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This monthly
recap of December 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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30-Dec-2007 |
Sénégal |
 Senegal Declares 3-Day National Mourning (Source: BBC World) - Summary: Serigne Saliou Mbacke, the the fifth caliph of the Mouride Muslim brotherhood, as well as the religious adviser to Senegalese President, Abdoulaye Wade, died on Friday, and a 3-day national mourning period was declared from Friday, December 28, to Sunday, December 30, inclusively. Links: full story and other Sénégal news and updates.
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30-Dec-2007 |
The Gambia |
 The Gambia Declares December 31 Public Holiday (Source: Freedom Newspaper) - Summary: Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh has declared Monday, December 31, 2007, as a one-off public holiday to coincide with the official naming ceremony of his newly born son Muhammed Yahya Jammeh in Kanilai. Links: other The Gambia news and updates.
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30-Dec-2007 |
Kenya |
 Kenya December 31 Post-Election Public Holiday (Source: Reuters) - Summary: Shortly after being sworn-in for a second term, President Mwai Kibaki declared tomorrow, Monday, December 31, 2007, as a one-off public holiday, "to accord all Kenyans the rest they deserved [after] the hectic time the country had during the electioneering period". Links: full story and other Kenya news and updates.
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30-Dec-2007 |
Panama |
 Panama's President Signs Long Weekends Public Holidays Bill Into Law (Source: PA-Digital) - Summary: The bill restoring the mechanism of días puente (bridge holidays) to some of Panama's public holidays was signed into law earlier this week by President, Martín Torrijos. Links: full story and other Panama news and updates.
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30-Dec-2007 |
Yemen |
 Yemen Declares 3-Day National Mourning (Source: Arab News) - Summary: Abdullah ibn Hussein Al-Ahmar, the speaker of Yemen’s Parliament, died yesterday, and the government of Yemen announced an official three-day mourning, from Saturday, December 29, to Monday, December 31, inclusively. This national mourning period will not be a public holiday. Links: other Yemen news and updates.
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28-Dec-2007 |
Pakistan |
 Pakistan Declares 3-Day National Mourning (Source: The Daily Times-Islamabad) - Summary: A 3-day national mourning period was declared for the period of December 28-30, inclusively, following the assassination of Prime minister, Benazir Bhutto. Links: full story and other Pakistan news and updates.
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28-Dec-2007 |
India |
 India's Punjab Announces Official List of 2008 Public Holidays (Source: Punjab Newsline) - Summary: The State Government of Punjab has announced its 2008 official list of 28 public holidays and 18 restricted holidays (from which an employee can choose any two days). Links: other India news and updates.
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28-Dec-2007 |
Nepal |
 Nepal Could Add Non-Hindu National Public Holidays (Source: Nepal News + The Himalayan Times) - Summary: Home Minister, Krishna Sitaula, has announced that festivals of indigenous nationalities and of various religious minorities would be made into full national public holidays (currently the festivals of most ethnic and religious minorities only give these minorities the right to a day off, provided that they are civil servants). Links: full story and other Nepal news and updates.
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28-Dec-2007 |
Brazil |
 Brazil Announces Official 2008 Public Holidays List (Source: O Dia) - Summary: Brazil's Ministry of Planning has released the official list of 2008 public holidays (feriados nacionais e pontos facultativos). Links: full story and other Brazil news and updates.
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27-Dec-2007 |
Argentina |
 Argentina's Central Bank Announces 2008 Public Holidays (Source: InfoBAE) - Summary: The Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) announced the official list of 2008 public holidays in Argentina. Links: other Argentina news and updates.
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27-Dec-2007 |
Romania |
 Romania Declares December 31 Bank Holiday (Source: Mediafax) - Summary: A one-off bridge bank holiday has been declared for Monday, December 31, 2007. Banks and financial institutions in Romania will be closed on that day. Links: other Romania news and updates.
