No 14860, Friday 31 Jul 2026, Saral

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

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ACROSS

7   Old boy rejecting noisy town (7) BOROUGH {OB<=}{ROUGH}

8   Rogue caught after a crash (6) IMPACT {IMP}{CT}<=>{A}

9   Lifts metals reportedly (6) STEALS (~steels)

10 Piece of object next to parking (8) PARTICLE {ARTICLE}<=>{P}

11 Threaten private holding papers (10) INTIMIDATE {INTIM{ID}ATE}

13 Round bowl over almonds, say (4) NUTS<=

14 Jack covering strong pale gem (4) JADE (+j-f)JADE

16 Worms and flying bugs circling a bit of rasgulla (5) GRUBS {G{Ra...a}UBS*}

18 Dividend from a stock finally (4) PERK {PER}{s..cK}

19 Met nationalist hiding in hot place (4)  Changed on request from Saral.

19 Set naturally showing hot place (4) ETNA [T]

21 At home I have rotating counter that's necessary (10) INEVITABLE {IN}{IVE<=}{TABLE}

23 Each day doctor leading treatment of flu. Terrible! (8) DREADFUL {EA}{D}<=>{DR} and {FLU*}

25 Requests seafood around lunchtime (6) CLAIMS {CLA{1}MS}

26 God! Perhaps vanquisher killing a queen without hesitation (6) VISHNU VaNqUISHer*

27 At first cutting awfully hard, half of edam cheese (7) CHEDDAR {Cu...g}{HARD+EDam}*

DOWN

1   Pamphlet from party is with direction (8) TREATISE {TREAT}{IS}{E}

2   Suppressing question with anguish sadly (8) QUASHING {QU}{ANGUISH*}

3   Fried potato in college over (4) CHIP {HIP}<=>{C}

4   Intense fire spreading near church (6) FIERCE {FIRE}*{CE}

5   Possibility of quietly moving back old drink (6) OPTION (-p)O(+p)PTION

6   Carver creating top curls (8) SCULPTOR*

7   Primarily big and thick original neem stick (5) BATON Acrostic

12 Last letter covered in gold, again in blue (5) AZURE {A{Z}U}{RE}

15 New radio set for space traveller (8) ASTEROID*

17 Controls son scratching head of jerks (8) SWITCHES {S}{tWITCHES}

18 Scheme mainly to get vehicle with extremely dubious advertisements (8) PLACARDS {PLAn}{CAR}{Du...oS}

20 Lack of enthusiasm in a course ending in May (6) APATHY {A}{PATH}{maY}

21 Arrival of nine having new disease (6) INFLUX {IX} over {N}{FLU}

22 Primate catching bird in both hands (5) LEMUR {L}{EMU}{R}

24 Key partner inside blocks (4) LOCK [HIPS]

Reference List

Old boy = OB, Caught = CT, Parking = P, Papers = ID, Jack = J, Strong = F, Each = EA, Day = D, Queen = Q, QU,  Hesitation = ER, Direction = E, College = C, Church = CE, Quietly = P, Son = S, New = N 

No 14827, Tuesday 23 Jun 2026, Bruno

Solution to 12A 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

6   Hot girl turning reddish brown (5) HENNA {H}{ANNE<=}

7   In general, no shopping centre accepts rupee, yen (8) NORMALLY {NO}{R}{MALL}{Y}

10 Yard in Burj building - clumsy fellow's death sentence could be pronounced there (4,3) JURY BOX {JUR{Y}B*}{OX}

11 Walk gently to right and meet the Creator - get taken aback! (7) DOGTROT {TO}{RT}{GOD}<=

12 Agree and support one being fired for offence (7) C?N?O?M (Addendum - CONFORM CONF(-i+o)ORM - See comments)

13 Pedal furiously to reach a gallery finally - it doesnt come around often (4,3) LEAP DAY {PEDAL}*{A}{g...rY}

14 After party, bulk ice melted around front half of quad very fast (6-5) DOUBLE-QUICK {DO}{BULK+ICE}* over {QUad}

19 Hot sauce is revolting and bland (7) INSIPID {IN}{DIP+IS<=}

21 Beneficiary's story buried in gets a cable carrying energy close to home (7) ALIENEE {A{LIE}N}{E}{homE} What's the role of 'cable'?

