just the Round-Up - The week in drinks

The top ten stories published on just-drinks last week:

• GLOBAL: Scotch whisky continues inexorable export rise - figures

Scotch whisky continues to play a “key role” in the Scottish economy, according to data released late last month.

• US/RUSSIA: CEDC transfers operational control to Russian Standard chief

Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has handed operational control to leading shareholder and Russian Standard owner Roustam Tariko in return for US$65m in funds.

• US: Share buyback schemes ineffective - analyst

Share repurchasing programmes by leading soft drinks firms such as PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Co and Dr Pepper Snapple Group are ineffective because companies buy back shares at inflated prices, an analyst has warned.

• RUSSIA: Beer sales crackdown takes effect

New laws on beer sales in Russia have been introduced along with a ban on print media alcohol advertising.

• US: Brewers Association warns against beer tax hike

The Brewers Association has hit out a proposal to raise beer taxes in the US, warning it would “devastate” independent breweries while helping multinational rivals.

• US: Coca-Cola Co snaps up Sacramento Coca-Cola Bottling Co

The Coca-Cola Co has taken ownership of Sacramento Coca-Cola Bottling Co in California.

• PHILIPPINES: PSE suspends San Miguel Brewery shares

San Miguel Brewery (SMB) has had its shares suspended from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) after failing to comply with rules over public ownership.

• US: 'Fiscal Cliff' bill keeps Puerto Rico, USVI rum income in the pink

Rum producers in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, such as Bacardi and Diageo, will see their spirits continue to benefit from the higher rebate rate of so-called 'cover over' tax in the US for another year.

• SINGAPORE: Asia Pacific head quits SPI Group

The regional director for SPI Group's operations in the Asia Pacific region has left the company, less than nine months after joining the Stolichnaya vodka owner.

• SINGAPORE: Asia Pacific Breweries sees four executives resign

Four Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) executives have quit the company in the wake of Heineken taking full control of the group.