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27-Dec-2007 |
Kyrgyzstan |
 Kyrgyzstan Public Holidays From January 1-7 (Source: AKI Press) - Summary: The government of Kyrgyzstan has declared as non-working days (one-off bridge public holidays) the days of January 2-3-4, 2008. Links: full story and other Kyrgyzstan news and updates.
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26-Dec-2007 |
Kuwait |
 Kuwait 2008 New Year Holiday To Remain On January 1st (Source: Kuwait Times) - Summary: It was announced, earlier today, by Kuwait’s Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Abdulaziz Al-Sebin that Tuesday, January 1, 2008, would be observed as the (Western) New Year public holiday, instead of the scheduled date of Sunday, January 6, 2008. Links: other Kuwait news and updates.
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26-Dec-2007 |
UK |
 UK: Renewed Calls For Fall Public Holiday (Source: Travel Weekly + The Daily Mail) - Summary: Thomas Cook, is launching a massive advertising campaign to pressure the government to add another bank holiday. Links: other UK news and updates.
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26-Dec-2007 |
Swaziland |
 Swaziland's Incwala Public Holiday Date Confirmed (Source: The Times-Mbabane) - Summary: Swaziland's Minister of Home Affairs, Prince Gabheni, has officially announced that the public holiday corresponding to the Incwala, would be on Friday, December 28, 2007. Links: full story and other Swaziland news and updates.
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26-Dec-2007 |
Bhutan |
 Bhutan Confirms Extent Of Upcoming Election Public Holidays (Source: Kuensel-Thimpu) - Summary: Bhutan's Electoral Commission has confirmed that the date of the upcoming polling day for the National Council election, December 31, would be a public holiday throughout Bhutan, except for the Thimphu, Haa, Gasa, Lhuentse and Trashiyangtse dzongkhags, where the election has been postponed. Links: full story and other Bhutan news and updates.
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25-Dec-2007 |
Uzbekistan |
 Uzbekistan Declares December 31 Public Holiday (Source: Information Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan-Jahon) - Summary: President Islam Karimov signed the resolution "On transferring the working day from Monday December 31, 2007 onto a Saturday December 29, 2007", which makes Monday, December 31, 2007, a public holiday. Links: full story and other Uzbekistan news and updates.
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24-Dec-2007 |
French Polynesia |
 French Polynesia Government Holidays On December 24, 31 and January 2 (Source: Tahiti Presse) - Summary: The Council of Ministers of French Polynesia, has announced additional, end-of-the-year, public holidays for civil servants and government services. These are: the afternoon of Monday, December, 24, 2007, plus Monday, December 31, 2007, and Wednesday, January 2, 2008. Links: other French Polynesia news and updates.
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23-Dec-2007 |
Macedonia |
 Macedonia Announces December 25 Holiday For Catholics (Source: Makfax Vesnik-Skopje) - Summary: Macedonia's Ministry of Labor and Social Policy announced that December 25, the first day of Christmas, according to Gregorian calendar, would be a non-working day for the Catholic community in Macedonia. Links: other Macedonia news and updates.
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22-Dec-2007 |
Cameroon |
 Cameroon Declares December 24 Bridge Public Holiday (Source: Kaï Walaï) - Summary: Cameroon President, Paul Biya, signed an executive decree making Monday, December 24, 2007, a one-off, bridge public holiday. Links: other Cameroon news and updates.
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22-Dec-2007 |
Swaziland |
Swaziland's Incwala Public Holiday Still Not Officially Announced (Source: The Swazi Observer-Mbabane) - Summary: Swaziland's Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Meshack Shongwe, said that the date of the upcoming Incwala public holiday had not been made, adding that such a decision was made by Labadzala who understand the customary signs, which prelude the Incwala Dance. Links: full story and other Swaziland news and updates.
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21-Dec-2007 |
Cyprus |
 Cyprus December 31 Euro Conversion Bank Holiday (Source: The Gazette) - Summary: On Monday, December 31, 2007, on the day when the Euro becomes legal tender in Cyprus, banks will not transact business with customers. Links: full story and other Cyprus news and updates.
