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<channel>
	<title>Josanne Cassar</title>
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	<link>https://josannecassar.com</link>
	<description>Interviewing Malta</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:09:51 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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	<item>
		<title>Strummin&#8217; Returns with ‘Riot and Rhythm’</title>
		<link>https://josannecassar.com/events/strummin-returns-with-riot-and-rhythm/</link>
					<comments>https://josannecassar.com/events/strummin-returns-with-riot-and-rhythm/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Josanne]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:08:35 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[riot and rhythm]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strummin]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://josannecassar.com/?p=46398</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Strummin' Charity Concert Set , one of Malta's most anticipated charity concerts, returns on the 6th and 7th of November at St. Agatha's Auditorium, Rabat, with this year's edition themed Riot and
Rhythm. ]]></description>
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<p>Strummin&#8217; Charity Concert Set , one of Malta&#8217;s most anticipated charity concerts, returns on the 6th and 7th of November at St. Agatha&#8217;s Auditorium, Rabat, with this year&#8217;s edition themed Riot and Rhythm.</p>



<p>Since its first edition in November 2002, the concert has built a loyal following for its blend of rock anthems and timeless classics, bringing together guitarists, singers and musicians of all levels alongside a dedicated team of volunteers. Organised by the Strummin&#8217; Foundation, the event has grown into a fixture of the Maltese music calendar. This year&#8217;s theme, Riot and Rhythm, sets the tone for a programme with something to say. Expect songs that react to injustice, call for change and ask whether things can be put right, carried by the raw pulse of live, guitar-driven music.</p>



<p>The chosen beneficiary for this year&#8217;s concert is the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that provides professionally trained guide dogs, free of charge, to blind and visually impaired people across Malta and Gozo. Each dog is specially reared and undergoes several months of intensive training before it is matched with its owner. The Foundation follows every client throughout the guide dog&#8217;s working life of around ten years, offering continuing training and support so the partnership stays focused on its purpose. Guide dogs are costly to acquire and train, and the Foundation relies on public support to continue. Funds raised through this year&#8217;s concert will help it continue this work and support more visually impaired people towards greater independence at home, at work and in the community.</p>



<p>The Strummin’ music team and guitarists are already hard at work to provide our audience with another smashing concert. Save the dates… 6th and 7th November at St. Agatha&#8217;s Auditorium, Rabat, and keep an eye on our social media to get your tickets.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Melita provides new flexible, no commitment connectivity solutions</title>
		<link>https://josannecassar.com/press-launches/melita-provides-new-flexible-no-commitment-connectivity-solutions/</link>
					<comments>https://josannecassar.com/press-launches/melita-provides-new-flexible-no-commitment-connectivity-solutions/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Josanne]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:05:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Press Launches]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Melita]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flexible solutions]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://josannecassar.com/?p=46395</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Melita is offering a range of flexible solutions designed to help people stay connected throughout the summer months and beyond without the need for long term contracts or commitments.]]></description>
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<p>Melita is offering a range of flexible solutions designed to help people stay connected throughout the summer months and beyond without the need for long term contracts or commitments.<br>Aimed particularly at the growing number of people who spend part of the year in Malta, including visitors, temporary residents, students and those requiring short term connectivity solutions, the offers cover internet, mobile and television; all are available through simple monthly payments and flexible terms.<br>As Malta continues to attract visitors and remote workers from across Europe and beyond, demand for temporary yet reliable connectivity solutions, continues to grow. Melita’s summer offerings have been designed to meet this demand by providing customers with the flexibility to access the services they require for as long as they need them.<br>Simon Poljsak, Head of Marketing at Melita, said: “More people than ever are choosing Malta as a destination for work, study, travel or extended stays. At the same time, many customers are looking for connectivity solutions that match their lifestyles without tying them into long term commitments. Our range of solutions have been designed to offer exactly that flexibility while maintaining the quality and reliability that customers expect from Melita.”<br>The summer offers include Internet Fibre Power at speeds of 100 Mbps, MyWiFi Instant Internet, the Premium TV App access with more than 100 channels including sports content, and Endless mobile plans. Melita also provides a number of customer guarantees including easy joining, speed, connectivity, fast answer and fast repair guarantees. As an added benefit and for a limited time, peoples signing up for a new service with Melita is also getting a free car sunshade.<br>“Whether someone is spending a few weeks in Malta, relocating temporarily, working remotely or simply looking for a flexible connectivity solution, we want to make it as easy as possible for them to stay connected,” added Poljsak.<br>More information is available from Melita retail outlets or the www.melita.com website.</p>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Lifecycle Challenge: 10 days to go</title>
		<link>https://josannecassar.com/volunteers/lifecycle-challenge-10-days-to-go/</link>
					<comments>https://josannecassar.com/volunteers/lifecycle-challenge-10-days-to-go/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Josanne]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:59:56 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Volunteers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LifeCycle challenge]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://josannecassar.com/?p=46390</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[With less than two weeks to go, 19 cyclists are in their final training stages before tackling almost 2,000 kilometers across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda in just 10 days. 3 participants from the original 22 where medically discharged during the training due to injuries.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>With less than two weeks to go, 19 cyclists are in their final training stages before tackling almost 2,000 kilometers across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda in just 10 days. 3 participants from the original 22 where medically discharged during the training due to injuries.</p>



