No 14544, Wednesday 23 Jul 2025, Saral

Solution to 6D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance. 

Open for anyone to solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   Loots guns (6) RIFLES [DD]

9   Kids cried hard, jumping, chewing piece of lollipop with honey essentially (8) CHILDREN {CRIED+H}* over {Lo...p} with {hoNey} 

11 Defilement of instrument rewriting on it (9) VIOLATION {VIOLA}{ON+IT}*

12 One scoundrel with drug is furious (5) IRATE {1}{RAT}{E}

13 Old wager returning inside retreat with small laptops (9) NOTEBOOKS {O}{BET}<= in {NOOK}{S}

16 Gas contained in volcano gradually coming back (5) ARGON [T<=]

17 Grave words in record by Thai president is altered (7) EPITAPH {EP}{THAI+P}* 

19 Chef eventually drops buds (7) FLOWERS {cheF}{LOWERS}

21 Notices cycles in fish (5) SHARK (+s)SHARK(-s)

22 Informed about her strangely quiet entry (9) THRESHOLD {T{HER*}{SH}OLD}

24 Nausea, disoriented European abandoned steam bath (5) SAUNA NAUSeA*

25 Size fixed, game unit designed finally (9) MAGNITUDE {GAME+UNIT+d...eD}* 

27 Painter using simulator not ordinary (8) MURALIST {SIMULAToR}*

28 Spread samosas, plates right away with lemon for starters (6) SPRAWL Acrostic

DOWN

1   Five entering Ripon building near church area (8) PROVINCE {PRI{V}ON*}{CE}

2   Struggle of English force opening castle (6) EFFORT {E}{Fo..e}{FORT}

3   Gamble with a Greek character (4) BETA {BET}{A}

4   Avoid bright star, hot chaps (4) SHUN {S{H}UN}

5   Large reptiles initially rolling, turning a log with tails (10) ALLIGATORS {Ro...g+A+LOG+TAILS}*

6   Realign bent cross above  (8) ?R?A?G?E (Addendum - TRIANGLE {REALIGN}<=>{T} - See comments)

7   Indian ushering new bird trainee (6) INTERN {I}{N}{TERN}

10 Backlash of company controlled by wealthy, evading taxes from the beginning (8) RICOCHET {RI{CO}CH}{Ev...g}{Ta..s}

14 Leader of brigadier wants to include post for forces (10) BLACKMAILS {Br...r}{LACK{MAIL}S}

15 Harry argues engaging two females for voting right (8) SUFFRAGE {SU{FF}RAGE*}

18 Rush from extremely heavy rain maybe engulfing ancient city (2,1,5) IN A HURRY {HeavY+RAIN}* over {UR}

20 Note sly dude moving abruptly (8) SUDDENLY {N+SLY+DUDE}*

21 Sailors pruned, picked up second plant (6) SESAME {SE{A}AMEn}

23 Missing the first funny remark related to viewers (6) OCULAR jOCULAR

25 Reviewing contents of that same post (4) MAST [T<=]

26 Rogues banishing the Spanish in drives (4) IMPS IMPelS

Reference List

Hard = H, Drug = E, Old = O, Record = EP(Extended Play), President = P, Quietly = SH, European = E, Ordinary = O, Church = CE, English = E, Hot = H, Indian = I, Cross = T, New = N, Female = F, Note = N, Second = S, The in Spanish = EL

No 14497, Thursday 29 May 2025, Saral

Solution to 23A 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   Company president followed by a policeman (6) COPPER {CO}{P}{PER}

