Lesson 5: Where Are You?

Summary Anna visits Marsha at a friend's house. Anna and Marsha see many rooms in the house. They talk about what people do in each room.   Speaking Watch the video and practice talking about locations. You can also download the worksheet and practice talking about the rooms in a house with a friend. Pronunciation Learn two different ways to ask questions in this video.  Conversation      Anna: Hello, everyone! Today my friend Marsha is at her friend's house. She says it is beautiful. I want to see this house! Here we are! Anna: Marsha, I am in the kitchen! It is a beautiful kitchen! Marsha: It is beautiful. We cook in the kitchen. Anna: I eat in the kitchen. Marsha:  We relax in the living room. Anna:  I relax in the living room. Marsha, let’s go upstairs! Marsha: Anna? Where are you? Anna: Marsha, I am in the bathroom! I wash in the bathroom. Marsha: I am in the bedroom. We sleep in the bedroom. Anna: I sleep in the bedroom!   Writing What are some of the rooms in your house? Write to us in the Comments section. Tell us what you do in the rooms.  You can also download the worksheet. Practice writing the names of rooms in a house.   Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. Plan to Learn is an important learning strategy because it helps you arrange your best learning conditions. You organize the resources and tools you need to study well. Here is an example of how to use this strategy.  Oluchi knows she needs to have a quiet place to study. She takes her English homework to a quiet corner of her home, and turns off her phone and radio. She brings a cup of coffee to help her stay awake. She makes sure her dictionary is near and that she has pencils and paper to write notes. When she begins studying, everything she needs is in easy reach. Her full attention can focus on what she wants to learn. How about you? What conditions help you to study better? Some people like a little background noise, like in a cafe. Others need a very quiet place. Do you have a favorite chair or place in your home where you study well? Do you work better when you study with a friend or in a small group?  Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email about your best learning conditions. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.   Listening Quiz See how well you understand the lesson by taking this quiz. Each question has a video. Play the video and choose the correct answer. New Words bathroom - n. a room with a sink and toilet and usually a bathtub or shower beautiful - adj. very good or pleasing; having beauty bedroom - n. a room used for sleeping eat - v. to take food into your mouth and swallow it house - n. a building in which a family lives kitchen - n. a room in which food is cooked living room - n. a room in a house for general family use relax - v. to spend time resting or doing something enjoyable sleep - v. to rest your mind and body by closing your eyes upstairs - adv. on or to a higher floor of a building wash - v. to clean (something) with water and usually soap ______________________________________________________________ Free Materials Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice writing the names of rooms in a house. For Teachers   ​See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus: BE + location Topics: Asking about location; Naming places and activities Learning Strategy: Plan to Learn Speaking and Pronunciation: BE + location; question intonation _______________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.

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The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe, Part Three

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Popular Culture and Academic Writing