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21-Dec-2007 |
Honduras |
 Honduras Declares December 24 And 31 Bridge Holidays For Public Servants (Source: El Heraldo) - Summary: The General Secretary of the Honduras Ministry of Administration and Justice, Florencia García, announced last night that executive decree 72-2007 had been issued creating two, one-off, bridge holidays for civil servants: Monday, December 24, and Monday, December 31, 2007. Links: other Honduras news and updates.
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20-Dec-2007 |
Kenya |
Kenya Declares December 28 National Public Holiday (Source: Kenya Braodcasting Corporation) - Summary: Government spokesperson, Alfred Mutua, announced that Friday, December 28, 2007, the day after the upcoming presidential election, would be a one-off public holiday in order for Kenyans to be able to travel, vote and return back to their workplace. Links: full story and other Kenya news and updates.
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20-Dec-2007 |
Iraq |
 Iraq Extends Civil Service Eid al-Adha Public Holiday To Include Christmas Day (Source: Al-Mashriq-print edition) - Summary: The Iraqi national press office released an announcement which extended the Eid al-Adha public holiday for civil servants by one extra day and declared the following day, December 25th a national holiday in Iraq for all government offices (national and provincial). Links: other Iraq news and updates.
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20-Dec-2007 |
El Salvador |
 El Salvador Declares May 2nd Bridge Public Holiday (Source: Diario Oficial de El Salvador) - Summary: Legislative decree 519 of December 20, 2007, makes Friday, May 2, 2008, a one-off bridge public holiday for all civil servants in El Salvador. This additional public holiday will be compensated by Saturday, April 26, 2008, being a regular working day. Links: other El Salvador news and updates.
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20-Dec-2007 |
Samoa |
 Samoan Parliament Approves Public Holidays Bill 2007 (Source: Samoa Observer-Apia) - Summary: Samoa's Parliament has approved the report on the Public Holidays Bill 2007 by the Primary Production, Commerce, Industry and Labour Committee, reducing the number of public holidays in Samoa, and giving shops the option to open during public holidays. Links: full story and other Samoa news and updates.
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20-Dec-2007 |
Guam |
 Guam Declares December 24 Bridge Public Holiday (Source: KUAM News) - Summary: Governor Felix Camacho signed Executive Order 2007-21 declaring Monday, December 24, 2007, a one-off bridge public holiday for the Government of Guam. Many private sector businesses are expected to follow the government. Links: other Guam news and updates.
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19-Dec-2007 |
France |
 France's Whit Monday Public Holiday Back In The Limelight (Source: Le Monde) - Summary: In a report he submitted late last week, Eric Besson, the Minister in Charge of the Evaluation of Public Policies, proposed that the Whitmonday public holiday be re-instated in France, and that each business be allowed to choose the public holiday it wishes to work on. Links: full story and other France news and updates.
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19-Dec-2007 |
Azerbaijan |
 Azerbaijan Public Holidays From December 31 To January 6 (Source: Azeri Press Agency-APA) - Summary: The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan announced that it had replaced the 2 non-working days of the weekend of December 29-30, 2007, by Thursday and Friday, January 3-4, 2008. Links: full story and other Azerbaijan news and updates.
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18-Dec-2007 |
Sénégal |
Sénégal Confusion About Upcoming Tabaski Public Holiday Date (Source: Le Quotidien-Dakar) - Summary: The government of Sénégal has finally confirmed that the upcoming Tabaski (Feast of Sacrifice) public holiday would be observed on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. Links: full story and other Sénégal news and updates.
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17-Dec-2007 |
China |
 China Makes Public Holidays Overhaul Official (Source: State Council of China-Beijing) - Summary: Earlier today, the Chinese government made official its draft plan of November 9, to overhaul its public holidays system, without any amendments. Links: full story and other China news and updates.
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16-Dec-2007 |
Malta |
 Malta's MLP Would Restore Days In Lieu If Elected (Source: The Times of Malta) - Summary: Malta's Labour Party has promised that, if elected, public holidays that fall on a weekend would give rise to a day in lieu on the following scheduled working day. Links: full story and other Malta news and updates.
