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

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   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.

No 14605, Saturday 04 October 2025, Avtaar

 ACROSS
1 Mom visiting homes for lotus flowers to be used in pooja (6) PADMAS {PAD{MA}S}

5 Most uncouth bums lying in bed (8) COARSEST {CO{ARSES}T}
9 John and Avtaar carrying bread for Turkish boss bosses (8) CAPITANI {CA{PITA}N}{I} Didn't find it on-line but BRB has it. See comments.
10 Held in deposit after return by writer (4-2) PENT-UP {PUT<}<=>{PEN}
11 Singing legend, (not a Rastafarian), performed captivating "New York", at the end (5,7) FRANK SINATRA {RASTAFARIaN}* over {N}{yorK}

13 Revolutionary upset a royal (4) RAJA {JAR<}{A}
14 Bishop pokes a judge to irritate (8) ACERBATE {ACE}{R{B}ATE}
17 Spooner's guy rations fuel (8) FIREWOOD Spoonerism of WIRE FOOD
18 Smart chap, perhaps, retired in Iceland, after leaving India (4) ALEC {iCELAnd}<
20 Mostly gormand sorts starting to enjoy cooking (12) GASTRONOMERS {GORMANd SORTS Enjoy}* &Lit For some strange reason the online version was insisting this was wrong. Update: Now Rectified.
23 Sharper, thinner, low leaves (6) WILIER {WILlowIER}
24 Made way through article by director - gripping study (8) THREADED {TH{READ}E}{D}
25 Host quietly ignored one taking umbrage (8) RESENTER {pRESENTER}
26 Creeps in ship taking over lounge (6) SIDLES {S{IDLE}S}

DOWN
2 Set of notes about seaweed (4) AGAR {RAGA<}
3 I'm looking up label sealing father's computer (9) MAINFRAME {I AM}<{N{FR}AME}
4 A boring quiet chap who practises black magic (6) SHAMAN {SH}{A}{MAN}

5 Extremely cool, dark, romantic novel outside small shop that sells online too (6,3,6) CLICKS AND MORTAR {CooL}{DARK ROMANTIC}* over {S}
6 Pressure on police department to arrest rebel after American provided a brief (8) APPRISED {P}{P{RISE}D}<=>{A}
7 Amundsen napped consuming laxative (5) SENNA [T]
8 Maids cleaned up our settees stained with black, pouring a drop of ethanol (10) SOUBRETTES {OUR SETTEeS}* over {B} New word for me
12 Invest in recycled plastic, increasing environmental awareness, basically (10) CAPITALISE {PLASTIC Increasing Environmental Awareness}*
15 Mark holding back British orchestra (5,4) BRASS BAND {BR{ASS}{B}AND}

16 Head of anarchic state's chant about leaders of clamorous rioters storming vessel (8) MOBOCRAT {OM<}{ BOAT} over {Clamourous}{Rioters}
19 Faces animals crossing terminal in Dortmund (6) BEARDS {BEAR{dortmunD}S}
21 Your warmth in entertaining inspires (5) THINE [T]
22 Loud spy dog (4) PEKE {~PEEK}

REFERENCE LIST

Mom=Ma, New=N, Bishop=B, A=Ace, India=Ind, Director=D, Quietly=P, Ship=SS, Father=Fr, Quiet=Sh, Small=S, Pressure=P, Police Department=PD, Black=B, British=B.

No 14573, Tuesday 26 Aug 2025, Avtaar

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   Not able to speak about India virtually for a short time (6) MINUTE {M{IN}UTE}

4   Brilliant compere taking up commercial hosting India's leading scholar (8) ACADEMIC {AC{AD}E}{M{In..a}C}

9   Constitutional rule to stop introduction of service tax (6) S?R?L? (Addendum - STROLL {Se...e}{T{R}OLL} - See comments ) 

10 Capsicum pie in crust of tomato baked with a bit of masala (8) PIMIENTO {PIE+IN+To..tO+Ma...a}*

11 Misrepresentation by school - parents mostly fleeced with ultimate in donations (5,9) FALSE PRETENCES {PARENTS+FLEECEd+d...nS}*