  Popular culture can teach you about English grammar. You might be surprised to know that music and films can show you how to use difficult grammatical structures. How so? Consider the song "Capable of Anything" by the American singer Ben Folds. "We’re told we are capable of anything But you don’t seem to think that you are Capable of anything"   In today's report, we will explore one structure that you heard twice in the song – an adjective + preposition combination. The words "capable of" are an example of this type of structure. Last week, we discussed common adjective and preposition combinations in everyday speech. This week, we will explore such combinations in academic writing. Even though these structures are most often used in writing, we will give you fun examples of how speakers use them in songs and films, too. But before we give you more specific examples of these combinations, we need to give you a few definitions. What are adjective and preposition combinations? Adjectives are words that describe nouns. They can come before a noun or after a non-action verb, sometimes called a linking verb. These adjectives sometimes go with specific prepositions. Together, these adjectives and prepositions make combinations that have specific meanings. When adjectives come before a noun, the adjective is almost never followed by a preposition. When adjectives come after a non-action verb, they may be followed by a preposition. Here are two examples: 1: The students are happy. 2: The students are happy with the test results. In the former sentence, the adjective happy describes the noun students. There is no preposition. In the latter sentence, the adjective "happy" comes after the non-action verb BE. After the BE verb and the adjective "happy," there is a preposition: with. "Happy with" is one example of an adjective and preposition combination. Susan Conrad and Douglas Biber are language experts. They note that there are six common adjective and preposition combinations in academic writing. We will not study all of these combinations today. Instead, we will study three of them: adjective + of, adjective + for and adjective + to. Adj. + of One common adjective and preposition combination is adjective + of. Consider these lines from the 1961 film, Judgment at Nuremberg: "My counsel says we were not aware of the extermination of the millions. He would give you the excuse we were only aware of the extermination of the hundreds. Does that make us any the less guilty?"   You will notice that the speaker used "aware of" twice. "Aware of" is a formal way of saying that someone knows about the existence or happening of a certain thing. "Aware of" is one example of an adjective + of combination. Other common examples include "independent of" and "capable of," which you heard at the beginning of our report. You might read these types of expressions in academic books about law, psychology, and so on. Adj. + for A second common adjective and preposition combination is adjective + for. Once again, lines from the film Judgment at Nuremberg show you how speakers might use these structures: "Are we now to find the American industrialists guilty? No, Your Honor. No! Germany alone is not guilty: The whole world is as responsible for Hitler's Germany."   You heard the words "responsible for" in the movie clip. "Responsible for" is one example of an adjective + for structure. Other common examples include "essential for" and "necessary for." You might read these types of expressions in many types of academic books – philosophy, politics, and so on. Adj. + to Our final common adjective and preposition combination is adjective + to. The words from the Beatles' song The End use this structure. "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."   "Equal to" means that something is the same in number, amount, or quality. Other common examples include "identical to" and "similar to." You will often read these types of expressions in mathematics or physics books. What can you do? The next time you are reading a book or watching television in English, try to look for examples of adjective + a preposition. Does the writer or speaker use one of the structures we talked about today? Does the writer or speaker use different structures? Learning these adjective + preposition combinations can be difficult. But if you work hard and practice, you will be capable of anything. We are going to end our report with a homework assignment. Try to use "aware of," "capable of," "responsible for," or "equal to" in sentences. Write your sentences in the comments section of our website. I'm John Russell. And I'm Jill Robbins.   John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   capable – adj. able to do something : having the qualities or abilities that are needed to do something — + of preposition – n. grammar : a word or group of words that is used with a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, location, or time, or to introduce an object academic – adj. of or relating to schools and education specific – adj. special or particular counsel – n. law : a lawyer who represents a person or group in a court of law aware – adj. knowing that something (such as a situation, condition, or problem) exists extermination – n.  the act of destroying or killing (a group of animals, people, etc.) formal – adj.  suitable for serious or official speech and writing essential – adj.  extremely important and necessary  

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Puerto Rico Struggling with Shortages of Basic Supplies

  The storm-damaged U.S. territory of Puerto Rico continues to suffer with shortages of water, food, medicine and other supplies. Puerto Rico suffered major damage a week ago when Hurricane Maria struck with high winds and heavy rain. It was the strongest storm to hit Puerto Rico in decades. Maria destroyed the electricity system, as well as homes, businesses, roads and farms across the island. At least 16 people were killed. There still is no exact cost estimate for total storm damage. But Puerto Rico’s Governor Ricardo Rossello says the country’s economy will be mostly halted for at least a month. Getting supplies to the people who greatly need them has been difficult because the storm also damaged major ports.  Officials say power remains out across the Caribbean island and about 90 percent of mobile phone transmitters are not working. Many residents have been driving around the island trying to find limited areas where phone service is still working.  There are severe shortages of fuel and money. Many people cannot work or run businesses because fuel to operate power generators is in short supply. Most food stores and restaurants remain closed. There are long lines at the few banks that are open and most money machines are not operational. Travel for the island’s 3.4 million residents is difficult, with only a few flights departing Puerto Rico each day. The Trump administration announced Thursday it was waiving a federal law that bans foreign-flagged ships from transporting goods between U.S. ports. Puerto Rico’s governor and U.S. lawmakers had urged the move to help get supplies to the island quicker and at less cost. The Trump administration faced criticism earlier this week for not doing enough to improve the rising humanitarian crisis. On Thursday, Trump tweeted that many supplies and power sources had arrived on the island. “The electric power grid in Puerto Rico is totally shot. Large numbers of generators are now on Island. Food and water on site,” he wrote. Puerto Rico already had economic problems before the storm. The island has been in a recession for more than a decade, with a poverty rate of 45 percent and unemployment around 10 percent. The U.S. territory also has more than $73 billion dollars in debt. Before the storm, the government was negotiating with creditors to restructure the debt, which the previous governor declared unpayable. Current Governor Rossello said the storm has made things even worse. He told reporters that Puerto Rico will not be able to bring in any income for at least a month. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from VOA News, the Associated Press and Reuters. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   transmitter – n. device that sends out radio, television or phone signals generator – n. machine that produces electricity waive – v. not require something that is usually required creditor – n. person or organization someone owes money to income – n. money that is earned from work  

