In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Pacific shipping lifeline faces crisis as experts push wind-powered transition
2. TIMOR — Timor-Leste is vulnerable to ‘infiltration by foreign organised crime’, President José Ramos-Horta says
3. PACIFIC — Fiji Climate Change Minister set key priorities to accelerate Pacific climate action
4. SOL — GIZO hospital declares state of emergency
5. FIJI — Fiji Chief Justice labels retirement rules “discriminatory”
6. FIJI — World Council of Churches general secretary to attend Pacific Church Leaders’ Meeting in Fiji
7. PACIFIC — USP doubles student support amid global crisis
8. AUST — ADF boss weighs in on Middle East military capabilities
9. PNG — PNG Health Minister Kapavore hails visiting Chinese medical ship
10. PACIFIC — From American Sāmoa to the Moon: How Dr Christina Koch’s path inspires Pacific youth
11. AUST — Australian spy plane operators in Middle East not sharing intel with U.S for offensive operations, defence boss says
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Luganville businesswoman jailed in VT143M cigarette smuggling case
13. PACNEWS BIZ — PM Napat launches Emua Vila, Vanuatu’s first economic micro-hub
14. PACNEWS BIZ — Reconsider stance: Fuel price increase will have drastic impact on Fiji workers – Anthony
15. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Politically connected crypto project pursued resort with alleged scam syndicate figures
16. PACNEWS DIGEST — Weather Ready Pacific strengthens Early Warning systems to safeguard Pacific communities
PAC – SHIPPING: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Pacific shipping lifeline faces crisis as experts push wind-powered transition
MAJURO, 10 APRIL 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — For many Pacific Island communities, a delayed ship does not just mean inconvenience. It can mean empty store shelves, fuel shortages and isolation.
“Shipping is for us as railways, canals and freeways are for developed countries,” said Natasha Chan, assistant legal researcher for Micronesian Centre for Sustainable Transport.
“It is our absolute lifeline.”
Speaking during a regional discussion on low-carbon maritime transport, Chan noted that Pacific island nations remain heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels and aging vessels, leaving them vulnerable to rising fuel costs and climate change.
The Pacific’s geography compounds the problem. Island nations span millions of square miles, with routes often stretching hundreds of miles between small, low-income communities.
According to Chan, the region faces some of the highest maritime connectivity costs in the world, paired with long distances, limited trade capacity and aging fleets.
“Our domestic shipping services are often inadequate and substandard, except on the most profitable routes,” she said.
Decades of development reports have highlighted the same issues. Limited investment and insurance capacity have forced operators to rely on old or donated vessels. Maintenance systems are weak, and the workforce is often undervalued and under-resourced.
Chan said the result is a cycle that keeps the sector struggling.
“We are trapped in a vicious cycle, where no investment and insurance capacity means we are reliant on either old, imported, end-of-life or donated aid vessels,” she said.
Despite these challenges, experts say solutions already exist.
Chan pointed to research showing that fuel savings of at least 40 percent are achievable today using existing technologies if applied correctly in the Pacific context.
“If we can understand the unique nature of our problem and apply the appropriate development and climate financing modalities, fuel savings of at least 40 percent are available to us today with existing, mature technologies,” she said.
Globally, innovation in maritime decarbonisation is accelerating. Countries such as China, France and Norway have recently announced hydrogen-powered ships and large-scale clean fuel programs. But Chan said these advances are not always suitable for Pacific conditions.
“What is not happening is the investment in research and development at our scale of vessels,” she said. “It is not a case of simply taking international market leaders and scaling them down.”
Researchers have identified wind-assisted propulsion as one of the most practical near-term solutions.
Wind-assisted systems, which use sails or similar technologies to reduce fuel consumption, were tested in the Pacific during the 1980s fuel crisis and showed fuel savings of about 30 percent. With modern materials and designs, newer systems could achieve more than 50 percent savings, she said.
Andrew Dickson, director of Australia’s Smart Energy Council, said wind propulsion offers a rare combination of simplicity and effectiveness.
