Asia

Almost five million people are currently without shelter following devastating flooding sparked more than a month ago by heavy monsoon rains.

"They are scared, traumatized," said Bibi Luqmania, 30, whose four children live with her in a tent donated by the charity Islamic Relief. "And it's so hot in the tent, they cannot stand it. It becomes like an oven during the day."

Though the Indonesian government banned female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) four years ago, experts say religious support for the practice is more fervent than ever, particularly in rural communities.

A lack of regulation since the ban makes it difficult to monitor, but medical practitioners say FGM/C remains commonplace for women of all ages in this emerging democracy of 240 million - the world's largest Muslim nation.

The United States on Monday launched a new 40-million-dollar Gender Equity Grants Program in Pakistan to advance women's human rights and support Pakistani government's policies against gender inequities.

"The U.S. and Pakistan are focused on empowering women and advancing women's rights, an issue of great importance to both our countries," said U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson.

Indonesia's women-only train service launched on Aug. 19, 2010 in Jakarta by the Indonesian state-run railway company, PT Kereta Api, was warmly welcomed mainly by female commuters.

The service has been introduced as an attempt to prevent sexual harassment on public transport after a series of complaints of sexual harassment and assault from women who travel on Jakarta's trains and buses.

The White House was quick to deny a Financial Times report two weeks ago that U.S. President Barack Obama has conditioned an arms sale to Turkey on Ankara's adopting a more sympathetic approach to Israel, but the Turkish-American arms deal is still being delayed.

It is not that Obama objects to the deal, but rather Congress that doubts whether Turkey is still a friend of America.

Intimidation of candidates for the upcoming vote for the lower house of parliament in Afghanistan undermines reconciliation, Washington said.

Afghanistan is preparing for Sept. 18 elections for the Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of parliament.

Afghanistan's transition toward leading its own security efforts must include the rights of Afghan women.

Shalev told The Associated Press in a farewell interview that despite near-constant criticism, she believes it's important for Israel to remain an active member of the world body.

Around 700 Bedouin women held a protest in Jerusalem challenging the demolition of their villages by Israeli forces. They travelled to Jerusalem from the Negev desert in southern Israel, where they live in 'unrecognized' villages that have been razed multiple times since Israel was created in 1948.

The US government needs to strengthen its protection of people in immigration detention to prevent sexual abuse and to ensure justice for victims, Human Rights Watch said in a report published this week.