Mick’s Fiji Tours has pledged over $5000 worth of sponsorship for the Vatulele Sevens tournament. This initiative aims to enhance facilities that not only support athletes but enrich the entire community. Micks Fiji Tours owner Sitiveni Nawaqa revealed this during the official launch at their Nadi office yesterday. He said the two-day event would be from December 19-20 at the Vatulele District School, is not just a celebration of rugby, it is a profound testament to the spirit of community, resilience, and the incredible potential of the young athletes. “Rugby is more than a sport; it is a unifying force that brings people together, ignites passion, and fosters teamwork,” Nawaqa said. “At its core, grassroots rugby holds the power to mould the future of our society. We believe that by investing in our youths and nurturing their talents, we can unlock a pathway to character development, and lifelong friendships.” Nawaqa who has maternal links to Ekubu Village, Nadroda, reiterated his commitment by supporting not just the game of rugby but the very foundation which it is built on, their villages and communities. “As a proud sponsor, we are excited that our investment will be directed towards upgrading village infrastructure. “We recognise that strong and resilient communities provide the best environment for sports to thrive. We want to ensure that our local infrastructure reflects the heart and ambition of the Vatulele people.” Tournament director Filipe Qionikorolevu said funds from the event would assist in improving facilities in schools, sports fields, and youth training programmes. “We create safe and accessible spaces for our children and future athletes to hone their skills and grow. We hope that these upgrades will encourage participation not just in rugby, but in all forms of sport and community engagement.” The rugby men’s winner takes home $5000, runner up $2000, and losing semifinalists $500 each. The women’s netball winner gets $1000 and runner up $500. Treasurer Asesela Naborisi said: “Together, we can build a legacy. A legacy that shows them that with hardwork, commitment, and teamwork, there are no limits to what they can achieve. “Let us support each other, celebrate our talents, and invest in a brighter future.” Other sponsors include Kele Na Mahi Flyer, Vatulele Island Beach Estates, Goodman Fielder, Coca-Cola, Shop 2 Save, and Creative Box Graphix. Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fjChargers will be without top RB Dobbins and could lean on QB Herbert against Falcons
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect pick for intelligence chief fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about amid the of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm . But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser.Cerity Partners LLC Sells 526 Shares of SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Reserves Free ETF (NYSEARCA:EFAX)
Quarterbacks in spotlight when No. 6 Miami visits SyracuseWith the goal of promoting downtown St. Paul as a positive alternative to working from home, a downtown co-working space has teamed with the city to host a lottery for six months of free work area, as well as free parking in a city ramp. Wellworth — which offers conference rooms, private phone rooms and open-air work environments for individuals and small companies — is situated on the top floor of the former Woolworth building along Seventh Place and Minnesota Street. The “Workdays Are Perkdays” lottery, which will select 20 winners by early January, is the brainchild of St. Paul City Council Member Rebecca Noecker and the St. Paul Downtown Alliance, a partnership between major downtown employers and City Hall. A site tour is required before entering the lottery, and entries must be submitted by Dec. 31. “All of downtown benefits from having those additional workers,” Noecker said. “St. Paul has challenges, but St. Paul is at its heart a scrappy, creative city. If businesses are having trouble (locating), provide them the concierge service to overcome those challenges and get them downtown.” The “Workdays Are Perkdays” campaign aims to encourage people “to see downtown as a vibrant workplace option by shining a light on the sun-lit Wellworth space and the activities that are steps away in downtown,” reads the promotional materials, which note that many office workers have grown tired of working from home. Work from home has its limits Noecker, who approached the Downtown Alliance with the idea of launching the lottery, said she found few examples of a similar effort nationally. “Obviously, there’s convenience to working from home in your PJs, but a lot of limitations to that, too,” said Noecker, who called working around peers, restaurants and amenities like a post office a livelier experience than a home office. “The investment on our end is to try to get people over that hump — ‘I don’t know where I’d work, where I’d park, my company may not pay for it.'” “In my mind, it’s a creative approach to help people see the benefits of working downtown they may not have considered or have had the opportunity to do before,” she added. “If you live in St. Paul and work in Burnsville, you might not have had the opportunity (to work downtown) before. But now if your employer is saying ‘work from home,’ you can.” The six-month package with paid parking is valued at $1,650, and those who don’t win may still qualify for discounts off a six-month membership. The Downtown Alliance is promoting the campaign with YouTube videos and “influencer”-style Instagram testimonials from active Twin Cities social media users. To enter the “Workdays Are Perkdays” lottery, visit bit.ly/wellworth-tour . Related Articles