Nauru officially changes its name to Republic of Naoero

The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, in line with the spelling and pronunciation in the national language. The government also changed the international code from NRU to NRO, while the term for residents changed from Nauruan to dei-Naoero. President David Adeang proposed the change to parliament in January, and lawmakers approved it in two rounds of voting required under the rules. The government then decided a referendum was not needed because the name Naoero is already used in the community, appears on the national coat of arms, and is allowed by the constitution. With about 12,000 residents, the country wants to restore its traditional name amid efforts to assert national identity.