<p>This grueling challenge raises vital funds for individuals living with kidney failure in Malta and Gozo. Beyond supporting the Mater Dei renal ward&#8217;s &#8220;Patient Wishlist&#8221; which includes sponsoring medical research with the University of Malta, medical equipment, transplant management software, and a pilgrimage to Lourdes for the patients and their nurses.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/761801250_1458314736328311_8930037795534164908_n.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/761801250_1458314736328311_8930037795534164908_n-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-46393" srcset="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/761801250_1458314736328311_8930037795534164908_n-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/761801250_1458314736328311_8930037795534164908_n-300x169.jpg 300w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/761801250_1458314736328311_8930037795534164908_n-768x432.jpg 768w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/761801250_1458314736328311_8930037795534164908_n-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/761801250_1458314736328311_8930037795534164908_n.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



<p>The Foundation also is raising funds to continue sponsoring patients with evening dialysis transport, wellness classes and therapeutic sessions for those who need.</p>



<p>This year&#8217;s team features a diverse roster spanning Malta, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ukraine, Russia, and Kenya. The most international squad since 1999. Ahead of their departure, the cyclists will visit the renal ward and meet with patients and nurses, then have their final meeting before departing on the 4th of September.</p>



<p>The Foundation invites the public to follow the team&#8217;s journey and support the cyclists as they head towards Africa.</p>



<p>To support the cause, please visit:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-zaar-crowdfunding-malta wp-block-embed-zaar-crowdfunding-malta"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="10c0lL7GMI"><a href="https://zaar.com.mt/projects/the-2026-lifecycle-challenge-crowdfunding-campaign/">The 2026 LifeCycle Challenge Crowdfunding Campaign</a></blockquote><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted"  title="&#8220;The 2026 LifeCycle Challenge Crowdfunding Campaign&#8221; &#8212; Zaar Crowdfunding Malta" src="https://zaar.com.mt/projects/the-2026-lifecycle-challenge-crowdfunding-campaign/embed/#?secret=RzfYBFovso#?secret=10c0lL7GMI" data-secret="10c0lL7GMI" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>For more information, or to get involved please visit www.lifecyclefoundation.com<br>Follow the NGO on:<br>Facebook: www.facebook.com/LifeCycleChallenge<br>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecycle_foundation_mt<br>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifecyclemaltafoundation6906</p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">LCC #LifeCycleChallenge #EndureForRenal</h1>



<p></p>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>BANK OF VALLETTA CELEBRATES ITS PEOPLE AT SPECTACULAR STAFF SUMMER EVENT</title>
		<link>https://josannecassar.com/people/bank-of-valletta-celebrates-its-people-at-spectacular-staff-summer-event/</link>
					<comments>https://josannecassar.com/people/bank-of-valletta-celebrates-its-people-at-spectacular-staff-summer-event/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Josanne]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:55:10 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[People]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://josannecassar.com/?p=46387</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Bank of Valletta recently welcomed more than 1,000 employees to its annual Staff Summer Event at the stunning Verdala Palace Gardens, bringing colleagues together for an evening that celebrated the people, energy and shared values that make BOV one of Malta’s leading employers.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><strong><em>Over 1,000 employees come together in a celebration of teamwork</em></strong></p>



<p>Bank of Valletta recently welcomed more than 1,000 employees to its annual Staff Summer Event at the stunning Verdala Palace Gardens, bringing colleagues together for an evening that celebrated the people, energy and shared values that make BOV one of Malta’s leading employers.</p>



<p>With live music, delicious food, interactive photo booths and a spectacular drone light show, the evening gave teams from across the Bank the chance to relax, reconnect and enjoy time together away from the workplace.</p>



<p>Beyond the celebration itself, the event underlined the Bank’s continued focus on employee engagement and employer branding. Creating moments where people feel valued, included and connected is an important part of building a strong workplace culture and supporting the teams who serve BOV’s customers every day.</p>



<p>Commenting on the event, Kenneth Farrugia, the Bank’s CEO, said, “At Bank of Valletta, our greatest strength has always been our people. The BOV Staff Summer Event was a moment to celebrate their commitment, energy and contribution to the Bank’s success. Strong organisations are built on strong cultures, and we will continue investing in initiatives that help our people feel connected, proud and inspired to give their best.”</p>



<p>Chief Operations Officer Ernest Agius added, “A positive employee experience is key to delivering excellent customer experiences. Events like this bring people together, strengthen relationships and remind us that, while our roles may be different, we are united by a shared purpose. They also reflect who we are as an employer and why BOV continues to be a place where people can build meaningful careers.”</p>



