NEWS 1

ballot

A system or method of voting, especially one in which people mark their choice secretly; also, a paper or form used to cast a vote

premature

Happening or done before the appropriate time, especially before enough evidence is available

eligible

Meeting the conditions required to participate in or receive something

comply with

To act according to a rule, law, or requirement

procure

To obtain something, especially through deliberate effort or a formal process

slew

A large number or quantity of something, especially within a short period

wrath

Extreme anger, especially one expressed as a reaction to something

blindside

To surprise someone with something unexpected and usually unpleasant

crackdown

A strong or severe effort to stop illegal or undesirable activity

tariff

A tax imposed on goods imported into a country

retaliatory

Intended to harm or punish someone in response to an action they have taken

levy

To impose and collect a tax, fee, or charge

escalation

An increase in the seriousness, intensity, or scale of something

tit-for-tat

An action taken in retaliation for a similar action by another party

disrupt

To interrupt the normal operation or progress of something

structural deficit

A persistent deficit resulting from fundamental weaknesses in a system rather than temporary circumstances

pension obligation

A financial responsibility to provide pension benefits

trigger

To cause an event, reaction, or situation to happen

downgrade

To reduce an assessment, rating, or estimate of something's quality, value, or creditworthiness

bridge the gap

To provide what is needed to eliminate a shortage or difference between two amounts or situations

deficit

The amount by which expenditure exceeds income or available resources

obligation

A duty or responsibility, especially one imposed by law, contract, or circumstances

political disorder

A state of political instability, confusion, or lack of effective organization

sanction

An official penalty imposed to influence behavior; also, in another sense, official approval

isolate

To separate something or prevent it from interacting with others

impose

To officially introduce or force a rule, tax, restriction, or obligation

restriction

An official limit or rule that controls what can be done

unchanged

Remaining at the same level or in the same condition