5  Security added covers, at first to check (8) MORTGAGE {MOR{To}{GAG}E}

9  Rebel in Crimea fighting with king crossing Vatican (8) MAVERICK {CRIMEA}*{K} over {V}

10 Throng primarily major milk products counter (6) MYRIAD {Ma..r}{DAIRY<=}

11 Single guy is disheartened and serious (6) SOLEMN {SOLE}{MaN}

12 Sceptical German overwhelmed by crazy actions (8) AGNOSTIC {A{G}NOSTIC*}

13 Part of very large spinning instrument (4) LYRE [T<=]

14 Used steel to join small devices (10) TELESCOPES {STEEL}{COPE}{S}

16 Perfect leotard I am ordering (6-4) TAILOR-MADE*

18 Cases of dopes lost, missing drug (4) PODS DOPeS*

20 Projecting smart among accountants (8) CASTINGS {CA{STING}S}

22 Grab ananas stuffed fruit (6) BANANA [T]

23 Escort filled with fury essentially in agency (6) ?U?E?U ()

24 Lifts players' hopes losing opener (8) ENHANCES {E}{N}{cHANCES}

25 Barge had ample light (8) HEADLAMP*

26 Dislike rejecting a piece of plastic gift (6) RESENT pRESENT

DOWN

2   Art of public speaking in chapel (7) ORATORY [DD]

3   Gradually spread slice in front (9) PIECEMEAL {MEAL}<=>{PIECE}

4   Again American soldiers backing nationalist in power (5) REIGN {RE}{GI<=}{N}

5   Ace English lawman keeps working to win very easily (4,1,5,5) MAKE A CLEAN SWEEP {ACE+E+LAWMAN+KEEPS}*

6   Think back about short stories initially by church (9) REMINISCE {RE}{MINIS}{CE}

7   Kids often ignoring grid rules (5) GIRLS {GrId+RuLeS}

8   Crushing grain with the hollow rock (7) GRANITE {GRAIN*}{ThE]

14 Web designer creating a natural environment at last (9) TARANTULA  {A+NATURAL}*{e...nT}

15 Rivals playing? Stop entry of writer hiding old name (9) OPPONENTS {STOP}* over {P{O}{N}EN}

17 Generally a market stores royal uniform (2,1,4) AS A RULE {A}{SA{R}{U}LE}

19 Mafia leader holds gun, flashing above enemy's head in cell (7) DUNGEON{D{GUN*}{En..y}ON}

21 Guard controlling anger finally in rage (5) TREND {T{a..eR}END}

22 Stop outside one hotel in state (5) BIHAR {B{1}{H}AR}

Reference List

President = P, King = K, Vatican = V, German = G, Small = S, Drug = E, Players = E,N, Again = RE, Nationalist = N, English = E, About = RE, Church =CE, Old = O, Name = N, Royal = R, Uniform = U, Hotel = H

No 14475, Saturday 3 May 2025, Saral

 ACROSS
7  New to setting? Finally check grammar back in grid (7) NETWORK {NEW TO}* +{checK grammaR}<
8 Persuading son "No rushing" (6) URGING {sURGING}
9 Drop wrong decree (6) RECEDE*
10 Break small incomplete pedestal near emergency room (8) SPLINTER {S}{PLINTh}{ER}
11 Dull rough walls at last repainted (10) PEDESTRIAN {wallS+REPAINTED}*
13 Kids playing in slide (4) SKID*
14 Cry with ache in leg primarily (4) WAIL [Acrostic]
16 Prepares firstly macaron pastries without topping (5) MAKES {Macaron}{cAKES}
18 Disheartened soldiers returning for wine (4) PORT {TRoOP}<
19 From the middle pull mynah's bone (4) ULNA {pULl}{myNAh's}

21 Altering drafts? No from the beginning only helvetica, etc. (3,2,5) AND SO FORTH {DRAFTS NO Only Helvetica}*
23 Basil, say a visionary leaving Norway (8) AROMATIC {A}{ROMAnTIC}

25 Irritates press fellows in the end stalking model (6) TROLLS {ROLL}{fellowS}<=>{T}
26 Perhaps enter union for possession (6) TENURE*
27 Spooner says "Spoil sweetheart for peace" (7) HARMONY [Spoonerism of MAR HONEY}

DOWN
1 English article about gangster is subtle (8) ETHEREAL {E}{THE}{RE}{AL}
2 Drive immediately with acumen essentially (8) MOMENTUM {MOMENT}{acUMen}
3 Runners on snow jumps losing pressure (4) SKIS {SKIpS}

4 One girl escaped from building bombed in capital (6) DUBLIN {BUILDiNg}*
5 Representatives of American men (6) AGENTS {A}{GENTS}
6 Rain tore plastic in the front (8) ANTERIOR*
7 French city checked by European relative (5) NIECE {NI{E}CE}
12 "Signed link, not opening"-Editor (5) INKED {lINK}{ED}
15 Angry general crossing line, one provoking a reaction (8) ALLERGEN {GENERAL}* over {L}
17 Gunmen at first seen hiding near abandoned old store (8) SHOOTERS {Seen}{Hiding}{O STORE}*
18 Etiquette for cool tavern originally changed (8) PROTOCOL {PRO}{COOL Tavern}*
20 Covering republican involved in love affair (6) ARMOUR {A{R}MOUR}

