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This monthly
recap of May 2007 worldwide public holidays news and updates, covers all the countries
of the world, and is based on our daily review
of hundreds of online newspapers, government sites, and institutional sources,
and over a decade of experience following
worldwide public holidays, to place current events in context, and anticipate on
possible future changes.
Available as
free weekly
or monthly email newsletters.
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Date |
Country |
News Item Summary
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31-May-2007 |
Indonesia |
 Indonesia 2008 Public Holidays Gazetted (Source: The Jakarta Post) - Summary: The Coordinating Minister for the People's Welfare, Aburizal Bakrie, announced the national holidays and joint leave days for 2008. The 2008 decree on holidays and joint leave stipulates those religious holidays that cannot be moved, 14 national holidays and six days of joint leave. Links: full story and other Indonesia news and updates.
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31-May-2007 |
Nepal |
 Nepal Faces June 1 Nationwide Shutdown (Source: India e-News) - Summary: An umbrella of nearly 60 communities have called for a countrywide shutdown, tomorrow, on Friday June 1, 2007. Links: other Nepal news and updates.
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31-May-2007 |
Malaysia |
 For the First Time, Malaysia Will Celebrate Gawai Nationally (Source: The Daily Express) - Summary: The Government had declared the festivity of Perayaan Hari Gawai Dayak (Friday June 1, 2007) as a public holiday for the whole country, for the first time ever.
Links: full story and other Malaysia news and updates.
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31-May-2007 |
Bermuda |
 Bermuda Declares June 5 Public Holiday (Source: The Bermuda Sun-Hamilton) - Summary: The funeral of Dame Lois Browne-Evans has been set for next Tuesday, June 5, 2007. Links: full story and other Bermuda news and updates.
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31-May-2007 |
Bulgaria |
 Bulgaria's Capital Considering June 11 Public Holiday (Source: Novinite News Agency) - Summary: The Mayor of Sofia wrote to the Bulgarian Prime Minister, asking him to declare the Monday, June 11, 2007, a non-working day, on the occasion of the visit of US President, George W. Bush. Links: other Bulgaria news and updates.
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30-May-2007 |
Bermuda |
Bermuda Will Declare Public Holiday on Day of Lois Browne-Evans' Funeral (Source: The Bermuda Sun-Hamilton) - Summary: Following the overnight death of Lois Browne-Evans, Bermuda Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown, announced that the day of her funeral will be a public holiday. Links: full story and other Bermuda news and updates.
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29-May-2007 |
Australia |
 Australia: Sydney's APEC Disturbances Will Extend to September 6 and 10 (Source: ABC News) - Summary: It has been announced that President Bush will meet the leaders of China and Russia before the September 7-9, APEC meeting, and will then remain in Sydney for further talks after the summit, ensuring continued disturbances for Sydney-siders, at both ends of the APEC summit. Links: other Australia news and updates.
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28-May-2007 |
Malawi |
 Malawi Declares a One-Month Mourning Period (Source: Reuters South Africa) - Summary: A one-month national mourning period was declared, following the death of Malawi's first lady, Ethel wa Mutharika, earlier today. Links: other Malawi news and updates.
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27-May-2007 |
India |
 India's Himachal Pradesh State Declares June 30 Public Holiday For Civil Servants (Source: Himachal Pradesh Department of Information and Public Relations) - Summary: The Himachal Pradesh State Government has declared 30th June, 2007 a Gazetted holiday on account of ‘Sant Guru Kabir Jayanti’ for all employees working in Government Offices, Boards, Corporations, and Educational Institutions. Links: other India news and updates.
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27-May-2007 |
Solomon Islands |
 Solomon Islands to Hold State Funeral Later in the Week (Source: Solomon Star News) - Summary: The Solomon Islands will hold a state funeral later this week to honour one of its statesman, Sir Lloyd Maepeza Gina, who passed away over the weekend. Links: other Solomon Islands news and updates.