23 Swimming waterhole - a lake draining towards which place (7) WHERETO WaTERHOlE*

25 Setter's facing same-old deadlock (7) IMPASSE {I'M}{PASSE}

26 King hiding in some old, rundown hut sheltering with gratitude (5,3) THANK YOU {AN{K}Y}{O} in {HUT}*

27 Genetically modified organism fitted with independent unknown device (5) GIZMO {G{I}{Z}MO}

DOWN

1   Radical infiltrating worker association along with journalist's not smooth (8) UNIRONED {UNI{R}ON}{ED}

2   Graduate gets little of meal, majority of liquor and grass (6) BAMBOO {BA}{Meal}{BOOze}

3   New dune buggy to carry old, fat, & short (10) UNEXAMPLED {DUNE}* over {EX}{AMPLe}

4   Urge support when Portugal's run over by Dutch (4) PROD {P}{R}{O}{D}

5   Federal organization banned English trouser style (6) FLARED FEDeRAL*

6   Terrible fellow chasing hot one with force (6) HIJACK {JACK}<=>{H}{1}

8   Media, finally following American soldier who captured Chinese and another Asian (7) AFGHANI {m..iA}{F}{G{HAN}I}

9   Without hint of fuss, FDA banned transporting deathly chemical group (5) ETHYL dEaTHLY*

13 Brief noise from duck in oil soup at sea, initially plaintive, disappearing, becoming chattering (10) LOQUACIOUS {QUACk} in {OIL+SOUp}*

15 Youngster chasing referee's relatively large (7) UMPTEEN {TEEN}<=>{UMP}

16 Big kitchen - cook sizing one end for rotisserie (4-4) KING-SIZE {K}{SIZING}*{r...rE}

17 Opinions compete with science, basically (5) VIEWS {VIE}{W}{Sc...e}

18 Different man wrote translation while off work (6) HETERO {HE}{wROTE}*

20 Look at the storm! (6) SEETHE {SEE}{THE}

22 Attack independent politician with gun sneakily (6) IMPUGN {I}{MP}{GUN*}

24 Black animal going around American city (4) ONYX {O{NY}X}

Reference List

Hot = H, Rupee = R, Yen = Y, Yard = Y, Right = RT, Party = DO, Hot = IN, Energy = E, Lake = L, King = K, Old = O, Independent = I, Unknown = Z, Radical = R, Journalist = ED, Old = EX, Portugal = P, Run = R, Over = O, Dutch = D, English = E, Chinese = HAN, Kitchen = K, With = W

No 14795, Saturday 16 May 2026, Hypatia

 ACROSS
7 Get rid of letters from index term in a textbook (11) EXTERMINATE [T]
8 Lot's spoken for a little limelight (3) LUX {~LUCK'S}
10 Deep // sea fish (4) BASS [DD]
11 Old-time secretary rearranging notes (5) STENO*
12 Local returning before India's spring harvest (4) RABI {BAR<}{I}
13 Entrances to historical and majestic pillars in heritage site (5) HAMPI [Acrostic]

15 Extremely envious incident framing one charged for spying (9) ESPIONAGE {EnviouS}{P{ION}AGE}

16 Checks for auditor's rules (6) REIGNS {~REINS}
18 I hated trips in Middle Eastern airline (6) ETIHAD*

21 What one gets from eating garlic in the bar (3,6) BAD BREATH {THE BAR*} [RA]
23 Husband overwhelmed by duty in mating game? (5) CHESS {C{H}ESS}
25 Starts to question UN about Yemeni port (4) QUAY [Acrostic]
26 Father wearing cool fashion brand (5) PRADA {P{RAD}A}

27 Replace stews without exotic eel or fish (4) CARP {RePlACe*}
28 Fine tips from embroidered Zari in Moroccan hat (3) FEZ {F}{Embroidered}{Zari}

