The Hindu Editorial (Return to troubles) – Jul 24, 2021

The British government’s demand to renegotiate parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol of the Brexit agreement with the EU has set the stage for another round of clashes between London and Brussels. For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-2 for The Hindu Editorial (Return to troubles) – Jul 24, 2021.

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The Hindu Editorial (Return to troubles) – Jul 24, 2021:

trouble (noun) – disturbance, disorder, fighting, scuffling, conflict; problem, misfortune, difficulty, issue.
the Troubles (noun) – a term used to describe a period of conflict in Northern Ireland that lasted about 3 decades, from the late 1960s until the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. However the origins of the Troubles can be traced back hundreds of years-beginning as early as the 17th century.
Brexit (noun) – a term used for the (supposed) departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
Good Friday Accord/Agreement (noun) – Belfast Agreement; This agreement (signed on 10 April 1998) helped to bring to an end a period of conflict in the region called the Troubles (of Northern Ireland as part of the UK, and the Republic of Ireland as a separate country).
compromise (noun) – undermine, weaken, be detrimental to, damage.
Irish backstop/Northern Ireland protocol (noun) – During withdrawal negotiations the EU and UK agreed a Northern Ireland Protocol that there would be no new checks on goods crossing the border between Northern Ireland (NI) (which is part of the United Kingdom) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI) which remains part of the EU. Both sides agreed that protecting the 1998 Good Friday Agreement was a priority. This meant keeping the land border open, and instead created a trade border along the Irish Sea instead. As a result of the protocol, NI has in effect remained in the EU’s single market for goods (England, Scotland and Wales have left the EU’s single market for goods).
set the stage for (phrase) – prepare the circumstances for the beginning of something.
clash (noun) – confrontation, skirmish, encounter, engagement.
Brussels (noun) – The headquarters of the European Union. Brussels is a metonym of the European Union.
come into force (phrase) – come into effect, become operative, be effective (a new law, rule, change, etc.).
protocol (noun) – agreement, treaty, pact, compact.
barrier (noun) – barricade, blockade; obstacle, stumbling block, impediment, hindrance.
hamper (verb) – hinder, obstruct, impede.
set up (phrasal verb) – create, start, begin, initiate, institute.
check (noun) – checkpoint, check post.
in order to (phrase) – with the purpose/aim of.
repercussion (noun) – consequence, result, effect, outcome.
nationalist (noun) – loyalist, lover of one’s country.
unification (noun) – merger, union.
in favour of (phrase) – in support of, to the advantage of, approve of.
Unionist (noun) – a member of a Northern Ireland political party, who is in support of the unification of Northern Ireland with Great Britain.
ally (noun) – supporter, advocate, champion.
conservative (adjective) – Relating to the Conservative Party, byname Tories, in the UK.
seek (verb) – try, aim, attempt.
the way out (noun) – a method of dealing with a problem; solution.
enforce (verb) – force, compel, demand, insist on.
regulatory (adjective) – managerial, controlling, supervisory.
province (noun) – territory, region, state (of a country).
comply with (verb) – abide by, adhere to, conform to, follow.
clause (noun) – section, requirement, condition, provision.
thorny (adjective) – problematic, tricky, delicate, controversial.
given (preposition) – considering, taking into account, bearing in mind.
integration (noun) – unification, consolidation, inclusion.
soft border (noun) – a border between two countries where people and goods are allowed to pass through with few checks.
(be) caught in (verb) – suddenly find oneself in (an unfortunate/bad situation).
thanks to (phrase) – as a result of, owing to, due to, because of.
consequence (noun) – outcome, ramification, repercussion.
in the event of something (phrase) – if something happens.
Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol (noun) – In the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, Article 16 contains provisions enabling either party (the EU or UK) to take unilateral action if the implementation of the agreement/protocol causes “economic, societal or environmental difficulties”.
back to/at square one (phrase) – to go back to the beginning (after making no progress); to start all over again; start over.