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16-Dec-2007 |
Sri Lanka |
 Sri Lanka Amends List Of 2008 Public Holidays (Source: Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs-Colombo) - Summary: Sri Lanka's Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs has released an erratum to its official list of bank and public holidays for 2008. Links: full story and other Sri Lanka news and updates.
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16-Dec-2007 |
Maldives |
 Maldives Changes Dates of Eid al-Adha Public Holidays (Source: Government of the Maldives) - Summary: The President of the Maldives announced that the Eid al-Adha public holidays would be moved a day earlier, so that the general public holiday of Haj Day will therefore take place on Tuesday December 18, followed by the general public holiday of Eid al-Adha on Wednesday December 19. Links: full story and other Maldives news and updates.
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15-Dec-2007 |
Uzbekistan |
Uzbekistan Announces Eid al-Adha Public Holiday Date (Source: Jahon News Agency-Tashkent) - Summary: President Islam Karimov signed the resolution "On celebrating the Kurban-hayit (the Eid al-Adha) in Uzbekistan", which sets the date of Wednesday, December 19, 2007, for the upcoming Eid al-Adha public holiday. Links: full story and other Uzbekistan news and updates.
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15-Dec-2007 |
Oman |
 Oman Eid al-Adha Public Holiday December 18-21 (Source: The Times of Oman) - Summary: Oman finally declared the date of Eid al-Adha as Wednesday, December 19, 2007. The public sector (ministries, public authorities and other state administrative bodies) will be on holidays from Tuesday, December 18, to Sunday, December 23, 2007, inclusively. The private sector, for its part, will be on holidays from Wednesday, December 19, to Saturday, December 22, 2007, inclusively. Links: other Oman news and updates.
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15-Dec-2007 |
Ghana |
 Ghana Announces December 19 Eid-Ul-Adha Public Holiday (Source: Ghana News Online) - Summary: The Ministry of the Interior of Ghana announced that the date of the Eid al-Adha public holiday had been set for Wednesday, December 19, 2007, one day earlier than anticipated. Links: other Ghana news and updates.
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15-Dec-2007 |
Bahrain |
 Bahrain Eid al-Adha Holiday To Extend For 10 Days (Source: Gulf News) - Summary: This December's combination of national and religious public holidays coupled with days in lieu for holidays that fall on the weekend is giving employees in the public sector a total of 10 consecutive days off, from Friday, December 14, to Sunday, December 23, 2007. Links: full story and other Bahrain news and updates.
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14-Dec-2007 |
Pakistan |
Pakistan To Observe Eid al-Adha On December 21 (Source: The News) - Summary: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee confirmed that no reports of sightings of the Zilhajj moon had been received on the 10th, and that therefore the first day of the month of Zilhajj would be December 12 and the Eid al-Adha public holiday on Friday, December 21, 2007. Links: other Pakistan news and updates.
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14-Dec-2007 |
India |
India Bakri Id Public Holiday On December 21 (Source: The Hindu) - Summary: Most of the Indian states that observe Bakri Id (or Feast of Sacrifice) will observe it on Friday December 21, 2007, in sharp contrast to the Middle East, and Central Asia, where most countries have selected Wednesday, December 19. Links: other India news and updates.
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14-Dec-2007 |
Kenya |
Kenya's New Id-ul-Hajj Public Holiday Gazetted For December 19 (Source: Kenya Broadcasting Corporation) - Summary: The Government of Kenya has finally gazetted the new public holiday of Id-ul-Hajj on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. Links: full story and other Kenya news and updates.
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13-Dec-2007 |
Romania |
Romania Public Sector Holiday On December 24 (Source: Mediafax) - Summary: Romania's Prime Minister announced yesterday that Monday, December 24, 2007, would be a one-off, bridge public holidays for the public sector. Links: full story and other Romania news and updates.