29 Actor's pass with a hint of romance in dreary kiss (7,4) GREGORY PECK {GRE{GO}{Romance}Y}{PECK}

DOWN

1 Old accountant on vacation, initially had food - mine! (8) EXCAVATE {EX}{CA}{Vacation}{ATE}
2 Space between hospital sheets, ultimately in layers (4) HENS {H}{EN}{sheetS}
3 Cheer up in the morning with milk (5) AMUSE {AM}{USE}
4 Topical jingle that's upside down (7) INVERSE {IN}{VERSE}
5 Drug in operation used to release oxygen (8) ATROPINE {OPERATIoN*}

6 Spooner asking tramp to embrace fraud (6) HUMBUG {Spoonerism of BUM HUG}
9 Prohibit course covering resistance wave (8) BRANDISH {B{R}AN}{DISH}
14 Ordinary request put up in outlays for attendants (8) PAGEBOYS {O BEG}< in {PAYS}
17 Cleaners in school with those in tears (8) SWEEPERS {S}{WEEPERS}
19 Conceptual// outline (8) ABSTRACT [DD]
20 Doctor gets to drink poured rum (7) STRANGE {GETS*} around {RAN=poured}
22 Discrimination shown in cinema cum entertainment (6) ACUMEN [T]
24 Say, Omani upset about bit of jeera in millet (5) BAJRA {ARAB<} around {Jeera}

27 Penny cuddled by shy ape (4) COPY {CO{P}Y}

Reference List

India=I, Husband=H, Fine=F, Old=Ex, Accountant=CA (Chartered Accountant), Space=EN, Hospital=H, Morning=AM, Oxygen=O, Resistance=R, Ordinary=O, School=S, Penny=P.

No 14712, Monday 09 Feb 2026, Gussalufz

Solution to 29A 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.

Flying weapon, Eh?

ACROSS

1   Momentum in favour of church (5) FORCE {FOR}{CE}

4   Gen X reach out for someone with currency in many countries? (9) EXCHANGER*

9   Reportedly, they use their tongues in drinks (7) LIQUORS (~lickers)

10 Revolting double entendre ("IT's over with all unfulfilled!") about marriage (7) NUPTIAL {PUN<=}{IT<=}{ALl}

11 Voices in the heart of woods, near tall evergreens (6) OPINES {woOds}{PINES}

12 Carefree zebra shows how to chill again (8) REFREEZE [T]

14 Nearly bald hero (4) STAR STARk

15 Temperature in ice age pot readjusted for meat pastry (7,3) COTTAGE PIE {T} in {ICE+AGE+POT}*

18 Ms. X, not an evangelist? (10) MISSIONARY {MISS}{10}{NARY}

19 Conflicts happened to be connected with rupees (4) WARS {WA{R}S}

22 Be as composed, everyone, as a sandy shore (3,5) SEA BEACH {BE+AS}*{EACH}

24 European prime minister is back with anger and great power (6) EMPIRE {E}{PM<=}{IRE}

26 Increase in egg prices ends, union's leader arrested (7) UPSURGE {U{Pr..eS}RGE} over {Un..n}

27 Evacuate if given time after rail malfunctions (7) AIRLIFT {IF}{T}<=>{RAIL}*

28 Woman records family material (9) SHEEPSKIN {SHE}{EPS}{KIN}

29 Perhaps some mother's role in film? (5) L?Y?R (Addendum - LAYER DBE - See comments)

DOWN

1   Men and strong women engaged in greetings (no husband) (7) FELLOWS {F}{hELLO{W}S}

2   Resign, joining authentic startup, initially for payments (9) REQUITALS {RE{QUIT}AL}{St...p}

3   Brought out Tesla, perhaps in order to cover sexual inadequacy (6) EVOKED {EV}OKED Anno pending (Addendum - {EV}{OK}{ED} - See comments)

