Across
Country song about surrounding country (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
AIR (song) reversed [about] containing [surrounding] OMAN (country)
After reflection, get a repository to store work (7)
Women's interests unfortunately blocked by male in parliament (11)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
W (women), then anagram [unfortunately] of INTERESTS containing [blocked by] M (male). In news and current affairs reports Westminster and parliament are often interchangeable.
Put away jumper having removed two coats (3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
{sw}EAT{er} (jumper) [having removed two coats]. A nice variation on the standard ‘top-and-tail’ device.
Singer breaks rules (6)
Regularly targeted by FA, Roberto Mancini originally managed Forest (4,4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
T{a}R{g}E{t}E{d} [regularly], FA, R{oberto} + M{ancini} [originally]. ‘Managed’ in the definition is adjectival. The surface relies on references to football, a subject on which I know very little, but for those in a similar position: FA = Football Association, Roberto Mancini is an Italian former player turned manager, and Forest = Nottingham Forest Football Club. Mancini never managed Forest but did run Manchester City FC for a while.
Tense optimist's view? (6,7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
A cryptic hint supports the literal
What fraud investigators aim to do for proceedings in court (6,7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Ditto, but this time the cryptic element is stronger
African natives fight unruly Goths (8)
Draw lots, briefly, to follow leader in Denmark (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
D{enmark} [leader in…], OODLE{s} (lots) [briefly]
Charm bird removing clothing (3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
{r}OBI{n} (bird) [removing clothing]. Nothing to do with the sash worn with a Japanese kimono, but an alternative spelling of ‘obeah’, a charm or amulet used in a kind of witchcraft that originated in Africa and is practised by some people in the Caribbean. A traditional ‘top-and-tail’ clue this time.
Lad snooping around toxic chemical storage facility (6,5)
Soon, entrepreneur on vacation will meet presidential adviser, once head of government (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
E{ntrepreneu}R [on vacation], ELON (presidential adviser, once – Musk), G{overnment} [head of…]. Our second living person today.
He puts people out with article on kinky sex (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
S AND M (kinky sex}, AN (indefinite article). In Germanic and Scandinavian folklore the Sandman brings sleep and dreams by sprinkling sand or dust in people’s eyes. I heard him mentioned in American songs in my childhood, so the legends must have travelled.
Down
More sensitive, overturned Duke's compensation (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
RAW-ER (more sensitive) reversed [overturned], D (duke)
Mother supported by arthritic dog (7)
Suggests friendless Billy drinks at home (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
NO MATES (friendless Billy) contains [drinks] IN (at home). ‘Billy no mates’ is British slang for a person with no friends. There’s no Billy as such; it’s just a generic name.
Outbreak in London borough announced locally (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Aural wordplay [announced locally]: “{H}ackney” (London Borough). Hackney is in East London where they drop their haitches don’t-yer-know, and ‘locally’ indicates that’s what’s going on here. As some of you may be eating breakfast I won’t expand on how acne = outbreak.
Go faster than stalling bikers when half-cut in far-off place (5,5)
Centre of Great Lake is scary (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
{gr}E{at} [centre of…], ERIE (lake)
Wonderful gallery is overhead (7)
Judge ties up partner (8)
Discontinuing accomplished mischief-making? (10)
Republican drops in on President for collection of pipes? (4,5)
In general, answer was recalled with difficulty (2,1,5)
Universal acclaim for lift (7)
Weapon is flipping expensive on 5th of November (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
IS reversed [flipping], DEAR (expensive), {Nove}M{ber} [5th of…]
Lean on body part (6)
Large animal in river (5)
Manager is stud (4)
Type letters or click words in the clue