21 Shorten the name possibly for hymn (6) ANTHEM {THe NAME}*
22 Try right away to include everyone in record (5) TALLY {Tr{ALL}Y}
24 Mainly cook adding a piece of halibut fish (4) COHO {COOk} over {Halibut}

REFERENCE LIST

Son=S, Small=S, Emergency Room=ER, Norway=N, Model=T ( the T model of Ford car), Union=U, English=E, About=Re, Gangster= Al (Capone), Pressure=P, One=I, Girl=G, American=A, European=E, Editor=Ed, Line=L, Old=O, Republican=R, Right=R.

No 14454, Wednesday 09 Apr 2025, Saral

Solution to 24A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance. 

Open for anyone to solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   Metal chip one brought forward (6) SILVER S(+1)IL(-1)VER

9   A democrat near California engaged in election campaign (8) ADVOCATE {A}{D}{VO{CA}TE}

11 Department preparing cities for peace treaty (9) ARMISTICE {ARM}{CITIES*}

12 Gist of article by setter (5) THEME {THE}{ME}

13 Order food containing good nutrients primarily (9) ALIGNMENT {ALI{G}{Nu...s}MENT}

16 Nymph animatedly following layer, regularly leaving fairyland excitedly (5) NAIAD {fAIrylAND}*

17 Falsely sue queen with anger for title (7) ESQUIRE {SUE+Q}*{IRE}

19 Expert creating some art (7) MAESTRO*

21 Inundated villa was horrible inside (5) AWASH [T]

22 An Indian again chasing very drunk showing patience (9) SOLITAIRE {A}{I}{RE}<=>{SO}{LIT}

24 Joint swelling is huge (5) J?M?O (Addendum - JUMBO {J}{UMBO} - See comments)

25 A time with goal amended in reminder list (9) CATALOGUE {A}{T}{GOAL*} in {CUE}

27 Stun America rejecting report issued every now and then (8) SURPRISE {US<=}{RePoRt+IsSuEd}

28 Open temporary shelter after pilgrims' arrival at first (6) PATENT {TENT}<=>{Pi...s}{Ar...l}

DOWN

1   Amplify complex case delayed (8) ESCALATE {CASE*}{LATE}

2   Some calumniated former students (6) ALUMNI [T]

3   Mostly crowded retreats (4) DENS DENSe

4   Star lost ring near eastern lounge (4) IDLE {IDoL}{E}

5   Europe, say curbing German company (10) CONTINGENT {CONTIN{G}ENT}

6   Press Association silent about jurywoman (8) PANELIST {P}{A}{SILENT*}

7   Story line for example with point (6) LEGEND {L}{EG}{END}

10 Dead flies collected around the French sea initially (8) LIFELESS {LIFE{LE}{Sea}S*}

14 People next-door building new big house, having terrace essentially (10) NEIGHBOURS {N}{BIG+HOUSE}* over {terRace}

15 Propose to drop criminal model (8) TEMPLATE conTEMPLATE

18 Problem of a GM covered by papers (8) QUAGMIRE {QU{A}{GM}IRE}

20 About to interrupt poet collapsing on volunteer in drama (8) OPERETTA {OPE{RE}T*}{TA}

21 Change notice ahead of fair (6) ADJUST {AD}{JUST}

23 One section moved behind in fireplaces (6) INGLES (-s)INGLE(+s)S

25 Endless chase perhaps for money (4) CASH CHASe*

26 Block wild foal (4) LOAF*

Reference List

Democrat = D, Good = G, Right = R, Queen = Q, Indian = I, Again = RE, Drunk = LIT, Joint = J, Time = T, Eastern = E, German = G, Press = P, Association = A, Line = L, The in French = LE, New = N, Volunteer = TA(Territorial Army), Notice = AD

