Slapped cheek syndrome is a viral infection that is most common in children mainly, although it can affect anyone of any age. This is caused by a virus called a parvovirus which is spread in much the same way as the cold or flu viruses through infected secretions from the nose and throat. Most children will not need treatment as slapped cheek syndrome is usually a very mild condition that passes in a few days.

Prevention of spread is by frequent hand washing.

If a pregnant woman acquires the infection before 20 weeks of pregnancy, as might happen in other infections during this stage of pregnancy, there is a slightly higher risk of miscarriage. In such a case where a pregnant woman is exposed to an infected child she should consult her gynaecologist for necessary investigations.

The Ministry for Health said there is no need for alarm.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) said that administrative records held at the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC ) indicate a year-on-year increase of 601 persons (9.9 per cent) registering for work under Part 1 of the unemployment register. On the other hand, persons registering under Part 2 dropped by 198, or 28.9 per cent, to 486.

In the twelve months to April, registered unemployment on the mainland increased by 377, or 6.2 per cent, while that for Gozo increased by 26, or 3.6 per cent.

The number of registered unemployed aged 45 and over increased by 173, or 6.2 per cent. Conversely the number of registered unemployed aged under 20 declined by 13.5 per cent.

When compared to the corresponding month a year ago, NSO said, registrants whose duration of unemployment exceeded one year went up by 441, or 18.8 per cent. On the other hand, unemployed persons who had been on the register for less than 21 weeks decreased by 174, or 5.9 per cent.

During the period under review, persons with a disability registering under Part 1 of the unemployment register increased by 44, or 9.3 per cent.

During April 580 women, or 34.3 per cent of all female registrants, were looking for clerical jobs, while 1,025 men, or 18.7 per cent of male registrants, were looking for service and sales-related jobs.

In December 2012 the registered unemployment rate stood at 4.3 per cent of the labour supply – 5.0 per cent males and 2.8 per cent females. The long-term unemployment rate stood at 1.6 per cent.

Unemployment rate of persons aged under 25 stood at 5.0 per cent – a decline of 0.4 percentage points when compared to the previous month.

The police confirmed the crash between a VW Golf driven by a 48-year-old from Marsa and a Maruti 800 driven by the 75-year-old  took place at the intersection to Zejtun when the traffic lights were reportedly off.

The driver of the Maruti was trapped in his vehicle and was rescued by Civil Protection rescuers using cutting equipment. He was then rushed to Mater Dei hospital, where he is being treated for critical injuries.

The driver of the other vehicle was slightly injured.

Further investigations are underway.

These events were launched back in 2004 by the Embassies of Malta and Liechtenstein. During the events, representatives from a number of small states gather to recite, in their native tongue and also in English, poetry from their respective countries.

The poems presented in the book refer to diverse themes and employ different styles. They represented the works of several Maltese poets namely Philip Farrugia Randon, Maria Grech Ganado, Sir Arturo Mercieca, Adrian Grima, Antoine Cassar and Oliver Friggieri. Malta’s national hymn, written by the National poet Dun Karm Psaila, was included as an example of Maltese poetry at its best.

The book was compiled by the Embassy of Malta in Washington DC with the assistance of the Cultural Diplomacy Fund of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Dennis Grech, currently serving as charge d’affaires a.i. at the Embassy, thanked Mr. Paul Borg, one of Malta’s Honorary Consuls in Michigan, for sponsoring the publication of the book which represents an important step to promote Maltese culture in the US.

The Embassy plans to distribute the books among different institutions and Embassies in the US as well as in Malta.

The police said the rescue team performed CPR on the man who was then declared dead on site.

An inquiry is being held.

Emmelie de Forest singing “Only Teardrops clutched the win for Denmark.

Parliamentary Secretary Lewis said that this day highlights the importance of our seas across all Europe and neighbouring countries. It also brings together all EU states and neighbouring countries with the aim of discussing and promoting different ideas.

“Malta is evaluating the possibility of preparing a National Integrated Maritime Policy through a National Integration Maritime Strategy, with a particular emphasis of increasing the potential for maritime quality jobs and economic growth,” Lewis announced.