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S. Korea Seeks to Take Over Wartime Control of Military From US

  South Korean President Moon Jae-in says his government is increasing efforts to take back wartime operational control of its military. Wartime operational control, known as OPCON, describes the U.S.-led command of South Korean military forces in time of war. The effort comes at a time when tensions between North Korea and the U.S. are very high. Moon spoke about the issue at an event marking South Korea’s 69th Armed Forces Day [on] Thursday. He said increasing military abilities and reducing dependence on U.S. military power would strengthen the country’s position with the North. “When the South has wartime operational control, the North will fear us more, and our armed forces will be trusted more,” Moon said. Robert Kelly is a professor of political science at Pusan National University in South Korea. He thinks such a move might be a way to show independence from the threats exchanged by the U.S. and North Korea. “I think this might be a way for Moon to separate himself somewhat from the behavior of (U.S. President) Donald Trump in the last month,” Kelly said. Peacetime control moved to South Korea The South Korean government took over peacetime command of its military personnel when the country transitioned to democracy. The South Korean military works closely with the Combined Forces Command and the United Nations Command, led by the U.S. General Vincent Brooks. Brooks also commands more than 28,000 U.S. military forces in Korea.   In wartime, the U.S. commander would take control of South Korean forces. The transfer, however, is not automatic. The South Korean president must first agree to hand over control. Daniel Pinkston is a security expert with Troy University in Seoul. He said, “In a way, President Moon has control and he has a veto over giving control to the U.S. and giving control to the combined forces command.” South Koreans have different views on control Moon and some members of his Democratic Party have supported gaining wartime operational control as an issue of sovereignty. It has also been linked to anti-American feelings in the country. Conservatives have opposed taking over wartime control. They are concerned that such a move might weaken the U.S. commitment to defend South Korea. Hong Jun-pyo is the leader of the Liberty Korea Party. He recently said that “return of OPCON is basically disbanding the Korea-U.S. military alliance.” Some also have concerns that such a move would be seen as a sign of disagreement between South Korea and the U.S. Kelly said that is “what the North Koreans have wanted for a long time.” Wartime operational control was to be handed over to South Korea in 2015. But the government of then-president Park Geun-hye and the U.S. decided in 2014 to postpone the transfer to 2020 or later. The deal now depends on South Korea gaining necessary operational abilities. Some experts consider basing the decision on South Korea’s capabilities good for the U.S.-South Korea alliance. They say it puts more responsibility on South Korea for its own defense. Pinkston said that, without discussions about a transfer of OPCON, South Korea would have no reason to increase its defense capabilities. “South Korea will think we don’t have to worry about it because the U.S. will always have OPCON, they will always take care of us, so why should we spend more on our defense budget?” Pinkston said. Moon’s statements on Thursday appears to be part of that effort. He is promising reforms, including creating a more professional military and increasing national defense spending. Some of that spending could be directed to developing new systems, such as South Korea’s own missile defense system. The country may also seek to launch five military satellites with surveillance and reconnaissance abilities. I’m Mario Ritter.   Brian Padden reported this story for VOA News with contributions from Youmi Kim. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.​ _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   personnel –n. people who work for a company, organization or government automatic –adj. happening without being directed sovereignty –n. the ability of a country or area to rule itself disband –v. to end an organization or group capabilities –n. the ability to do or carry out some kind of activity surveillance –n. to carefully watch a person, group or area reconnaissance –n. efforts by a military to gain information about opposing forces  

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Muslims in Western China Told to Turn In Qurans, Religious Items

