Paraguay Declares August 1st Commemorative Day

Sources: Ultima Hora (Asuncion) and Paraguay bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). A presidential decree has been issued which, from this year onward, makes August 1st the commemorative day of "Día de la Solidaridad y Memoria".

Poland Considering August 1st National Holiday

Sources: Polskie Radio (Warsaw) and Poland bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Following Poland's President, Lech Kaczynski's initiative, a draft bill proclaiming August 1st a national holiday has already been forwarded to the Sejm (Poland's lower house of parliament) to coincide with the 65th anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising.

Nicaragua Clarifies August 1 and 10 Public Holidays

Sources: El Nuevo Diario (Managua) and Nicaragua bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Nicaragua's Ministry of Labour (MITRAB) has issued a communique clarifying the geographical extent of the upcoming "feriados agostinos" (August 1 and 10), and the consequences of August 1st, 2009, falling on a Saturday.

Bolivia Census Public Holidays Update

Sources: Radio Nacional de Venezuela (La Paz) and Bolivia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The President of Bolivia's electoral commission (Corte Nacional Electoral - CNE), Antonio Costas, has confirmed the likelihood of public holidays in September or October, 2009, to facilitate the upcoming national census.

Swaziland 2009 Reed Dance Public Holiday Update

Sources: The Times of Swaziland (Mbabane) and Swaziland bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Speaking yesterday on South Africa’s SABC 2 Morning Live program, Swaziland's Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Macford Sibandze, announced the date of the upcoming Umhlanga (Reed Dance) public holiday in Swaziland.

Bhutan Minister Calls For Nyenpa Guzon Public Holiday

Sources: Bhutan Ministry of Health (Thimphu) and Bhutan bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Bhutan's Minister of Health, Lyonpo Zangley Dukpa, has called for a return to an annual public holiday on the Buddhist festival of Nyenpa Guzon.

Macedonia Confirms August 3 Day In Lieu Public Holiday

Sources: Македонска Информативна Агенција (МИА) and Macedonia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Earlier today, Macedonia's Ministry of Labor and Social Policy issued a a press release announcing that Monday, August 3, 2009, would be a non-working public holiday for all citizens of Macedonia.

India Public Holiday For 2010 Commonwealth Games

Sources: The Times of India (New Delhi) and India bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Chairperson of the India's Organising Committee for the Commonwealth Games 2010, Suresh Kalmadi, has announced that it had been decided that the day of the closing ceremony of the games would be declared a public holiday.

UK Considering New Public Holiday

Sources: The Financial Times (London) and UK bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Yvette Cooper, the United Kingdom's Work and Pensions Secretary, has proposed adding a new annual bank holiday to commemorate people who are killed at work.

Monaco Clarifies August 15 Public Holiday Status

Sources: Bulletin Officiel de la Principauté (Monaco) and Monaco bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Government of Monaco has published the "Circulaire n° 2009-09 du 16 juillet 2009 relatif au samedi 15 août 2009 (Jour de l’Assomption), jour férié légal" which confirms that there will not be any day in lieu public holiday to compensate the fact that August 15 falls on a Saturday in 2009.

New Zealand To Vote On Matariki Public Holiday

Sources: National Business Review (NZPA) and New Zealand bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Matariki Day Bill was one of the two bills pulled out of this week's members' ballot, which means that the bill proposing that Maori New Year be made a public holiday will get a hearing in New Zealand's Parliament.

Nepal Considering Reduction Of Public Sector Holidays

Sources: República (Kathmandu) and Nepal bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Following a report by the Administration Restructuring Commission (ARC), the Government of Nepal is preparing to reduce the number of public holidays currently enjoyed by civil servants, while moving to a 2-day weekend.

Algeria To Change Weekends To Fridays and Saturdays

Sources: Magharebia (Alger) and Algeria banks holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). As had been expected, at the last Council of Ministers, the Algerian governement has announced that, starting next month, Algeria would change its weekends from the current Thursday-Friday to the "mixed" or "semi-universal" Friday-Saturday.

Iraq July 25-26 Regional Public Holidays

Sources: Aswat al-Iraq (Arbil) and Iraq bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq has declared this Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26, 2009, as official days off on the occasion of presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place early next week.

Tonga Declares August 3rd Public Holiday

Sources: Matangi Tonga and Tonga bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Tonga's Privy Council has declared Monday, August 3, 2009, as a day in lieu public holiday to commemorate HM King George Tupou V's 61st birthday, which falls on a annually on August 1st.

Liberia Declares July 27 Public Holiday

Sources: The Liberian Times (Monrovia) and Liberia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Liberia's President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has issued a Proclamation, declaring Sunday, July 26th, 2009, as National Independence Day in commemoration of the 162nd Independence Anniversary of Liberia, and a Foreign Ministry Release, indicated that since July 26 falls on Sunday, this year, the public holiday will be observed on Monday, July 27th, 2009.

Oman Declares July 25 Additional Renaissance Day Public Holiday

Sources: Khaleej Times (Muscat) and Oman bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of Oman has declared Saturday, July 25, 2009, a public holiday for both the private and public sectors to mark this year's Renaissance Day Anniversary holiday.