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27-May-2007 |
Bhutan |
 Bhutan Declares Polling Day Public Holiday (Source: Kuensel-Thimpu) - Summary: Monday, May 28, 2007, polling day, will be a national holiday with all government, corporate and private establishments closed for the day for the primary round of mock elections. Links: full story and other Bhutan news and updates.
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26-May-2007 |
Belize |
 Belize 2008 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Ministry of Home Affairs-Belmopan) - Summary: The government of Belize has released its official list of public holidays for the year 2008. Links: full story and other Belize news and updates.
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26-May-2007 |
Nigeria |
 Nigeria Declares Additional Inauguration Public Holiday for May 28 (Source: Panapress) - Summary: The federal government of Nigeria declared an additional, one-off, public holiday, for Monday, May 28, 2007, on the occasion of the inauguration of the President-elect, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. Links: other Nigeria news and updates.
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25-May-2007 |
Uganda |
 Uganda Declares Annual May 24 Public Holiday In Buganda Region (Source: The Daily Monitor) - Summary: The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, declared that, henceforth, May 24 would be a public holiday in Buganda. Links: full story and other Uganda news and updates.
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25-May-2007 |
Anguilla |
 Anguilla New Public Holiday Downgraded To School Holiday (Source: The Anguillian-The Valley) - Summary: The recent motion in the House of Assembly by opposition member, Edison Baird, calling for a public holiday to be instituted in honour of Revolutionary Leader, James Ronald Webster, was defeated. Links: full story and other Anguilla news and updates.
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25-May-2007 |
Falkland Islands |
 Falkland Islands Public Holiday On June 15 (Source: Falkland Islands Government-Stanley) - Summary: At this week's EXCO meeting, the Falkland Islands government confirmed that Friday, June 15, 2007, would be a one-off public holiday/non-working day in the Falkland Islands to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Liberation of the Falklands from Argentine occupation. Links: full story and other Falkland Islands news and updates.
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24-May-2007 |
Switzerland |
 Switzerland's 2007 National Day Public Holiday Loses Its Legendary Venue (Source: Le Temps) - Summary: The Commission du Grütli announced, earlier today that, in 2007, there would be no celebration of Switzerland's National Day public holiday on the legendary Plaine du Grütli. Links: other Switzerland news and updates.
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24-May-2007 |
France |
 France's Whit Monday Public Holiday Observance To Remain As Is (Source: L'Express) - Summary: The newly formed center-right government has confirmed that there would be no change to the current observance of the Whitmonday public holiday in France. Links: full story and other France news and updates.
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24-May-2007 |
Syria |
 Syria Declares May 24 Civil Service Public Holiday (Source: Nine Months in Syria) - Summary: The government declared today, Thursday, May 24, 2007, an official public holiday as preparation for this Sunday's Presidential referendum. Links: full story and other Syria news and updates.
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24-May-2007 |
Taiwan |
 Taiwan Not Rejecting October 25 Public Holiday Suggestion (Source: Taipei Times) - Summary: President Chen Shui-bian recently reacted cautiously to, while not dismissing it offhand, the suggestion that Taiwan declare October 25 as a new public holiday. Links: other Taiwan news and updates.
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24-May-2007 |
Philippines |
 Philippines Confirms Special Public Holidays on June 11, November 2 and December 24 (Source: The Philippine Information Agency-PIA) - Summary: The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) confirmed that June 11, November 2 and December 24 would be special public holidays, but that that Tuesday, June 12, would be regular working day nationwide. Links: full story and other Philippines news and updates.
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24-May-2007 |
Namibia |
 Namibia Declares Today A Half-Day Public Holiday For Civil Servants (Source: The Namibian-Windhoek) - Summary: President Hifikepunye Pohamba has declared a half-day public holiday, for this afternoon, beginning at 13:00 on Thursday May 24, for all civil servants. Links: other Namibia news and updates.
