Early this morning, as the sun was still rising, passersby heading towards the capital were met with an unexpected sight – a full-sized bed placed in the middle of the main pathway to Triton Square.

Photos and videos shared with Malta Daily appear to show a man lying in the bed, with one leg hanging over the side. The unusual scene has sparked curiosity, leaving many wondering whether it’s a real incident or part of an artistic installation.

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A large number of teens aren’t using the contraceptive pill during sex, with 57% of boys and 68% of girls saying they didn’t use it the last time they had sex. Additionally, 18% of boys and 6% of girls were uncertain if they or their partner used the pill. In countries like Greece and Slovakia, less than 10% of teens used the pill, while in places like the Netherlands and Belgium, more than 50% reported using it.

Between 2014 and 2022, pill use stayed about the same, with no big difference between boys and girls- 26% of girls and 25% of boys said they used the pill. Teens in countries  with more gender equality were more likely to use the pill, especially girls. The highest rates of pill use were in the Netherlands (61% for girls ) and Belgium (50% for boys). The lowest rates were in Greece, Slovakia, and Greenland, where fewer than 10% used the pill.

Teens from wealthier families were more likely to use the pill, but overall, there hasn’t been much change in the past few years. Some boys might confuse  the contraceptive pill with other methods girls might be using.

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Health authorities in Malta have confirmed an imported case of Mpox, transmitted through sexual contact. The patient, currently in stable condition, does not require hospitalization and has been placed in isolation. Contact tracing is underway to prevent further spread.

The specific clade of the virus involved has not yet been identified, creating some uncertainty about its characteristics. However, officials are urging the public to take preventive measures, including practicing safe sex, discussing sexual health with partners, avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals, and maintaining good hygiene, such as regular hand washing. Anyone with symptoms or contact with a confirmed case is advised to seek medical attention promptly.

Mpox is an infectious disease that can spread from animals to humans or through close human contact. It causes fever, muscle aches, and large, boil-like lesions. A global outbreak in 2022, driven by the clade 2b subclade, primarily affected gay and bisexual men, leading the WHO to declare a public health emergency, which ended in May 2023.

A new, more severe clade 1b subclade has since emerged in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), raising concerns due to its higher fatality rate.

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