<p>The evening featured performances by Brass House Unit, Matt Blxck and DJ Ziggy, with the drone light show providing a memorable finale above Verdala Palace Gardens. As BOV continues to grow and evolve, the Bank remains committed to nurturing a workplace where people feel supported, engaged and proud to contribute to its future.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Student Interns Put Multicultural Identity at Heart of Next NIM Culture Café</title>
		<link>https://josannecassar.com/events/student-interns-put-multicultural-identity-at-heart-of-next-nim-culture-cafe/</link>
					<comments>https://josannecassar.com/events/student-interns-put-multicultural-identity-at-heart-of-next-nim-culture-cafe/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Josanne]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:53:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NIM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture cafe]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://josannecassar.com/?p=46382</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The experience of growing up between different cultures and what this means for the future of increasingly diverse societies such as Malta will be at the centre of the next NWAMI International Malta (NIM) Culture Café, taking place on Thursday 27 August at 7.00pm at Ta’ Detta Restaurant, Valletta Waterfront.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>The experience of growing up between different cultures and what this means for the future of increasingly diverse societies such as Malta will be at the centre of the next NWAMI International Malta (NIM) Culture Café, taking place on Thursday 27 August at 7.00pm at Ta’ Detta Restaurant, Valletta Waterfront.</p>



<p>Entitled ‘Between Cultures: Growing Up with Two Identities in Europe’, the event will explore multicultural identities, belonging and the experiences of people whose lives are shaped by more than one cultural background.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Mariella-Pisani-Bencini.jpeg"><img decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Mariella-Pisani-Bencini-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-46385" srcset="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Mariella-Pisani-Bencini-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Mariella-Pisani-Bencini-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Mariella-Pisani-Bencini-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Mariella-Pisani-Bencini.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a></figure>



<p>What makes this Culture Café particularly distinctive is that it has been developed and will be facilitated by four international interns currently working with NWAMI International Malta. The four are Master’s students in Educational Sciences at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany and bring their own diverse cultural experiences and perspectives to the discussion.</p>



<p>During their internship with NIM, the students are contributing to the organisation’s work in intercultural learning and community engagement. The themes they will address through the Culture Café resonate with them both personally and academically, creating an opportunity for participants to hear the perspectives of a younger generation for whom living across cultures is increasingly part of everyday European life.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The discussion will look at how growing up between different languages, traditions, expectations and ways of life can influence identity and an individual’s sense of belonging. Participants will also be encouraged to consider a broader question: as societies become increasingly multicultural, what will it mean to be Maltese or European in the future?</p>



<p>Maria Gabriele Doublesin, President of NWAMI International Malta, said the subject was particularly relevant to Malta. “Malta has always been a meeting point between cultures, but the diversity of our society today means that more and more people are building lives and identities that cannot necessarily be defined by one culture alone. Our four interns bring their own experiences and perspectives to this conversation, which makes this Culture Café particularly special. We want people to feel comfortable talking openly about belonging, identity and the challenges as well as the opportunities that come from living between cultures. These are conversations that can help us understand one another better and ultimately build a more inclusive society.”</p>



<p>NIM’s Culture Café series was created to bring people from different backgrounds together in an informal and welcoming setting where they can share experiences, learn about different cultures and build connections. Through conversations centred on food, music, art, traditions and personal stories, the initiative seeks to encourage intercultural dialogue, cultural awareness and greater social cohesion within Malta’s increasingly diverse communities.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The upcoming event will follow the same informal approach, with an open round-table format rather than a traditional lecture or presentation. Participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences and perspectives on cultural influences, identity and belonging.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Culture Café is open to anyone who has grown up between cultures, moved countries, comes from a multicultural family, or is simply interested in hearing different perspectives and taking part in the conversation.</p>



<p>‘Between Cultures: Growing Up with Two Identities in Europe’ takes place at Ta’ Detta Restaurant, Valletta Waterfront, on Thursday 27 August at 7.00pm. Places are limited and the contribution is €10 per person. Places can be booked through the <a href="https://nwamiinternational-malta.org/Charity-Shop/culture-cafe-between-cultures-growing-up-with-two-identities-in-europe">NWAMI International Malta booking page</a>.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Men who kill &#8230;the verdicts, the suicides, the pending cases</title>
		<link>https://josannecassar.com/opinion/men-who-kill-the-verdicts-the-suicides-the-pending-cases/</link>
					<comments>https://josannecassar.com/opinion/men-who-kill-the-verdicts-the-suicides-the-pending-cases/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Josanne]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 06:15:43 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Opinion column]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[men who kill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[verdicts]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://josannecassar.com/?p=46379</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[VERDICTS In 2026 (4 years later) Roderick Cassar was sentenced to 40 years for killing his estranged wife Bernice In [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><strong>VERDICTS</strong></p>



<p>In 2026 (4 years later) Roderick Cassar was sentenced to 40 years for killing his estranged wife Bernice</p>