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23-May-2007 |
Bénin |
 Bénin Declares May 28 Public Holiday (Source: Conseil des Ministres de la République du Bénin-Cotonou) - Summary: The government of Bénin has declared Monday, May 28, 2007, as a paid non-working public holiday (le conseil des ministres déclare la journée du lundi 28 mai 2007, chômée et payée sur toute l’étendue du territoire national). Links: full story and other Bénin news and updates.
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22-May-2007 |
Oman |
 Oman Considering Friday-Saturday Weekends (Source: Al Watan) - Summary: There has been recent speculation that the government of Oman is planning to change the official weekend, from the current Thursday/Friday to Friday/Saturday, effective on January 1, 2008. Links: other Oman news and updates.
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22-May-2007 |
Lebanon |
 Lebanon Declares May 22 National Day of Mourning (Source: Libnanews) - Summary: Late last night, we started receiving reports that Tuesday, May 22, 2007, would be declared a National Day of Mourning. Links: other Lebanon news and updates.
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22-May-2007 |
India |
India: General Strike Today in Punjab's Ludhiana (Source: Ludhiana Newsline) - Summary: A bandh has been declared for today, Tuesday, May 22, 2007, in Ludhiana, the largest city in the State of Punjab. Links: other India news and updates.
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22-May-2007 |
Malaysia |
Malaysia's Sarawak State Declares Public Holiday on June 4 (Source: Bernama) - Summary: Monday, June 4, 2007, has been gazetted, in Sarawak State, as an additional public holiday. Links: full story and other Malaysia news and updates.
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21-May-2007 |
Montenegro |
 Montenegro Changes Independence Day Public Holiday From June 3 to May 21 (Source: Radio Free Europe) - Summary: Last Thursday, the parliament of Montenegro, voted to make May 21 the Independence Day public holiday of Montenegro. Links: full story and other Montenegro news and updates.
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21-May-2007 |
Vanuatu |
 Vanuatu Declares Public Holiday Following Death Of Bishop Visi (Source: Radio New Zealand International) - Summary: A public holiday has been declared in Vanuatu, today, following the sudden death of Catholic Bishop, Michel Visi, yesterday morning. Links: other Vanuatu news and updates.
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19-May-2007 |
Nigeria |
Nigeria's May 29 Public Holiday To Be Marred By National Strike (Source: Business Day-Nigeria) - Summary: The 2 main Nigerian trade unions have called for a two-day strike on Monday and Tuesday, May 28-29, 2007, that strike will coincide with the May 29 "Democracy Day" public holiday. Links: other Nigeria news and updates.
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19-May-2007 |
Ghana |
 Ghana Confrims May 25 Public Holiday (Source: Ghana's Ministry of the Interior) - Summary: Ghana's Ministry of the Interior reminded the public that, Friday, May 25 is Africa Union Day and a statutory public holiday to be observed throughout the country. Links: other Ghana news and updates.
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18-May-2007 |
South Sudan |
 Sudan To Declare May 16 Annual Public Holiday In South Sudan (Source: The Sudan Tribune) - Summary: The Sudanese First Vice President and president of Southern Sudan government, Salva Kiir Mayadrit, declared that he would introduce legislation to make May 16, henceforth, an official national day to be annually celebrated throughout South Sudan, Blue Nile, Abyei and Nuba Mountains. Links: other South Sudan news and updates.
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18-May-2007 |
Cameroon |
 Cameroon Declares May 18 National Mourning Day (Source: CRTV-Yaoundé) - Summary: Late last night, Cameroon President, Paul Biya, decreed May 18 the day of national mourning in memory of the victims of the Kenya Airways flight which crashed on May 5. Links: other Cameroon news and updates.
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18-May-2007 |
India |
India's Himachal Pradesh Government Declares May 23 Public Holiday in State Capital (Source: New Kerala) - Summary: Earlier today, the Himachal Pradesh State Government declared a public holiday on Wednesday May 23, 2007, to coincide with the municipal elections in Shimla, the HP State capital. Links: other India news and updates.