4   More followers of KKK, we're told? (4) ELSE {(~L's) from kLue kLux kLan}

5   Perform tricks, including juggling etc.? Fancy! (10) CONJECTURE {CONJ{ETC*}URE}

6   Current measurement in the morning, according to agency: 50% (8) AMPERAGE {AM}{PER}{AGEncy}

7   "He shows us the way regularly," Gauri added (5) GUIDE {GaUrI+aDdEd}

8   Excuse wrongdoing involving England? I'm not sure, upon reflection (7) RELIEVE {EV{E}IL}{ER}<=

13 Used conch irritatingly, essentially honking, as prelude to concert? (10) SOUNDCHECK {USED+CONCH}*{honKing}

16 Calmness pill voided stomach complaint (9) PLACIDITY {PilL}{ACIDITY}

17 Turn back cutting north, mate, if this building is not safe (8) FIRETRAP {PARTnER}{IF}<=

18 Mistakes from setter? Ultimately blames drinks (4-3) MESS-UPS {ME}{b...eS}{SUPS}

20 Top corner diner (7) SWEATER {SW}{EATER}

21 Shameless, somewhat regressive novel (a romance) (6) AMORAL [T<=]

23 One's life is empty—this might lead to a wedding? (5) AISLE {A}{IS}{LifE}

25 No way no ball, reviewed! This is tiring (4) YAWN {No}{WAY}<=

Reference List

Church = CE, Temperature = T, Rupees = R, European = E, Egg = URGE, Time = T, Rocords = EP's(Extended play's), Strong = F, Women = W, Husband = H, Tesla perhaps = EV(Electric Vehicle), England = E, Not sure = ER, North = N, Corner = SW(South West)

No 14363, Friday 07 Nov 2025, Saral

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   Flier and mother right at home (6) MARTIN {MA}{RT}{IN}

5   Catch off-guard uprisers in a riot (8) SURPRISE* 

9   To begin with build a compound for church (8) BASILICA {Bu..d}{A}{SILICA}

10 Take care of one short tissue (6) TENDON {TEND}{ONe}

11 Criminal spoofer leaving electronic evidences (6) PROOFS SPOOFeR*

12 Descriptions in record by theist altered (8) EPITHETS {EP}{THEIST*}

13 Missiles, mostly from commander is returned (4) AMMO [T<=]

14 Kind of second grade awful novel hidden by teen perhaps (10) BENEVOLENT {B} and {NOVEL}* in {TEEN}*

16 He smirks naughtily engaging one soprano in arguments (10) SKIRMISHES {HE+SMIRKS}* over {1}{S}

18 Huge tank guarding borders finally (4) VAST {VA{b...rS}T}

20 Potential loser using drug? Done! (8) UNDERDOG* 

22 Effect of fantastic lustre (6) RESULT* 

23 Shoot girl with clip (6) GALLOP {GAL}{LOP}

24 Wonderful food! My best recipe originated primarily in continent (8) AMBROSIA {A{My}{Best}{Re...e}{Or...d}SIA}

25 Judges later managed to review reports (8) NARRATES {RATES}<=>{RAN<=}

26 Some drank arak in Turkish city (6) ANKARA [T]

DOWN

2   Am following a gran setting this type of clue (7) ANAGRAM {AM}<=>{A+GRAN}*

3   Flag in court I roll almost roughly (9) TRICOLOUR {COURT+I+ROLl}

4   Catches mollusc with head down (5) NAILS (-s)NAIL(+s)S

5   Rats! He's sneaking deceptively, a treacherous person (5,2,3,5) SNAKE IN THE GRASS*

6   Fetches bush with local officials of town as per Spooner (9) RETRIEVES (~tree reeves to retrievers)

7   Not opening section in estate (5) RANCH bRANCH

8   Cut down fresh thorns around trees essentially (7) SHORTEN {THORNS}* over {trEes}

14 Covers crown put up in unseen area (5,4) BLIND SPOT {BLINDS}{TOPS<=}

15 Vet locks initially ill collapsing farm animals (9) LIVESTOCK {VET+LOCKS+Ill}*

17 Kelvin with articles about DNA editing in this language (7) KANNADA {K}{AN}{DNA*}{A}

19 Without hesitation orderlies working for army man (7) SOLDIER ORDerLIES*

21 Mathematician's base rule is complex (5) EULER {E}{RULE*}

22 Plant among shrub I added (5) RUBIA [T]

Reference List

Right = RT, at home = IN, Electronic = E, Record = EP(Extended Play), Second grade = B, Soprano = S, Articles = AN,A, Hesitation = ER, Base = E