No 14426, Friday 07 Mar 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

7   Very old article about nice source of topic (7) ANCIENT {AN}{NICE*}{To..c}

8   Coat label pulled by the Spanish (6) ENAMEL {E{NAME}L}

9   Frank files crown of teeth (6) HONEST {HONES}{Te..h}

10 Dampness of extra covering around suit (8) MOISTURE {MO{SUIT*}RE}

11 Removed and dropped old matinee idol perhaps (10) ELIMINATED {MATINEE+IDoL}*

13 Clean top of yellow stone (4) RUBY {RUB}{Ye...w}

14 Sharp American detectives (4) ACID {Am...n}{CID}

16 Primate left bird with caretaker at last (5) LEMUR {L}{EMU}{c...eR}

18 At first composer looked elsewhere for key (4) CLEF Acrostic

19 Different skin colours (4) INKS*

21 Indian lecturer with judge describing passion in show (10) ILLUSTRATE {I}{L}{RATE} over {LUST}

23 Preparation of empty passage lined with damaged marbles mostly (8) PREAMBLE {Pa...gE} over {MARBLEs}*

25 Fixed new deal accepting interest basically (6) NAILED {N+DEAL}* over {In...t} Fixed on Double duty?

26 Run away! Police is finally approaching headland (6) ESCAPE {p...cE}{iS}{CAPE}

27 Country chaps not bright says Spooner (7) DENMARK (~men dark to denmark)

DOWN

1   Cried in bizarre dreams chasing enemy primarily (8) SCREAMED {DREAMS+Ch...g+En..y}*

2   Posted the Spanish under home guard (8) SENTINEL  {SENT} and {EL}<=>{IN}

3   Check stock (4) STEM [DD]

4   Duration of each ODI is changed (6) PERIOD {PER}{ODI*}

5   Closing coffee bar in the end (6) LATTER {LATTE}{baR}

6   Nasty loose mud scrubbed from spinning tumble drier (8) TERRIBLE {TumBLE+dRIER}*

7   Associate on duty in island (5) ATOLL {A}{TOLL}

12 To begin with, the address maybe in local language (5) TAMIL Acrostic

15 Cabbage dressing on essentially pungent diet (8) CONGRESS {C{ON}{punGent}RESS}

17 Strong snore disturbed worker (8) RESONANT {SNORE*}{ANT}

18 Main channel filled with extremely red iodine (8) CARDINAL {CA{ReD}{I}NAL} Extremes of Red would have been better

20 Wound on a black beetle (6) SCARAB {SCAR}{A}{B}

21 Heard hotel food is natural (6) INBRED (~ inn bread)

22 Model followed by puny jerk (5) TWEAK {T}{WEAK}

24 Completes cycling shoot (4) ENDS (-s)END(+s)S

Reference List

The in Spanish = EL, Old = O, American = A, Left = L, Indian = I, Lecturer = L, New = N, Home = IN, Associate = A, Black = B, Model = T

No 14400, Wednesday 05 February 2025, Saral

Solution to 16A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance. 

Open for anyone to solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   Comprehensive blog is managed by a student (6) GLOBAL {BLOG*}{A}{L}