  Chinese officials in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region have ordered Muslim families living there to turn in all religious items, Radio Free Asia reported this week. This includes prayer mats and copies of the Quran, the Muslim holy book. An ethnic Kazakh living in Xinjiang’s Altay area told RFA that officials have been confiscating the religious items. “Pretty much every household has a Quran, and prayer mats,” said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Dilxat Raxit, spokesperson for the World Uyghur Congress group, said similar reports have come from Kashgar, Hotan and other areas. He said, “We received a notification saying that every single ethnic Uyghur must hand in any Islam-related items from their own home.” Raxit said police are making the announcements on the social media service WeChat. And people must hand over these items voluntarily or they will face punishment. Raxit said, "The announcements say that people must hand in any prayer mats of their own accord to the authorities, as well as any religious reading matter, including anything with the Islamic moon and star symbol on it." Earlier this year, Xinjiang officials began confiscating all Qurans published more than five years ago because of what they described as “extremist content.” The Qurans were taken as part of a Xinjiang-wide campaign that bans “illegal” publicity materials, religious activities and religious teachings that officials consider to be tools of terrorism. RFA and VOA are both part of the U.S. government-supported Broadcasting Board of Governors.   Radio Free Asia reported and wrote this story. It was adapted for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   mat - n. a small piece of material used to cover the floor or ground confiscate - v. ​to take (something) away from someone especially as punishment or to enforce the law or rules​ on their own accord - phrase. ​ done because you want to, not because someone has asked you or forced you to do it​ anonymity  - n. ​the quality or state of being unknown to most people​

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US Lawmaker Returns to Work after Shooting

  This is What’s Trending Today. Steve Scalise returned to the United States Capitol building on Thursday. Scalise, a Louisiana native, is part of the Republican Party leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives. On the morning of June 14, he and other lawmakers were up early and preparing for a big event: the yearly congressional baseball game. They were working out on a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. The practice was just coming to an end when gunshots rang out. Scalise was shot in the hip. The shooter was identified as James Hodgkinson of Illinois. Scalise was badly injured. Doctors operated on him a number of times to repair bones, blood vessels and internal organs. He missed work for over three months. When he returned on Thursday, Scalise needed crutches to move around. But he was happy to get back to work. Scalise said: “You have no idea how great this feels.” In a year when U.S. politicians have had trouble agreeing on many issues, House members agreed that Scalise should get a hearty welcome. They all rose to their feet and clapped loudly. Some lawmakers walked over to Scalise and gave him a hug. Later, he said: “I’m definitely a living example that miracles do happen.” Scalise thanked the U.S. Capitol police officers who were on duty in Alexandria on the day of the shooting. Crystal Griner and David Bailey were also injured in the attack. They fired back and killed Hodgkinson. Scalise told Bailey: “You are my hero. You saved my life. Thank you so much.” In a video, Scalise was shown walking slowly, holding crutches in both arms. He said he feels “great,” but still has a lot of work to do before he returns to full health.  The congressional baseball game raises money for charitable causes. It has been played most years since 1909, with Republican members of Congress playing congressional Democrats. The game is one way the politicians get to know each other outside of debating issues. The Democrats won the 80th congressional game the day after Scalise was shot.  And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English. His story was based on reports from the Associated Press and CNN. George Grow was the editor. What do you think of Scalise’s return from his injury? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   crutches – n. a long stick with a padded piece at the top that fits under a person's arm — usually plural hearty – adj. done or expressed in a very open, cheerful, and energetic way clap – v. to hit the palms of your hands together usually more than once - People often clap to show approval or pleasure. miracle – n. a very amazing or unusual event, thing, or achievement charitable – adj. done or designed to help people who are poor or sick

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US Government Cuts Refugee Admissions to Historic Lows