No 14608, Wednesday 08 Oct 2025, Saral

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

7   Company backing very large conglomerate at last entering town (7) SOCIETY {OS<=}{C{c...tE}ITY}

8   From the beginning organisations regularly perhaps helping all needy and abandoned (6) ORPHAN Acrostic

9   Minister carrying new weapon (6) CANNON {CAN{N}ON}

10 Excited bakers enthralled by North American state (8) NEBRASKA {N{BAKERS*}A}

11 Threatened grenade explosion behind border (10) ENDANGERED {GRENADE}*<=>{END}

13 Star hugging model in shock (4) STUN {S{T}UN}

14 Jack was involved in chats (4) ?A?S (Addendum JAWS {J}{WAS*} - See comments)

16 Flier back from Afghani border (5) ROBIN [T]

18 Animals getting rid of old furs (4) CATS CoATS

19 That lady concealing love for loafer, say (4) SHOE {SH{0}E}

21 Creature unfortunately returning in front of guy with the German (10) SALAMANDER {ALAS<=}{MAN}{DER}

23 Note by politician said to be profane (8) TEMPORAL {TE}{MP}{ORAL}

25 Sweet? Not consuming limitless sugar (6) NOUGAT {NO{sUGAr}T}

26 Wild bears chasing unknown animals (6) ZEBRAS {BEARS}*<=>{Z}

27 Group at first encouraged riot possibly hiding in church (7) COTERIE {En...d+RIOT}* in {CE}

DOWN

1   Check lads spreading rumours (8) SCANDALS {SCAN}{LADS*}

2   Youth edited agreement removing mark (8) TEENAGER AGREEmENT*

3   Tin coated with finally ruby colour (4) CYAN {C{rubY}AN} Is coated okay as a containment indicator?

4   In favour of offer in bar (6) FORBID {FOR}{BID}

5   Sprinkles bouquets (6) SPRAYS [DD}

6   Ruined punk? Right, collapsed inside club (8) BANKRUPT {PUNK+R}* in {BAT}

7   Cramps while cycling in country (5) SPAIN (+s)PAIN(-s)

12 Agitator almost stumbles outside Brazil's capital (5) REBEL {RE{Br...l}ELs}

15 Wins? That is victory shrouded by pains (8) ACHIEVES {ACH{IE}{V}ES}

17 Submit main note perhaps (8) NOMINATE*

18 Seizes children's game reportedly (8) CONQUERS (~conkers)

20 Trade old wine (6) EXPORT {EX}{PORT}

21 Sisters abandoned one sadly in trouble (6) STRESS SiSTERS*

22 Cancel dates online (5) ERASE {ERAS}{E}

24 Basically looped artistic cross-stitch embroidery for filigree (4) LACE Acrostic Semi&lit

Reference List

Very large = OS, New = N, Model = T, Jack = J, Old = O, The in German = DER, Note = TE, Unknown = Z, Church = CE, Mark = M, Right = R, Victory = V, Online = E

No 14604, Friday 03 Oct 2025, Bruno

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

6   Large American city with no grassy area (5) LLANO {L}{LA}{NO}

7   Record-breaking complex not an ogre - made with this building material (3, 5) RED BRICK  {RECorDBReaKIng}*

10 If part of the body's... (7) MIDRIFF IF is middle of rIFf  Semi&lit

11 ... even touched, cut off wrap (7) ENVELOP {EVEN}*{LOP} Touched/Anind?

12 Grill AI-inspired child following centre of exhibit (7) HIBACHI {A{CH}I}<=>{exHIBit}

13 Whip son having no hint of any guts (7) SCOURGE {S}{COURaGE}

14 How's this Olympic event? (11) SHOWJUMPING {HOWS}* [RA]

19 Declare: most of Mexican cooking contains mainly lentils (7) EXCLAIM {MEXICAn}* over {Le...s}

21 Moderate seaside area home to bulk of organisms (7) QUALIFY {QUA{LIFe}Y}

23 Fire current into fuel with a kind of cable (7) COAXIAL {AX}{I} in {COAL}

25 Russia's last liberal collapsed at heart imprisoned in ruler's castle (7) ALCAZAR {r...iA}{L}{C{collApsed}ZAR}

26 Led Zeppelin originally played around AZ after Robert essentially became blind (8) BEDAZZLE {LED+Ze...n} over {AZ} after {roBErt}

