United Kingdom | It does not happen often that the CEO of a major listed company resigns three weeks ahead of posting annual results. The departure of Diageo’s CEO Debra Crew on 16 July must have been so sudden – albeit by mutual agreement – that Diageo’s Chief Financial Officer Nik Jhangiani is taking over in the interim as the board searches for a successor.

Spain | The World Health Organisation (WHO) is back in the headlines, pushing countries to raise the prices of sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50 percent over the next ten years through taxation. This is its strongest backing yet for taxes to help tackle public health issues. The initiative, dubbed “3 by 35”, was launched at the United Nations Finance for Development conference in Seville, Spain, media reported on 4 July.

USA | Missouri has signed a law that will cut taxes on US beer to lowest in the nation. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, a Republican, signed the American Beer Act into law on 10 July, in a bid to support the malt industry, manufacturing and jobs overall. The ceremony took place outside AB-InBev’s St. Louis Brewery.