Romy News - 19 February 2024

Hey there! Welcome to a new episode of Romy’s News! I hope you had a great weekend and that you are feeling energized, because today, we have a super interesting program lined up! First off, we will talk about a great man who did a lot for justice and who recently passed away: Robert Badinter. Next, we’ll head off to discover what the United Kingdom is all about, and we’ll finish with a topic that will surprise you: praying mantises, those funny little creatures that look like aliens! So, are you ready for this adventure? Let’s go!

We kick off our episode by talking about a very special person who left us on February 9th, Robert Badinter. He was a very important man who worked very hard to help people and make the world a better place. He made headlines because he didn’t want people in France to be punished in the worst way possible, with the death penalty, which means taking someone’s life as punishment. Robert Badinter thought this was too cruel.

Robert Badinter was born a long time ago, in 1928. He loved studying and became very smart. He became a lawyer, which means a person who defends others in front of the law. He loved justice so much that he became a teacher to educate others on how to protect people and their rights. Starting from 1981, he even helped in creating laws in France, because he had become the Minister of Justice in the government of the then-president, François Mitterrand.

One of his great missions was to convince everyone that the death penalty was not a good idea. It was very difficult, but he succeeded in changing the law in 1981. This was a very important moment for France, and many people were very proud of him.

After a successful career, Robert Badinter passed away on February 9, 2024, at the age of 95. Since his passing, many people have expressed their gratitude for all he achieved. A public tribute was even paid to him by President Emmanuel Macron. He explained that he wanted to honor Robert Badinter by placing him in the Pantheon, a very special monument in Paris where remarkable individuals who have done incredible things for France are honored.

In the Pantheon, there are people like Marie Curie, who made astonishing discoveries in science, and Victor Hugo, who wrote wonderful stories that many people love to read. Being in the Pantheon is a bit like receiving the gold medal of heroes in French history. It’s a way of saying “thank you” and “we will never forget you” to these extraordinary individuals.

So, when we say that Robert Badinter will be in the Pantheon, it means that he is really a hero for fighting for justice and for helping so many people. It’s a very, very big honor.

Robert Badinter taught us that it is important to always fight for what is fair and good. Maybe you could thank him in your own way, by drawing or writing something about him?

After this portrait of Robert Badinter, it’s time for our question of the day: What is the United Kingdom? The United Kingdom is not just one country! It’s actually a family of four countries located on two main islands! There’s England, where you can find the Big Ben clock tower in London! Scotland, with its legends of monsters in Loch Ness! Wales, with its beautiful meadows! And finally, Northern Ireland, known for its breathtaking cliffs.

Thousands of years ago, peoples like the Celts, Romans, and even the Vikings left their mark on the islands of the United Kingdom. For example, did you know that the Romans built a huge wall in England to protect themselves from invaders? It’s called Hadrian’s Wall and you can still see it today! Over the centuries, these four countries, which were sometimes at war, decided to unite for historical, economic, and political reasons. This union, dating back to 1707, allowed them to become stronger together.

You probably know the flag of the United Kingdom called the Union Jack. This flag combines the symbols of England, Scotland, and Ireland to show their unity: a red cross on a white background for England; a diagonal white cross on a blue background for Scotland; and a diagonal red cross on a white background for Northern Ireland. Wales is not represented on the flag because it joined the others later.

The United Kingdom is also a place of traditions. As you may know, the United Kingdom is currently ruled by a king, Charles III. This is called a monarchy. Moreover, the national anthem of the United Kingdom is called “God Save the King,” which means: “may God protect the king.” The tradition of afternoon tea is deeply rooted, a time of day when everything stops for a tea break, often accompanied by delicious pastries. Did you know that in the United Kingdom, things are not measured as they are in France? British people use feet, inches, and pounds instead of meters and kilos!

In the United Kingdom, sports play an important role in the culture. Football is so ingrained in people’s lives that it is considered much more than just a game; it is a passion shared across the country. In addition to football, other sports like rugby and cricket are extremely popular.

Did you know that the United Kingdom is often called the land of castles? There are over 1500 of them! I have a great idea. What if you drew your own castle, with towers, drawbridges, and maybe even a dragon to guard it? And there you have it, now you know all about the United Kingdom!

And now, get ready to discover one of the most incredible insects on our planet for our animal topic of the day. We are heading on the trail of the praying mantis, often nicknamed the “tiger of the grass” due to its formidable hunting skills. This insect doesn’t go unnoticed with its spectacular hunting methods that fascinate and intrigue.

The praying mantis is an insect that goes all out. Imagine an insect that can measure up to 8 cm, almost as long as a pencil! With its front legs folded as if in prayer, it patiently waits to pounce on its prey.

With its triangular head and big eyes giving it a super wide field of vision, it somewhat resembles an alien. Its front legs are like superhero arms, ready to catch anything that moves. And if it ever feels threatened, it stands on its hind legs, spreads its wings, and adopts a posture that says “Watch out, I am big and dangerous!”

You would be surprised to know what a praying mantis eats. It’s not picky: it loves insects, and sometimes, it even catches prey larger than itself, like small birds or bats. It waits motionless, and zap, it catches its prey with incredible speed! It’s a camouflage champion! Its green color helps it blend in among the leaves. Handy for hunting!

The world of praying mantises is a bit cruel too. After mating, the female can sometimes eat the male! Then, she lays her eggs in a kind of cocoon called an ootheca, which protects them during winter. In spring, lots of little mantises hatch and start their adventure.

I am super impressed by these creatures. Are you? Have you ever seen a praying mantis in your garden or at the park?

And there you have it, our journey together for today is coming to an end. We talked about a great man who changed the world with his ideas, we traveled to the United Kingdom to uncover its secrets and traditions, and we ended beautifully with the astonishing praying mantis, this small insect with great abilities.

I hope you learned lots of interesting things and had a great time with me. Remember, if you have ideas for topics you would like us to explore together or if you want to share your praying mantis drawings, ask your parents to send me a message on Instagram. I can’t wait to see what you’ve created and to discover your ideas.

See you tomorrow for a new adventure full of discoveries and surprises. Until then, keep your curiosity and enthusiasm for learning new things. See you soon for more exciting stories with “Romy’s News”! Take care and keep exploring the world around you. Bye bye!