Russia’s parliament handed gas giant Gazprom the right to form its own armed units on Wednesday with a law one legislator said opened a “Pandora’s box” that could lead to the creation of a private army.A law backed by 341 lawmakers in the 450-seat State Duma lower house of parliament gave Gazprom, and oil pipeline monopoly Transneft, special exemption from strict limits on private businesses wielding arms.
US legislation aiming to punish foreign energy companies that do business with Iran took a step forward Tuesday as lawmakers attacked the Islamic republic’s nuclear drive and “terrorism.”The foreign affairs panel of the House of Representatives passed the proposed law by 37 votes to one, with Democrats and Republicans alike accusing Iran of using energy investment for nefarious ends.
