Suriname Public Holidays Overhaul Stalled

Sources: Kabinet van de President van de Republiek Suriname (Paramarimbo) and Suriname bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Commission on Suriname National Holidays established by the government of Suriname to reduce the number of annual public holidays in Suriname has reached a dead-end in its discussions with religious groups, none of which seems ready to abandon one of its religious public holidays. [full story]

Cuba Papal Public Holiday Being Considered

Sources: Órgano Oficial del Comité Central del Partido Comunista de Cuba (Granma) and Cuban bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Cuban government has announced that it has not yet decided whether to declare one or more public holidays during the upcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Santiago de Cuba and Havana, on March 26, 27 and 28, 2012. [full story]

Singapore Thaipusam Public Holiday Ruled-Out

Sources: The Parliament Of Singapore (Singapore) and Singapore bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, has announced to Parliament that the Hindu festival of Thaipusam would not be gazetted as a non-working public holiday in Singapore. [full story]

Ghana Public Holiday March 6

Sources: Ghana Government Portal (Accra) and Ghana bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Ghana's Minister For The Interior, William K. Aboah, has announced that Tuesday, March 6, 2012, would be a non-working public holiday in Ghana in commemoration of Ghana's Independence Anniversary. [full story]

Qatari Bank Holiday March 4

Sources: قنـا الموقع العربي الصفحة الرئيسية (QNA) and Qatar bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Qatar's Central Bank (QCB) has announced that all banks and financial institutions under its control (ie. all banks in Qatar) would be closed to the public on Sunday, March 4, 2012. [full story]

Cayman Islands Public Holiday In May 2013

Sources: Cayman Islands Government Information and Services (Grand Cayman) and Cayman Islands bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Cayman Islands' Premier, McKeeva Bush, has announced that the Cayman Islands Government would hold a referendum at the same time as the the May 2013 general election. [full story]

Portugal Carnival Public Holiday 2013

Sources: Agência Efe (Lisboa) and Portugal bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Portugal's Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Miguel Relvas, has announced that, in 2013, there would be no tolerância de ponto for public sector employees to take a non-working public holiday for the optional but widespread Shrove Tuesday Carnival. [full story]

Belgium Pentecost Public Holiday Faces The Ax

Sources: RTBF INFO (Brussels) and Belgium bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Belgium's Defense Minister, Pieter De Crem, has proposed a set of measures to reduce Belgium's budget deficit, including the cancellation of the annual Pentecost Monday public holiday. [full story]

Seychelles 2012 Public Holidays Amended

Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Seychelles (Victoria) and Seychelles bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of the Seychelles has amended the recently-announced official list of non-working public holidays in the Seychelles for the calendar year 2012. [full story]

Latvian Orthodox Christmas Public Holiday Support

Sources: LETA News Agency (Riga) and Latvia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Latvian President, Andris Berzins, after a meeting with Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, has said that he believes that Eastern Orthodox Christmas should finally be recognized as a public holiday in Latvia. [full story]

Malaysian National Public Holiday April 11

Sources: Bernama News Agency (Kuala Lumpur) and Malaysian bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Malaysian Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, has announced that Wednesday, April 11, 2012, has been declared as a one-off non-working national public holiday throughout Malaysia. [full story]

Thailand Financial Holiday April 9

Sources: ตลาดหลักทรัพย์แห่งประเทศไทย (Bangkok) and Thailand bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has announced that Monday, April 9, 2012, had also been declared a one-off non-working financial sector holiday. [full story]

Kuwait Financial Holidays February 26-27

Sources: جريدة القبس الرئيسية (Kuwait City) and Kuwaiti bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Kuwait Stock Exchange announced that it would also be closed Sunday and Monday, February 26 and 27, 2012, for the National Day and Liberation Day holidays. [full story]

Moldovan Public Holidays March 9

Sources: Agentia Informationala de Stat (Moldpres) and Moldovan bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Moldova's Labour, Social Protection and Family Minister, Valentina Buliga, has announced that Friday, March 9, 2012, had been declared a one-off non-working public holiday in Moldova on account of the upcoming International Women's Day public holiday. [full story]

Armenian Public Holiday March 9

Sources: Հայերեն լրատվական գործակալությանը (ARMENPRESS) and Armenian bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Armenian Head of the Government Staff, David Sargsyan, has announced that the Armenian government will introduce a draft decision at tomorrow's Cabinet Session to declare a one-off public holiday on Friday, March 9, 2012, to link the Thursday, March 8, 2012, annual Women's Day public holiday, with the following weekend. [full story]

Maldives Public Holiday March 1

Sources: ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާގެ އޮފީސް (Male) and Maldives bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Office of the President of the Maldives, Mohamed Waheed, has released a press communique indicating that, once again, a one-off public holiday had been declared in the Maldives, on the date of the the first sitting of the People’s Majlis for the year, Thursday, March 1, 2012. [full story]

Azerbaijan 2012 Novruz Public Holidays Extended

Sources: Azərbaycan Respublikası Nazirlər Kabineti (Baku) and Azerbaijan bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers has issued a decision, extending the upcoming Novruz non-working public holidays in Azerbaijan to 7 consecutive days. [full story]