Philippines Declares 2010 Public Holidays

Sources: BusinessWorld Online (Manila) and Philippines bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Earlier today, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) issued Proclamation 1841 declaring 10 regular public holidays, four special non-working public holidays and one special public holiday for the calendar year 2010.

Nepal Declares Solar Eclipse Public Holiday

Sources: Nepal News (Kathmandu) and Nepal bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of Nepal, as per the request of the Panchanga Decision Committee, has declared a public holiday for Wednesday, July 22, 2009, the day on which the longest total solar eclipse of the century takes place.

Dominica Declares July 28 Public Holiday

Sources: The Antigua Sun (Roseau) and Dominica bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of Dominica has declared Tuesday, July 28, 2009, a one-off public holiday to encourage Dominicans to attend the first two international cricket matches to be contested in the island.

Bhutan Changes Coronation Anniversary Public Holiday Date

Sources: Government of Bhutan (Thimpu) and Bhutan bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). A circular from Bhutan's Home Ministry has announced that the Coronation Day of Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar public holiday will be observed, starting in 2009, on November 1st, rather than November 6, as had been previously announced.

Oman Declares July 20 Public Holiday

Sources: Times of Oman (Muscat) and Oman bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Oman's minister of the Diwan of Royal Court and chairman of the Civil Service Council, Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, has announced that tomnorrow, Monday, July 20, 2009, would be a public sector holiday, on the occasion of the blessed anniversary of Al Israa Wal Miraj.

Bosnia Finally Approves Draft Law On Public Holidays

Sources: Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina News (Sarajevo) and Bosnia and Herzegovina bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). After 15 years of wrangling between its ethnic components (the Bosnian Federation and the Republic of Srpska), Bosnia's Council of Ministers has finally approved a draft law on public holidays.

Philippines Announces Lailatul Izra Wal Miraj Public Holiday Date

Sources: MSU-IIT (Mindao) and Philippines bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of the Philippines has declared Monday, July 20, 2009, a non-working public holiday in celebration of Lailatul Izra Wal Miraj (the Ascension of Prophet Muhammad to Heaven).

Argentina To Consider Changing Moveable Public Holidays

Sources: Turismo 530 (Mendoza) and Argentina bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Argentina's Mendoza Provincial Parliament has passed a motion asking both national assemblies (la Cámara de Senadores y la Cámara de Diputados del Honorable Congreso de la Nación) to pass a law making the June 20 and August 17 public holidays immovable, as other public holidays in Argentina already are.

Philippines Declares Today A Public Holiday In Capital

Sources: Inquirer (Manila) and Philippines bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Early this morning, Philippines' President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) declared declared a holiday early Friday morning in Metro Manila, later extending it to most of Luzon Province.

Lesotho Announces Official 2010 Public Holidays List

Sources: Central Bank of Lesotho (Maseru) and Lesotho bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Central Bank of Lesotho has published the official list of public holidays in Lesotho for the calendar year 2010.

Nicaragua Declares Additional June 20 Public Holiday

Sources: La Prensa (Managua) and Nicaragua bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Nicaragua's Minister of Labour, Jeannette Chávez, has announced that Monday, July 20, 2009, would be a one-off public holiday in Nicaragua.

India Extends Janamashtami To Himachal Pradesh

Sources: WebIndia (UNI) and India bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). India's State government of Himachal Pradesh has declared Friday, August 14, 2009, as an additional gazetted public holiday on account of this year's Janamashtami.

UAE Generalizes July 19 Public Holiday

Sources: Emirates News Agency (WAM) and UAE bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Earlier today, the UAE's Labour Minister, HE Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash, issued a circular which declares Sunday, July 19th , 2009, as a public holiday for the UAE's private sector to also mark "Isra and Miraj".

Iraq Confirms July 14 Public Holiday Status

Sources: Aswat al-Iraq News Agency (Baghdad) and Iraq bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Earlier today, the Secretariat General of the Iraqi cabinet declared tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14, 2009, as an official public holiday, marking the anniversary of the 1958 Revolution.

Malaysia July 14 Kelantan Electoral Public Holiday Declared

Sources: Bernama (Kota Baharu) and Malaysia bank and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The head of the government of Malaysia's State of Kelantan, Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, has declared tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14, 2009, as a one-off public holiday, on account of the Manik Urai state seat by-election.

Bolivia Declares 2-day Public Holiday For La Paz Bicentennial

Sources: La Prensa (La Paz) and Bolivia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Following a meeting between the Mayor of Bolivia's capital, La Paz, and the President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, it was announced that this year's La Paz departemental public holiday would be extended to 2 days, on the occasion of the bicentennial of La Paz.

UAE Declares July 19 Isra and Miraj Public Sector Holiday

Sources: Khaleej Times Online (Dubai) and UAE bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Earlier today, the UAE's Minister of Education and Chairman of the Federal Governmental Human Resources Authority, HE Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, issued a circular announcing that Sunday, July 19th, 2009, had been declared a public holiday for ministries and other federal departments on the occasion of Isra and Miraj.

