Europe Videos & Europe News: Geography Videos // Current

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17 hours ago

I want money - Bankwatch action on EIB loans to companies registered in tax havens (CEE Bankwatch Ne

«I want money!» video presents the action held outside the European Council, in Brussels, during the 51st annual... more

alternativechanneltv
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Theatregoers pay to get locked inside a freight container

A 40ft freight container, the sort you see trundling around on the backs of lorries, will be plonked outside the Young Vic theatre... more

slagface
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Deception in the Animal World: Spider builds life-sized decoys

There is a species of spider that builds models of itself, which it uses as decoys to distract predators.

The spider may be the first example of an animal building a life-size replica of its own body.
So believe the scientists who made the discovery, which is published in the journal Animal Behaviour.

The arachnid's behaviour also offers one explanation for why many spiders like to decorate their webs with strange-looking ornaments.

Many animals try to divert the attentions of predators by becoming masters of disguise.

Some try to avoid being seen altogether by using camouflage to blend in against a background, such as the peppered moth evolving motley wings that blend into tree bark, or stick insects that look like sticks.

Others evolve more conspicuous ornaments designed to distract a predator, such as butterflies that grow large eyespots or lizards that quickly move colourful tails, which they detach from their bodies if grabbed.

This latter strategy has puzzled biologists, because attracting predators in the first place is usually a bad idea.

One hypothesis is that animals which grow conspicuous ornaments benefit overall, because directing a predator to attack an expendable part of the body, such as the lizard's tail, outweighs the costs of attracting the attention of the predator in the first place.
----------------more at the link

This reminds me of how you will see a police car on the edge of a town in the USA taking radar, only to discover that its really a billboard or mocked car and mannequin dressed as a police officer!

Or, the country that hints it has nukes and really doesn't-like what Saddam confessed to an FBI agent before being hanged (or is it 'hung'?). (he confessed his weapons of mass destruction was a ruse to make Iran think twice about attacking him)

So, survival in its fittest means you have to make yourself look bigger (blow fish, etc), or that you are not even there (lizards, etc). Maybe we can start a country that is invisible and not worry about someone coming in and taking our natural resources, or hating us because our lifestyle is different. or, our skin color is not the same. Or that their religion says that our land was really meant for someone else. We can remain anonymous and invisible and no one will bother us.There is a species of spider that builds models of itself, which it uses as decoys to distract predators. The spider may be the... more

WorldPeaceTV
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4 days ago

EXPOSED: Take a Tour of The Worlds Largest Prison with No Justice System

We are NOT the Story, Its Not Just Our 21 Kidnapped Passengers. Palestine, the world's largest openair prison- episode 5... more

WorldPeaceTV
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5 responses

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4 days ago

WI-FI System Brings Easier Surfing In Venice

The city of Venice has launched the most advanced, wi-fi internet system anywhere in Europe. The system has thousands of... more

Gregsalter
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2 responses

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7 days ago

Alleged Nazi war criminal cleared to stand trial

From BBC: "The alleged Nazi war criminal, John Demjanjuk, has been declared fit enough to stand trial in Germany. The... more

jcub
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9 days ago

The best of Tripfilms.com: Trip on a Deal Episode 27

http://www.triponadeal.com This week we the best, most shocking and most beautiful travel films on TripFilms.com. It's a... more

triponadeal
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9 days ago

Islam's Influence on Mathematics and Science

Exploring Islam's influence on Mathematics, and Science. Islam had a major influence on Europe. Documentary name:... more

Vierotchka
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11 days ago

First Europeans were cannibals

The remains of the "first Europeans" discovered at an archaeological site in northern Spain have revealed that these... more

karthikmns
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12 days ago

BBC Marijuana Hit Piece: “Should I Smoke Dope?” with Nicky Taylor

BBC News Reporter Nicky Taylor experiments with weed. Fun video to watch her adventures in Amsterdam trying joints, hash and edibles.

copperdragon
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1 response

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12 days ago

The History of Islam in Europe

In this 90-minute documentary, Rageh Omaar uncovers the hidden story of Europe's Islamic past and looks back to a golden age... more

Vierotchka
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37 responses

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20 days ago

Sigur Ros on Spinner's Interface

Sigur Ros, in the first live session of its kind for the band, joined us in The Interface studios. Supporting their newest album... more

blurintofocus
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12 responses

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18 days ago

Sarkozy says Muslim burqas are 'not welcome' in France

President Nicolas Sarkozy lashed out Monday at the practice of wearing the Muslim burqa, insisting the full-body religious gown is a sign of the "debasement" of women and that it won't be welcome in France.

The French leader expressed support for a recent call by dozens of legislators to create a parliamentary commission to study a small but growing trend of wearing the full-body garment in France.

In the first presidential address in 136 years to a joint session of France's two houses of parliament, Sarkozy laid out his support for a ban even before the panel has been approved - braving critics who fear the issue is a marginal one and could stigmatize Muslims in France.

"In our country, we cannot accept that women be prisoners behind a screen, cut off from all social life, deprived of all identity," Sarkozy said to extended applause in a speech at the Chateau of Versailles southwest of Paris.

"The burqa is not a religious sign, it's a sign of subservience, a sign of debasement - I want to say it solemnly," he said. "It will not be welcome on the territory of the French Republic."

In France, the terms "burqa" and "niqab" often are used interchangeably. The former refers to a full-body covering worn largely in Afghanistan with only a mesh screen over the eyes, whereas the latter is a full-body veil, often in black, with slits for the eyes.

Later Monday, Sarkozy was expected to host a state dinner with Sheik Hamad Bin Jassem Al Thani of Qatar. Many women in the Persian Gulf state wear Islamic head coverings in public - whether while shopping or driving cars.

France enacted a law in 2004 banning the Islamic headscarf and other conspicuous religious symbols from public schools, sparking fierce debate at home and abroad. France has Western Europe's largest Muslim population, an estimated 5 million people.

A government spokesman said Friday that it would seek to set up a parliamentary commission that could propose legislation aimed at barring Muslim women from wearing the head-to-toe gowns outside the home.

The issue is highly divisive even within the government. France's junior minister for human rights, Rama Yade, said she was open to a ban if it is aimed at protecting women forced to wear the burqa.

But Immigration Minister Eric Besson said a ban would only "create tensions."

A leading French Muslim group warned against studying the burqa.President Nicolas Sarkozy lashed out Monday at the practice of wearing the Muslim burqa, insisting the full-body religious gown is... more