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17-May-2007 |
Algeria |
 Algeria Declares Public Holiday To Coincide With Today's Parliamentary Elections (Source: The Middle East Times) - Summary: Today has been declared a one-off public holiday in Algeria to facilitate participation in the parliamentary elections.
Links: full story and other Algeria news and updates.
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16-May-2007 |
Namibia |
Namibia School Term Delayed Due To Africa Day Public Holiday (Source: The Namibian-Windhoek) - Summary: Due to the Africa Day public holiday, on Friday May 25, 2007, state schools will only reopen on Monday May 28, instead of Tuesday May 22. Links: other Namibia news and updates.
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16-May-2007 |
Fiji |
 Fiji Asked To Create Indian Arrival Day Public Holiday (Source: The Fiji Times-Suva) - Summary: Former Vice-President, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, has called for the creation of new a public holiday to commemorate the arrival of the Girmitiyas from India 128 years ago. Links: full story and other Fiji news and updates.
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15-May-2007 |
Samoa |
 Samoa Declares May 17-18 One-Off Public Holidays (Source: Matangi Tonga) - Summary: The Samoan Government has declared Thursday and Friday, May 17 and 18, 2007, to be public holiday for King, and Samoan High Chief, Malietoa Tanumafili II's, official funeral and burial. Links: full story and other Samoa news and updates.
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14-May-2007 |
Pakistan |
 Pakistan's Sindh Province Declares May 14 Public Holiday (Source: Pakistan Times) - Summary: Late last night, the government of Pakistan's Sindh Province announced a day of mourning, today, Monday, May 14, 2007, which has been declared a province-wide public holiday. Links: other Pakistan news and updates.
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14-May-2007 |
Israel |
 Israel Considering Making Fridays Normal Working Days (Source: Arouts Sheva) - Summary: The Knesset is set to vote on a proposal by the National Religious Party, which would make Sundays non-working days, while Fridays would become a normal working days. Links: other Israel news and updates.
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12-May-2007 |
Pakistan |
Pakistan's Sindh Province Declares May 12 Public Holiday (Source: Dawn e-Paper) - Summary: Late last night, the State Government declared today, Saturday, May 12, 2007, a public holiday in the Province of Sindh. Links: other Pakistan news and updates.
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12-May-2007 |
Ecuador |
 Ecuador Updates Status of May 24 and October 12 Public Holidays (Source: El Comercio) - Summary: The government had decided that all civic, educational and military celebrations associated with this year's commemoration of the Battle of Pichincha and the Independence of Guayaquil public holidays would be held on their exact date. Links: full story and other Ecuador news and updates.
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12-May-2007 |
China |
 Status Report on China's Golden Weeks Public Holidays - Summary: We have posted a lengthy analysis on China's Golden Week public holidays and their prospects on our blog. Links: full story and other China news and updates.
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11-May-2007 |
India |
India Declares May 11 Public Holiday in Capital (Source: Reuters India) - Summary: The Indian government has declared a one-off public holiday for today, May 11, 2007, in its capital, New Delhi. Links: other India news and updates.
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11-May-2007 |
Samoa |
Samoa's King Dies (Source: IHT) - Summary: King Malietoa Tanumafili II, one of the world's longest reigning monarchs, passed away. Links: full story and other Samoa news and updates.
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11-May-2007 |
Brazil |
 Brazil Makes This May 11 a Full Public Holiday (Source: The Senate of Brazil) - Summary: The recently created, and annually commemorated feast named "Dia de Santo Antônio de Sant'Anna Galvão", will exceptionally, this year, on Friday May 11, 2007, will be a full national public holiday (feriado nacional). Links: other Brazil news and updates.
