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This monthly
recap of August 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-Aug-2007 |
Jamaica |
 Jamaica's Banks Will Close Afternoon Of September 3 (Source: Jamaica Gleaner News) - Summary: The Jamaica Bankers' Association (JBA) has advised that all 10 commercial and merchant banks will close at noon on Monday, September 3, 2007, on the day of the upcoming national election. Links: other Jamaica news and updates.
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31-Aug-2007 |
Philippines |
 Philippines Declares August 31 Public Holiday In Aklan Province (Source: Aklan Forum Journal) - Summary: Presidential Proclamation No. 1370 of August 29, 2007, has declared Friday, August 31, 2007, the birth anniversary of the late Roman Catholic leader and Archbishop of Manila Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, an annual special non-working holiday in the province of Aklan. Links: other Philippines news and updates.
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31-Aug-2007 |
Uganda |
 Uganda Declares 3 Days Of National Mourning (Source: The Daily Monitor) - Summary: Third Deputy Prime Minister, Hajji Kirunda Kivejinja, declared three days of national mourning starting today, August 31, 2007, in honour of the 75 deaths in the Sunday accident which occurred when a military truck carrying soldiers and their families overturned on a steep hill in the Mount Elgon foothills of eastern Uganda. Links: other Uganda news and updates.
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30-Aug-2007 |
Nepal |
 Nepal To Add Muslim Public Holidays (Source: Nepal News) - Summary: The government of Nepal has agreed that public holidays would be given on Muslim festivals. These new public holidays will most likely be allowances, limited to Muslim civil servants, to be off work on the day of the main Muslim festivals. Links: other Nepal news and updates.
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29-Aug-2007 |
UK |
 UK Proposed New Public Holiday Could Be In November (Source: Financial Times) - Summary: The Institute for Public Policy Research, a left-leaning think-tank, said in a recent paper that the new "British National Day" should be launched as an extra bank holiday on the Monday after Remembrance Sunday. Links: other UK news and updates.
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29-Aug-2007 |
Libya |
 Libya Expected To Declare Earliest Ramadan Start On September 12 (Source: Gulf News) - Summary: Dr Waheeb Al Nasser, a physics professor at the University of Bahrain, issued a statement that he expected Libya to be the first to observe the beginning of Ramadan, on September 12, 2007. Links: full story and other Libya news and updates.
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28-Aug-2007 |
Swaziland |
 Swaziland Umhlanga Public Holiday Seems Set For September 3 (Source: IOL-Mbabane) - Summary: It would appear that this year's Umhlanga, or Reed Dance, Ceremony will take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 1 and 2, 2007. Links: full story and other Swaziland news and updates.
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28-Aug-2007 |
Chile |
 Chile September 17 Bridge Public Holiday Approved (Source: El Mercurio) - Summary: Yesterday, the working commission of the Senate approved and sent for a final vote today, the law that will make Monday, September 17, 2007, a bridge public holiday. Links: full story and other Chile news and updates.
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28-Aug-2007 |
Thailand |
 Thailand Elections Set For December 23 (Source: The Nation) - Summary: The date of Sunday, December 23, 2007, has been announced for the upcoming general elections, and it is possible that the next day, Monday, December 24, 2007, might be declared a public holiday. Links: full story and other Thailand news and updates.
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25-Aug-2007 |
UK - Scotland |
 Scotland's First Minister Re-Affirms Commitment To Full Public Holiday Status For St-Andrew's Day (Source: The Scotsman) - Summary: In response to accusations that the SNP was going back on its promise to create a new public holiday on Saint Andrew's Day (November 30), Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, confirmed that the creation that new public holiday was still part of his party's platform. Links: full story and other UK - Scotland news and updates.
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25-Aug-2007 |
Panama |
 Panama's Proposed Return To Long Weekend Public Holidays Gaining Momentum (Source: Panamá América) - Summary: The lobbying effort to restore the practice of moving Panama's fixed-date public holidays to the nearest Monday or Friday, is gaining momentum. Links: full story and other Panama news and updates.