9   Museum in Russia rejecting master's endowment (8) HERITAGE HERmITAGE

11 Grave worker following one mass near Rio, say (9) IMPORTANT {ANT}<=>{1}{M}{PORT}

12 Changed diets and courses (5) TIDES*

13 Client is with associate fighting and unyielding (9) INELASTIC {CLIENT+IS+A}*

16 Feast time, welcoming Australian prince (5) A?A?E (Addendum - AGAPE {AG{A}{P}E} - See comments)

17 Girl with extraordinarily simple look (7) GLIMPSE {G}{SIMPLE*}

19 Large uniform tailor finally repairs for soldier (7) REGULAR {LARGE+U+t...oR}*

21 Singer adjusting tone, a piece of rhythm (5) TENOR {TONE*}{Rh...m}

22 Ordeal of poor emigrant filled with hatred primarily (9) NIGHTMARE {NIG{Ha...d}TMARE*}

24 Bird leaving large island tree (5) PECAN PEliCAN

25 Playing drama in front of sick, old creature (9) ARMADILLO {DRAMA*}{ILL}{O}

27 Struggle of criminal to move rapidly outside college (8) CONFLICT {CON}{FLI{C}T}

28 Fat cat pushed back small first class miniature tree (6) BONSAI {NOB<=}{S}{A1}

DOWN

1   Stirring up, double gin containing Italian vermouth (8) IGNITING {GIN*}{IT}{GIN*}

2   Lovers left inside carriage? (6) COUPLE {COUP{L}E}

3   Market square (4) FAIR [DD]

4   Basically dangerous, wrong bet, put you in this? (4) DEBT {Da...s}{BET*} Semi&lit

5   Crazy daughter is given a lesson describing rule (10) DISTRAUGHT {D}{IS}{T{R}AUGHT}

6   No-nonsense attitude of party against firm (8) HARDBALL {BALL}<=>{HARD}

7   Tenant without the home at last (6) LESSEE {LESS}{thE}{homE}

10 Tailless cat sitting on the temple (8) PANTHEON {PANTHEr}{ON}

14 Clearly a fee included in claim (10) APPARENTLY {APP{A}{RENT}LY}

15 As per Spooner security arrived in bridge, perhaps (4,4) CARD GAME (~ guard came to card game)

18 Upright and kind at heart with no money (8) INNOCENT {kINd}{NO}{CENT}

20 Eloquence of Herriot, possibly charming at first (8) RHETORIC {HERRIOT*}{Ch...g}

21 Set up books with special picture above themes (6) TOPICS {OT<=} with {S}<=>{PIC}

23 Finally book of maps with bar (2,4) AT LAST {ATLAS}{T}

25 Cars manoeuvering curves (4) ARCS*

26 Spirit brought up destruction (4) DOOM<=

Reference List

Student = L, Master = M, Mass = M, Associate = A, Australian = A, Prince = P, Girl = G, Uniform = U, Large = L, Island = I, Old = O, College = C, Small = S, Italian Vermouth = IT, Left = L, Daughter = D, Rule = R, Books = OT(Old Testament), Special = S, Bar = T

No 14374, Saturday 04 Jan 2025, Saral

 ACROSS
8   Appeared on screen initially in small roles (6) CAMEOS {CAME}{On}{Screen}
9   Postponement of agreement containing note with mistake (8) DEFERRAL {DE{F}{ERR}AL}
11 Broadcast a TV series that's bold (9) ASSERTIVE*
12 No bar in paper publication (5) ISSUE {tISSUE}
13 Ordering abridged dictionary and guide (9) INDICATOR {DICTIONARy}*
16 Fool's ego putting one in spot (5) IDIOT {I}{D{1}OT}
17 First show of navy fleet in river (7) NARMADA {Navy}{ARMADA}
19 Thinks and responds almost randomly (7) PONDERS {RESPONDs}*
21 Time to replace conservative guy in board (5) TABLE {{+T-c}ABLE}
22 Cook entering, devouring a fruit (9) TANGERINE {ENTERING* over A}

24 Follow guard right away (5) ENSUE {ENSUrE}
25 Baker prepared quick meal (9) BREAKFAST {BAKER*}{FAST}
27 Ruling party's minister against worker (8) DOMINANT {DO}{MIN}{ANT}
28 Shooting star in Rome dancing around hollow tree (6) METEOR {ROME* around TreE}

DOWN
1   Accountants welcomed by number one firm turning up for party (8) OCCASION {CAS} in {{NO}{I}+CO}<
2   Am old to get engaged (6) AMUSED {AM}{USED}
3   Railing broken by old pig (4) BOAR {B{O}AR}
4   Viral image of two setters (4) MEME {ME}{ME}
5   Strength of Indian involved in peace (10) RESELIENCE {RE}{SIL{I}ENCE}
6   Status of tigers perhaps captured in upcoming record (8) PRESTIGE {TIGERS* in EP<}
7   Consumer court protecting legal right (6) CLIENT {C{LIEN}T}
10 Entertain director at institute heading second sermon (8) DISTRACT {D}{I}{S}{TRACT}
14 Lizards spoiling clean homes? (10) CHAMELEONS*

15 Rued crushing tender pimple at the edges (8) REPENTED {PimplE} in {TENDER*}
18 Cell organ, rare that is covering chest (8) RIBOSOME {R}{I{BOSOM}E}

20 Lieutenant guarded by out and out special securities (8) SHELTERS {SHE{LT}ER}{S}
21 Stylish diva starting to check entry, frantically (6) TRENDY {Diva} in {ENTRY*}
23 Pictures of international games developed (6) IMAGES {I}{GAMES*}
25 Track down boy taking fellow to force (4) BIND {{+B-f}IND}
26 Stay// in// castle (4) KEEP {DD}

REFERENCE LIST

Note=F, Bar=T, Ego=I, One=I, Time=T, Conservative=C, Right=R, Minister=Min, (Chartered) Accountant=CA, Old=O, Of=Re, Setter=Me, Indian=I, Record=EP, Court=Ct, Director=D, Institute=I, Second=S, Rare=R, That is=i.e., Lieutenant=Lt, International=I, Boy=B, Fellow=F.