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11-May-2007 |
Ghana |
Ghana Expected To Declare July 2 Public Holiday (Source: The Statesman) - Summary: The Bank of Ghana has disclosed that since July 1 falls on a Sunday and is Ghana’s Republic Day, it expects the Government to make the following day, Monday July 2, 2007, a public holiday. Links: other Ghana news and updates.
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10-May-2007 |
Thailand |
 Thailand's Royal Ploughing Ceremony Predicts a Bountiful Harvest (Source: The Bangkok Post) - Summary: During this year's Royal Ploughing Ceremony, carried live on national television, earlier today, the sacred oxen chose clothes and foods indicating that food production would be plentiful this crop year, while water would be abundant. Links: other Thailand news and updates.
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10-May-2007 |
Kenya |
 Kenya Clarifies Public Holiday Status of May 14 (Source: The Nation) - Summary: Monday May 14, 2007, is not a public holiday, the Government clarified yesterday. Links: other Kenya news and updates.
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9-May-2007 |
Bulgaria |
Bulgaria Declares May 21 Educational Sector Public Holiday (Source: Email from Bulgarian client) - Summary: Monday, May 21, 2007, has been declared a special, one-off, public holiday in Bulgaria, akin to the November 1st, annual special public holiday, which only affects schools and the education sector. Links: other Bulgaria news and updates.
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9-May-2007 |
Wallis and Futuna |
 Wallis Declares 6 Month Mourning Period Following Death of King (Source: Radio New Zealand International) - Summary: Following king Tomasi Kulimoetoke's funeral, yesterday, that clans on the island of Wallis will observe a six-month mourning period. Links: other Wallis and Futuna news and updates.
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8-May-2007 |
Northern Mariana Islands |
 Saipan Still Looking for Austerity Fridays Replacement (Source: The Saipan Tribune-Garapan) - Summary: The government introduced legislation that proposes unpaid holidays to replace the biweekly austerity holidays beginning this October. Links: other Northern Mariana Islands news and updates.
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8-May-2007 |
Malawi |
Malawi's Kamuzu Day Public Holiday not yet Gazetted by Executive (Source: The Daily Times-Lilongwe) - Summary: With 6 days to go before May 14, 2007, the first occurrence of the new annual public holiday in honour of of the country’s first president Ngwazi Kamuzu Banda, the Malawi exceutive has not yet declared it or gazetted it. Links: full story and other Malawi news and updates.
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8-May-2007 |
UK |
 UK Public Holiday To Mark Queen Elizabeth's 60th Wedding Anniversary: Status Report - Summary: Following-up on our report of February 28, we have reviewed the reports of a proposed public holiday, to be held in late August 2007, to mark Queen Elizabeth's 60th Wedding Anniversary, and we have decided to remove from the list of potential public holidays displayed on the page of UK public holidays. Links: other UK news and updates.
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8-May-2007 |
Germany |
 Germany's Majority Opposed to Removal of a Public Holiday to Finance State Pension Plans (Source: pressrelations.de) - Summary: A recent poll taken by the Postbank reveals that only 26 percent of those polled are in favor of the removal of one of Germany's public holidays, to help fund State pension plans, while 63 percent are against. Links: other Germany news and updates.
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8-May-2007 |
Seychelles |
 Seychelles Election Public Holiday On May 12 (Source: Seychelles Nation-Victoria) - Summary: The Department of Public Administration has announced that Saturday, 12 May 2007, has been declared a public holiday on account of the National Assembly election. Links: full story and other Seychelles news and updates.
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8-May-2007 |
Kenya |
Kenya Declares May 14 National Day Of Mourning (Source: Kenya Times) - Summary: President Mwai Kibaki declared next Monday, May 14, 2007, a national mourning and prayer day for families of those who perished in the recent crash of flight Kenya Airways flight KQ 507. Links: other Kenya news and updates.
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7-May-2007 |
France |
France's Whit Monday Public Holiday Unlikely To Return (Source: Q + + Blog-April 7) - Summary: Last night's victory by center-right presidential candidate, Nicolas Sarkozy, means that the restoration of the Whit Monday public holiday (one of the Socialist Party's Manifesto promises), is unlikely. Links: full story and other France news and updates.