<p>In 2024 (2 years later), Lawrence Abina from Ghana was handed a life sentence for murdering his partner Rita Ellul</p>



<p>In 2023 (5 years later), Michael Emmanuel from the Ivory Coast was handed a life sentence for murdering his partner Lourdes Agius, insanity plea rejected.</p>



<p>In 2023 (5 years later), Kevin Micallef pleaded insanity and jurors concluded that he was not of sound mind when he killed his mother Antonia Micallef and aunt Maria Carmela Fenech.. He is now being held at Mt Carmel.</p>



<p>In 2022 (3 years later), Joseph Bonnici was sentenced 36 years for murdering his mother Marija Lourdes and sister Angele</p>



<p>In 2020 (2 years later) Jelle Rijpma from the Netherlands was jailed for 30 years for killing his former girlfriend Shannon Man</p>



<p>In 2019 (2 years later) Djibril Ganiou from Togo was sentenced to 30 years for murdering his former partner, Caroline Magri.</p>



<p>In 2016 (4 years later) &#8211; Laszlo Nandor Marton from Hungary was sentenced to 25 years for killing his partner Yvette Gadja</p>



<p>In 2015 (3 years later) Nizar El Gadi from Libya was sentenced to life for murdering his ex-wife Margaret Mifsud</p>



<p>In 2015 (5 years later) Kenneth Gafa was sentenced to 35 years for killing his former girlfriend, Christine Sammut</p>



<p>In 2014 ( 5 years later) Clive Farrugia was sentenced to 40 years for killing girlfriend’s mother, Theresa Vella</p>



<p>In 2012 (3 years later), Roger Agius was sentenced to 31 years for killing his estranged wife, Catherine Agius .</p>



<p>In 2010 (6 years after she was murdered by a hitman) the ex-husband of Patricia Attard, Carmel Vella was sentenced to 6 years in prison for an earlier plot to murder his wife after hiring hitmen. In 2012, Josef Grech, suspected to be the hitman, was shot dead while out on bail awaiting trial.</p>



<p>In 2009 (5 years later) David Norbert Schembri was sentenced to life for killing his former partner Josette Scicluna. Violent altercations in prison have added another 7 years to his sentence.</p>



<p>In 2011 (2 years later) Sergeii Nykytiuk from the Ukraine, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for leaving his wife Liudmila Nykytiuk to die after a fall.</p>



<p>In 2007 (2 years later) Jurors decided that Anthony Schembri was not insane at the time he murdered his wife, Doris Schembri. Another appeal filed in 2010 by Schembri, claiming insanity, was also dismissed. Because he was declared legally sane and criminally responsible at the time of the attack there are no pending trial dates. He was initially granted bail on the condition that he resides at Mt Carmel. The state processed him as a high-risk individual requiring medical and psychiatric supervision, leading to his continued detention in Mount Carmel&#8217;s secure forensic section</p>



<p>In 2005 (4 years later), Alfred Azzopardi was sentenced to life for killing Vanessa Grech with whom he had a sexual relationship, and her baby daughter Ailey.</p>



<p>In 2003 (1 year later) Walid Nureddin Bazena, a Libyan national was handed a 25 year prison sentence for killing his partner Rachel Muscat. After serving his time, he was deported.</p>



<p>In 2003 (4 years later) Francis Buhagiar was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing his sister Maria Buhagiar</p>



<p>In 2003 ( 2 years later) Salvu Gauci was originally sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing his sister-in-law Anna Kok. In 2004, due to an error during the trial, the sentence was reduced on Appeal to 12 years. While serving his sentence he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and his family supported by a media campaign were advocating for a presidential pardon which was heavily opposed by Kok’s family. He died while still serving time.</p>



<p>In 2002 (3 years later) Ronnie Vella was sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing his wife Jane Vella</p>



<p>In 2000 (7 years later) Joseph Harrington was sentenced to life for killing Sylvia King. He died in prison in 2014 while serving his sentence due to illness.<br>His accomplice Tony Baldaccino was sentenced to 19 years for his role in the abduction and murder.</p>



<p>In 1996 (3 years later) Grazio Gerada was sentenced to 4 years for killing his wife Diane Gerada after concluding that he had acted under provocation.</p>



<p>In 1992 (4 years later) David Austin Calleja was sentenced to 7 years for killing Eve Camilleri, as it was ruled a “crime of passion”.  He was handed 14 years in prison in total because of other charges, He only served 9 years because of good behaviour.</p>



<p></p>



<p><strong>PERPETRATOR KILLED HIMSELF or WAS KILLED</strong></p>



<p>In 2024, Edward Johnston who killed his former girlfriend Nicolette Ghirxi was shot and killed by police the next day after a three hour stand off.</p>



<p>In 2011, John Agius hung himself after killing his partner Karen Cheatle.</p>



<p>In 2004, Joseph Attard, who killed his partner Katya Farrugia, committed suicide after he shot her</p>



<p>In 2002, Gilju Tanti who killed his estranged wife Pauline Tanti, then hung himself</p>



