14a) STAGNATE = decline half of country = NAT(ion) present = STAGE, as in e.g. to put on a show STAG nat E 4d) LAUREATE = i'm honoured a river = A URE - ure being just one example of a river new = LATE (but not 100% happy with this) L a ure ATE
Many thanks, Boxtops, for the explanation of the use this obscure, idiosyncratic, arcane, but sometimes helpful website ! I have struggled for years. Sometimes, I think it's more opaque than the puzzles.