''For other meanings of the terms "United Kingdom" and "UK”, see United Kingdom (disambiguation) and UK (disambiguation).

For an explanation of these and terms such as Great Britain, British, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, see British Isles (terminology).''

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (usually shortened to the United Kingdom, the UK and Britain) is a country Countries within a country, Number 10. Accessed May 29 2006 Member States: United Kingdom, UK Presidency of the EU 2005. Accessed May 29 2006. "United Kingdom", Encyclopædia Britannica Accessed May 29 2006 and sovereign stateUK or GB?, Directgov (UK government website); accessed May 29 2006 occupying Great Britain and the northeast of Ireland off the northwest coast of mainland Europe. Its territory and population are primarily situated on the island of Great Britain, but it also shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland on the island of Ireland. The United Kingdom is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and its ancillary bodies of water- the North Sea, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea, and the Irish Sea.

The United Kingdom is a political union made up of four constituent countries: England, Scotland, and Wales on the island of Great Britain, and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom also has several overseas territories, including Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands. The Crown has a relationship with the dependencies of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands; they are part of the British Islands but not part of the United Kingdom. A constitutional monarchy, the United Kingdom has close relationships with fifteen other Commonwealth Realms that share the same monarch — Queen Elizabeth II — as head of state.

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NPR Topics: Economy

In Minnesota, Two Dreams
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400
On the anniversary of Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech, we meet with two families — each striving for the American dream. Though they live just 10 miles apart, they face very different circumstances. One is well off, the other poor; one is black, one white. But they both value education and want a better life for their children.
U.S. Economy Beats Growth Expectations
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:37:00 -0400
The U.S. economy grew at a better than expected 3.3 percent rate in the second quarter, according to a report Thursday from the Commerce Department. But tax rebate checks and the weak dollar fueled the boost, and experts don't expect the healthy economic growth to last.
Bracing For A Second Wave Of Home Foreclosures
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:37:00 -0400
There is growing concern that the home foreclosure crisis may worsen next year as lenders are hit by a new category of loans that haven't caused much trouble. Bank analysts say they expect delinquency rates on so-called "option ARMs" to continue rising, and those loans could cause as much trouble as subprime loans did.

Auto news - CNNMoney.com

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Surprisingly, some fuel efficient vehicles aren't the most economical choices out there. Here are some that are.
GM unveils new compact car
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:40:48 -0400
Slated to enter the U.S. market for the 2011 model year, the Cruze could replace the Cobalt small car.

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