13 Victims of one-night stands? (10) CASUALTIES {CASUAL TIES}

14 Cheaply constructed gable going around (4) LEGO [T<=] 

16 Supply not starting for long (4) ACHE cACHE

18 Ambulance left a mortuary's entrance and travelled round the bend (10) UNBALANCED {amBULANCE+AND}*

21 Lost in the rush, heading for grand, magical heavenly spectacle (8,6) SOUTHERN LIGHTS {LOST+IN+THE+RUSH+Gr..d}*}

23 Prevail over our shortened boat crew cycling across Wales (8) OUTWEIGH {OUr}{(+t)TEIGH(-t)} over {W}

24 In which you will find lead members of the panel against retiring (6) GALENA [T<=]

25 Carefully consider introducing it in court following Avtaar (8) MEDITATE {D{IT}ATE}<=>{ME}

26 Cool tennis ace after losing a game at the end (6) SERENE {SERENa}{gamE}

DOWN

1   Disregard letter I have despatched (4) MISS MISSive

2   Typical standards of Vikings having left for Norway (7) NORMALS NORMA(-n+l)LS

3   Boxer's married wearing brown amulet (8) TALISMAN {T{ALIS}{M}AN}

5   What separates No-conflict zones? (7,4) CHINESE WALL [CD]

6   Cabbie runs into pickpocket (6) DRIVER {D{R}IVER}

7   Chain armour reportedly lined with tin after mounting (7) MANACLE {(~mail)MA{CAN<=}LE}

8   Army seizing vessel smuggling gold - it has lights in many parts (9) CROSSWORD {CRO{SS}WD} over {OR}

12 Power leads in apparatus having tentacles to secure shelter and gear gets IP certificate (6,5) PATENT RIGHT {P}{Ap...s}{Ha...g}{Te...s} over {TENT}{RIG}

13 Dreamy schoolmaster missing the new refurbished place where he is to take lessons (9) CLASSROOM {SChOOLMASteR}*}

15 Say, Kashmiri monkey losing tail before maturity (8) LANGUAGE {LANGUr}{AGE}

17 Tormented harassed groups close to paranoia (7) HAUNTED {H{p...iA}UNTED}

19 Model fills valise with two pieces of yellow gemstone (4-3) CATS-EYE {CA{T}SE}{YEllow}

20 Danger which inhibits engineers (6) THREAT {TH{RE}AT}

22 Animal fleece picked up (4) HARE(~hair)

Reference List

India = IN, Commercial = AD, Rule = R, Compere = MC, Wales = W, Left = L, Norway = N, Married = M, Runs = R, Vessel = SS{Steamship), Power = P, Model = T, Engineers = RE(Royal Engineers)

No 14540, Friday 18 Jul 2025, Avtaar

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   Movie choice announced - "Old town in Tennessee's outskirts" (7) PICTURE {(~pick)PIC}{Te...{UR}...eE}

5   Foot fragments outside entrance to Harappan digs (7) FATHOMS {F}{AT{Ha...n}OMS}

10 Like to go on reading (4) PEER {PEE}{R}

11 Egg stored in box is close to first drawer (10) CARTOONIST {CART{O}ON}{IS}{f..sT}

12 University taken over by government is bust (6) STATUE {STAT{U}E}

13 Luncheon's organised without entree? That is unusual (8) NONESUCH lUNCHEONS*

14 Lawyer's restraint binding banks in suit (9) BARRISTER {BARRI{SuiT}ER}

16 Weld aluminium counter holding bucket with long handle (5) LADLE [T<=]

17 School tournament's finale followed by every one (5) TEACH {t...nT}{EACH}

19 Open platform in disused craft leaked, leaving shores of Latvia (9) AFTERDECK {CRAFT+lEaKED}*

23 Country doctor participating in a cricket match, entertained by accountant (8) CAMBODIA {C{A}{MB}{ODI}A}

24 Unsound regulation adopted by leading Central bank (6) FLAWED {F{LAW}ED}

26 Spooner's cooks look for drink (6,4) SPRUCE BEER (~ brews peer to spruce beer)

27 Bird's stomach opening out (4) ROOK bROOK

28 Mike distributed sheet describing promo (7) HEADSET {HE{AD}SET*} A mike per se cannot be a headset

29 Kant's original perception about new religious scripture of fundamental importance (7) KEYNOTE {Kant}{EY{N}{OT}E}

DOWN

2   Avtaar's joining new English cadet for beverage (4,3) ICED TEA {I}{E+CADET}*

3   Card-sharp wins nothing (5) TAROT {TAR{O}T}

4   Condition of insects about to be freed (7) RICKETS cRICKETS

6   Somewhere near a field, German's hidden (6) AROUND {A}{gROUND}

7   Exercise routine in Shetland Islands almost completely performed without trellises, essentially (9) HANDSTAND  {SHeTlANDislANDs}*

8   Say, Chicago's problem taken up by leader of Indiana state in US (7) MUSICAL {SUM<=}{In...a}{CAL}

9   Saw open rifle shot clipping head of Connery in "The Man Who Would Be King" (6,2,5) PRINCE OF WALES {SAW+OPEN+RIFLE}* over {Co...y}

15 Covered with hard stones all over, fencing of castle keeps bulging, basically (4-5) ROCK-BOUND {RO{Ca...e}{Ke..s}{Bu...g}OUND}

18 One-time rich model (7) EXAMPLE {EX}{AMPLE}

20 Insist on measure supporting church (7) ENFORCE {EN}{FOR}{CE}

21 Idiot stealing the lady's smoking thingy (7) CHEROOT {C{HER}OOT}

22 Keep commercial now (6) ADHERE {AD}{HERE}

25 Top of arching, mostly inclined projection on stage (5) APRON {Ar...g}{PRONe}

Reference List

Old Town = UR, Foot = F, To go = PEE, Reading = R, University = U, Accountant = CA, Promo = AD, New = N, Religious scripture = OT(Old Testament), English = E, About = C, Measure = EN, Church = CE, Commercial = AD