Current Affairs by Hedge-sparrow

Crossing entries clash in four cells. The retained letters (giving real words across and down), in normal reading order, indicate the theme, giving directions for completing the unclued entries. In the filled grid, solvers must highlight four more symmetrically-placed thematic examples (28 cells in total).

Across
1 English gentleman turns up (4)
6 Unclued (6)
11 Stone implements chanced upon in Oxford, perhaps, heading west (7)
12 Temples where the Muses dwelt, largely destroyed (4)
13 Wrote animatedly, making a couple of points? (5)
14 Musée, not the first to include English artist’s work (6)
15 Repellent American breaking sailor’s bones (6)
17 University rower going around deposit at edge of lake (4)
18 Open prison, we hear, is child’s play (6)
20 Gull tucking into fish and N. Atlantic gulfweed (8)
21 Recreate lost item when programme’s broadcast (8, two words)
25 Potato pancakes, almost the hottest around Cambodia (6)
27 Edible tuber making a comeback in laboratory (4)
29 Very special purple fruit (6)
32 After opening of emporium, I flog out-of-date vinegar (6)
33 Heavy truck one mired in fen broke in the end (5)
34 Delay over start of Autumn fair (4)
35 American river – a river once more flowing from the east (7)
36 Unclued (6)
37 Affectionately greet a thousand saints crossing island (4)

Down
1 Unclued (6)
2 Palm oil at first infuses a little bit (4)
3 Jingle bells heartily ring, borne by mounted horses (6)
4 What Ian may clutch at before being beset by a lot of anxiety (6)
5 Discreet, graceful undergarments ultimately protect bust – they provide uplift (8)
7 Fast runner, entering marathon, ends up passing all but the leaders (4)
8 Sanctuary in bliss, the first earth having passed away (5)
9 Laugh about Rector and his converting of English city (7)
10 Almost emit tears under right lash (4)
15 Drink spirit in state capital (6)
16 Sing in jazz style with tenor and soprano making historic tributes (6)
18 Protein for thin layer of bone that’s reduced (8)
19 Record’s operatic song drowned by racket (7)
22 Beta test keeps referring to race (6)
23 Indian antelope, ailing badly (6)
24 Unclued (6)
26 Vehicle unit (5)
28 Shut up top-floor flat (4)
30 Bring up son of Miss Black (4)
31 Hedge-sparrow, for one, whispered hoarsely on the telephone (4)

Entries
To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th July 2025. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers.