Russia | Mr Putin may deny it, but de-privatisation is definitely taking place. The court-mandated asset seizures of Baltika and Danone in July are not isolated cases. They are part of a broader strategy, impacting the oil and gas sector, infrastructure facilities, enterprises related to the military-industrial complex, the chemical industry, and agriculture. Both Russian and foreign businesses are affected.

United Kingdom | What a brouhaha: Speaking to media at the firm’s AGM in October, Innis & Gunn’s CEO Dougal Sharp said that “the firm is for sale”. He referred to a subsidiary, Flavourly, but some hacks thought it was the Scottish craft brewer itself. At the end of October, the brewer had to issue a statement, saying that Innis & Gunn has no plans to sell up.

South Korea | Diageo, the world’s leading drinks company, must be running out of unique marketing ideas. Like SABMiller before, it is going for pop-up venues to push its brands into select markets.