  President Donald Trump plans to sharply reduce the number of refugees permitted in the United States. The move comes at a time when humanitarian groups say more people than ever should be admitted. The Trump administration said in a report to Congress Wednesday that the U.S. plans to admit no more than 45,000 refugees during the coming year. That would be the smallest number in more than 35 years. Former President Barack Obama had proposed that 110,000 refugees should be admitted during the next year. Trump is expected to announce the new plan soon. The limit of 45,000 refugee admissions would be in effect during the government’s new fiscal year, which begins on Sunday, October 1. It is lower than limits set in any year since the U.S. refugee program was established in 1980. Officials estimate about 54,000 refugees will have been admitted to the country during the 2017 fiscal year, which ends on Saturday. In the 2016 fiscal year -- the last full year of Obama’s presidency -- the U.S. welcomed almost 85,000 refugees. ​Immigration experts noted that the 45,000 limit is a “cap” – the highest number of refugees that can be admitted during the next 12 months. They said the number of refugees actually admitted by September 30, 2018, could be much lower. A person must meet several criteria to be considered a refugee in the United States. The government also has certain limits for different areas of the world. For example, 42 percent of all admitted refugees can come from Africa, and 39 percent can come from the Middle East and South Asia, according to the administration’s report to Congress. Those numbers generally have not changed since Obama’s time in office, experts say. Aid groups have sharply criticized Trump’s decision to reduce the number of refugees. They say that, because of worsening refugee crises in places like Syria, Myanmar and South Sudan, the United States must do more. Bill O’Keefe is with Catholic Relief Services. “With historically high numbers of innocent people fleeing violence worldwide, the United States response cannot be to welcome a historically low number of refugees into our country,” he said. Administration officials said the new refugee limit will improve national security and the country’s ability to properly examine and take in refugees. In his speech to the United Nations, Trump said, “for the cost of resettling one refugee in the U.S., we can assist more than 10 in their home region.” Worldwide, there were 22.5 million refugees last year, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. That number does not include the many people who were displaced within their own countries because of war, violence, poverty or natural disasters. I’m Phil Dierking.   VOA News reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.  _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   fiscal  - adj. of or relating to money and especially to the money a government, business, or organization earns, spends, and owes cap   - n. a limit on the amount of money that can be spent, given, charged, etc., for something criteria  - n. something that is used as a reason for making a judgment or decision region - n. a part of a country, of the world, etc., that is different or separate from other parts in some way

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September 28, 2017

A look at the best news photos from around the world.

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Hugh Hefner, Founder of Playboy Magazine, Dead at 91

  Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner has died. He was 91 years old. Hefner died of natural causes at his home surrounded by family on Wednesday, Playboy said in a statement.  Hefner launched the magazine in 1953. The very first Playboy had photographs of actress and model Marilyn Monroe. The pictures showed her wearing no clothing. The magazine also published an editorial that promised readers “humor, sophistication and spice.” Playboy appeared at a time when American states banned birth control pills and television shows avoided the word “pregnant.” Within five years, Hefner’s company was selling 1 million copies of Playboy every month. By the 1970s, the magazine had more than 7 million readers. Hefner and his company became known worldwide and their success persuaded many others to follow. In 1992, when asked by The New York Times of what was his biggest success, he said: “That I changed attitudes toward sex.” As more magazines and other media became available on the internet, Playboy’s circulation numbers dropped. In 2015, Playboy stopped publishing images of naked women, but overturned that decision earlier this year. Hefner as the symbol of Playboy lifestyle Hugh Hefner was an ongoing advertisement for his magazine and other Playboy products. Photos often showed him wearing silk pajamas and smoking a pipe. Hefner was known for holding wild parties for well-known personalities at his Los Angeles home, called the Playboy mansion. Hefner claimed to have had sex with more than 1,000 women, including many pictured in Playboy. In addition to the magazine, Hefner also appeared in television shows and opened Playboy Clubs around the world. Those clubs were known for their waitresses. The women were required to wear bunny ears and fluffy white bunny tails. Many countries took steps to restrict sales of Playboy. The magazine has been banned in China, India, Saudi Arabia and Ireland. In the United States, some stores refused to sell the magazine, while others kept it out of reach of children. Many American conservatives and women’s activists objected to Hefner and Playboy. They said it made pornography seem important and also devalued women. But some actresses chose to appear naked in the magazine. They include Drew Barrymore, Farrah Fawcett and Linda Evans. The women who appeared in Playboy’s photos are known as Bunnies. Several bunnies became famous, including singer Deborah Harry and model Lauren Hutton. American men often joked that they bought the magazine for its stories. But there is some truth to the statement. Over time, the magazine published works from well-known writers, including Ray Bradbury and John Updike. It also featured interviews with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, singer Frank Sinatra and actor Marlon Brando. In the 1970s, then-presidential candidate Jimmy Carter admitted in Playboy that he had “committed adultery” in his heart. John Lennon spoke to the magazine in 1980, not long before he was murdered. In 1990, Playboy published a story about a young businessman with a taste for politics: Donald Trump. The Playboy Club also influenced American culture. Comedians George Carlin, Rich Little, Mark Russell, Dick Gregory and Redd Foxx performed at the club. The last of the Playboy clubs closed in 1988, when Hefner said they were “passe” and “too tame for the times.” Hefner’s personal life Hugh Hefner was born in Chicago on April 9, 1926. His parents were Christian. Hefner said his parents never showed “love in a physical or emotional way.” He told The Associated Press in 2011, “My folks are Puritan. My folks are prohibitionists. There was no drinking in my home. No discussion of sex. And I think I saw the hurtful and hypocritical side of that from very early on.” Hefner married his first wife Mildred Williams in 1949. Their marriage ended in 1958. In 1989, at the age of 63, Hefner married 27-year-old Kimberley Conrad, the 1989 Playmate of the Year. They divorced in 2010. The following year, he proposed to 24-year-old Crystal Harris, a former Playmate. Playboy has not announced funeral plans. But Hefner owned space in a Los Angeles cemetery close to the remains of Marilyn Monroe. I'm Jonathan Evans.   And I'm Caty Weaver.   The Associated Press reported this story. Hai Do adapted the report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   sophistication - n. experience and knowledge about the world, culture, art and literature spice - n. something that adds interest or excitement attitude - n. the way you think and feel about someone or something naked - adj. not wearing any clothes pornography - n. movies, pictures and magazines, etc., that show naked people or sex interview - n. a meeting between a reporter and another person in order to get information adultery - n. sex between a married person and someone who is not that person's wife or husband passe - adj. no longer fashionable or popular divorce - v. to legally end a marriage cemetery - n. a place where dead people are buried.

