US
Chuck Schumer – Senate Majority Leader
The United States Senate on Friday passed a sweeping bill for the prevention of gun violence in the country, as the bill is being sent to the House of Representatives with a 65 to 33 majority. “The United States Senate is doing something many believe was impossible even a few weeks ago. We are passing the first significant gun safety bill in nearly 30 years,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated before the vote.
UK
Oliver Dowden – Conservative Party chairman
Dowden announced on Friday he is stepping down from the position of Conservative Party chairman after his party’s loss in two by-elections in Wakefield and Tiverton & Honiton. “Yesterday’s Parliamentary by-elections are the latest in a run of very poor results for our party,” Dowden stated in his resignation letter to United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson. “We cannot carry on with business as usual. Somebody must take responsibility and I have concluded that, in these circumstances, it would not be right for me to remain in office.”
GERMANY
Robert Habeck – Economy Minister
Habeck told Der Spiegel on Friday that some companies would have to close if there is not enough gas due to the critical situation with the supply from Russia. “Certain industries would have to be shut down if there is not enough gas, and that pretty much is a prelude to potential gas rationing in the country, which is now one step away,” he said.
EU
Josep Borrell – High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Borrell will travel to Iran on June 24-25. His visit will be “part of the ongoing efforts to bring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) back to full implementation,” his office announced on Friday. Borell is expected to meet with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, as well as other officials.