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24-Aug-2007 |
Guatemala |
 Guatemala Declares One-Off Public Holiday On September 10 (Source: Telediario 3) - Summary: The President of Guatemala, Oscar Berger, announced, earlier today, that he had declared Monday, September 10, 2007, as a one-off public holiday to compensate people for traveling back, often far, to their place of electoral registration, for the Presidential and Legislative elections on the day before. Links: other Guatemala news and updates.
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23-Aug-2007 |
Kyrgyzstan |
 Kyrgyzstan Congratulated For National Day On The Wrong Date (Source: IRNA) - Summary: Kyrgyzstan's upcoming National Day public holiday is confirmed as August 31. Links: full story and other Kyrgyzstan news and updates.
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23-Aug-2007 |
Bangladesh |
 Bangladesh Declares August 23 Public Holiday (Source: The New Straits Times) - Summary: Earlier this morning, the government of Bangladesh declared a one-off public holiday for today, Thursday, August 23, 2007. Links: full story and other Bangladesh news and updates.
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22-Aug-2007 |
Jordan |
 Jordan One-Off Electoral Public Holiday Likely On November 20 (Source: AFP + France24) - Summary: Jordan's Prime Minister announced that the upcoming legislative elections would be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2007. Links: full story and other Jordan news and updates.
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22-Aug-2007 |
Qatar |
 Qatar Removes September 3 From List Of National Public Holidays (Source: Gulf Times-Doha) - Summary: It has been confirmed that in compensation for the new public holiday on December 18, beginning in 2007, September 3 will no longer be a public holiday in Qatar. Links: full story and other Qatar news and updates.
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22-Aug-2007 |
USA |
 USA Considering Declaring Day After Thanksgiving As New Public Holiday (Source: KPNX-12) - Summary: U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) has introduced Bill S.1852 that would create a special holiday, Native American Heritage Day, honoring the contributions of Native Americans make, on the day after Thanksgiving. Links: other USA (United States) news and updates.
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22-Aug-2007 |
Philippines |
Philippines August 24 And September 12 Update (Source: GMA News) - Summary: Earlier this month, Proclamation No. 1362 declared Wednesday, September 12, 2007, as the the National Day of Prayer and Reconciliation, however, it has now become evident that this will not be a public holiday. Links: full story and other Philippines news and updates.
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21-Aug-2007 |
UAE |
 UAE Dates For Ramadan And Eid Al-Adha Confirmed By Leading Astronomer (Source: Gulf News) - Summary: Renowned astronomer, Dr Humaid Al Nuaimi, recently issued a statement saying that his estimations come in line with the calculations followed in UAE for the upcoming date of the first day of Ramadan (September 13, not a public holiday in the UAE, but all cafes and restaurants remain closed until sundown, from that date until Eid al-Fitr) and Eid al-Adha (December 20). Links: other UAE (United Arab Emirates) news and updates.
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20-Aug-2007 |
Bangladesh |
Bangladesh Moves Shab e-Barat Public Holiday From August 29 to August 30 (Source: Copp Clark) - Summary: The government of Bangladesh is reported to have changed the date of the upcoming Shab e-Barat public holiday from Wednesday, August 29, to Thursday, August 30, 2007. Links: full story and other Bangladesh news and updates.
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20-Aug-2007 |
Kazakhstan |
 Kazakhstan Declares August 31 Bridge Public Holiday (Source: Kazakhstan Today) - Summary: Earlier today, Prime Minister, Karim Massimov, signed a decree making Friday, August 31, 2007, a one-off bridge public holiday (August 30 is Kazakhstan's Constitution Day public holiday). Links: full story and other Kazakhstan news and updates.
