NewsTracker Answers for week of Feb. 03, 2020

Q: The United Kingdom (UK) officially left the European Union (EU) last Friday in Brexit (a word blending “Britain” and “exit”). But, Britain remains subject to EU laws and part of the EU customs union and European Single Market until it works out a final deal with the remaining 27 nations of the EU. Where is the UK?

Circle the area on this map

Q: The UK and EU have set a deadline of Dec. 31 to reach a final separation agreement. One area of potential disagreement is the British border with which nation?

A. France

B. Ireland

C. Norway

D. Spain

B. Maintaining an open border with free travel between the Republic of Ireland and the UK was a key part of a 1998 agreement to end years of sectarian violence in the UK country of Northern Ireland. With the UK leaving the EU and Ireland remaining a member, some worry the open border may be threatened in spite of promises to avoid any barriers.

Q: In a 2016 referendum, 52 percent of the entire UK electorate voted for Brexit. But, a majority of voters in some regions or countries of the UK wanted to remain. Which of the UK countries voted against independence in 2014?

A. England

B. Northern Ireland

C. Scotland

D. Wales

C. Majorities in both Scotland and Northern Ireland voted against Brexit while England and Wales voted for it. After the Brexit election, Scotland’s parliament voted to hold another independence referendum. If Northern Ireland is allowed to remain in the EU customs union under the final agreement, Scotland is expected to seek the same treatment.

Q: After World War II, six European nations set up a customs union, hoping that increasing trade would help avoid future conflicts on the continent. Which of these nations was NOT part of that common market the evolved into the EU?

A. Belgium

B. France

C. Italy

D. UK

D. Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany formed the European Economic Community in 1958. In 1973, Denmark, Ireland and the UK became the first nations to join the original six.

Q: The EU now is a political union with a single market, common citizenship, a parliament and system of laws. It has government bodies in several nations and no official capital. But, the “de facto” capital of Brussels is in which country?

A. Belgium

B. France

C. Germany

D. Italy

A. Brexit supporters often complained that decisions made in Brussels, Belgium, harmed British businesses and immigration. Besides the top EU operations, Brussels hosts the NATO military alliance which includes Canada, US, UK and most members of the EU.