The European Parliament (EP) is one of the three key institutions of the European Union (EU), and the only EU institution whose members are directly elected. This report discusses the construction and history of the EP, its role in functions of the EU as well as internationally, various international supports and criticisms of the EP, and the EP's ties with the U.S. Congress.

According to the most recent National Threat Assessment, the global financial crisis and its geopolitical implications pose the primary near-term security concern of the United States. Over the short run, both the EU and the United States are attempting to resolve the financial crisis while stimulating domestic demand to stem the economic downturn. These efforts have born little progress so far as the economic recession and the financial crisis have become reinforcing events, causing EU governments to forge policy responses to both crises. This report discusses this situation in detail and also discusses individual efforts by both the U.S. and EU to combat the effects of the crisis.

This report examines some of Europe's critical energy security challenges and EU efforts to coordinate a common European energy strategy. It also includes an overview of broader transatlantic energy security cooperation and will be updated as needed.

This report discusses a new law, Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), that the European Union (EU) began to implement On June 1, 2007.

This report provides background information and analysis of the U.S.-EU economic relationship.

The alpha-contaminated solid waste generated in Belgium results from past activities in the fuel cycle (R & D +Reprocessing and MOX fabrication pilot plants) and present operation of BELGONUCLEAIRE's MOX fuel fabrication plant. After the main steps in the management of alpha-contaminated solid waste were established, BELGONUCLEAIRE, with the backing of BELGOPROCESS and ONDRAF/NIRAS, started the design and construction of the T & C and interim-storage facilities for this alpha waste. The accumulated solid alpha radwaste containing a mixture of combustible and non-combustible material will be sorted. After sorting, both the accumulated and recently-generated non-combustible alpha waste will be embedded in a cement matrix. The erection of the sorting and cementing units which include glove-boxes and the interim storage building for conditioned packages was completed at BELGOPROCESS, at the beginning of year 2002. Start-up operations for both facilities have been performed. Operating tests of the sorting and cementing units were completed in July 2002 and inactive operation campaigns were started in August 2002. The results of the tests and inactive campaigns are given. Overall testing of the storage building supervised by the Safety Authorities was successfully performed at the end of 202 after completion of the operating tests on the …

This report presents examples of tools and practices that promote workers' health and safety as well as environmental protection, public health, and corporate responsibility. Issues include climate change, hazardous materials,

Interview with attorney and Army Air Forces veteran Edward J. Drake. The interview includes Drake's personal experiences about being a B-17 pilot in the European Theater during World War II, youth and education in Dallas, Texas, enlistment in the Aviation Cadet Program, various training programs, bombing transportation facilities during and after the Ardennes Offensive, crash-landing in Belgium after his plane was hit, and linking up with American troops. Additionally, Drake talks about his assignment to the 91st Bomb Group, the routine for a typical mission, formation flying, flying through enemy flak, rest and relaxation on-base and in London, recuperating from a collapsed lung, his return to combat for three more missions, and his return to the crash site of his plane 57 years later. The interview includes an appendix with "The Last Flight of 'Jezebel,'" written by Drake.

Photograph of a busy restaurant with an outside seating area, an awning, and a red shutters on the windows . Other buildings with gothic architecture line the opposite side of the street while two people sit on a bench next to two posts in front of the restaurant.

Photograph of a group of children and adults standing outside the Grand Place in Belgium. The gothic and baroque architecture highlight the buildings features.

Photograph of the Brabo fountain located in the Grote Markt in Antwerp, Belgium, in front of the city hall building. The fountain depicts Silvius brabo standing on a pedestal of a mermaid and throwing a hand. The city hall building in the background has multiple flags, ornate sculptures, and detailing.

Photograph of the landscape viewed from a boat on the Waal river. The edge of the water is met with tan dirt that extends to the grassy terrain where trees and some buildings can be seen at the center of the image.

Photograph of the Hoorn Canals with boats sitting in the water in front of the row of buildings that line the entire edge of the canal. The side of a sail boat can be seen on the left side of the image. The sail boat is brown with a white trim and the ropes of the boat cut across he sky in the image.

Photograph of a small yellow boat moving through a gated section of the Hoorn Canal in Holland. Both sides of the canal are lined by dark brown buildings with white trim along the windows and the buildings are slightly obscured by trees. A larger boat sits at the left corner of the image with it's sails down and people stand on the sidewalk looking at the boats pass.

Photograph of a bridge that crosses over the Waal river in the Netherlands. Ships can be seen passing under the bridge while vehicles travel along the top of the bridge. Trees can be seen in the distance past the bridge.

Photograph of a woman riding a bike, while holding a child, through a busy street. A restaurant filled with people is behind he woman and groups of people walk along the street.

Photograph of a blue and red ship with detailed gold designs and the flag of the Netherlands on the front sitting by a dock.

Photograph of a row of brick houses taken from a boat. The houses are almost identical and sit on the edge of the water with vibrant green yards.

Photograph of a small lake behind a small town of houses. The lake is surrounded by tall grasses, wooden posts, and small docks.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Adrian Miller. Miller was born in Winamac, Indiana 16 November 1924 and graduated from high school in 1942. He entered the Army in March, 1944 and took his basic training at Ft. Blanding, Florida. He volunteered for the paratroopers at Fort Benning, Georgia and describes the six weeks of rigorous training, which included jumps. In November, he joined the 101st Army Airborne and was assigned to the 505th Parachute Infantry, Company H. Miller was sent to Bastogne and describes the conditions and the high casualty rate. After being relieved in January he went to Lorraine, France, then to Berchtesgaden, Germany where he met his brother. Miller was in Paris when Germany surrendered. On 15 December 1945, he returned to the United States on the Queen Mary. He was discharged January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Adrian Miller. Miller was born in Winamac, Indiana 16 November 1924 and graduated from high school in 1942. He entered the Army in March, 1944 and took his basic training at Ft. Blanding, Florida. He volunteered for the paratroopers at Fort Benning, Georgia and describes the six weeks of rigorous training, which included jumps. In November, he joined the 101st Army Airborne and was assigned to the 505th Parachute Infantry, Company H. Miller was sent to Bastogne and describes the conditions and the high casualty rate. After being relieved in January he went to Lorraine, France, then to Berchtesgaden, Germany where he met his brother. Miller was in Paris when Germany surrendered. On 15 December 1945, he returned to the United States on the Queen Mary. He was discharged January 1946.

Photograph of cars parked outside a building, while people walk among the cars. The building itself is has multiple arched windows and striped details at the bottom of it.

Photograph of the front half of a boat near a field filled with white and brown sheep. There is a fence like barrier between the water the boat sits in and the field and trees line the back of the field.

Photograph of a crowded street and sidewalk in Belgium lined with shops and trees. Groups of people stand outside the shops and walk along the sidewalk that is split by a bike rack with bikes leaning against it. The opposite side of the sidewalk has cyclists and lamp posts.