Genius Crossword N0. 244

[Matakari]

Seems stimulating! Seeking hints to crack this jig-saw attraction! Thanks in advance!

  1  Celibacy is a breeze primarily, then it's awfully concerning (10) ABSTINENCE
  4  Cold air conditioning annoys local political bosses abroad (8)
   15 Unusually, I'm racing first of heats in lake (8)
   5  County bridge opponents send rude message (5)  ESSEX
   6  Absolutely nothing about sailors being obsessive (9)
   14 We're told Harry's wife damages a lot of cycles (9)
   20 Shrewd, heartless staff officer has authority (3-2 ) SAY-SO
 8   If I jump on rides regularly, I could see them in Norway (6)
19 Devil worshipper butchered Stan at six (8)   SATANIST
16 Groom's outside church with soprano diva (8)
 24 Mr Bolt being pursued by flipping dog becomes exhausting (5,2)  USING UP

[Neveracrossword]

13 The LibDems aren't on the right...

[Matakari]

Good evening, I did not receive a feedback from you for these three:

23 Explosive fervour about artificial intelligence corrupting (8)
12 Jackie wisely eating fruit (5) 
25 Spirited women brought back 14 – Jen's chasing (6)

And what is the meaning of this response to 13? The LibDems aren't on the right...
( -13 Abandoned hope, like the Lib Dem? (7))
Are we dealing with an anagram?

Could you supply answers or hints for the following? As I will be travelling on Sunday, I would much appreciate having all the answers before I attempt to fill the grid while waiting at the airport or even on the plane.

2 Stir drink noisily (6)   
9 Harm arising from wrongdoing? They weigh up the evidence (6)
17 Drink as being off (5)
18 Queen presided over QI (4)

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, sorry your struggles are continuing, I was picturing you happily slotting the answers into the grid!

I'm sorry too that the hint for 13 was ... of no use. Not on the right = Left (abandoned)+ (w)Ish, hope.  

18 Rani, queen

 

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, the reasoning for Jackie was given to you earlier (by Bobbinwales, I think)  .  JacKI(e)WISely, fruit.

[Matakari]

Good morning, I am not happily slotting the answers into the grid as yet! Answers to the following should help me to enjoy this part of the game. Thanks in advance!

2     Stir drink noisily (6)   
9     Harm arising from wrongdoing? They weigh up the evidence (6)
17    Drink as being off (5)
23    Explosive fervour about artificial intelligence corrupting (8)

[bobbinwales]

Stir drink noisily...could be whisky if there's special instruction. I think stir might refer to prison sentence though

[bobbinwales]

Noisily usually means 'sounds like so maybe answer sounds like a drink and means 'stir'

[bobbinwales]

Induce sounds like in juice???

[bobbinwales]

Shame its not 5 as it could be tease

[roslyn251254]

arouse (Carouse is to drink noisily) C is extra

injury (Sin jury) S is extra

23 TAINTING   tnt is the explosive Zing is the fervour (Z is extra)

17 quaff ( qua + off) O is extra

[bobbinwales]

Ta. So there's special instructions.i lost track as this crossword has gone on so long ... I thought it was finished...

[bobbinwales]

Could 9 be juries.... sounds like duress?  

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, I hope my Leftish and Rani helped and I hope the Kiwis reminder prompted an 'Aha' moment from you? Those and Roslyn's answers must mean there's very little left now.

[Matakari]

Thanks for the hints for 4, 16 and 26. I’ve been working through them, but to no avail. The brain seems to be overheating. This final request for answers to them would be appreciated, from which I could work backwards, and also complete the enticing jigsaw!
4     Cold air conditioning annoys local political bosses abroad (8)
16   Groom's outside church with soprano diva (8 )
26   Slug turned to clumsily grope entertaining toy (6) 

[Neveracrossword]

4 Caciques

16 Princess

26 Wallop

I hope you enjoy finishing this off now. I think you prefer doing jigsaws to solving!

[JJ109]

4 C AC (P)iques = Caciques ( is surplus)

16 Princess (diva) = Prin(k)s around CE(church) + S(oprano) ----K is surplus

26 Wallop (slug) = (d)oll inside "paw" all reversed

Surplus letter D

[Matakari]

Many thanks, all! I thoroughly enjoyed the jigsaw aspect of the puzzle. I'm now reexamining the hints and the answers for my own edification.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari - I thought you were planning to save the jigsaw for tomorrow? I hope you do gain something from looking at t all he hints and answers. I feel we can't really do any more to help you with missing or superfluous letters! 

[Matakari]

Thanks for your unstinting efforts and boundless patience, NACW! I keep learning from you all the time. Don't be surprised if you do not see me for a while as I leave the South of France for Dartford and the a few days later on to the Tropics where I have to transact some business. Hope I'll find time to follow the Spectator, at least until the beginning of the New Year 2024! Cheers!

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari. I find your crossword abilities baffling at times! You often rattle through Doc, you get on fine with Mr Magoo, one of the toughest setters - and then you trip yourself up in some of the easier puzzles. (I think you are often expecting the answer to be tougher than it is!) Anyway...I hope you have a great and successful trip and I hope too that you get to see  a few other puzzles while you're away. Bon voyage et au revoir.