27 Crossing river... cold with fear (5) DREAD {D{R}EAD}

DOWN

1   Spooner's father gambles and defaults (3,5) BAD DEBTS (dad bets to bad debts)

2   Set of signs some cricket match in South Africa's corrupt to begin with (6) ZODIAC {Z{ODI}A}{Co...t}

3   Storm's often very loud in Jamaica - leaving area destroyed and long vehicle lines (7,3) TRAFFIC JAM {sToRm} and {FF} in {JAMAICa}*

4   Grandad zealously guarding tool (4) ADZE [T]

5   Leader disregarded funny visual (6) OCULAR jOCULAR

6   Tissues of Latin Goddesses expressing sadness, at heart (6) LYMPHS {L}{nYMPHS}

8   Italian food recipe has garlic sauce infused with bit of vinegar (7) RAVIOLI {R}{A{Vi...r}IOLI}

9   Mysterious sound's starting when setting up Zoom (5) SPEED {DEEP}{So..d}<=

13 Note: Resume developed with AI (first version) can contain questionable beginning (10) SEMIQUAVER {RESUME+AI+Ve...n} over {Qu...e}*

15 Old vehicle in America - one that produces sound through holes (7) OCARINA {O}{CAR}{IN}{A}

16 Grey-haired girl showered with top off (8) GRIZZLED {G}{dRIZZLED}

17 Throw out some rebel churchgoers (5) BELCH [T]

18 Extremely happy new wife leaving home finally, becomes cross (6) HYBRID {HappY}{BRIDe}

20 Mad-Z chasing car crashes (6) CRAZED {ZED}<=>{CAR}*

22 Agree - Eastern Indian peninsula largely needs to be uplifted (6) ACCEDE {E}{DECCAn}<=

24 Dim husband becoming large and idle (4) LAZY (-h+l)LAZY

Reference List

Large = L, Child = CH, Son = S, Fire = AX, Current = I, Liberal = L, River = R, South Africa = ZA, Very loud = FF, Latin = L, Recipe = R, Old = O, America = A, Girl = G, Eastern = E, Husband = H

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 19, Sunday 31 Aug 2025, Gussalufz

BOTH SIDES ARE SAME

ACROSS

1   Slippery slope for some Europeans (5) POLES*

4   Source of dehydration in Indian college slang (9) DESICCANT {DESI}{C}{CANT} 

9   Vehicle turns silent after dropping Gussalufz for a court thing (7) RACQUET {CAR<=}{QUiET}

10 Hide from the boring king (7) LEATHER {LEA{THE}R}

11 No drug for setter in opening ceremony? (14) GROUNDBREAKING {NO DRUG}* [RA]

12 Resort to A.I. for hint (4) IOTA*

13 "Husbanding" includes our sniffing, licking, eating? (9) SAVOURING {SAV{OUR}ING}

17 See Vera going around incorporating French and being one irritating woman (3,6) EVE TEASER {SEE+VERA}* over {ET}

19 Tipping crown to one side, emperor makes love (4) ZERO {NERO with N turned to get Z}

22 "Page Six" airs all debauched arrangements stars are often found in (6,8) SPIRAL GALAXIES*

