Romy News - 16 April 2024

Hey there! Welcome to a new episode of “Romy News”, today is Tuesday! I hope you had a great Monday and are ready to discover lots of interesting things with me today. As always, we’ll talk about what’s happening in the world with a look at the Israel-Iran attack, answer a super interesting question sent by one of you “What are the biggest constructions in the world?”, and explore our theme of the day on great athletes by talking about Simone Biles, a fantastic gymnast. Let’s go!

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To start off, let’s talk about a serious topic concerning two distant countries in the Middle East: Iran and Israel. These two countries have had long years of tensions between them. Did you know that everything changed because of an important event, the Iranian revolution in 1979? And recently, you may have heard that Iran attacked Israel. Let’s try to understand what’s happening.

The Iranian revolution is a moment when the Iranian people decided to change their government to create what we call an Islamic republic. Before that, Iran and Israel had good trade relations. But after, the new Iranian leaders did not like Israel and designated them as enemies. This completely changed how these two countries perceive and act towards each other.

These tensions have not turned into a full-scale war, but there have often been exchanges of missiles, drones, and rockets. For example, on April 13, 2024, Iran launched an attack on Israel. According to Iran, this attack was a “legitimate defense” in response to an Israeli strike that destroyed an Iranian building in Damascus, Syria on April 1. However, Israel managed to stop most of the Iranian attacks, thus limiting the damage.

The Middle East is a very complex region where different peoples, religions, and everyone wants access to important resources like oil. All these issues make relations between countries like Iran and Israel very tense and conflictual.

The conflict between Iran and Israel is not a simple disagreement, but a very old and complex problem. Understanding the reasons behind conflicts between countries is important to better grasp their actions. Ask your parents to show you on a map the Middle East and locate Iran and Israel together, then ask them questions if you want.

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After discussing the tensions between Iran and Israel, a rather heavy topic, let’s lighten the mood a bit. Alyah, a 5th-grade student from Angers, asked me a fascinating question: what are the 5 tallest buildings in the world? It’s true that humans have always dreamed of building taller and taller structures, as if to touch the sky. Let’s discover these architectural giants together.

The ultimate champion is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Imagine, it measures 828 meters! It’s like stacking over 160 football fields on top of each other. Completed in 2010, it serves many purposes: people live there, there’s a hotel, and offices. It was inspired by a desert flower and built to withstand strong winds. It’s truly a symbol of how Dubai has become a modern city very quickly.

Next up is the Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, China, measuring 632 meters. Finished in 2015, it has offices, a hotel, and even a place to observe the city from above. Its special shape ensures that the wind doesn’t push it too hard, which is very clever. It well demonstrates how China has become economically powerful and pays attention to the environment.

The third is Abraj Al Bait Towers in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, standing at 601 meters. Built in 2012, it has a hotel, a shopping center, and a huge clock that can be seen from afar. It’s a very important place for people who go to Mecca, a sacred city for many people around the world.

The Ping An Finance Centre in Shenzhen, China, is the fourth at 599 meters. Completed in 2017, it’s used for offices and a shopping center. It’s so strong that it can withstand the strongest typhoons. It’s a symbol of the financial and technological strength of Shenzhen.

Lastly, the fifth is the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea, measuring 555 meters. Opened in 2016, it also has a mix of uses: offices, a hotel, and residences. It has the tallest glass observatory in the world, which is truly impressive. It showcases the dynamism and innovation of South Korea.

So, if you could visit one of these incredible buildings, which one would you choose and why? It’s amazing to see what humans can build, and I hope it inspires you to learn more about the architectural wonders around us.

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After exploring the dizzying heights of the world’s tallest buildings, let’s stay in the heights by talking about someone who reaches great heights in another field: sports.

Gymnastics is a demanding discipline that requires strength, agility, but also unwavering concentration and determination. Simone Biles embodies these qualities perfectly. This 27-year-old American athlete is considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. But beyond her numerous medals, it’s her inspiring journey and mental strength that make her a true role model.

Born in 1997 in Columbus, Ohio, Simone had a tough start in life before being adopted at the age of 6 by her grandparents, who supported her wholeheartedly. Her exceptional talent in gymnastics quickly emerged. By 2013, at just 16 years old, she won her first gold medals at the World Championships, marking the beginning of an exceptional career.

The Olympic Games were her shining moments. In Rio in 2016, Simone became a global superstar by winning 4 gold medals, a resounding achievement. But it may have been in Tokyo in 2021 that she left a lasting impact. Prioritizing her mental health above all, she had the courage to withdraw from several events. A strong gesture that broke a taboo in high-level sports. Returning to win bronze on the balance beam, she once again proved her resilience.

Simone Biles is more than just an outstanding gymnast. She’s also an influential voice fighting against abuse and advocating for the importance of mental well-being. Not to mention her involvement in charitable works and youth education.

If you had the chance to meet her, what question would you ask about her extraordinary journey? Take the time to think about it and feel free to share what you admire about this exceptional athlete. Perhaps you could draw your ideal gymnast or write to her to express how much her story inspires you? Behind every sporting achievement lies indeed hours of effort, sacrifices, doubts sometimes, but above all, unwavering mental strength.

And that’s it for today! I hope you’ve discovered some captivating things. Maybe you want to learn more about the world’s immense buildings, the reasons for conflicts between countries, or the incredible story of gymnast Simone Biles. If you have any questions or ideas to share, send me a message on Instagram. Which grand building would you dream of visiting? What would you like to ask Simone Biles? Share your thoughts, and join me tomorrow for new adventures. See you soon!