“Wind is the ultimate low-tech solution. It’s available everywhere today. It’s available at the point of use. There is no complex supply chain that’s needed,” he said.
Dickson said newer fuels like hydrogen and ammonia may play a role in the future but remain expensive and difficult to scale in the near term.
“In theory, they could help decarbonize shipping, but it’s going to take a long time before it’s viable,” he said, describing wind-assisted systems as a practical starting point that can be added to existing ships or built into new vessels.
“It’s not the complete solution. It’s a hybrid,” he said. “Wind reduces the need for shipping fuel. So, it’s a really, really great place to start.”
One example already operating in the region is a prototype vessel developed for the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The ship combines wind propulsion with hybrid systems, including solar and electric components, and has been in service since mid-2024.
Raffael Held, a project director working on the initiative, said the vessel represents both a technical and political milestone.
“The ship is currently underway, and I think we are still learning,” he said.
Held emphasised that the project was designed not just to test technology but to function in remote island conditions, where spare parts and technical support can be difficult to access.
“It was really essential for us to design a ship that can function in this extremely remote region,” he said.
Interest in similar projects is growing across the Pacific and beyond.
Held said countries including Palau, Fiji, Kiribati and the Federated States of Micronesia have expressed interest, along with nations in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean.
“The Marshall Islands has led the way and paved the path,” he said.
Still, experts cautioned that technology alone will not solve the region’s shipping challenges.
Chan outlined several foundational needs, including training for seafarers and regulators, better maintenance systems, improved access to maritime data and stronger institutional capacity.
“The transition requires informed and empowered people,” she said.
Without those systems in place, even the most advanced vessels may struggle to operate effectively.
Held echoed that point, stressing that a functioning maritime system depends on more than ship design.
“The vessel alone is a really important element,” he said. “But those elements alone will not make a functioning system. It is much more about the governance around it.” Held said…. PACNEWS
TIMOR – ORGANISED CRIME: THE GUARDIAN PACNEWS 3: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Timor-Leste is vulnerable to ‘infiltration by foreign organised crime’, President José Ramos-Horta says
DILI, 10 APRIL 2026 (THE GUARDIAN) — Timor-Leste is vulnerable to “infiltration by foreign organised crime”, the country’s president, José Ramos-Horta, has warned.
His comments come as Australian federal police (AFP) confirmed to the Guardian the force is providing support to local law enforcement in Timor-Leste, including a December 2025 visit from the agency’s digital forensic and cyber experts.
“The AFP is increasing its focus on cybercrime and digital forensics capability development within the region in response to the threat of online scam centres,” a spokesperson said.
On Tuesday a joint investigation between the Guardian and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) revealed an alleged connection between three individuals involved with a proposed “blockchain theme” resort project in Dili and the Prince Group, which was sanctioned by the U.S and UK governments in October.
The Cambodia-based Prince Group describes itself as a real estate and financial and consumer services conglomerate but U.S authorities allege that it ran compounds reliant on human trafficking that targeted victims globally with online fraud.
Last year the UN issued a warning about the risk of unnamed scam networks infiltrating Timor-Leste. This followed the raid of an alleged unrelated scam operation in Oecusse, a remote pocket of the country, in August.
“Together with the government and our entire society, we remain alert to the dangers of organised crime,” Ramos-Horta wrote in a statement published on the president’s website on Wednesday in response to the Guardian’s report.
He added: “But I cannot accept information that comes merely from media reports or from certain individuals in Timor-Leste – people who may wish evil upon the country or seek to tarnish the name of Timor-Leste, they are the ones produce false information against those who wish to invest in Timor-Leste …
“Currently, I do not see any organized crime installed in Timor-Leste.”
Prince Group’s founder, Chen Zhi, was indicted by the U.S for alleged wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, and billions of dollars in bitcoin was seized. In January, Chen was extradited to China, but it is not clear what charges he faces there.
A spokesperson for the Prince Group denied the U.S and UK allegations, saying they were “nothing more than a cash grab” and that Chen and the Prince Group of companies had never had any connection to any “scam” business.
