Swiss food and drink giant; the world’s largest publicly held food company
Au Vodka, the Swansea-based RTD vodka brand, is nearing a sale to Sazerac, the Kentucky-based owner of brands like Buffalo Trace and Fireball. Founders Charlie Morgan and Jackson Quinn are expected to net over £100m each, with a deal potentially valued up to £500m including future payments. Legal and advisory teams are said to be involved, and the move would expand Sazerac’s UK footprint amid industry turbulence.
Pabst Brewing Co. is offering up to $20,000 for information that leads to the recovery of 1,602 cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon and Old Milwaukee beer stolen on Aug. 17 from an Anheuser-Busch distribution center in Montclair, California. Two separate thefts on the same day involved about 40,000 pounds of beer valued at roughly $70,000. Police are investigating possible links between the incidents.
Poland's prime minister has warned intelligence indicates Russia is preparing hybrid drone and missile strikes that will be framed as "accidents" to weaken NATO's collective defence. He has announced a trip to Kyiv to coordinate defences. European governments are reinforcing air defences, closing airports temporarily and planning infrastructure protections.
Russian presidential decrees have placed the Russian operations of several Western retailers and food companies under temporary administration, transferring control to newly registered or Kremlin‑linked firms. The moves follow earlier 2023 seizures and are taking place as Moscow and Berlin exchange diplomatic and security accusations, putting German firms such as Metro and Globus at risk.
The Kremlin has expanded its control over foreign assets, transferring management of several European units to domestic entities. The moves follow Putin’s decree granting temporary state stewardship of key subsidiaries, intensifying a broader pattern of asset expropriation in response to Western sanctions.