Nepalese Public Holiday February 22

Sources: नेपाली गृह मंत्रालय के मंत्रालय (Kathmandu) and Nepalese bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that the government of Nepal had declared Wednesday, February 22, 2012, as a non-working public holiday on account of the upcoming Gyalbo Lhosar festival marking the beginning of the Sherpa New Year 2139. [20-Feb-2012]

France Armistice Public Holidays Amended

Sources: Le Figaro (Paris) and France public holidays (qppstudio.net). France's National Assembly have overwhelmingly voted to approve a law which would amend the November 11 annual Armistice non-working public holiday into a public holiday commemorating France's dead in all past conflicts. [full story]

Bhutanese Public Holiday February 24

Sources: Royal Civil Service Commission of Bhutan (Thimphu) and Bhutanese bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Royal Civil Service Commission of the Government of Bhutan has announced that Friday, February 24, 2012, had been declared a one-off additional non-working public holiday throughout Bhutan. [full story]

Pakistan 2012 Sindh Public Holidays Gazetted

Sources: Associated Press Of Pakistan (Karachi) and Pakistan bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Government of Pakistan's Province of Sindh has officially gazetted the list of 2012 regional public holiday in Province of Sindh. [full story]

Libyan Regional Public Holiday February 20

Sources: The Tripoli Post (Tripoli) and Libyan bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The president of the electoral commission of the Libyan port city of Misrata, Mohammed Balrouin, has announced that the city council had declared Monday, February 20, 2012, as a one-off non-working public holiday in Misrata on account of the first anniversary of Misrata's rebellion and of the municipal elections both occurring on that date. [full story]

Niue 2012 Public Holidays Announced

Sources: Niue Government and Niue bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Government of Niue has released the list of official non-working public holidays in Niue for the calendar year 2012. [full story]

Venezuelan Public Holidays February 20-21

Sources: Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias (Caracas) and Venezuela bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Governor of Venezuela's State of Anzoátegui, Tarek William Saab, has issued a decree announcing that Monday and Tuesday, February 20 and 21, 2012, would be a one-off state public holidays to mark the upcoming Carnival. [full story]

Belize Public Holiday March 7

Sources: Government of Belize Press Office (Belmopan) and Belize bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Cabinet of Ministers of Belize has agreed to declare Wednesday, March 7, 2012, a one-off bank holiday and public holiday to coincide with the upcoming election day. [full story]

Timor Leste Public Holiday February 22

Sources: Press Release Government Of Timor-Leste (Dili) and Timor Leste bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of Timor Leste has announced that it had once again decided to grant a day-off public sector holiday for Ash Wednesday, on Wednesday, February 22, 2012, all day, to all employees and agents of the ministries or departments depending on them, as well as institutes and organizations included in indirect State administration. [full story]

Kazakhstan 2012 Public Holidays Announced

Sources: Қазақстан Республикасының Электрондық үкіметі (Astana) and Kazakhstan bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of Kazakhstan has released the official list of non-working public holidays in the Republic of Kazakhstan for the calendar year 2012. [full story]

French Polynesian 2012 Public Holidays Announced

Sources: E ho'i ana'e tatou i te utuafare (Papeete) and French Polynesian bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Council of Ministers of French Polynesia has officially declared the list of French Polynesian non-working public holidays for the calendar year 2012. [full story]

Maldives Public Holiday February 26

Sources: ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާގެ އޮފީސް (Male) and Maldives bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Government of the Maldives has announced that it had declared Sunday, February 26, 2012, as an additional official non-working public holiday in the Maldives. [full story]

Kuwait Extra Public Holiday February 27

Sources: الكويت جنة الخدمة المدنية (Kuwait City) and Kuwaiti bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Kuwaiti Civil Service Commission has announced that it had declared Saturday and Sunday, February 25 and 26, 2012, as non-working public holidays for the upcoming National Day and Liberation Day annual public holidays. [full story]

Indian Haryana Public Holiday February 26

Sources: Punjab Newsline Network (Chandigarh) and Indian bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of the Indian State of Haryana has declared Sunday, February 26, 2012, as a public holiday in the regions concerned by the upcoming by-elections. [full story]

Libyan Public Holiday February 18

Sources: المجلس الوطنى الإنتقالى (Tripoli) and Libyan bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Earlier today, Libya's ruling National Transitional Council announced that Saturday, February 18, 2012, would be a day in lieu non-working public holiday throughout Libya to compensate the fact that the new, February 17, annual public holiday falls on a Friday this year. [full story]

Haiti Carnival Public Holidays February 20-22

Sources: Ministère de l'Intérieur et des Collectivités Territoriales d'Haïti (Port-au-Prince) and Haiti bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Office of Communication of the Presidency of Haiti has announced that Haiti's President had issued an Executive Order declaring Monday, February 20, 2012, and Wednesday, February 22, 2012, as additional one-off non-working public holidays to coincide with the upcoming Carnival. [full story]

Afghanistan Public Holiday February 15

Sources: آژانس خبرى پژواك (Kabul) and Afghanistan bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of Afghanistan has declared Wednesday, February 15, 2012, as a non-working public holiday in Afghanistan on account of the upcoming "Soviet Army Defeat Day". [full story]