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Saudi Arabia Ends Ban on Women Drivers

  Saudi Arabia is lifting its ban on women drivers. The country’s leader, King Salman, ordered the change in a decree. State media said the decree ordered the creation of a group of ministers. They are to offer advice on steps for giving women legal permission to drive. The order is expected to be carried out by June 2018, reports said. Saudi Arabia was the only country that refused to issue driver’s licenses to women. Those who attempted to drive were detained. As recently as 2014, two Saudi women were detained for more than two months for breaking the rule. Women’s rights activists have been pushing for the right to drive since the 1990s. Prince Khaled bin Salman is the king’s son and the Saudi ambassador to the United States. He told reporters in Washington the decision marks a “huge step forward” and that “society is ready” for the change. In Saudi Arabia, women are legally required to get approval from a male guardian for legal decisions. These can include education, employment, marriage, travel and medical treatment. But the prince said women will not need approval from their guardians to get a driver’s license and will be able to drive alone in the car. They will have permission to drive anywhere in the kingdom, including the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina. After the announcement, several Saudi women shared photographs on social media. The images showed them removing ride-sharing apps from their mobile phones. Some women published videos already showing them behind the wheel of a car. Saudi Arabia is a close ally of the United States. President Donald Trump praised the Saudi leadership for lifting the ban. Trump said the U.S. government will support Saudi efforts to strengthen its society and economy. "This is a positive step toward promoting the rights and opportunities of women in Saudi Arabia," the White House press secretary said. Amnesty International said the king’s order is a "testament to the bravery of women activists who have been campaigning for years” for the change. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the move in a message on Twitter. “I welcome Saudi Arabia’s decision to lift the ban on women drivers. An important step in the right direction.” One of Saudi Arabia’s most outspoken women’s rights activists, Aziza Youssef, called the action a “good step forward for women’s rights.” Youssef, a professor at King Saud University, told the Associated Press that she and other women will continue to push for an end to the remaining male guardianship laws. The decision to lift the ban is part of a larger effort by 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to propose economic and social reforms. The prince has faced opposition from powerful conservative clergymen with large followings who have criticized the proposals. I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His story was based on reports from from VOA News, the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   decree – n. official order given by a person with power or by a government testament – n. proof or evidence that something exists or is true issue – v. to release or approve; to cause to come forth license – n. an official permit  

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