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20-Aug-2007 |
Thailand |
Thailand Might Declare December 17 or 24 Public Holiday (Source: Mathaba) - Summary: Following yesterday's approval by referendum of the new charter constitution, a general election now looks set to be held in December, most likely on december 16 or 23, according to both the Election Commission chairman and the Interim Prime Minister. Links: full story and other Thailand news and updates.
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19-Aug-2007 |
Jordan |
Jordan Legislative Election November Public Holiday Likely (Source: Reuters-Amman) - Summary: Jordan's King Abdullah issued a decree dissolving parliament and called on the government to prepare for multi-party polls which must occur before the end of November and will most likely be a one-off public holiday. Links: other Jordan news and updates.
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19-Aug-2007 |
Venezuela |
 Venezuela Confirms August 20 Public Holiday For Banks And Financial Institutions (Source: El Carabobeño) - Summary: The Government of Venezuela has confirmed that, on Monday, August 20, 2007, banks, insurrance brokers and financial institutions, will be closed to observe the Día de la Asunción de María public holiday. Links: other Venezuela news and updates.
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19-Aug-2007 |
Swaziland |
Unconfirmed Date For Swaziland's Umhlanga Reed Dance (Source: Zululand EcoAdventures-Mbabane) - Summary: A travel website has posted the date of September 8 for the 2007 Umhlanga, or Reed Dance. However, no official announcement has yet been made and the semi-official Swazi Observer newspaper, in a recent article, hinted that it might be in August. Links: full story and other Swaziland news and updates.
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17-Aug-2007 |
Peru |
 Peru Declares Three Days Of National Mourning (Source: Radio New Zealand) - Summary: The government in Peru has declared three days of national mourning, beginning on Thursday, August 16, for those who died in Wednesday night's massive earthquake. Links: other Peru news and updates.
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17-Aug-2007 |
Canada |
 Canada Could Declare August 15 Public Holiday (Source: Cyberpresse) - Summary: The leader of the Canadian opposition party, Stéphane Dion, has promised that August 15, the Fête nationale des Acadiens et des Acadiennes, would become a federal public holiday if the Liberal party comes to power in the next elections. Links: other Canada news and updates.
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16-Aug-2007 |
Ethiopia |
 Ethiopia To Celebrate Millenium New Year Public Holiday September 12 (Source: BBC World) - Summary: This year's Ethiopian New Year will see its calendar year change from 1999 to 2000, on September 12, 2007. Despite the fact that the 3rd millennium will actually begin on Ethiopian new year 2001 (ie. September 11, 2008), the millennium celebrations will occur this year. Links: other Ethiopia news and updates.
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15-Aug-2007 |
Chile |
Chile September 17 and December 31 One-Off Public Holidays Update (Source: El Mercurio) - Summary: The Senate vote on the law that would make Monday, September 17, 2007, a one-off public holiday, is still in commission, and its vote on the Senate floor is now scheduled for August 27. Links: full story and other Chile news and updates.
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14-Aug-2007 |
Rwanda |
 Rwanda Issues Assumption Day Public Holiday Reminder (Source: Radio Rwanda-Kigali) - Summary: Professor Paul Manasseh Nshuti, Rwanda's minister of public service and labour, issued a statement informing the general public, employers and employees in particular, that Wednesday, August 15, 2007, is a public holiday. Links: full story and other Rwanda news and updates.
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14-Aug-2007 |
Christmas Island |
 Christmas Island Changes 2008 Labour Day Public Holiday (Source: Teritorial Administration) - Summary: Christmas Island has released its 2008 list of official public holidays, in which Labour Day, usually observed at the end of March, is scheduled for March 17 in 2008. Links: full story and other Christmas Island news and updates.
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14-Aug-2007 |
Bangladesh |
Bangladesh August 15 Public Holiday Will Not Be Reinstated This Year (Source: New Kerala News) - Summary: Bangladesh's leadership will pay tributes to the country's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Wednesday, August 15, 2007, the anniversary of his assassination in 1975. But it will not be a national public holiday. Links: full story and other Bangladesh news and updates.