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5-May-2007 |
Philippines |
Philippines Regional Public Holiday Declared For May 7 (Source: Balita) - Summary: By virtue of Proclamation No. 1285, the Office of the President declared Monday, May 7, 2007, as a special non-working holiday in San Pablo to give its residents the opportunity to celebrate the 67th anniversary or foundation day of their city. Links: other Philippines news and updates.
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5-May-2007 |
Ireland |
 Ireland Not Considering Adding A New Public Holiday "At The Moment" (Source: The Sunday Tribune) - Summary: Although both the Public Service Executive Union and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions are pushing for extra public holidays as part of the current national agreement negotiations. Links: full story and other Ireland news and updates.
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4-May-2007 |
UAE |
 UAE Announces It Will Honour Workers On May 1st Beginning Next Year (Source: Emirates News Agency-WAM) - Summary: The UAE announced that, from next year, workers would be honoured in the UAE on May Day. Links: other UAE (United Arab Emirates) news and updates.
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4-May-2007 |
Kuwait |
 Kuwait May Consider Adding May Day To List Of Public Holidays (Source: Arab Times Kuwait) - Summary: The Chairman of the Kuwait Trade Union Federation has called, on Tuesday, for declaring May 1st an official day in Kuwait to honor the working class in line with the tradition in many other countries. Links: other Kuwait news and updates.
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4-May-2007 |
Bulgaria |
Bulgaria Moves Upcoming Bridge Public Holiday Compensation To June 2 (Source: Bulgarian Stock Exchange-BSE) - Summary: The special working Saturday of May 19, 2007, has been moved to June 2, 2007. Links: full story and other Bulgaria news and updates.
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3-May-2007 |
Brazil |
Brazil's São Paulo Declares Municipal Public Holiday On May 11 (Source: O Estadao de São Paulo) - Summary: The city of São Paulo has declared a ponto facultativo, on May 11, 2007, on the occasion of the ceremony when Pope Benedict XVI will canonize Frey Galvão, Brazil's first saint ever. Links: other Brazil news and updates.
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3-May-2007 |
Canada |
 Canada's Federal Elections To Be Held Every Four Years From Now On (Source: Radio-Canada) - Summary: Canadian federal elections will henceforth be held on the third Monday in October, four years after the previous general election day. Links: other Canada news and updates.
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2-May-2007 |
Bhutan |
Bhutan Election Day To Be A Public Holiday (Source: Kuensel-Thimpu) - Summary: The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB), announced today that it would conduct next year's parliamentary elections, the first ever in Bhutan, on a weekday and that that day would be declared as a public holiday "so that more people can come and vote". Links: other Bhutan news and updates.
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1-May-2007 |
Northern Mariana Islands |
Saipan Looking for Austerity Fridays Replacement (Source: The Saipan Tribune-Garapan) - Summary: Governor Benigno R. Fitial suggested that austerity Fridays be replaced with unpaid legal holidays, which would make every other Friday a forced, unpaid public holiday, for civil servants. Links: other Northern Mariana Islands news and updates.
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1-May-2007 |
El Salvador |
 El Salvador To Officialize Civil Servants' Bridge Holidays For Next Year (Source: elsalvador.com-San Salvador) - Summary: El Salvador's assembly has been asked to revise the public sector's public holidays law by enshrining the concept of bridge holidays begun on a case-by-case basis this year. Links: full story and other El Salvador news and updates.
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1-May-2007 |
Bangladesh |
 Bangladesh Confirms Buddha Purnima Public Holiday Tomorrow May 2nd (Source: The Daily Star-Dhaka) - Summary: Sources in Bangladesh have confirmed that the Buddha Purnima Public Holiday, would occur on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. Links: other Bangladesh news and updates.
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