“They are innocent of the absurd allegations used simply as air cover by a multitude of governments to seize billions in assets from an innocent entrepreneur, all while destroying legitimate businesses and hurting tens of thousands of hard-working people.”
The spokesperson said neither Chen nor the Prince Group had any knowledge or connection to Timor-Leste or any activity in that country.
“The inclusion of speculation around Chen and Prince in this reporting is just salacious rumor-mongering with no foundation,” they said.
The three individuals involved in the proposed resort project in Timor-Leste were also sanctioned by U.S authorities in October for their alleged involvement in another real estate development connected to Prince Group. They have not been charged and there is no allegation the Timor-Leste project received Prince Group funds.
Current shareholders in the project denied any involvement with organised crime or any other wrongdoing and said the three alleged Prince Group associates had been immediately dismissed from the resort after the U.S sanctions were announced.
The joint investigation also examined the role of an investor and the face of the resort in Timor-Leste, Lin Xiaofan – also known as Frank Lin. There is no suggestion Lin is sanctioned or a member of Prince Group, and he is not accused of any criminality.
“Timor-Leste possesses abundant natural resources and strong potential for tourism development,” Lin said of his interest in the project. He said all his activities in the country had been “conducted within a legal and compliant framework, in cooperation with relevant authorities”.
In the statement published on the president’s website, Ramos-Horta said he had welcomed Lin “just as I welcome any investor from countries across Asia and Europe”.
“Like many investors, Lin arrived with ideas, plans, and dreams of making significant investments in Timor-Leste, though these have not yet materialised,” he wrote.
He added: “Lin has done nothing wrong in Timor-Leste. It is the government that will decide whether to accept any investment, and if that investment is good for Timor-Leste, then the government will decide accordingly.”
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesperson said the Australian government was “working closely with Timor-Leste to address transnational crime and strengthen regional security and resilience”.
In January Anthony Albanese visited Dili to establish a Parseria Foun ba Era Foun (“Parseria”), which is Tetum for a New Partnership for a New Era, alongside his counterpart, the prime minister of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmão.
The agreement committed the two counties to regular communication, consultation and collaboration on common security interests, including on transnational crime…. PACNEWS
PAC – CLIMATE CHANGE: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 3: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Fiji Climate Change Minister set key priorities to accelerate Pacific climate action
NADI, 10 APRIL 2026 (FIJI GOVT) — “1.5 is not negotiable and is a red line grounded in science and in our lived reality.”
This was the strong reminder from Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya at the Post-COP30 Debrief of the Political Climate Champions in Nadi Thursday.
As Chair of Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), and with Fiji serving as the political climate finance champion at the meeting, Minister Tabuya warned that time is running out to keep global warming within 1.5°C and called for urgent emissions cuts.
She said the Pacific must continue pushing for stronger global action and cannot rely on others alone.
The Minister highlighted that global temperatures are already nearing or exceeding the 1.5°C limit and said the ICJ Advisory Opinion strengthens the Pacific’s call for action and support for vulnerable nations.
Tabuya outlined six key priorities including: cutting emissions, securing climate funding, moving from planning to action, ensuring fair support for the Pacific, protecting science-based decisions, and recognising the role of the ocean.
Minister Tabuya also warned of growing global challenges and stressed the need for the Pacific to stay focused and proactive.
The Political Climate Champions was formed in 2021 to strengthen the Pacific’s voice in global climate talks…. PACNEWS
SOL – CYCLONE RESPONSE: SOLOMON STAR PACNEWS 3: Fri 10 Apr 2026
GIZO hospital declares state of emergency
GIZO, 10 APRIL 2026 (SOLOMON STAR) — Gizo Hospital at the Provincial capital of Western Province in Solomon Islands has been placed in a state of emergency since Tuesday, following the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila and high swells that have affected parts of Western Province.
All routine services at the hospital have been suspended, and the facility is currently attending only to emergency cases.
Support departments, including the pharmacy, X-ray, laboratory, and dental services, are operating strictly on call.