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14-Aug-2007 |
Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 2008 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Office of the Administrator) - Summary: The Administrator of the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands has released the list of its official public holidays for the year 2008. Links: full story and other Cocos (Keeling) Islands news and updates.
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12-Aug-2007 |
Zimbabwe |
 Zimbabwe Lifts Price Controls On Beer For Next Week's 2 Public Holidays (Source: BusinessWeek) - Summary: The government has lifted price controls on beer, to ensure that supplies are not disrupted during next week's 2 consecutive public holidays. Links: other Zimbabwe news and updates.
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12-Aug-2007 |
India |
 India Asked To Declare Rath Yatra A National Public Holiday (Source: The Hindustan Times) - Summary: Yesterday, the BJP urged the government to declare the opening day of Lord Jaganath Rath Yatra in Puri as national holiday enabling the devotees to participate in the festival. Links: other India news and updates.
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12-Aug-2007 |
Argentina |
 After Some Hesitation Argentina Moves August 17 Public Holiday To Following Monday (Source: Actualidad Misiones) - Summary: After some hesitations during the months of June and July, the government finally decided to move the commemoration of the death of General San Martín public holiday to the following Monday, as has been the recent practice. Links: full story and other Argentina news and updates.
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11-Aug-2007 |
Bolivia |
 Bolivia's Cochamba Department Declares August 16 Public Holiday (Source: Los Tiempos) - Summary: Prefect Manfred Reyes Villa declared Thursday, august 16, 2007, as a public holiday for all government employees of the Department of Cochabamba (in central Bolivia) on the occasion of the celebration of the Calvario de la festividad de la Virgen de Urkupiña. Links: full story and other Bolivia news and updates.
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11-Aug-2007 |
Russia |
 Russia 2008 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Russian Federation Government) - Summary: The government of the Russian Federation has released RF Government Resolutions No. 512 and 551, "On public holidays transfer in 2008", which confirms the list of 2008 public holidays and additional bridge public holidays to be compensated by a nearby working Saturday or Sunday. Links: full story and other Russia news and updates.
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10-Aug-2007 |
Trinidad and Tobago |
 Trinidad and Tobago Sets Date of Diwali Public Holiday To November 9 (Source: Travel Video Television News) - Summary: The Trinidad and Tobago Hindu community has set the date for the observance of the Diwali public holiday (spelled Divali in Trinidad and Tobago) to Friday, November 9, 2007. Links: other Trinidad and Tobago news and updates.
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10-Aug-2007 |
Costa Rica |
 Costa Rica Mothers Day Public Holiday To Become Fixed Again (Source: Teletica) - Summary: Despite efforts by many members of the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly, the law moving Mothers' Day from August 15 to the next Monday was not repealed, and the Mothers' Day public holiday, in Costa Rica, will occur on Monday, August 20, in 2007, as previously forecast. Links: full story and other Costa Rica news and updates.
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9-Aug-2007 |
Philippines |
Philippines Tinkers With Recent Public Holidays Rationalization Law (Source: GMA News) - Summary: Barely 2 weeks after the signing of Republic Act 9492, "An Act Rationalizing the Celebration of National Holidays", it was announced that while August's upcoming public holidays would follow the new rules, Bonifacio Day (November 30) and Rizal Day (December 30), would not follow the new rules in 2007 and that both these public holidays would remain on their traditional fixed dates.
Links: full story and other Philippines news and updates.
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8-Aug-2007 |
Suriname |
 Suriname's New August 9 Public Holiday (Source: Blada.com) - Summary: Beginning this year, Suriname will be observing August 9, the International Day of Indigenous People, as a full-fledged public holiday. Links: full story and other Suriname news and updates.
