Paul McCartney offers support to Russian punk band![]() August 16, 2012 - 17:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Paul McCartney has sent support to a Russian punk band whose members face prison for a stunt against President Vladimir Putin. In a letter released Thursday, August 16 the former Beatle urged three members of all-female band Pussy Riot to "stay strong" and called on authorities to allow them freedom of speech. McCartney said that "I and many others like me who believe in free speech will do everything in our power to support you and the idea of artistic freedom." The band members have been in jail for more than five months because of an anti-Putin prank in Moscow's main cathedral, and face a maximum seven years in jail. Celebrities including Madonna and Bjork have called for them to be freed. A judge is due to rule on their case Friday, AP reported. ![]() ![]() As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. ![]() ![]() Partner news | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |