Malaysia launched its version of 9-11 hotline in an effort to curb domestic violence. Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi led the launching of the Talian Nur on Thursday.

The number 15999 is available for victims of domestic violence, child abuse or natural disasters. The one-stop call center was established by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry. It employs 29 contact service agents working on 3 shifts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from a facility in Kuala Lumpur

One out of three of the most popular songs of 2005 portrayed substance use, according to new research which analyzed 279 of the year's most popular songs listed by Billboard magazine.

Rap music led the way with 77 percent of songs referring to substance use, followed by country at 37 percent and R&B/hip-hop at 20 percent. Rock and pop were on the lower end of the spectrum at 14 percent and 9 percent, respectively, according to a study at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine presented at the American Public Health Association's Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C

Contrary to common perception, males and female adolescents are equally victims of physical violence while dating.

Physical dating violence (PDV) affects almost one in every 11 adolescents, according to a study which looked at data from the 2005 National Youth Risk Behavior Study. The results of the study were presented at the American Public Health Association's 135th Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. this week

The U.S. Defense Department has issued sweeping changes to its domestic abuse policies in an effort to keep servicemembers and their families safe.

"Domestic violence destroys families, scars children and harms military readiness... We will continue to work to ensure that every home is a safe home," Deputy Defense Undersecretary for Military Community and Family Policy Leslye Arsht said

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of an imminent risk of cholera in southern Somalia, where tens of thousands of people were affected by a previous outbreak which killed over 1,000 just a few months ago.

Seven new cases have been confirmed so far in the capital, Mogadishu, as well as Berdale and Burhakaba