The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has ruled that discriminatory excise tax on spirits in the Philippines is a violation of WTO rules.

Africa: Heineken has purchased two breweries in Ethiopia for a total of US$163 million. 

William Grant & Sons and JF Hillebrand have signed a three-year global logistics contract.

Mexico´s Tequila Regulatory Council (TRC) is working to step up operatives to curb a rising trade of fake and "toxic" blends after consumer watchdog Profeco this week announced 40% of the country’s alcohol is sold in an "adulterated" state.

G&J Greenall, one of the UK’s major distillers has been sold to a management buy out, according to unconfirmed reports.

UK spirits and liqueur agency, Mangrove, has announced plans for expansion into the Middle East and south Asia.

Gruppo Campari has announced the acquisition of Brazilian cachaça brand Sagatiba and half-year sales growth of 14.2%.

Japanese brewer Kirin has bought the outstanding shares in Aleadri-Schinni Participações e Representações S.A. (“Aleadri”), a company that holds 50.45% of the outstanding shares of Schincariol Participações e Representações SA (Brazil; CEO: Adriano Schincariol: “Schincariol”).

US: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has found Diageo to have made “hundreds of illicit payments” to foreign government officials in India, Thailand and South Korea.

The emerging South Korean market could boost the fortunes of wine importers, according to research by Wine Intelligence.

Fortune Brands has announced the boards of directors for Beam and Fortune Brands Home & Security, the standalone public companies to result from the planned separation of its businesses.

Edwin H Nielsen (pictured), the great-grandson of Bacardi founder Don Facundo Bacardí Massó has died in Spain at the age of 93.

Africa: Diageo’s Guinness Nigeria has committed £225million (NGN 55 billion) to expand its brewing operations. The company has said this will create 200 permanent jobs for Nigerians.

Premiumisation is driving UK spirits volume and value growth in the on and off-trade, according to findings by First Drinks.

South Africa: The KWV board has announced that CEO Thys Loubser (pictured) has resigned as company CEO with immediate effect.

Foster's Group has announced the appointment of Andy Gibson to the role of chief marketing officer. Andy is expected to start in the role on November 1.

Diageo has appointed a head of its Western Europe division. From September 1, John Kennedy is to become chief operating officer, Diageo Western Europe. Kennedy is currently managing director, Diageo Ireland.

Irish Distillers CEO Alexandre Ricard (pictured) is to leave his post to join Pernod’s group general management team in Paris.

The Vinho Verde Wine Commission (CVRVV), in Portugal, has invested €5m on a three-year global promotion.

Korea’s 20% import tariff on spirits come down today (July 1) as a result of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and South Korea.

Pernod Ricard has announced the disposal, by its affiliate Pernod Ricard Europe, of its shares in Georgian Wine and Spirits LLC to JSC Marussia (Georgia).

E & J Gallo Winery has announced an agreement to purchase Edna Valley Vineyard from Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines Company and Paragon Vineyard Company, who held Edna Valley Vineyard as a joint venture.

Ian Macleod Distillers has purchased the Tamdhu distillery in Speyside, from the Edrington Group.

Chinese regulators have approved Diageo’s acquisition of an additional 4% stake in Sichuan Chengdu Quanxing Group (Quanxing) from Chengdu Yingsheng Investment Holding Co (Yingsheng).

Costellation Wines Australia and Europe has officially become Accolade Wines - as of June 27. Accolade brands include Hardy’s and Echo Falls.

Scotland: Diageo is to invest £20 million in its Speyside whisky facilities.

Drinks International’s Hamish Smith catches up with Vinexpo CEO Robert Beynat at 2011 show.

Foster's has rejected a takeover bid from SABMiller. Foster's Group said that it received an "unsolicited, incomplete, non-binding and conditional proposal" from SABMiller to acquire all of the shares in Foster's via a scheme of arrangement at a price of $4.90 per share in cash.

The CEO of the Fladgate Partnership has called for the quality standard of rosé port to be raised.

Budweiser has signed a three-year agreement with The Football Association to become the ‘lead partner’ of The FA Cup.

Australian winery Brown Brothers has appointed Rachel Herrig as brand manager to “drive the brand’s development in the UK and Ireland”.

A 170-year old bottle of champagne salvaged from a shipwreck in the Baltic Sea has fetched €30,000 at auction.

Morrison Bowmore Distillers has made five new appointments within its sales and marketing team.

Champagne Jacquart has announced the appointment of Floriane Eznack as winemaker.

The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company has appointed Mhairi McDonald and Graeme Morrison, to together fill the out-going role of distillery manager.

Diageo subsidiary East African Breweries (EAB) has purchased all of SAB Miller’s 20% shareholding in Kenya Breweries (KB). The transaction is worth US$225 million. The deal is subject to EAB disposing of its 20% shareholding in Tanzania Breweries – by way of public offer through the Dar-es-Salaam Stock Exchange.

Portugal: The Blandy Group has regained control of the Madeira Wine Company (MWC) from Symington Family Estates. Symington will still retain a minority share in the business, but intends to concentrate on its Cockburn port brand, which it purchased last year.

The Distilled Spirits Council in the US (DISCUS) has increased the demographic placement standard in its Code of Responsible Advertising Practices. The change reflects the 2010 Census data, which shows that 71.6% of the US population is 21 years of age and older. The previous demographic was 70%.