<p>In 1999, Jackie Catania killed his wife Emelia and teenage daughter Jacqueline, and then killed himself&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>PENDING CASES &#8211; NO JUSTICE YET FOR VICTIMS</strong></p>



<p>6 years later, the case of Chantelle Chetcuti, killed by former partner Justin Borg, still doesn’t have a trial date due to delays. However family members were recently informed that they are close to getting a date. Meanwhile Borg was granted bail 8 months after the murder.</p>



<p>10 later no trial date has been set yet for Eleanor Walker (Mangion) who was killed by her estranged husband Andrew Mangion due to severe delays in justice system and prolonged pre-trial battles. Despite confessing to police, his statements were deemed inadmissible because he had no lawyer present. He was granted bail just a year after his arrest.</p>



<p>11 years later, Eddine G Ibrahim from Libya is still on the run after fleeing the country following the murder of his ex-wife Silvana Muscat</p>



<p>14 years later, the case of Meryem Bugeja (pregnant with twins) remains unsolved. Her estranged husband was a prime suspect but there was a lack of evidence linking him to the crime. DNA testing later showed he was not the father of the unborn twins.<br><br>15 years later, Mustafa Kosogeli from Turkey, the prime suspect in killing of Irena Abadzhieva, is still on the run despite European and international arrest warrants being issued.</p>



<p>18 years after murdering Charlene Farrugia, and 7 years after John Woods confessed, the trial hasn’t been held yet. During his arraignment he pleaded not guilty so the case must first proceed through a Bill of Indictment. He has been in prison custody since 2019 on a separate conviction of armed robbery.</p>



<p>The 1994 murder of Maria Cardona remains a cold case. Despite her husband being a prime suspect there was not enough evidence against him</p>
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		<title>What is the value we place on a life cut short?</title>
		<link>https://josannecassar.com/opinion/what-is-the-value-we-place-on-a-life-cut-short/</link>
					<comments>https://josannecassar.com/opinion/what-is-the-value-we-place-on-a-life-cut-short/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Josanne]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 05:56:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Opinion column]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[domestic violence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[misogyny]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sentences]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://josannecassar.com/?p=46362</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I have been writing about domestic violence for almost 30 years.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p><strong>This column first appeared in Malta Today </strong></p>



<p>I have been writing about domestic violence for almost 30 years.</p>



<p>When I look back at my columns, usually penned after yet another woman has been murdered, they all point to the same, by now all too familiar, themes. The lack of police protection, women who report and are left vulnerable, male rage, a culture of misogyny, the possessiveness, the claim that she provoked him and, of course, the usual refrain “but men can be victims too.”</p>



<p>As yet another woman, Charlotte Zammit, joins this horrifying list, it often feels like there is nothing else left to write about, because the problem keeps growing no matter what we say. What is also unfortunately growing is the resentment so many men seem to feel when we highlight the female victims who have lost their lives at the hands of their husbands, their partners or their exes.</p>



<p>I know that it is difficult and perhaps uncomfortable for some to accept, but there is irrefutable evidence that it is mostly men who murder the women in their lives. This is not just from the data we have in Malta but globally. Women rarely murder their current or former husbands/partners &#8211; they might exact their revenge by damaging his car or other personal property, but in most instances, they just pack up and leave. I was reminded of exactly one case which occurred locally, in which a woman resorted to murder. In 2021, Filipino national Mayumi Santos Patacsil killed her partner, Marcelino Montalban Saraza at their Mellieha residence, and she is currently serving a life sentence.</p>



<p>In contrast, over the last decade alone (2016 &#8211; 2026), 14 women have been killed by men with whom they had some kind of relationship. In 6 of these cases, the perpetrator was an ex-husband or ex-partner. 3 cases involved the actual husband/partner. In 2 cases, both double murders, the culprit was the son of one of the women. In the majority of the murders, the attack took place in the woman’s home. Two were attacked after being stalked: Bernice Cassar was outside her place of work, Chantelle Chetcuti was out socialising. Shannon Mak was in the street outside of her ex’s apartment after driving him home.</p>



<p>I could go even further back to cite more examples and the pattern will remain the same. Between 1978- 2015, out of 31 women who were killed, 27 were at the hands of either husbands, partners or former husbands/boyfriends. The other four also had family ties: a brother-in-law, the daughter’s ex-partner, a brother and in the infamous case of Sylvia King, it was the former husband of the friend she was helping to escape domestic abuse.</p>



<p>There is an undeniable link between a certain type of man who cannot handle “his” woman leaving him or who has thwarted him in some way, and the decision he takes to eliminate her from this earth. He would rather see her dead than know that she is happy with someone else, or even alone and happy. If he cannot have her, there, under his thumb, under his complete and utter control, then no one else can. Unless we address this underlying core issue in the psyche of some men, domestic violence will never be curbed. We are seeing young boys growing up in the shadow of their angry fathers who are unable to control themselves when faced with what they perceive as defiance from a woman. It is what they know, what they are familiar with, and they will perpetuate this cycle unless someone intervenes to break it.</p>



