Traffic movement will be restricted at night on May 3 in Rikoti Tunnel connecting eastern and western Georgia -- Roads Department of Georgia reports. As reported, all kind of transport will be banned from 01:00 till 07:00 as repair works will be underway. The transport will move by the bypass road. 

The 25th anniversary of Georgia-US cooperation – wrapping-up activities of jubilee week were held today. A special forum was organized to discuss bilateral diplomatic and strategic relations, security issues and democratic reforms. Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and representatives of government and Diplomatic Corps attended the conference, which summarized American Days 2017 in Georgia. A concert is being held at Jansug Kakhidze Musical Center. 

The Justice Supreme Council discussed the initiative of Judge Eva Gotsiridze about criticism of Corpse of Judges. The council members supported the initiative and agreed on a text regarding prohibition of criticism in direction of judges including on part of mass media representatives that often exceeds freedom of expression.Author of the initiative says that criticism is admissible but not insult. The text will be sent to Public Defender, non-governmental organizations, Journalistic Charter of Ethics and National Communications Commission. 

Receipt of applications within the framework of a competition announced by Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) for selection of programs for the new broadcast season is over. A total of 153 applications are received. The applicants submitted them for 9 programs in 5 directions. The competition was open from April 3 to April 25. The programs will be selected by a 12-member commission headed by Paata Kurdadze, Direction of Media Production of GPB. The commission is staffed by invited experts and employees of GPB. Those applicants, who qualify for the second round of competition, will hold presentations in May. The third tour envisages preparation of pilot programs. The best projects will be revealed in the beginning of June, 2017. 

The Board of Trustees of Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) will elect Chairman and deputy chairperson during the sitting today. The chairman will be elected with 3-year-term with majority of votes. General regulations will be determined and approved before the balloting process. 

No Georgian soldiers have been injured as a result of the attack on Mazar-e-Sharif military base, - Georgia’s Ministry of Defense says. As reported, Georgian soldiers serve on the base but they are all safe. The number killed in a Taliban attack on an Afghan army base has risen to more than 130, most of them government soldiers. Fighting lasted for several hours on Friday near the city of Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Balkh province. Insurgents targeted those leaving Friday prayers at the base's mosque and others in a canteen, the army said.

The 4-5-ball storm is expected at the Black Sea Coast today. Batumi city authorities declare readiness for the natural disaster. Strong wind will be also blowing in Adjara region during the next 2 days as weather forecasters prognosticate. The wind has already caused problems in Batumi. Roofs of houses and cars were damaged. It is raining at present in Adjara. 

Parliament has approved the amendments to road security legislation unanimously with 89 votes. The bill was passed by the third reading today.The amendment envisages introduction of contactless patrolling and  100-point driving license system. According to new legislation in case the points are reduced to 0 during a year, the driver’s license will be suspended for a year and it will be necessary to take an exam to get it back. 

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili expressed condolence to French people over terrorist act."I express my deep sorrow over the terrorist attack which took place in Paris; as a result one police officer died. Georgia and Georgian people express support to civilized world in fighting against terrorism. We believe that by a joint effort terrorism will be defeated”, - the statement of Prime Minister reads. A police officer has died and two are seriously wounded after a shooting near the Champs-Elysees boulevard in Paris yesterday. 

The 4th South Caucasus Security Forum is underway in Tbilisi. The fourth day of the forum was opened by the Foreign Affairs Minister of Georgia.The conference is attended by international experts, academics and representatives of research organizations, working on security issues in the region. The 4th South Caucasus Security Forum is organized jointly by the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies and the Strategic Policy Institute.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mikheil Janelidze expresses condolences to the French people. Janelidze responds to the attack that occurred yesterday.According to the Minister, it is very important for France to maintain stability in the pre-election period.According to Janelidze, Georgian citizens are not affected by the terrorist act.

Georgia and Germany celebrate the year of friendship in 2017. German migrants arrived in Georgia 200 years ago and German-Georgian diplomatic relationship also marks the 25th anniversary.  Cultural, economic, educational and sports activities will be held in both countries. Deputy Georgian Foreign Minister Khatuna Tortladze and German Ambassador to Georgia Heike Peitsch talked about the planned events during the meeting held at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili awarded philanthropist Akaki Sinjikashvili with St. Nicholas Order.After signing the relevant decree, President Margvelashvili personally handed over the award to Sinjikashvili. He was awarded for promoting philanthropic activities and serving Georgian people.Prior to the awarding ceremony, President, Head of the Administration of the President of Georgia Giorgi Abashishvili and Sinjikashvili visited St. Gabriel’s nursing home for elderly people and congratulated its residents on Easter. Presidential gifts for Easter were also distributed among other nursing homes located in Tbilisi.

An earthquake has hit Georgia today. As Ilia State University Seismic Monitoring Center reports, the quakes were of 3.1 magnitude. The epicenter was to the west from Dmanisi town, Kvemo Kartli region. The quakes occurred at about 12:29 PM. 

Municipal buses will be transporting passengers to cemeteries across Tbilisi free of charge over Easter holiday.Special routes will work from 08:00 – 20:00. Georgia’s Orthodox Church celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ during whole week since Easter and this week is called the Bright Week. Festive liturgies on this occasion are being held at all active churches across Georgia.On the first day of the week of Magnificent Easter Seven, the Georgian Orthodox Church marks the date of blessing of graves. Church services for commemoration of souls of the dead people are held this day at all acting churches across Georgia.

President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili attended the Easter liturgy at Dusheti, holy Nicholas Church. Giorgi Margvelashvili congratulated the population of Georgia on Easter and talked about the significance of the day.

The Georgian delegation has brought the Holy Fire to Georgia  last night. The believers and clerics meet the delegation at the airport. It was delivered at Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral. After that it was distributed to all churches and the believers have the opportunity to take it home. 

Regulations will be activated for those agencies, which offer employment abroad to Georgian citizens. The agencies will be required to provide the information about the employed citizens to Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs. Otherwise, they will be penalized. About 400 Georgian citizens have been employed for the last several years at 5-star hotels of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha with help of KMS Georgia employment agency.The employers provide accommodation, food and medical insurance to the employed. Head of the agency says that the company is officially registered at Labor and Employment Agency base and is ready to present a report about its activities. 

Municipal transport will work free of charge in Tbilisi in connection with Easter Holidays. Working hours of Tbilisi Subway will be extended on night of April 15 from midnight to 4 AM. Municipal buses will transport passengers in direction of cemeteries also free of charge on April 16-17.  

Maia Rcheulishvili, imprisoned founder of Center Point Construction Company, will be allowed to attend the funeral of his husband, Vakhtang Rcheulishvili - lawyer Mariam Tsutskiridze said.  As Tsutskhiridze claims, they have not received official permission from the Ministry of Corrections, but the agency expressed such readiness in private conversation with family members.“This is allowed by the law. We could not get official permission as these days are holidays in the country. However, the Ministry of Corrections expressed such readiness in private conversation with family members. We don’t know yet for how long she will leave prison," Tsutskhiridze said.