25 Colourful singers of traditional pieces played regularly (7) ORIOLES {Of+tRadItiOnaL+piEceS}

26 Couple's biannual displays of a special love (7) LESBIAN [T]

27 Reject birds from Spooner's rotating skewers (9) TURNSPITS (spurn tits to turnspits)

28 Arc of smoke over Vatican City (5) CURVE {CUR{V}E}

DOWN

1   Manoeuvre through atmosphere of anger involving top under secretary (9) PARAGLIDE {RAG{LID}E}<=>{PA}

2   Luck too, engineered an escalation in labour dispute (7) LOCKOUT*

3   React to glare from queen when wearing, say, pride shirt (6) SQUINT {S{QU}IN}{T}

4   Rising youngster humbles record holders (9) DATABASES {A TAD}<=}{BASES}

5   Crack that's very large and very close to fuselage (5) SOLVE {SO}{L}{V}{f...gE}

6   Delineating a landmark's edges, touch up sketch (5,3) CHALK OUT {A}{La...rK} in {TOUCH<=}

7   African crash anticipated, to an extent (7) ASHANTI [T]

8   Stretch limits in torture room (4) TERM {To...rE}{RooM}

14 They can change bad parts via laser surgery (9) VARIABLES {B} in {VIA+LASER}*

15 Judgment from authorities implicating outsiders initially seen suspiciously (4,5) GOOD SENSE {GODS} over {Ou...s} with {SEEN}*

16 Sleeping bags of top quality abruptly snagging? Peculiar (8) BEDROLLS {BE{DROLL}St}

18 Unkempt, i.e., run-down houses with fewer inhabitants (7) EMPTIER [T]  

20 Current discharge reported in coach (7) EDIFIER (~eddy fire)

21 Analyse the speed of light; it's useful for measuring long distances (6) PARSEC {PARSE}{C}

23 Girl has one drink (5) LASSI {LASS}{1}

24 Egg with spoilage surrounding base (4) ROOT {RO{O}T}

Reference List

College = C, Indian = DESI, Slang = CANT, And in French = ET, Vatican city = V, Queen = QU, Shirt = T, Large = L, Very = V, Bad = B, Speed of light = C

No 14574, Wednesday 27 Aug 2025, Bruno

Rangoli by Gowri

Artwork by Prasanna

By Bhargav

Solution to 13A 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

6  Prosperous as salary is supplemented with fifty million (5) PALMY {PA{L}{M}Y}

7   Gangster's son bottles gangster's offensive poison (8) ALKALOID {AL}{K{AL}{O}ID}

10 Lane near river to wash pot while sailing's so ignored (7) TOWPATH {TO+WAsH+PoT}*

11 Setter with millions around globe with tax agency chasing.. that could be a set of stories (7) MEMOIRS {ME}{M}{O}{IRS}

12 Old queen of England, some say, eventually moved to ancient city (7) SEYMOUR {SOME+saY}*{UR}

13 Major heart transplant's going up (7) L?A?I?G (Addendum - LEAPING LEA(-d+p)PING - See comments) 

14 Failing defence overcome by bully.. Champion finally folding (7,4) CLOSING DOWN {C{LOSING}{D}OW}{c...oN}

19 Wanting $1000, joker ran circles regularly for glory (7) REJOICE {JOkER}*{cIrClEs}

21 Go-getter mounted horse with spur (7) TRIGGER {TRI{GG}ER}

23 Lying around, Polish queen's wearing India's version of 5D (7) BURQINI {RUB<=}{Q}{IN}I Last I from?

25 Survive in melting ice with material (7) ELASTIC {E{LAST}IC*}

26 Full-scale files arranged by Lizzie evenly (4-4) LIFE-SIZE {FILES}*{lIzZiE}

27 Mum left racks with brownies, perhaps (5) ELVES shELVES

DOWN

1   Technique to shoot bottoms in extremely sexy state (4,4) SLOW SYNC {Se{LOWS}xY}{NC}

2   Current producer of dairy goes on vacation to emerging middle eastern country (6) DYNAMO {DairY}{OMAN<=}

3   Rich girl's followed by knight in story - kind and protective (10) FATHERLIKE {FAT}{HER}{LI{K}E}

4   North Korean leader's recycling one kind of milk (4) SKIM {+s)SKIM(-'S}

5   Clothing item from orient stolen from motorcycle in India (6) BIKINI {BIKe}{IN}{I}

6   Chemical from common drug's like heroin (6) POTASH {POT}{AS}{H}

8   Problem of left bum's solved by a run (7) LUMBAGO {L}{BUM*}{A}{GO} 

9   Consumption of America over time... (5)  USAGE {US}{AGE}

13 ...found to be in lower intensity electronic device (5,5) LIGHT METER [C&DD]

