Meeting on Tuesday 3 November, Wednesday 4 November and Thursday 5 November, Brussels and a mission on Wednesday - Friday 4-6 November, Dublin

The Council has established the EU Support Mission in Lebanon (EUSM Lebanon) to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces and support stability in the country.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has described as "concerning" US President Donald Trump's call for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to be replaced as leader.

Luxembourg, 12 October 2026 ### Key points * The Council of the EU adopted on 12 October a decision establishing the European Union Support Mission in Lebanon (EUSM Lebanon) under the Common Security and Defence Policy, with a military and a civilian component and an initial mandate of three years; its launch needs a separate, later decision * The military component advises and trains on border and maritime security: surveillance and control of land borders, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, counter-smuggling and operational coordination; the civilian component trains the Internal Security Forces on cybercrime, smuggling and port-security governance, including at the port of Beirut * About 150 personnel are under consideration, Euronews reported, against roughly 7,500 in UNIFIL, whose mandate ends on 31 December; staffing and command are not settled, and one proposal rotates command between Italy, France and Spain * Kaja Kallas, the High Representative, said on arrival she hoped the mission would "be ready to work on the ground already in a couple of months' time" The EU has created a small training mission for Lebanon's army and police as the UN force winds down; it is not a replacement, and it is not yet launched. Italy, France, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Finland and Poland have expressed interest; contributions are voluntary, and Ireland would join the civilian side. The decision cites UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The High Representative's proposal reached member states in early September, after a crisis-management concept, and a presidency compromise followed on 24 September. In June the Council had adopted a 48-month European Peace Facility measure for the Lebanese army that includes counter-drone systems to protect its headquarters and main air bases; Jean-Noël Barrot, France's foreign minister, named combating drones among the new mission's purposes. **The mission's maritime task is advice on governance; the task that ends with UNIFIL is watching the arms embargo at sea.** UNIFIL's maritime task force has monitored the embargo in Lebanese coastal waters since 2006, by the German government's account, and the Bundestag approved in July what the government calls the Bundeswehr's final participation: up to 300 personnel to 31 December, then up to 80 for the withdrawal to 30 June 2027. Signal No. 165 counted the German frigate, from a contingent led from Rostock, among what leaves with the mandate. Nothing in the Council's task list puts a ship at sea. Two things will show whether that gap is filled: the date of the launch decision against 31 December, and whether the interested states add a naval task to it. Related · UNIFIL and Lebanon * German UNIFIL Contingent Now Led from German Navy Command in Rostock Sources:Council of the EU · EEAS · Bundesregierung · Euronews · L'Orient Today · Eunews

The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and Park Street today presented highlights from the 2026 Craft Spirits Data Project (CSDP) at its Annual Craft Spirits Economic Briefing. Tom Bard (President, ACSA and Co-Founder of The Bard Distillery) and Emily Pennington (CEO, ACSA) shared key sales…

The U.S. craft spirits category declined for the third consecutive year in 2025, with sales volume, market share, the number of active distillers, employment and producer investment all falling, according to the 2026 Craft Spirits Data Project (CSDP). The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA)…

BENESTUS URIKERAKA As Namibia’s financial markets continue to evolve, investors are being introduced to a new concept that will play an increasingly important role in how securities are bought and transferred: the central securities depository participant (CSDP). While the term may sound technical, the role of a CSDP is simple. A CSDP acts as the bridge between investors and the Central Securities Depository (CSD), the electronic system responsible for recording and safeguarding securities such as shares and bonds. Instead of managing paper-based certificates, investors now have their holdings securely recorded and maintained electronically. Think of a CSDP in much the same way that a bank manages money in a bank account. Just as banks safely hold cash and facilitate transactions on behalf of clients, a CSDP securely holds and administers securities on behalf of investors. For investors, the value of a CSDP extends far beyond simply holding securities. A CSDP is responsible for opening and maintaining securities accounts, safeguarding investments, facilitating settlements when securities are bought or sold, and ensuring investors receive benefits such as dividend payments, interest payments and redemption proceeds.  In practical terms, this means that when an investor purchases shares in a listed company or invests in a government or corporate bond, the transaction is processed through a CSDP. The CSDP ensures that ownership is correctly recorded and that the investor’s assets are securely held within the CSD environment. The introduction of the CSD and CSDP framework marks an important milestone for Namibia’s capital market.  Historically, securities ownership was often supported by paper-based processes, which could be slow and exposed investors to risks associated with loss, damage or administrative errors. The move to electronic record-keeping introduces greater efficiency, security and transparency across the market.   For ordinary Namibians, this development creates easier access to investment opportunities. Whether investing in government bonds, treasury bills, corporate bonds or listed equities, investors will require a securities account with a licensed CSDP to access and hold these investments. The importance of this role becomes even clearer when considering the scale of Namibia’s investment market.  The Namibia Securities Exchange reports a market capitalisation of approximately N$3.048 trillion and continues to attract increasing levels of market participation. As more securities are issued and traded, the need for secure custody and efficient settlement becomes increasingly important. Institutional investors also rely heavily on CSDPs. Pension funds, which safeguard the retirement savings of thousands of Namibians, are required to hold assets through licensed CSDPs.  As investment activity grows, these institutions need trusted partners capable of securely managing assets and processing high-value transactions efficiently. As a fully licensed and approved CSDP, Nedbank Namibia is well positioned to support this next phase of capital market development. Backed by extensive financial services expertise and a strong reputation in the market, the bank offers investors a trusted entry point into the evolving securities landscape. As Namibia’s capital market continues to deepen, CSDPs will become an essential part of every investment journey. They are the gatekeepers that connect investors to the market, protect their assets and ensure transactions are completed efficiently and securely. Through its role as a licensed CSDP, Nedbank Namibia is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution, helping to build a modern investment environment that supports economic growth, investor confidence and long-term wealth creation. *Benestus Urikeraka is a senior manager: wholesale funding and custodial services at Nedbank Namibia

As Namibia's financial markets continue to evolve, investors are being introduced to a new concept that will play an increasingly important role in how securities are bought and transferred: the central securities depository participant (CSDP).

By Benestus Urikeraka As Namibia’s financial markets continue to evolve, investors are being introduced to a new concept that will play an increasingly important role in how securities are bought and transferred: the central securities depository participant (CSDP). While the term may sound technical, the role of a CSDP is

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Antje Kunst* Photo credit : Lucalupe, via WikimediaCommons   Introduction In 2024, a new procedural requirement was introduced w...