<p>We cannot keep compiling these lists and gasping over graphic, shocking details of how these women died without zeroing in on the roots of this very sinister malaise in our society. We need to examine why there is so much anger and even hatred towards women. Why is it when this topic comes up there are those who still insist that it is women themselves who are “triggering” the violence? “Who knows what she did to him?” is a line that is repeated again and again. I find it depressing when even women themselves take this stance, as if snuffing out someone’s life can ever be justified because of a bruised ego.</p>



<p>Invariably we read during the arraignment or trial of DV cases that the man “flipped” or “lost it” because of something the woman did. Can you imagine the national outrage if women had to go ballistic and take matters into their own hands every time their husband behaved badly or their boyfriend broke up with them?</p>



<p>There has to be more work done from a young age, in schools and using outreach programmes to work with families where reacting to a disagreement with violence is treated as a normal reflex. Teenagers and 20 somethings must be reached somehow in an age where macho behaviour is ridiculously glorified. We cannot keep raising generations of boys who think a girlfriend automatically becomes their possession, or girls who are secretly thrilled that their jealous boyfriend will punch anyone who looks at them twice, thus proving their love. </p>



<p>Next time, honey, you can be sure it will be you he punches.</p>



<p><strong>The cost of a life</strong> </p>



<p>The public often asks whether the sentences which are handed down truly reflect the gravity of these crimes. In the past a man could even get a lighter sentence if he claimed it was a “crime of passion” or that he was “provoked” but thankfully that line of defence can no longer be used after the Criminal Code was reformed. Pleas of insanity at the time the crime was committed have also been used by the accused in order for them to be able to serve their sentence at the forensic section at Mt Carmel rather than in prison. This requires a trial specifically to determine whether the person was of sound mind, even before the actual trial begins, which is why so many murder cases drag on in court for years.</p>



<p>On researching the sentences which were handed down for the aforementioned DV murders, these have ranged from the maximum life sentences to 40, 30, 25 and 10 years. Perhaps the most shocking sentence was a mere 4 years in the case of Grazio Gerada who butchered his wife Diane Gerada in 1993 by stabbing her 23 times; the court ruled he had acted “under provocation”.</p>



<p>Four men killed themselves immediately after killing the woman. In 2024, Edward Johnston who killed his former girlfriend Nicolette Ghirxi, was shot and killed by police the next day after a three hour stand off. Two men died while serving their sentences.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, the following cases are still pending a trial date or remain unsolved for various reasons:</p>



<pre class="wp-block-code"><code>•   6 years later, the case of Chantelle Chetcuti, killed by former partner Justin Borg, still doesn’t have a trial date due to delays. However family members were recently informed that they are close to getting a date. Meanwhile Borg was granted bail 8 months after the murder.

•   10 years later no trial date has been set yet for the murder of Eleanor Walker (Mangion) who was killed by her estranged husband Andrew Mangion due to severe delays in justice system and prolonged pre-trial battles. Despite confessing to police, his statements were deemed inadmissible because he had no lawyer present. He was granted bail just a year after his arrest.

•   11 years later, Eddine G Ibrahim from Libya is still on the run after fleeing the country following the murder of his ex-wife Silvana Muscat

•   14 years later, the case of Meryem Bugeja (pregnant with twins) remains unsolved. Her estranged husband was a prime suspect but there was a lack of evidence linking him to the crime. DNA testing later showed he was not the father of the unborn twins.

•   15 years later, Mustafa Kosogeli from Turkey, the prime suspect in the killing of Irena Abadzhieva, is still on the run despite European and international arrest warrants being issued. 

•   18 years after murdering Charlene Farrugia, and 7 years after John Woods confessed, the trial hasn’t been held yet.  During his arraignment he pleaded not guilty so the case must first proceed through a Bill of Indictment. He has been in prison custody since 2019 on a separate conviction of armed robbery.

•   32 years later, the 1994 murder of Maria Cardona remains a cold case. Despite her husband being a prime suspect there was not enough evidence against him</code></pre>



<p>May all the above women finally get the justice they reserve. May we come to a time when we do not have to keep adding another name to these tragic lists.</p>
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		<title>BOV PUTS CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE AT THE CENTRE OF ITS INVESTMENT SERVICES</title>
		<link>https://josannecassar.com/events/bov-puts-customer-confidence-at-the-centre-of-its-investment-services/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Josanne]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 06:26:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BOV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[seminar]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://josannecassar.com/?p=46370</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[BOV Asset Management seminar highlights market outlook, practical solutions and personalised support for investors]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>BOV Asset Management seminar highlights market outlook, practical solutions and personalised support for investors</p>



<p>Bank of Valletta is continuing to strengthen its investment services proposition, with a clear focus on helping customers make sense of market developments and take financial decisions with greater clarity and confidence.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-6.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" data-id="46374" src="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-6-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-46374" srcset="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-6-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-6-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-6-436x290.jpg 436w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
</figure>



