT}<=>{SUP}

9   Lathe operator's radio receiver jammed by electrical resistance (6) TURNER {TU{R}NER}

10 It keeps one going, perhaps (8) LAXATIVE [CD]

11 Promiscuous funky offender's left abandoned in high tides (14) INDISCRIMINATE {IN}{DIS{CRIMINAl}TE*}

13 Deer getting behind chaps causing annoyance (10) HARASSMENT {HART} over {ASS}{MEN}

14 Dope's dumped in idol (4) HERO HEROin

16 Silent dog scratching backside with energy (4) MUTE {MUTt}{E}

18 Drum played in Rome along with tuba (10) TAMBOURINE {IN+ROME+TUBA}*

21 Desi from Bay Area, say, blowing lid off crime in Canadian complex (6-8) INDIAN-AMERICAN {cRIME+IN+CANADIAN}*

23 Troubles amidst tense, long unending state of frenzy (8) TAILSPIN {AILS} in {T}{PINe}

24 Discharge of lava is toxic (6) SALIVA*

25 Source of aggravated unending distress, sadly (8) DISASTER {Ag...d+DISTRESs}*

26 Demanding wife finally faced with divorce (6) SEVERE {wifE}<=>{SEVER}

DOWN

1   Roll from a high place after climbing (4) ROTA {A}{TOR}<=

2   Investigator's ring stolen by crook (7) CORONER {COR{O}NER}

3   Most tall and thin afflicted trees having to wither away (8) REEDIEST {TREES}* over {DIE}

5   Legal claim covered in a letter from Greece about backing Italian island cannot be transferred (11) UNALIENABLE {UNA}{LIEN}{ELBA<=}

6   Still cold wearing Highlander's robe (6) PLACID {PLA{C}ID}

7   Fire in a blazing match (7) ANIMATE {IN+A}*{MATE}

8   So wild, free, hot, welcoming - very bare (9) THEREFORE {FREE+HOT}* over {vERy}

12 Chap stealing tiara cycled behind legislator's relative (11) COMPARATIVE {COVE} over {(-ti)ARA(+ti)TI}<=>{MP}

13 Clumsy, famished bats clutching top of tree (3-6) HAM-FISTED {HAMFIS{Tree}ED*}

15 Change overwhelms the Italian hack (8) MUTILATE {MUT{IL}ATE}

17 Model whirls stuffed toys (7) TEDDIES {T}{EDDIES}

19 Island chief taking over Government base for project (7) IMAGINE{I}{MA{G}IN}{E}

20 Frame leaking hard syrupy blackcurrant flavouring (6) CASSIS ChASSIS

22 The world is so long (4) VALE [DD]

Reference List

On = RE, Drink = SUP, Electrical resistance = R, Funky = IN, Energy = E, Tense = T, Cold = C, Chap = COVE, The in Italian = IL, Model = T, Government = G, Base = E, Hard = H

No 14654, Tuesday 02 Dec 2025, Avtaar

Solution to 14A 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   On the ropes, struggling after losing set, possibly this one can't win (2-5) NO-HOPER {ON+tHE+ROPes}*

5   A seafarer carrying case of pitch that is used for paving (7) ASPHALT {A}{S{PitcH}ALT}

10 Is Diana about to withhold benefits? (4) AIDS [T<=]

11 White House, say, backs probing enigmatic scholar over a missing pupil (10) SCHOOLGIRL {IGLOO<=} in {SCHoLaR}

12 Foamy cosmetic obtained from sulphur filling source of meandering English river (6) MOUSSE {S} in {Me...g}{OUSE}

13 Problem with bank's agenda (2-2,4) TO-DO LIST {TO DO}{LIST}

14 Estuary and desert delta having bounds separated (9) E?T?A?G?D (Addendum - ESTRANGED {EST}{RANGE}{D} - See comments) Clue corrected, see comments

16 Expel members of college staff (5) EGEST [T]

17 Judge's work during break, essentially (5) OPINE {OP}{IN}{brEak}

19 Sticker's put out "See Palo Alto's on vacation interiors" (9) SELLOTAPE {SEE+PALO+aLTo} This was originally a brand name. On vacation would mean {AltO}? Clue corrected. See comments

23 With it, cryptic setter gets attention (8) INTEREST {IN}{SETTER}*

24 Where you may find head of peacekeepers free from being barred (6) UNSTOP {TOP}<=>{UNS}(Correction - UN's TOP - See comments)

26 Lady shouting head off making false pitch (10) MISSELLING {MISS}{yELLING}

27 A cross-section outlining Avtaar's vertebra (4) AXIS {A}{X}{I}{S}

28 Court doing volte-face holding a set of hangings (7) DRAPERY {YARD<=} over {PER}

29 Cut chicken roast without stuffing brought back in serving table (7) TROLLEY {YELLOw}{RoasT}<=

DOWN

2   Moon is oddly obscuring core of sun, portending bad luck (7) OMINOUS {MOON+IS}* over {sUn}

3   Raised well outside a small island that provides relief when troubled (5) OASIS {SO<=} over {A}{S}{I}

4   One who enjoys eating a lot ignoring fellow nationalist from Japan, say (7) EASTERN {fEASTER}{N}

6   Unusual to enter reserved second-class (6) SHODDY {SH{ODD}Y}

7   Call attention to Spooner's fiction "Crown" (9) HIGHLIGHT (~lie height to highlight)

8   Primates look to climb, starting to swing (7) LORISES {LO}{RISE}{Sw..g}

9   Transforming theoretic construct on light particles, principally relating to an effect of Einstein (13) PHOTOELECTRIC {THEORETIC+Co...t+On+Li..t+Pa...s}* Semi&lit

