Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/244624
15 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 JANUARY 2014 ! Teens can't name Maltese personality Paul the Maltese? Wrong! St Paul was a native of Tarsus, the capital city in the Roman province of Cilicia – or present-day Turkey, and he was born a Hebrew in Maltese" and that many students were superficial in their ideas. Some candidates even invented or twisted historical facts. Only 2.4% of candidates sitting for the exam where awarded a Grade 1 mark but an overwhelming 60% passed from the exam. The choice of compositions for the Maltese O-Level was also revealing. Candidates were given a choice between five themes. The most popular were "an embarrassing moment" (Dak il-hin ridt l-art tiblghani) and "communication today". Less popular were "valleys", "the importance of physical exercise in daily life", and "He who sleeps catches no fish". Some of the examples mentioned by students writing on the theme of embarrassment throw a light on the daily lives of teenagers. One of the most popular narratives was being filmed by friends while being drunk at a party and then later seeing the video downloaded on Facebook: a double-whammy of social media and privacy issues revealing the concerns of teenagers today. Typically, the most popular narratives were either related to an embarrassing public performance, and losing face in front of friends… especially those from the opposite sex. One popular theme was being slapped in the face after trying to kiss a girl after taking her to a social event to impress friends. A number of candidates were penalised for using "improper language" in writing this essay. Although very few answered the question on valleys, this theme solicited some of the most interesting responses with a number of candidates referring to the threats faced by Maltese valleys including vandalism, illegal dumping, fireworks factories, hunters and construction. Most candidates argued that valleys were best kept in their natural state. A number of candidates referred to cyber-bullying as a disadvantage of modern means of communications. Another disadvantage mentioned was getting used to abbreviating words when communicating on the mobile and using the same language in essays. Second chance for planning permits headed for refusal JAMES DEBONO 51 planning applications, 18 of which were to sanction illegal developments carried out in the past, have been suspended until a new policy regulating outside development zones is introduced. Many of these applications were destined for refusal, being in breach of existing policies. But now they may get a new chance thanks to policy changes currently being discussed. The postponement of a decision in these cases was made possible by a legal notice issued in June, allowing applicants to ask MEPA to stop assessing their application whenever a new policy which has a direct bearing on the application is being drafted. MEPA now has to reassess these applications according to the new policy regulating ODZ developments, which is expected to be approved in the next weeks. Although these permits may well be rejected under the new policy, the draft ODZ policy facilitates the development of old farmhouses into residential units. It also permits new facilities like agro-tourism and visitor attractions in the countryside, and various development in buffer zones to protected Natura 2000 sites. The full list of "suspended" applications was tabled in parliament by the Prime Minister in reply to a parliamentary question by Nationalist MP Toni Bezzina. Eighteen of these applications seek to regularise illegal developments in the countryside. These include sanctioning extensions to existing farm- houses, country paths, walls, basements, boreholes, swimming pools, tool rooms and garages. Four applications referred specifically to the development of new dwellings, and eight contemplate the extension of existing dwellings. Five were applications for new swimming pools. In his reply, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat made it clear that not all applications for a suspension had been accepted, as a number of applicants requested a suspension for development, which was not affected by the current policy revision. Suspended or resurrected? A number of the suspended applications were already at a very advanced stage, to the extent that case officers had already issued recommendations for refusals. The case officers will now have to re-assess these applications on the basis of the new, more liberal policy. An application destined for refusal under the old regime, which has now been suspended, is the attempt to regularise a farmhouse in Bieb irRuwa at Rabat. The current application is the third attempt to sanction illegal additions to a pre-1967 structure after MEPA refused two applications presented in 1995 and 2007 respectively. These illegal additions increased the floor space of the building from 93 square metres to 157 square metres. The applicant even failed to submit sufficient proof that the site was ever used as a residence. A decision due for the 31 July was postponed after the MEPA board accepted a request for a suspension, presented by the architect. An application to demolish an existing farm building in Hal Dragu in Bidnija, has also been suspended. It was recommended for refusal because it was situated 1,500m away from the development boundary. According to present policies, a change of use from agricultural to residential use can only take place if a building is within 183m from the development boundary. Another application to erect five terraced houses on vacant land in the hamlet of Santu Rokku, in Kalkara, was also recommended for refusal, because it was in breach of the local plan. The new legal notice The controversial legal notice obliges MEPA to forewarn developers of any impending change in policies so that applicants affected by these changes can suspend their applications until the new policy comes into force, but no application can be suspended for more than one calendar year. As a result, developers will not risk having their applications turned down on the basis of policies, which the government intends to change. But since the suspension process is optional, applicants whose developments are endangered by new policies may still have their applications processed before the new policies become active. The LN ensures that developers are informed directly and can even suspend their pending applications in view of any policy changes. mith heading for Malta concert ibre," Vukanovic said. "We have confirmed the date – 8 April, a Tuesday night, and the venue – Sir Temi Zammit Hall at University, known for its acoustics. Kinemastik is looking forward to hosting this evening with one of the most influential musical artists of all time." Smith, born in Chicago and raised in South Jersey, migrated to New York in 1967, where she met Robert Mapplethorpe and together they encouraged each other to attain their artistic pursuits. In 1975 Patti Smith's first recording, Horses, became a seminal album, followed by Radio Ethiopia, Easter, and Wave. In 1980 she relocated to Detroit, married Fred 'Sonic' Smith, and had two children, Jackson and Jesse, both now musicians in their own right. The albums recorded since then have been Gone Again, Peace and Noise, Gung Ho, Trampin, Twelve, as well as a compilation album entitled Land, and a reissue of Horses, entitled Horses/Horses. June 23, 2010 The Library of Congress/ National Recording Preservation Board inducted Horses into the National Recording Registry. As well as a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Patti Smith also holds the honour of 'Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres' from the French Ministry of Culture, and has been awarded honorary doctorates from Rowan State University, Pratt Institute of Art, and the School of Art Institute Chicago. Steven Sebring's 2008 documentary, dream of life: the movie, was acknowledged internationally and received an Emmy nomination. 2010 Patti Smith was honoured by ASCAP with the Founders Award, representing lifetime achievement. Patti Smith was listed amongst the TIME 100 influential people in the world, as well as one of Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists. She also is the 2011 recipient of Sweden's Polar Award that is an international acknowledgement for significant achievements in music. Early bird tickets at €30 available from www.kinemastik.org