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8-Aug-2007 |
Oman |
 Oman Moves Al Israa Wal Miraj Public Holiday To August 11 (Source: Times of Oman) - Summary: Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, minister of the Diwan of Royal Court and chairman of the Civil Service Council, issued a decision yesterday, moving the Al Israa Wal Miraj (Ascension of Prophet Muhammad) public holiday from August 10 to Saturday, August 11, 2007, for all ministries, government authorities and other departments of the state’s administrative apparatuses, as well as all private sector establishments. Links: other Oman news and updates.
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8-Aug-2007 |
Madagascar |
 Madagascar Declares August 9 Public Holiday (Source: Madagascar Tribune) - Summary: President, Marc Ravalomanana, declared tomorrow, Thursday, August 9, 2007, as a one-off public holiday to coincide with the first day of the Indian Ocean Games sporting event. Links: other Madagascar news and updates.
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8-Aug-2007 |
Chile |
Chile September 17 Public Holiday Approved By Chamber Of Deputies (Source: Díario El Gong) - Summary: The Chamber of deputies approved the bill to make Monday, September 17, 2007, a one-off public holiday to bridge the gap between the weekend and the annual 2-day Fiesta Patrias of September 18 and 19. Links: full story and other Chile news and updates.
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8-Aug-2007 |
Panama |
Panama Business Wants Public Holidays Moved Back To Fridays and Mondays (Source: La Estrella) - Summary: Next weekend, business leaders will formally request that President Martín Torrijos Espino restore the so called "días puentes" or "fines de semanas largos" system, in place from 1996 to 2000. Links: full story and other Panama news and updates.
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8-Aug-2007 |
Thailand |
Thailand Financial Institutions Will Be Open On August 20 (Source: Bangkok Post) - Summary: Finance Minister, Chalongphob Sussangkarn, said all banks and financial institutions would be open on Monday, August 20, 2007. Links: full story and other Thailand news and updates.
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7-Aug-2007 |
Zimbabwe |
Zimbabwe 2008 Public Holidays Announced (Source: The Herald) - Summary: The Minister of Home Affairs announced the list of public holidays for next year in terms of the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act. Links: full story and other Zimbabwe news and updates.
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7-Aug-2007 |
Thailand |
Thailand Cabinet Confirms August 20 Public Holiday (Source: The Nation) - Summary: The government of Thailand's cabinet officially declared a one-off public holiday on Monday, August 20, 2007. Links: full story and other Thailand news and updates.
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6-Aug-2007 |
India |
India's Punjab Declares August 8 and October 12 Public Holidays (Source: Punjab Newsline) - Summary: The Punjab Government has declared a public holiday on Wednesday, August 8, 2007, on account of general municipal elections. Links: full story and other India news and updates.
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6-Aug-2007 |
Bangladesh |
Bangladesh August 15 Public Holiday In Front Of Supreme Court (Source: The Daily Star) - Summary: A writ petition was filed with the High Court (HC), asking it to issue directives reinstating August 15 as the National Day of Mourning and a public holiday. Links: full story and other Bangladesh news and updates.
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5-Aug-2007 |
Croatia |
 Serbs Criticize Croatia Over August 5 National Public Holiday (Source: RadioFreeEurope + RadioLiberty) - Summary: This year, once again, Serb groups throughout the Balkan States have launched campaigns criticizing Croatia's observance of the August 5 public holiday. Links: other Croatia news and updates.
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4-Aug-2007 |
Spain |
 Spain's Baleares Autonomy Announces 2008 Regional Public Holidays (Source: Última Hora Menorca) - Summary: The executive council of the Spanish Autonomous Community of the Baleares has announced the list of 2008 regional public holidays for all regions of the autonomy. Links: other Spain news and updates.
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4-Aug-2007 |
Kuwait |
 Kuwait Officializes Weekend Change from Thursday-Friday to Friday-Saturday (Source: Arab Times) - Summary: The Chairman of the Civil Service Commission issued a circular declaring Saturday as the weekly holiday, as well as the shift of some official public holidays, which fall on Saturday to Sunday. Links: full story and other Kuwait news and updates.