No 14347, Wednesday 04 Dec 2024, Saral

Solution to 7D 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

7   Arab gentleman drunk with this stylish barman (7) ELEGANT [CA] {ELEGANT+BARMAN}*={ARAB GENTLEMAN}

8   Preparing soy with bits of tuna, eel, roe for seafood (6) OYSTER {SOY}*{Tuna}{Eel}{Roe}

9   Shake and stumble missing hard whiskey earlier (6) WOBBLE {hOBBLE}{<=>{W}

10 Control from meditation perhaps without ego (8) DOMINATE MEDitATION* Ego/It?

11 Workers leave before end of shift in branch (10) DEPARTMENT {MEN}<=>{DEPART} and {s..fT}

13 Alert secret agent nabbing leader of rioters (4) SPRY {SP{Ri...s}Y}

14 Real term used often (4) TRUE {TeRm+UsEd}

16 Heard a groan in inlet (5) CREEK (~creak)

18 Starts to purchase one roro ticket in harbour (4) PORT Acrostic

19 Flightless birds found in the museum (4) EMUS [T]

21 New suitor's ad is ultimately terrible (10) DISASTROUS {SUITORS+AD}*{iS}

23 Channel finally covering European game (8) LACROSSE {c...eL}{ACROSS}{E}

25 Every now and then groups stalked stock taker (6) RUSTLE {gRoUpS+sTaLkEd} Answer should be Rustler

26 Permanent shelter for horses (6) STABLE [DD]

27 Conspicuous way to restrain a legal right (7) SALIENT {S{A}{LIEN}T}

DOWN

1   Mixing a veg with brie for waffle (8) VERBIAGE {A+VEG+BRIE}*

2   Grand master with international club, hugging ace kid (8) MAJESTIC {MA}{I}{C} over {JEST} (Correction - {M}{I}{C} over {A}{JEST} - See comments)

3   Dust around knob (4) STUD*

4   Presentation of mostly standard model (6) FORMAT {FORMAl}{T}

5   Like an article on originally, simple yoga postures (6) ASANAS {AS}{AN}{A}{Si...e}

6   Curt reel created for academic (8) LECTURER*

7   Gradually destroy bar in eastern Spain (5) E?O?E (Addendum - ERODE {E}{ROD}{E} - See comments)

12 We're ordering small pitchers (5) EWERS {WERE}*{S}

15 Hangovers of disheartened men with tears sadly gulping last drop of gin (8) REMNANTS {MeN+TEARS}* over {giN}

17 Falcons, beautiful, rising up circling half of street (8) KESTRELS {SLEEK<=} over {STReet}

18 Indian lady with daughter following agent from south collapsed (8) PERISHED {I}{SHE}{D}<=>{REP<=}

20 Writer cries out holding book (6) SCRIBE {SCRI{B}E*}

21 Exclude some Hindi spelling (6) DISPEL [T]

22 Dark underpass near lodge is terrifying for starters (5) UNLIT Acrostic

24 Deftness in arranging saree right away (4) EASE SArEE*

Reference List

Hard = H, Whiskey = W, European = E, Master  = M, Ace = A, International = I, Club = C, Model = T, Eastern = E, Spain = E, Small = S, Indian = I, Daughter = D, Book = B, Right = R

No 14321, Monday 04 Nov 2024, Saral

Solution to 5D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   A second pressure check for paving material (7) ASPHALT {A}{S}{P}{HALT}

