Messages reveal close ties between Yorgen Fenech and former Deputy Police Commissioner
Evidence presented in court in the trial against Yorgen Fenech has shed further light on the close personal relationship between businessman Yorgen Fenech and former Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta. Messages extracted from Fenech’s devices showed frequent contact between the two, including discussions about travel, personal matters and meetings. In one exchange, Valletta described Fenech as “your best friend”, while Fenech referred to him as someone he could confide in. The pair discussed travel arrangements, including a possible trip to Madrid, and Valletta also sought Fenech’s assistance in finding a private jet for a family trip. A video shown in court also appeared to show Valletta inside a garage at Fenech’s PortoAso property. Defence lawyers highlighted that no messages between the two referred to the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder investigation. Valletta was Fenech’s superior contact within the police hierarchy at the time. (The Malta Independent)
HSBC Malta posts €44.4 million half-year profit
HSBC Malta reported a pre-tax profit of €44.4 million for the first six months of 2026, down from €58.7 million a year earlier, while adjusted pre-tax profit reached €51.7 million after excluding notable expenses. The bank attributed the decline to lower interest rates, market volatility and one-off costs, including accelerated software amortisation and staff-related payments linked to the industrial dispute with the Malta Union of Bank Employees. Net interest income fell to €85.6 million, although new corporate lending, personal lending, wealth and insurance business continued to grow, alongside higher customer deposits. The board declared an interim gross dividend of €0.043 per share, bringing total first-half dividends to €0.079 per share. CEO Geoffrey Fichte said the bank remained well positioned thanks to its strong capital and liquidity, while the proposed acquisition by CrediaBank continued to progress, subject to regulatory approval. (Times of Malta)
Malta and Libya discuss strengthening bilateral ties
Malta and Libya have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations during talks between Speaker of the House Carmelo Abela and Libya’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Malta, Dr Mohamed Ali A. Elsherif. Discussions focused on the longstanding relationship between the two neighbouring countries, with both sides highlighting the importance of continued dialogue in promoting peace and stability across the Mediterranean. They also exchanged views on regional developments, migration, parliamentary diplomacy and closer cooperation between the two nations. Abela reiterated Malta’s support for a stable, sovereign and united Libya, including through the European Union and international efforts aimed at fostering political dialogue and national reconciliation. Both sides also expressed their intention to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment and parliamentary engagement. (TVM News)