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13-Dec-2007 |
Kazakhstan |
 Kazakhstan Clarifies Independence Day Public Holiday Dates (Source: Gazeta-Astana) - Summary: The government of Kazakhstan has confirmed that the non-working days related to this year's Independence Day public holiday would be December 16-18. Links: full story and other Kazakhstan news and updates.
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13-Dec-2007 |
Mauritania |
 Mauritania Reverts To Friday/Saturday Weekends (Source: La Tribune-Noakchott) - Summary: Following yesterday's meeting of the Council of Ministers, it was announced that the weekly day of rest in Mauritania would be moved back from Sunday to Friday, with Saturday being an additional day of rest (jour de repos supplémentaire). This change comes into effect next Monday, December 17, 2007. Links: full story and other Mauritania news and updates.
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13-Dec-2007 |
Brazil |
Brazil: December 24 And 31 Bridge Public Holidays Status (Source: Gazeta Mercantil) - Summary: Over the last few weeks a large number of Brazil's States and 5000+ municipalities have announced that both Monday, December 24, and Monday December 31, 2007, would be pontos facultativos (bridge public holidays for civil servants whose presence is not essential). Links: other Brazil news and updates.
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13-Dec-2007 |
Qatar |
 Qatar December 18-23 Bank And Financial Markets Holiday (Source: Gulf Times) - Summary: Yesterday, the Qatar Central Bank announced a bank holiday for the period of December 18-23, inclusively. Links: full story and other Qatar news and updates.
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12-Dec-2007 |
Chile |
 Chile's Día De La Raza Public Holiday Could Be Cancelled Starting In 2008 (Source: Chile.com) - Summary: A bill will soon be introduced before parliament to cancel the October 12, Día de la Raza, public holiday. This idea has already received positive official comments from the president of the Comisión de Gobierno Interior, and from the Conadi indigenous associations umbrella group. Links: other Chile news and updates.
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12-Dec-2007 |
Chile |
Chile December 31 One-Off Public Holiday Law Unlikely (Source: Radio Cooperativa) - Summary: The draft bill proposing to make December 31, 2007, a one-off public holiday is still stuck in commission, and therefore it is almost certain that Monday, December 31, 2007, will be a regular working day in Chile (although banks will have the day off, as was always the case in the past). Links: other Chile news and updates.
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11-Dec-2007 |
Kyrgyzstan |
Kyrgyzstan Announces Kurban Ait Public Holiday Date (Source: zakon.kz) - Summary: Kyrgyzstan's Council of Muslims has advised the government that the Kurban Ait public holiday should occur on December 19, 2007, despite the fact that many Arabic country will be observing it on the 20th. Links: other Kyrgyzstan news and updates.
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11-Dec-2007 |
Saudi Arabia |
 Saudi Arabia Moves Eid al-Adha To December 19 (Source: Gulf News) - Summary: Yesterday, Saudi Arabia's Supreme Judicial Councilannounced that Wednesday, December 19, 2007, would be the first day of Eid Al Adha (also known as the Feast of Sacrifice). Links: other Saudi Arabia news and updates.
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11-Dec-2007 |
Turkmenistan |
 Turkmenistan Officializes Upcoming Eid al-Adha Public Holiday Dates (Source: Turkmenistan.ru-Ashgabad) - Summary: Turkmenistan's President issued a decree confirming the 3-day period of Thursday to Saturday, December 20-22, 2007, as the official public holidays dates for this year's Kurban Bayramy. Links: other Turkmenistan news and updates.
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11-Dec-2007 |
UAE |
 UAE Announces Eid al-Adha Public Holiday Dates (Source: Arabian Business) - Summary: All ministries and public departments of the UAE will remain closed for five days, from Tuesday, December 18, to Saturday, December 22, to mark Eid Al Adha, while the private sector will get 3 days off, also beginning on December 18. Links: full story and other UAE (United Arab Emirates) news and updates.
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10-Dec-2007 |
China |
China's State Council Approves Public Holidays Overhaul (Source: CCTV) - Summary: Yesterday, the State Council of China approved the November 9 draft plan to overhaul the national public holidays system in China. Links: full story and other China news and updates.