5   Show mostly unadulterated wine (7) PURPORT {PURe}{PORT}

9   Basalt, ice pieces in inland water body (6,3) BALTIC SEA*

10 Drink companies starting to advertise (5) COCOA {CO}{CO}{Ad...e}

11 Old lady hiding a mark in cosmetic (7) MASCARA {M{A}{SCAR}A}

12 Islander left large cooked fish (7) SARDINE ISlANDER*

13 Stunned, speechless nationalist trumping democrat (4) NUMB (-d+n)NUMB

14 Calculated fresh rebate with leading eatery (10) DELIBERATE {REBATE*}<=>{DELI}

17 No longer worker is following course. Outrageous (10) EXORBITANT {EX}{ORBIT}{ANT}

18 Nearly obstruct alliance (4) BLOC BLOCk

21 Bomb threat close to the auditorium (7) THEATRE {THREAT*}{thE}

23 Drink after drink for all in country house (7) CHATEAU {CHA}{TEA}{U}

24 Displaying derelict artefact (5) RELIC [T] 

25 As per Spooner gang hits guides (9) HANDBOOKS (~band hooks to handbooks)

26 Scour dregs covering silver knives (7) DAGGERS {D{AG}GERS*}

27 Later learnt about epics basically, that's limitless (7) ETERNAL {LEARNT*}<=>{Epics}

DOWN

1   Protein clumps essentially in lab is mixed (7) ALBUMIN {clUMps+IN+LAB}*

2   What kabaddi players do to win? A trick! (4,7'1,3) PULL SOMEONE'S LEG [DD]

3   A picture on don is at the top spot (6) APICAL {A}{PIC}{AL}

4   Witness trial on primarily accused chaps with model (9) TESTAMENT {TEST}{Ac...d}{MEN}{T}

5   Picked up victims' petitions (5) P?A?S (Addendum PRAYS (~preys) - See comments)

6   Concerning group holding chart initially for archivist (8) RECORDER {RE}{Ch..t}{ORDER}

7   Only playing No.One album? Nice! Very rarely (4,2,1,4,4) ONCE IN A BLUE MOON {O}{NO+ONE+ALBUM+NICE}*

8   Net facility reportedly for swinger's equipment (7) TRAPEZE {TRAP}{(~ease)EZE}

15 Honesty of local, church accepted once, maybe (9) INNOCENCE {INN}{ONCE*}{CE}

16 Boy locates special bar (8) OBSTACLE {B+LOCATES}*

17 Submitted new tender after beginning of e-auction (7) ENTERED {TENDER}<=>{Ea...n}

19 So uncle making suggestion? (7) COUNSEL*

20 Short religious leader followed by the French crowd (6) RABBLE {RABBi}{LE}

22 Attitude of perhaps the boss rejecting outsiders (5) ETHOS {THE*}{bOSs}

Reference List

Second = S, Pressure = P, Company = CO, Large = L, Nationalist = N< Democrat = D, For all = U, Don = AL(Capone), Model = T, Concerning = RE, Only = O, Church = CE, Boy = B, The in French = LE

No 14294, Tuesday 01 Oct 2024, 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