South Korea To Review Weekend Public Holidays Rules

Sources: Chosun Ilbo (Seoul) and South Korea bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). South Korea's Ministry of Strategy and Finance has announced that, together with the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, it would re-consider implementing compensating day in lieu public holidays when a public holiday falls on a weekend.

Slovenia To Consider June 8 Public Holiday

Sources: Slovenska tiskovna agencija (Ljubljana) and Slovenia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Members of Slovenia's Parliament have introduced a bill that would make June 8 a new annual public holiday.

Kuwait Confirms Moving Of Prophet's Ascension Public Holiday

Sources: Official website of Al Diwan Al Amiri (State of Kuwait) and Kuwait bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Kuwait's Civil Service Commission has confirmed that, in accordance with Kuwaiti Cabinet decision number 252 of 2008, Thursday, July 23, 2009, rather than July 20, will be the public holiday marking Prophet Mohammed's ascension to heaven.

Australia ACT Family Day Public Holiday Update

Sources: School of Journalism at the University of Canberra (ACT) and Australia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). This year, the Australian "state" of ACT (Australian Capital Territory) will have had 11 public holidays, one more than any other jurisdiction in Australia, and three more than the neighbouring State of NSW (New South Wales), re-igniting the debate as to whether to keep the recently added Family and Community Day public holiday and if so, whether to move its observance.

Malaysia's Malacca State Rejects July 7 Public Holiday

Sources: The New Straits Times (Malacca) and Malaysia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Chief Minister of Malaysia's State of Malacca, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, has issued a statement that July 7, the day Malacca was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, would not also be made a state public holiday.

Argentina Confirms H1N1 Public Holiday On July 10

Sources: Info BAE (Buenos Aires) and Argentina bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Argentina's Chief of Cabinet, Sergio Massa, and Minister of the Interior, Florencio Randazzo, have signed Resolución 572 which confirms that Friday, July 10, 2009, will be a one-off public sector holiday aimed at containing the spread of the H1N1 flu.

Philippines Declares July 27 Annual Working Public Holiday

Sources: Sun Star Network (Manila) and Philippines bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Earlier today, Philippines President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, announced the official declaration of July 27 of this year, and every year thereafter, as “Iglesia ni Cristo Day”.

Iran Extends Tehran Pollution Public Holiday

Sources: Fact International (Amman) and Iran bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Tehran governor, Morteza Tamadon, has announced that the Iranian authorities have extended today's public holiday for another day, Wednesday, July 8, 2009, in the capital Tehran, after a sandstorm blotted out the already heavily polluted city.

Malaysia Confirms July 7 Penang State Public Holiday

Source: Bernama News Agency (Penang) and Malaysia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Earlier today, when launching the month-long anniversary celebrations at the George Town Town Hall, Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, confirmed that, beginning in 2010, July 7th would become a state public holiday to celebrate Penang’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Argentina Considering Additional July 10 Public Holiday

Sources: La Capital (Buenos Aires) and Argentina bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Argentina's Minister of National Health, Juan Manzur, has announced that the government was considering a one-off bridge public holiday on Friday, July 10, 2009.

Iran Declares Pollution Public Holiday In Tehran

Sources: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) and Iran bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Iranian government has declared a public holiday for tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7, 2009, in Iran's capital, Tehran, due to pollution levels nine times above the normal level.

Zimbabwe Urged To Add July 1st Public Holiday

Sources: The Sunday Mail (Harare) and Zimbabwe bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The leadership of the Zapu-PF party has called on the Government of Zimbabwe to declare July 1 a new annual public holiday, to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, also known as Umdala Wethu and Father Zimbabwe.

Samoa September 7-8 Public Holidays Could Be Extended

Sources: The Samoa Observer (Apia) and Samoa bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of Samoa has re-confirmed the September 7-8 public holidays declared to give Samoans practice at driving on the right. In fact, faced with criticisms, Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, quipped that "if two public holidays is not enough for the switch, the government can extend it to one month" further adding that "there’s no law to stop us from having a month off work".

Netherlands Antilles Urged To Declare Emancipation Day Public Holiday

Sources: Netherlands Antilles Daily Herald (Philipsburg) and Netherlands Antilles bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The President of the Netherlands Antilles Workers Institute for Organised Labour (WIFOL), Theophilus Thompson, and Windward Islands Civil Servants/Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU) President, William Reed, have announced that they will lobby the government to declare Emancipation Day a public holiday.

Australia Northen Territory Public Holiday Update

Sources: Northern Territory News (Darwin) and Australia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Northern Territory Committee co-chair, Fran Kilgariff, has responded for recent calls for Territory Day to become a public holiday by saying that such a public holiday would be fitting "when we do become a state".

Azerbaijan Considering Additional Public Holidays This Summer

Sources: Trend News (Baku) and Azerbaijan bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers has announced that non-working public holidays would be declared this summer if, as expected, daily temperatures exceed 41 degrees.