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4-Aug-2007 |
Congo (DRC) |
 Democratic Republic Of The Congo Declares 3 Days Of National Mourning (Source: IOL) - Summary: The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo declared three days of national mourning (Saturday to Monday, August 4-6, 2007) for victims of one of the country's worst rail disasters, in which at least 100 people were killed and 120 injured. Links: other Congo (Dem. Rep.) news and updates.
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4-Aug-2007 |
Thailand |
Thailand May Declare August 20 Public Holiday (Source: The Nation) - Summary: The Prime Minister has suggested making Monday, August 20, 2007, the day after the upcoming constitutional referendum, a one-off public holiday throughout Thailand. Links: full story and other Thailand news and updates.
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3-Aug-2007 |
Côte d'Ivoire |
 Ivory Coast Declares August 6 Bridge Public Holiday (Source: Television Ivoirienne-Abidjan) - Summary: The Ministry of Public Service and Employment of the Ivory Coast has announced that Monday, August 6, 2007, had been an additional one-off public holiday in the Ivory Coast. Links: full story and other Côte d'Ivoire news and updates.
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3-Aug-2007 |
Chile |
Chile's Parliament To Vote Next Tuesday On September 17 One-Off Public Holiday (Source: La Segunda) - Summary: The bill to make Monday, September 17, 2007, a one-off public holiday, will come up for a vote in Parliament on Tuesday, August 7. Links: full story and other Chile news and updates.
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3-Aug-2007 |
Cambodia |
 Cambodia 2008 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Cambodia's e-Gov Website-Phnom Penh) - Summary: Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Sen, signed today the Royal Government's sub-decree Nº 93, establishing Cambodia's list of official public holidays for 2008. Links: full story and other Cambodia news and updates.
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2-Aug-2007 |
Liberia |
 Liberia Asked To Add Public Holiday On May 1st (Source: Government of Liberia-Monrovia) - Summary: During her recent meeting with trade union leaders, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was asked by trade union leaders to consider making May 1st, a new annual public holiday. Links: other Liberia news and updates.
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1-Aug-2007 |
Spain |
Spain's Canaries' Islands Announces 2008 Regional Public Holidays (Source: La Voz de Lanzarote) - Summary: The Governing Council of the Canarias Autonomy has announced its 2008 list of regional public holidays, with each of its islands having its own specific regional public holidays. Links: other Spain news and updates.
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1-Aug-2007 |
Antigua and Barbuda |
 Antigua Denies Rumours Of August 8 Public Holiday (Source: The Antigua Sun) - Summary: The Cabinet has denied rumours that Wednesday, August 8, 2007, the day after the 50th anniversary celebrations of Carnival end, is a public holiday. Links: other Antigua and Barbuda news and updates.
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1-Aug-2007 |
Romania |
 Romania August 3 Day Of National Mourning (Source: International Herald Tribune) - Summary: The government has declared a day of national mourning on Friday, August 3, 2007, the day of the funeral of the head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Teoctist. Links: other Romania news and updates.
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1-Aug-2007 |
Nicaragua |
 Nicaragua's Managua Declares August 1-2 Public Sector Holiday (Source: La Voz del Sandinismo) - Summary: The Minister of Labour announced that she had declared Wednesday and Thursday, August 1 and 2, 2007, as fully-paid public holidays for all municipal employees of Managua, on the occasion of the commemoration of the life of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, patron of Managua. Links: other Nicaragua news and updates.
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1-Aug-2007 |
Philippines |
Philippines Declares August 3 Special Public Holiday For Students (Source: GMA News) - Summary: Earlier today, Philippines President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, signed Proclamation no. 1345 which makes Friday, August 3, 2007, a special, no-classes holiday for college and high school students. Links: other Philippines news and updates.
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