7   Insects biting national university records (7) MINUTES {MI{N}{U}TES}

8   Motivate physical training including sport (6) PROPMT {P{ROMP}T}

9   See rot spreading in a type of system (6) STEREO*

10 Space travel perplexing and all the rage before (8) INTERVAL {TRAVEL}*<=>{IN}

11 Safeguard damaged nerve point (10) PREVENTION*

13 Remove hut (4) SHED [DD]

14 Mark replaced by director in film shoot (4) ?C?D (Addendum - SCUD SCU(-m+d)D - See comments)

16 Regularly pick your cocoa plant (5) YUCCA {YoUr+CoCoA}

18 Returning goods, mostly beds (4) COTS STOCk<=

19 Spoke against wager (4) ANTE (~anti)

21 Can add crushed anise on dressing (10) MAYONNAISE {MAY}{ANISE+ON}*

23 Ignored source of smoke burning (8) SLIGHTED {Sm..e}{LIGHTED}

25 Mainly cultivating dry fruit (6) RAISIN RAISINg

26 Originally Ramayana scene broadcast in show (6) SCREEN {Ra...a+SCENE}*

27 Men guarding the Spanish places of worship (7) CHAPELS {CHAP{EL}S}

DOWN

1   Often teens with democrat supporting grand party is impressed (8) ENGRAVED {tEeNs}{D} over {G}{RAVE}

2   Lawyer at competition not classy (8) ATTORNEY {AT}{TOuRNEY}

3   Bottled fantastic wine (4) ASTI [T]

4   Exact place with old name (4-2) SPOT-ON {SPOT}{O}{N}

5   Caught rare boas, slithering snakes (6) COBRAS {C}{R+BOAS}*

6   Open rift against angry papa (8) APPARENT {RENT}<=>{PAPA*}

7   Mother in Spain boarding tram, perhaps (5) MATER {MAT{E}R*}

12 Impatient child breaking one case of toy (5) ITCHY {1}{To{CH}Y}

15 Struggle of cheat to move quickly, smuggling cocaine (8) CONFLICT {CON}{FLI{C}T}

17 Curious criminal chasing drunk baron with maiden (8) ABNORMAL {AL}<=>{BARON+M}*

18 Harry at first learning certain musical instrument (8) CLARINET {Le...g+CERTAIN}*

20 Oriental gales startled birds (6) EAGLES {E}{GALES*}

21 Freakish worker following short dog (6) MUTANT {ANT}<=>{MUTt}

22Some risk in scraping hides (5) SKINS [T]

24 Decorate floor of ship (4) DECK [DD]

Reference List

National = N,  University = U, Physical Training = PT, Mark = M, The in Spanish = EL, Democrat = D, Grand = G, Party = RAVE, Classy = U, Old = O, Name = N, Caught = C, Rare = R, Spain = E, Child = CH, Cocaine = C, Criminal = AL(Capone), Maiden = M, Oriental = E

No 14265, Wednesday 28 Aug 2024, Saral

Solution to 21D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

7   Refuse to assume position? That's stupidity (7) DENSITY {DEN{SIT}Y}

8   Staff bringing back grain for animal (6) RABBIT {BAR<=}{BIT}

9   Abandon wasteland (6) DESERT [DD]

10 Record by one medic about plague, say (8) EPIDEMIC {EP}{1}{MEDIC*}

11 Loyalty, for example in partnership (10) ALLEGIANCE {ALL{EG}IANCE}

13 Carry short tribal emblem (4) TOTE TOTEm

14 From the beginning jokingly express sarcastic thoughts (4) JEST Acrostic Semi&lit

16 Times carrying insignificant post on social media (5) TWEET {T}{WEE}{T}

18 Browse online - mostly accurate and fine (4) SURF {SURe}{F}

19 Opening of competition without introduction (4) VENT eVENT

21 Shout following others against a union eatery (10) RESTAURANT {RANT}<=>{REST}{A}{U}

23 Engineer searches estates (8) BEQUESTS {BE}{QUESTS}

25 Guards covering royal courses (6) TRENDS {T{R}ENDS}

26 Zambians initially playing their instrument (6) ZITHER {Za...s}{THEIR*}

27 Government official in predicament over operations primarily (7) CORONER {COR{Op...s}NER}

DOWN

1   It's shocking. Corrupt enticed, trapped nationalist (8) INDECENT {I{N}DECENT*}

2   Firm headed by Indian director is coming up in region (8) DISTRICT {STRICT}<=>{{I}{D}<=

3   Often they opted for publicity (4) HYPE {tHeY+oPtEd}

4   Aspire crazily for compliment (6) PRAISE*

5   Missing dancing beats, tunes essentially (6) ABSENT {BEATS+tuNes}*

6   Disturbing letters from assassin is terrifying (8) SINISTER [T]

7   Settle daughter properly (5) DWELL {D}{WELL}

12 State presses demands (5) NEEDS (~kneads)

15 Critical examination of six geese is arranged (8) EXEGESIS*

17 Miscreants' property and gold seized at first (8) TRAITORS {TRAIT}{OR}{Se...d}

18 Doctors and force aboard ship (8) SURGEONS {S{URGE ON}S}

20 Tap with epee's tip to acknowledge hit in fencing (6) TOUCHE {TOUCH}{Epee} &lit

21 Saint taking time for turning prayer beads (6) R?S?R? (Addendum - ROSARY RO(-t+s)SARY - See comments)

22 Notice institute checking near the bottom (5) NADIR {N{AD}{I}R}

24 Take out a piece of nut from refreshment bag (4) SACK SnACK

Reference List

Record = EP(Extended Play), Time = T, Fine = F, Union = U, Engineer = BE, Royal = R, Nationalist = N, Indian = I, Director = D, Daughter = D, Ship =SS, Notice = AD, Institute = I, Saint = S, Near = NR