<p>This approach was at the centre of a recent BOV Asset Management seminar, which brought together teams from across the Bank to discuss market opportunities, investment solutions and the role advisers play in supporting customers. Addressing the seminar, Kenneth Farrugia, the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, said that BOV’s priority is to remain close to customers through experienced people, personalised service and convenient access across the Bank’s network. He noted that ongoing investment in people, technology and service delivery is helping the Bank respond more effectively to customers’ needs at every stage of their financial journey.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="634" src="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-1-1024x634.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-46373" srcset="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-1-1024x634.jpg 1024w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-1-300x186.jpg 300w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-1-768x475.jpg 768w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-1-1536x951.jpg 1536w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-1-2048x1268.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



<p>The Bank is also making better use of technology, client insights and relationship management tools to deliver advice that is more timely and relevant. Customers can draw on this support through relationship managers, the Investment Centre, Wealth Management advisers, branches and other service channels.</p>



<p>During the seminar, the BOV Asset Management Portfolio Management Team shared its outlook for the second half of 2026, outlining the market themes likely to influence investor decisions in the months ahead. These included artificial intelligence, geopolitical fragmentation, resilient corporate earnings, fiscal policy developments and opportunities in fixed income. The outlook for Malta was also described as positive, supported by strong economic growth and constructive local sentiment.</p>



<p>The seminar also looked beyond market performance and product solutions to the customer experience itself. Clear communication, consistency and empathy were highlighted as essential to building stronger relationships and helping customers feel properly supported in the decisions they take.</p>



<p>Peter Paul Cilia, Head at BOV Asset Management, provided an update on the product range and business performance, noting encouraging growth in Monthly Investment Plans and the continued development of investment solutions that respond to customers’ evolving needs.</p>



<p>Closing the seminar, Simon Azzopardi, Chief Personal and Wealth Officer, said the Bank will continue to strengthen its investment services by combining technical expertise with close customer relationships.</p>



<p>“As Malta’s financial services sector continues to evolve, our focus remains firmly on helping customers make informed decisions and plan with greater confidence,” Mr Azzopardi said. “Customers are looking for guidance they can trust, delivered by people who understand their goals and circumstances. Through our Wealth Management, Asset Management and Investment Centre teams, we are making it easier for customers to access experienced professionals who can support them in building long-term financial plans.”</p>



<p>By bringing together its Asset Management, Wealth Management, Retail and Investment Centre teams, BOV is giving customers easier access to the expertise they need to understand their options, plan ahead and invest with greater trust.</p>
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		<title>BOV OPENS ITS FIRST HOME FINANCE HUB IN MOSTA</title>
		<link>https://josannecassar.com/press-launches/bov-opens-its-first-home-finance-hub-in-mosta/</link>
					<comments>https://josannecassar.com/press-launches/bov-opens-its-first-home-finance-hub-in-mosta/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Josanne]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 06:21:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Press Launches]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BOV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mosta]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://josannecassar.com/?p=46364</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Bank of Valletta has inaugurated its first Home Finance Hub in Mosta, marking an important step in the Bank’s drive to make home financing faster, simpler and more personal. The Hub brings together dedicated specialists under one roof, supporting customers from their first enquiry to sanction, reducing handovers, improving communication and giving customers greater clarity and confidence throughout the home loan process.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Bank of Valletta has inaugurated its first Home Finance Hub in Mosta, marking an important step in the Bank’s drive to make home financing faster, simpler and more personal. The Hub brings together dedicated specialists under one roof, supporting customers from their first enquiry to sanction, reducing handovers, improving communication and giving customers greater clarity and confidence throughout the home loan process.</p>



<p>The initiative responds to the continued demand for home loans, the importance of home finance within the Bank’s product offering, and the significance of this junction for customers, particularly first-time buyers. The Hub will provide focused support for customers seeking a wide range of home financing solutions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MOSTA-HFH-PR-04.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="634" src="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MOSTA-HFH-PR-04-1024x634.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-46367" srcset="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MOSTA-HFH-PR-04-1024x634.jpg 1024w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MOSTA-HFH-PR-04-300x186.jpg 300w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MOSTA-HFH-PR-04-768x476.jpg 768w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MOSTA-HFH-PR-04-1536x951.jpg 1536w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MOSTA-HFH-PR-04.jpg 1838w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



<p>The first BOV Home Finance Hub was officially opened in Mosta, within the PAMA complex, by the Bank’s CEO Kenneth Farrugia. Also present were Director Deborah Schembri, Chief Personal &amp; Wealth Officer Simon Azzopardi, and Chief Operations Officer Ernest Agius. Located on the same floor as the BOV Investment Centre, the Hub serves customers from the northern region. It brings together home loan specialists, Relationship Officers and analysts in one dedicated team, enabling applications to be handled more efficiently and with greater focus.</p>