Indian Public Holiday February 16 In Mumbai

Sources: The Hindu (Bangalore) and Indian bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of the Indian State of Maharashtra has declared Thursday, February 16, 2012, as a regional public holiday on account of the upcoming general elections. [full story]

Taiwan Public Holidays February 27-28

Sources: 中國郵報 (Taipei) and Taiwanese bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Taiwanese government has confirmed that Monday, February 27, 2012, would be a one-off bridge non-working public holiday, linking the previous weekend with the annual, February 28, public holiday. [full story]

Ivory Coast ACN Public Holiday Tomorrow

Sources: Gouvernement de Côte d'Ivoire (Abijan) and Ivory Coast bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of the Ivory Coast, through its Minister of Communications, Bruno Kone, has announced that it had declared Monday, February 13, 2012, as a one-off non-working public holiday (jour férié et chômé sur toute l'étendue du territoire national). [full story]

Qatar Financial Holiday February 14

Sources: قنـا الموقع العربي الصفحة الرئيسية (QNA) and Qatar bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Qatar Stock Exchange has announced that it would remain closed on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, on account of the upcoming new Sports Day public holiday. [full story]

Indian Public Holidays April 23-24 In Karnataka

Sources: Government of Karnataka (Bangalore) and Indian bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The government of the Indian State of Karnataka has announced that it would now observe the birthday anniversary of Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj, also known as Shiv Jayanthi, as a new annual non-working state public holiday. [full story]

Malta 2013 Public Holidays Announced

Sources: Department of Information (Government of Malta) and Malta bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Malta's Department of Information has published its official list of national holidays and non-working public holidays for the upcoming calendar year 2013. [full story]

Turkmenistan Public Holiday February 20

Sources: Туркменистан золотой век (Ashgabad) and Turkmenistan bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Turkmenistan's President, Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov, has signed a decree ("On the transfer of the day off on the occasion of National Flag Day of Turkmenistan") declaring Monday, February 20, 2012, as a one-off non-working public holiday in connection with the upcoming celebration of the National Flag Day of Turkmenistan. [full story]

Ecuador 2012 Carnival Public Holidays Announced

Sources: Agencia de Noticias del Ecuador y Sudamérica (ANDES) and Ecuador bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, has issued a decree declaring Monday and Tuesday, February 20 and 21, 2012, as the non-working public holidays for the upcoming Carnival, throughout Ecuador. [full story]

Serbian Public Holidays February 15-19

Sources: Министарство рада и социјалне политике (Belgrade) and Serbia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Serbian government has finally decided to declare a one-off non-working public holiday for Friday, February 17, 2012, to extend the upcoming National Day non-working public holidays into the following weekend. [full story]

Lebanon Bank Holiday February 14

Sources: جمعيّة مصارف لبنان (Beirut) and Lebanon bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Association of Banks in Lebanon has announced that Tuesday, February 14, 2012, had also been declared a bank holiday for all banks and financial institutions of Lebanon, to commemorate the anniversary of the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri (Commémoration de l'assasinat du PM Rafic Hariri). [full story]

Croatian Public Holidays Cancellations Under Consideration

Sources: Vlada Republike Hrvatske (Zagreb) and Croatia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Following today's cabinet meeting, the Government of Croatia has announced that it was considering the elimination of 3 annual non-working public holidays. [full story]

Iraq Arab Summit Public Holiday March 29

Sources: الوكالة الوطنية العراقية للأنباء - نينا (Baghdad) and Iraqi bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Iraqi Interior Ministry has announced that Thursday, March 29, 2012, the date of the upcoming Arab Summit hosted in Baghdad, would be a one-off municipal non-working public holiday. [full story]

Lebanon Public Holiday February 14

Sources: Government Portal for Information and Forms (Republic of Lebanon) and Lebanon bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Government of Lebanon, through a statement by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, has declared Tuesday, February 14, 2012, as a non-working public holiday for both the private and public sectors to once again commemorate the anniversary of the 2005 assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. [full story]

Serbian Weeklong Public Holidays Under Consideration

Sources: Министарство рада и социјалне политике (Belgrade) and Serbia bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). Serbia's government advisor for energy issues, Petar Skundric, has announced that he would recommend to the government of Serbia that it declare the period of February 15-20, 2012, as non-working public holidays in Serbia in an effort to conserve energy in the midst of the current cold spell blanketing Europe. [full story]

New Zealand Bill To 'Monday-ise' Public Holidays

Sources: The Parliament of New Zealand (Paremata Aotearoa) and New Zealand bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). A private members bill, to always declare the Monday following a weekend public holiday as an additional non-working public holiday, was drawn from the member's bill ballot and introduced to New Zealand's Parliament yesterday. [full story]

Nepalese 2012 Public Holidays Expanded

Sources: नेपाली गृह मंत्रालय के मंत्रालय (Kathmandu) and Nepalese bank holidays and public holidays (qppstudio.net). The Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that it had decided to add a non-working public holiday on the Mahabir Jayanti to the official list of Nepalese public holidays. [full story]