15 Vicious turner spun, taking away focus of batters who end up losing (7-2) RUNNERS-UP {tURNERS+SPUN}*

18 Column featuring note on a new type of basket (7) PANNIER {P{N}IER} over {A}{N}

20 Gruel on plastic couch (7) LOUNGER*

21 Word turning up in the SIM or phone (7) PROMISE [T<=]

22 Merchant's letter from Athens to avoid cheat (6) SELLER chiSELLER

25 Narrow places where people go to buy cycles (5) SMALL (+s)SMALL(-s)

Reference List

Seafarer = SALT, Over = O, Work = OP, Estuary = EST, Delta = D, With it = IN, Section = S, Well = SO, Small = S, Island = I, fellow = F, Nationalist = N, Look = LO, Note = N, New = N

No 14631, Wednesday 05 November 2025, Avtaar

Standing-in for Colonel today. 

Solution to 1A 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 Judge finally ordered taking up discharged trooper's petition (7) ENTREAT {judgE}{N{TroopeR}EAT} see comments
5 Old coin from Switzerland in play (7) DRACHMA {DRA{CH}MA}

9 Notices on mobile vessels (7) REMARKS {RE}{M}{ARKS}
10 Master upset about sex with old Republican getting reflected in blue films (7) EROTICA {AC{IT}{O}{R}E}<
11 Not feeling remorse, Unionist called to bury remains (9) UNASHAMED {U}{N{ASH}AMED}
12 Gaudy, wild women leaving after tango (5) TACKY {wACKY}<=>{T}
13 Every other member of new poor class initially given hard time (5) EPOCH {nEw PoOr}{Class}{H}
15 Evenly cut, thin tofu-okra toast - payment on the counter (3,3,3) TIT FOR TAT {ThIn ToFu-OkRa ToAsT}
17 Legislator entering the bar flourished headgear (6,3) BOWLER HAT {OWL} in {THE BAR}*

19 Map regularly seen in Athens and India pulled back (5) INSET {{aThEnS} {aNd}{I}}<
22 American leaves taking son on a voyage (2,3) AT SEA {A}{T{S}EA}
23 Bent CEO offering incentives at first, corrupted monk living in a religious community (9) COENOBITE*
25 Last piece of apple pancake out of a busy joint (7) KNEECAP {applE PaNCAKE}*
26 Hygienic parking in a Southern state withdrawn (7) ASEPTIC {P} in {A}{S}{CITE<}
27 Old-style photograph developed patiently, trimming panel at the edges cutting out sources of artificial light (7) TINTYPE {PaTIENTlY} paneL At trimmed? See comments.

28 One rescued from grotto returned with bits of unusually etched eoliths (7) EVACUEE {CAVE<){Unusually Etched Eoliths}

DOWN
1 Fellow avoiding fourteen cracks on the way (2,5) EN ROUTE {fOURTEEN}*
2 Drum it with power - Onam's round the bend (7) TIMPANO {IT P ONAM}*

3 World starting to debate avoiding shortage (5) EARTH {dEARTH}
4 Random chatter - teams are missing in long-drawn game (4,5) TEST MATCH CHaTTer TEAMS}*
5 Be apprehensive about department study (5) DREAD {D}{READ}
6 With better grounds, keep probing Nairobi after expulsion of British national (1,8) A FORTIORI {nAIRObI} over {FORT}
7 Look around in shed for short mop (7) HAIRCUT {AIR}{C} in {HUT}
8 Shrink obsessed with bottoms of pretty, voluptuous patient (7) ANALYST {ANAL}{prettY}{voluptuouS}{patienT}
14 Order of governance that is originally recorded on vault kept in empty hallway (9) HIERARCHY {IE}{Recorded}{ARCH} in {HallwaY}
16 Cover of book "Bird and the French Batman" (5,4) TITLE PAGE {TIT}{LE}{PAGE}
17 Frame leader in bribery scam (7) BRACKET {Bribery}{RACKET}
18 Banks in Warwickshire behind cowboy film (7) WESTERN {WarwickshirE}{STERN}
20 Dog lost his heart, exhausted near animal farm, reportedly (4-3) SHIH-TZU {HIS}*{HearT}{~ZOO}{ZU}

21 From Eritrea - clean, sweet syrup (7) TREACLE [T]
23 Wood gets picked up (5) COPSE {~COPS}
24 The conclusion of a good over from the South End trapping Avtaar (5) OMEGA {A G O}< over ME

REFERENCE LIST

Switzerland=CH, On=Re, Mobile=M, Sex=It, Old=O, Republican=R, Unionist=U, Women=W, Tango=T, India=I, American=A, Son=S, Parking=P, Southern=S, Fellow=F, Power=P, Department=D, British=B, National=N, Around=C (Circa), That is=ie, The French= Le (the in French language), Good=G, Over=O.