just the Round-Up - The week in drinks

• GLOBAL: Pernod Ricard tops drinks firms in innovation list

Pernod Ricard has narrowly beaten two Chinese white spirits makers to be crowned the leading beverage company in Forbes magazine's latest rundown of the world's most innovative companies.

• JAPAN: Sapporo eyes foreign acquisitions with US$2.5bn investment

Japanese brewer Sapporo Holdings is to invest about US$2.5bn over the next five years with an eye on foreign acquisitions. 

• UK: Australian Vintage promotes for new UK, Europe GM

Australian Vintage has confirmed the appointment of a new GM for the UK & Europe after losing the previous incumbent to Accolade Wines earlier this year.

• EXCLUSIVE - RUSSIA: Africa, LatAm not for us - Carlsberg CEO 

The head of Carlsberg has said the group is not looking to raise its geographical profile by moving into Africa or Latin America. 

• GLOBAL: Coca-Cola Co announces new roles in structure shake-up

The Coca-Cola Co has revealed a raft of executive job changes in line with a new corporate structure taking effect from January. 

• US/US VIRGIN ISLAND: Diageo's Captain Morgan rum subsidy row rumbles on

Diageo has moved to defend once again its rum partnership with the US Virgin Islands, after renewed calls for a review of the tie-up that sees it benefit from rebates on some of the rum it sells in the US.

• SINGAPORE: ThaiBev to launch US$7.2bn cash offer for Fraser & Neave

ThaiBev, along with its partner TCC Assets, has confirmed it will make a cash offer of around SGD9bn (US$7.2bn) for Fraser & Neave (F&N). 

• US: New York City health board green lights large soda ban

New York City's health board today (13 September) gave the green light to a ban on large-sized sugary drinks in a move widely predicted by the industry.

• CZECH: Government halts street sales after bootleg spirits deaths

The Czech government has banned spirits sales from street stands in a bid to halt a spate of methanol poisonings that is believed to have killed 19 people.

• FRANCE: Wine, spirit exports rise in H1 - figures

French wine and spirits exports posted a healthy rise in the first half of this year, according to recently-released data.