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10-Dec-2007 |
Azerbaijan |
Azerbaijan Announces Upcoming Eid al-Adha Public Holiday Dates (Source: Azerbaijan Business Center) - Summary: The Cabinet Ministers of Azerbaijan announced that December 20 and 21 would be the dates for the public holiday celebration of religious holiday Gurban Bayrami (Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice). Links: full story and other Azerbaijan news and updates.
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9-Dec-2007 |
Ecuador |
 Ecuador Declares December 24 and 31 Bridge Public Holidays (Source: Ecuador InMediato) - Summary: A presidential decree has made Monday, December 24 and Monday, December 31, 2007, one-off bridge public holidays. In compensation, Saturday December 22, and Saturday December 29, 2007, will be regular working days. Links: full story and other Ecuador news and updates.
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8-Dec-2007 |
Azerbaijan |
Azerbaijan Novruz Bayram Public Holiday To Last 2 Days Longer in 2008 (Source: Azerbaijan Business Center) - Summary: Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers issued decree 198 which adds 2 extra days to the 2008 Novruz Bayram (Persian New Year) public holiday, which will therefore run from March 20 to March 26, 2008, inclusively. Links: full story and other Azerbaijan news and updates.
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6-Dec-2007 |
Moldova |
 Moldova Year-End Public Holidays To Last 10 Days (Source: All Moldova News Agency) - Summary: Moldova's Vice Minister of Economy and Trade, Sergiu Sainciuc, has announced that the Government of Moldova had declared 4, one-off, public holidays for the upcoming end of the year; December 31, 2007, and January 2, 3, and 4, 2008. Links: full story and other Moldova news and updates.
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6-Dec-2007 |
Australia |
 Australia's Queensland State Considers Moving Queen's Birthday Public Holiday (Source: The Courier Mail) - Summary: The Government of Australia's State of Queensland is considering shifting the statewide Queen's Birthday public holiday from the second Monday in June to a date in October, beginning in 2009. Links: full story and other Australia news and updates.
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6-Dec-2007 |
Panama |
Panama Declares Year-End Public Sector Holidays (Source: Presidencia de la República de Panamá-Panama City) - Summary: The Ministry of the Interior of Panama has published the Decreto Ejecutivo Nº 742 which declares Monday, December 24, and Monday, December 31, 2007, as one-off public sector holidays. Links: full story and other Panama news and updates.
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5-Dec-2007 |
Argentina |
Argentina Announces Public Sector and Bank Holidays For December 10, 24 and 31 (Source: InfoBAE) - Summary: Presidential Decree 1781, issued yesterday, sets forth 3 one-off Monday public holidays in December, for public servants: the 10th (the date of the inauguration of president-elect Cristina Fernández), the 24th and the 31st. Links: full story and other Argentina news and updates.
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4-Dec-2007 |
Guam |
Guam December 7 Public Sector Day In Lieu (Source: Marianas Variety) - Summary: Next Friday, December 7, Guam government employees will have the day off in observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception Our Lady of Camarin Day, or Santa Marian Kamalen, the patron saint of Guam and the Northern Marianas, whose celebration will occur on Saturday December 8. Links: other Guam news and updates.
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3-Dec-2007 |
Nicaragua |
 Nicaragua Government Offices To Close From December 22 To January 1 (Source: El Nuevo Diario) - Summary: The Nicaragua Ministry of Labor announced that civil servants would be on public holidays leave from the evening of Friday December 21, 2007, to the morning of Wednesday January 2, 2008. Links: full story and other Nicaragua news and updates.
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3-Dec-2007 |
Qatar |
Qatar Announces December 18-25 Public Holidays (Source: Arabian Business) - Summary: Late yesterday, it was announced that the upcoming Eid al Adha public holiday would last from Wednesday, December 19 to Tuesday, December 25, 2007, inclusively. Links: full story and other Qatar news and updates.
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