News Clippings

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Solution

(with acknowledgements to Stephen Sondheim)

In this month's puzzle, the diagram is divided vertically and the two halves are identically patterned--a twinning perhaps suggestive of Nepal egg drop soup (1 Across). Answers to clues begin and end at the heavy bars. Each "News Clipping" clues two answers of equal length, one to be entered in the right side of the diagram and one in the left. The two clues appear side by side in the "News Clippings" without overlapping, but either the right-hand or the left-hand clue may come first. The parenthetical categories preceding the "News Clippings" are not part of the clues. Answers include four proper nouns (one a brand name). Remember that punctuation (including two irrelevant dollar signs here) may be used deceptively.

Across

  • 1.
    (See instructions) (12)
  • 7.
    (International news) ABSOLUTE TYRANT BANISHING BOMBAST FROM LAND; LOVE RETURNS; VICTORY IN EUROPE TO UNFOLD (6,6)
  • 8.
    (International news) REGIONS IN FAR EAST FUSS ABOUT ARTICLE THAT SUPPORTS UPRISING (5,5)
  • 9.
    (Exposé) OFFICE WORKER FOR Rolling Stone DRAWS ABOUT $1000 FROM N.Y. NEWSPAPER (5,5)
  • 10.
    (In boxing) HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP TAKES FIRST OF BEATINGS, IS MAKING EXCUSES: TAGS INCIPIENT TITLEHOLDER WITH ABUSES (6,6)
  • 12.
    (Science news) TRAPPED IN SWAMP, ENTOMBED WITH ATMOSPHERE INSIDE--DINOSAUR ALIVE (4,4)
  • 14.
    (From Washington) GOVERNMENT USES POOR TASTE--PROFANITY HAS SOCIETY BRIEFLY IN STITCHES (5,5)
  • 16.
    (Quote of the Day) "THOSE MORALLY OPPOSED TO WAR INDEED CONFRONT FALLEN PRIDES" (WEBSTER) (6,6)
  • 18.
    (Weather report) AIR QUIETLY CIRCLES EAST, STRIKES, STARTS TO BLAST AT TORNADO SPEEDS (4,4)
  • 20.
    (Foreign scandal) FROM ENGLAND THE Voice SAYS, "COMPOSER PEELS OFF CLOTHING. A SLIP" (6,6)
  • 21.
    (Domestic scandal) FUZZ SURROUNDING LIQUORED-UP PRESIDENT: FIRST LADY HAS A HANGOVER (4,4)
  • 22.
    (In soccer) LADY OF VIRTUE (WITH NURSES AS BACKS) DEFEATS CENTRAL CZECHOSLOVAKIANS BY FOUR POINTS (6,6)

Down

  • 1.
    (Science news) STATE AGENTS RECYCLE SOAP, GET DECONGESTANT: DOCTORS HAVE INJECTED ONE TO TREAT SKIN (7,7)
  • 2.
    (Book review) Ada VILE NOVEL, HAS MADE USE OF ROT, USES WANTON SEXUAL ARDOR (7,7)
  • 3.
    (International news) HEAD OF NEPAL, OR LEADER OF MOZAMBIQUE, TO SET STANDARD FOR TOP PALESTINIAN LEADER AT EASTER (4,4)
  • 4.
    (Travel tips) LAPLAND HAS SCHEME FOR HAPPINESS: SIGHTSEE IN JUNGLE ENVIRONS (4,4)
  • 5.
    (Advertisement) SAVE UP TO $1 ON SATURDAY WITH DODGES BLEACH, A TOILET CLEANER WITH LEADING EMULSIFIERS (8,8)
  • 6.
    (Theater review) MUSICAL STOPS, ACTRESS STUMBLES; ELECTRICITY GOES OUT; INSTRUMENTS IN MISERY, LISTENERS UPSET (5,5)
  • 11.
    (Book review) IN MOSS HART'S ABRIDGED AUTOBIOGRAPHY, Lovers at Heart, UNEMPLOYED WORKERS FIND PAINTING IS ANSWER (8,8)
  • 13.
    (Movie review) "TOSSED 'N' TURNED" SHOWS WITH "SON OF ZEUS"SUPER! WILD! GRIPPING! SEE ALL BUT THE END! (7,7)
  • 15.
    (From Washington) ABOUT 500 TAPES BOTCHED: EXPERTS FRANTICALLY RESORT TO MAKE LIST (6,6)
  • 16.
    (Foreign scandal) BABIES TORTUED BY FRENCH CLERGYMEN IN INCANTATION PERIOD (5,5)
  • 17.
    (Gossip) STAR ACTRESS DISCLOSES WEIGHT IN RETURN FOR SWIMMING POOL WITH ONE DISORDER (5,5)
  • 19.
    (Crime) A FEMALE RACKETEER (!) TO CONTINUE AS THUG (4,4)