<p>Kenneth Farrugia said, “BOV already has a strong home loan proposition, with competitive interest rates and a comprehensive range of financing solutions. Through the Home Finance Hub model, we are strengthening another critical part of the customer journey: time-to-sanction. Buying a home is a major life decision, and customers rightly expect speed, clarity and expert guidance. These Hubs allow us to deliver that experience in a more focused and consistent way.”</p>



<p>Adding to the CEO’s comments, Simon Azzopardi highlighted that, “The Hub model is an important part of our omnichannel approach. Customers increasingly expect choice, and here we are putting them in the driver’s seat. They may start their journey online, meet a specialist at the Hub, and then move back to digital channels as needed. Our focus is to make that journey connected and seamless, giving our customers the flexibility to engage with us in the way that works best for them, without losing the personal guidance that matters when financing a home.”</p>



<p>BOV Director Deborah Schembri congratulated all those who worked to bring the project to life, saying, “From a Board perspective, this initiative demonstrates how our strategy is translated into tangible action. We are investing not only in products and capabilities, but also in the quality of the experience we provide to our customers. In today&#8217;s environment, success is defined not simply by what we offer, but by how we deliver it. Trust, transparency and responsiveness are increasingly important differentiators. A home loan is often the beginning of a long-term relationship between a customer and the Bank. It is therefore essential that every interaction reflects the professionalism, expertise and care for which Bank of Valletta is known. The Home Finance Hub model places those qualities at the centre of the customer experience.”</p>



<p>The opening of the Mosta Home Finance Hub marks the next phase in BOV’s home lending strategy, reinforcing the Bank’s focus on offering competitive products, faster service and a more personal customer experience. BOV will be introducing three more Home Finance Hubs over the coming weeks and months, enabling more customers to benefit from the same dedicated service experience.</p>
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		<title>BOV STRENGTHENS TIES WITH GOZITAN COMMUNITY THROUGH DEDICATED CUSTOMER EVENT</title>
		<link>https://josannecassar.com/events/bov-strengthens-ties-with-gozitan-community-through-dedicated-customer-event/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Josanne]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:16:41 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BOV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gozo customers]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://josannecassar.com/?p=46355</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Bank of Valletta recently welcomed its business customers from across Gozo to a dedicated engagement event focused on strengthening dialogue, gathering valuable feedback, and better understanding the evolving financial needs of individuals, families and businesses on the island.]]></description>
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<p>Bank of Valletta recently welcomed its business customers from across Gozo to a dedicated engagement event focused on strengthening dialogue, gathering valuable feedback, and better understanding the evolving financial needs of individuals, families and businesses on the island.</p>



<p>The event forms part of the Bank&#8217;s ongoing customer engagement programme, which brings together customers and members of the Bank&#8217;s leadership and specialist teams throughout the year across Malta and Gozo. These occasions create a space for open discussion, enabling customers to share insights, discuss their priorities and contribute directly to the continuous enhancement of the Bank&#8217;s products, services and customer experience.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-photo-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="634" src="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-photo-1-1024x634.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-46357" srcset="https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-photo-1-1024x634.jpg 1024w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-photo-1-300x186.jpg 300w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-photo-1-768x475.jpg 768w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-photo-1-1536x951.jpg 1536w, https://josannecassar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-photo-1-2048x1268.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



<p>Commenting on the event, CEO Kenneth Farrugia highlighted the importance of maintaining close and meaningful relationships with customers. &#8220;Our customers are at the centre of everything we do. While digital channels continue to play an increasingly important role in the way customers interact with us, nothing replaces the value of meeting people face-to-face, listening to their experiences and understanding their evolving needs. These conversations provide valuable insights that help guide the continuous development of our products, services and customer experience.&#8221;</p>



<p>Simon Grech, Chief Commercial Officer, noted that BOV&#8217;s commitment to customer engagement extends well beyond individual events and forms an integral part of the Bank&#8217;s broader approach to serving the communities in which it operates. &#8220;We engage with customers through a wide range of initiatives, including investment and market outlook sessions, business networking events, customer appreciation gatherings and community activities. Each interaction offers an opportunity to better understand customer expectations and respond more effectively to their needs.&#8221;</p>



<p>The event also highlighted Bank of Valletta&#8217;s longstanding commitment to the Gozitan community. Through its presence on the island and its continued investment in customer relationships, the Bank remains focused on supporting the aspirations of Gozitan households, businesses and entrepreneurs.</p>



<p>As Bank of Valletta continues to strengthen its omnichannel approach, customer feedback remains central to the way the Bank evolves its offering. Through initiatives such as its Voice of the Customer programme, BOV continues to listen, respond and improve, ensuring its products, services and channels remain aligned with the changing needs of customers across the Maltese Islands.</p>



<p>As Malta&#8217;s Bank of Choice, Bank of Valletta remains committed to building lasting relationships with customers, supporting communities and delivering a banking experience that combines the convenience of digital innovation with the trust and personal connection that come from being close to the people it serves.</p>
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