Across
Dance held by retired secretary-general (6)
Sphere of influence restricted by very large sweetener (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
ORBIT (sphere of influence) inside SO (=very), L.
Youngsters oddly shunned nudist clubs? (5,4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
MINORS are youngsters, U I T alternate letter of NUDIST, clubs are a minor suit as in bridge (along with diamonds).
Staff behind alpha male in capital (5)
Misgivings of backer should start to subside after Thursday (6,8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
SECOND (=backer), TH[ursday], OUGHT (should), S[ubside].
Squiffy setter's besetting sin (5)
Cocktail of beer (without head), gin and mixer (9)
Stole hat to hide wig (9)
Recalled case of patchy crop growth (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
All reversed (recalled); P[atch]Y, LOP = crop.
A US scientist of shockingly sham quality (14)
Notice sailors on front of orlop deck (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
AD (notice) O (front of orlop) RN (sailors).
Dinky car, a true original (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
MINI (car), (A TRUE)*.
Swapping leaders, get criminal boss (3,5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
DIG BADDY would mean “get criminal”.
Cactus in grave you could pick up? (6)
Down
My male ego's challenged in a playful way (10)
King of Carthage ignoring power of mysterious symbols (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
R for king, [P]UNIC, as the Punic people were “of Carthage”.
They heartlessly oversaw state repression (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
T[he])Y, RAN, NY (state).
Unfashionable coiffure and cap (5)
Asian pop artist overcome by narcotic (7)
Note in verse dismissing Conservative sporting event (4,5)
Last of several tattoos for couple (4)
Coach ticket leads to unexpected trouble and strain (4,1,3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
BUS (coach), TAG (ticket) U T (initial letters of unexpected trouble).
Go to welcome new court officials and clerks (10)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
PEP (“go”) with N for new inserted, then USHERS are court officials.
Manages toupee-clad bachelor hairdresser? (4,5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
RUG (toupée) has B (bachelor) SALON inserted. Than being a hairdresser establishment.
Inept don messed up conclusion (8)
Go off on sabbath leaving clothes round building (7)
Old man's wise way (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
PA’S (old man’s) SAGE = wise.
Swollen belly regularly expelled wind (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
TUM (belly), [w]I [n] D.
English lord in court, close to fire escape (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
E[nglish], LUD as in M’Lud in court, E the end of fire.
Wedge book upright (4)
Type letters or click words in the clue