15 Animal dies tripping over piece of iron with rust (7) OXIDISE {OX}{ID{Iron}SE*}

16 Cynical evangelist's sadly - often lost & isolated (8) NEGATIVE {EVANGElIsT}*

17 Bird good at brewing beer (5) GREBE {G}{BEER*}

18 Protective equipment giving support to professionals not accepted (6) BRACES {BRA}{aCES}

20 Dork at home jacket (6) JERKIN {JERK}{IN} 

22 One lost time in business for religious orders (6) IRADES {1}{tRADES}

24 Electronic assistant elevated to a Goddess (4) IRIS<=

Reference List

Fifty = L, Million = M, Gangster = AL(Capone), Offensive = O, Defence = D, $1000 = K, Horse = GG(GeeGee), Queen = Q, India = I, Mum = SH, Knight = K, Orient = E, Heroin = H, Left = L, Good = G, Accepted = A, Time = T

No 14547, Saturday 26 July 2025, Bruno

 ACROSS
6 Luxurious, soft, and green (5) PLUSH {P}{LUSH}
7 End of toe and limb caught in vehicle, that can travel fast (8) TELEGRAM {T{toE}{LEG}RAM}
10 June, Bill, and Leah partly come to English party (7) JUBILEE {JUne}{BIll}{LEah}{E}
11 Bar's subdued - one left for party (7) BANQUET {BAN}{QUiET}
12 Magazine featured John playing game (7) MAHJONG {MA{JOHN*}G}

13 Desiring model with a rear-end that's rounded (7) CRAVING {C{(+reaR-a}(+A-r)VING} CARVING with A and R interchanged 
14 Storm observed here & perhaps tracked - wee high, basically (7,4) WEATHER DECK {TRACKED WEE High}*

19 Arrogant, oppressing, evil, bad boy (7) VILLAIN {V{ILL}AIN}
21 America's universal friend.. at most times (7) USUALLY {US}{U}{ALLY}
23 Invoice number missing time causing protest (7) INVEIGH {INV}{EIGHt}
25 Note flying gull putting end of anchovy on victim (4,3) FALL GUY {FA}{GULL*}{anchovY} 
26 Inconvenient accommodation for Eastern queen trapped in 9D (8) STEERAGE {ST{E}{ER}AGE}
27 Unknown, operated by Unit, when reversed gives a kind of operator (5) UNARY {Y RAN U}<

DOWN
1 Part of play when mud's flung on boy, who's dancing (4,4) DUMB SHOW {MUD}*{B}{WHO'S}*
2 Avoiding AA, sot finally in allopathy treatment? That's kinda flaky... (6) PHYLLO {aLLOPatHY}*

3 Rest, perhaps - no good after that workout (10) STRENGTHEN {REST}*{NG}{THEN}
4 Hunk essentially lacking courage retreats (4) SLAB {BAlLS}<
5 California city's zoning lead outlaid every other stone (6) LAZULI {LA}{Zoning}{oUtLaId}

6 Jean often wears parents' nightwear (6) PAJAMA {PA{JeAn}MA}
8 Part of boat tips in under nautical waterline during storm (7) GUNWALE {G{Under}{Nautical}{Waterline}ALE}
9 Mount horse on end of saddle (5) STAGE {STAG}{saddlE}
13 Mark's merciful action in empty complex (10) CIRCUMFLEX {MERCIFUL}* in {CompleX}
15 Artist at Virginia sent back by immigration authorities - that's wrong (7) AVARICE {RA}{VA}< +{ICE}
16 Lightweight metalworking building went bust - was abandoned (8) KILOGRAM {MetALwORKInG}*
17 Egg-shaped ring with topless skirt (5) OVOID {O}{aVOID}
18 Limits of seismology, zoology, genealogy and heavenly alignment (6) SYZYGY {SeismologY}{ZoologY}{GenealogY}

20 The French... very discontented about sex and humour (6) LEVITY {LE}{V{IT}erY}
22 Sign of mutual exchanges? (6) UMLAUT*
24 Boss' part of the administration (4) HEAD [T]

Reference List

Soft=P, English=E, One=I, Magazine=Mag, America=US, Universal=U, Invoice=INV, Time=T, Eastern=E, Queen=ER, Unit=U, Boy=B, No Good=NG, Artist=RA, Virginia=VA, Ring=O, Sex=It.