Western Provincial Health and Medical Services (WPHMS) Director, Dr Dickson Boara, explained that a significant number of nurses, medical staff, security personnel, and laundry workers, drivers were forced to attend to the welfare of their families after their homes and properties were affected by strong winds and coastal flooding.
“Many of our staff live near the medical compound along the coastal shoreline. Some houses were damaged, and others are at risk of landslides or falling trees,” Dr Boara told Solomon Star in an interview.
He added that these conditions have had a direct impact on service delivery at the hospital. In response, the hospital has established a Disaster Response Health Team (DRHT) to coordinate emergency medical services and ensure critical care continues.
Meanwhile, Provincial Emergency Oversight Committee (PEOC) together with Provincial Disaster Operations Committee (PDOC) and Provincial Disasters Committee (PDC) urges residents to remain cautious and follow official advice as recovery and emergency response operations continue…. PACNEWS
FIJI – CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW/JUDICIARY: FBC NEWS PACNEWS 3: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Fiji Chief Justice labels retirement rules “discriminatory”
SUVA, 10 APRIL 2026 (FBC NEWS) — The Fiji Judiciary made its submission to the seven-member Constitution Review Committee, with Chief Justice Salei Temo recommending that judges capable of performing their duties should not have their contracts terminated upon turning 75, despite current constitutional provisions.
Section 110 (1) of the Constitution states that non-citizens appointed as judges serve terms not exceeding three years, as determined by the Judicial Service Commission, and may be eligible for reappointment.
Meanwhile, subsection (2) stipulates that other judicial appointments continue until the judge reaches retirement age.
For the Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal, Judges of the Supreme Court, and Judges of the Appeal, the age is 75, and subsection (B) for the Judges of the High Court, the age of retirement is 70.
Section 110 (3) states that a person who retired as a judge of the High Court but has not reached the age of 75 is eligible for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court or as a Justice of Appeal.
Justice Temo says that while this section governs appointments to the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, it has disadvantaged local judges since 2013.
“You see, as of now, before I took an office as acting Chief Justice and Chief Justice of the Superior Courts of Fiji, which is the Court of Appeal, starting with the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, were dominated by Sri Lankan judges. When I came into office, I made sure that we revert to what we are used to getting our Superior Court judges from New Zealand, Australia and Britain.”
Justice Temo said Fiji’s Superior Courts are currently staffed by retired judges from New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.
He argues that academic brilliance and multiple degrees do not always equate to the wisdom required to benefit society.
He further points out that contracts are often extended for foreign judges over the age of 75.
“However, when it comes to a citizen of Fiji, we have to tell them at 75 you have to go by virtue of Section 110 (2). Now we tend to see that as a discrimination against us pursuant to Section 26 of the Constitution, which forbids discrimination on the grounds of age.”
The Chief Justice highlights that many judges remain in good health upon reaching 75.
“I don’t know why. You know, in my view, it’s not just because they’ve turned 75 to terminate their contract when they still can act as judges, and that’s why we are suggesting an amendment. Consistent with the spirit of subjection (1) and not withstanding subsection (2) of this section (110), a person who has attained the retirement age under Subsection (2) and whose ability to perform the function of the office may be eligible for reappointment.”
He stresses that local judges should not be unnecessarily barred from holding office beyond 75.
Justice Temo is also urging young local High Court judges to prove their capabilities…. PACNEWS
FIJI – CHURCH: WCC PACNEWS 3: Fri 10 Apr 2026
World Council of Churches general secretary to attend Pacific Church Leaders’ Meeting in Fiji
SUVA, 10 APRIL 2026 (WCC) — World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary Reverend Professor Dr Jerry Pillay will join church leaders from across the Pacific in Suva, Fiji, from 13–17 April for the Pacific Church Leaders’ Meeting (PCLM).
The significant regional gathering, promoted by the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), will focus on strengthening unity, theological reflection, and collective action in the face of growing regional challenges.
Held at a pivotal moment for the region, PCLM 2026 will bring together a wide range of Christian leaders to reflect on shared concerns, including climate change, migration, leadership development, and the rising social impacts of drug use.
It is Pillay’s first visit to the Pacific region since he took office as WCC general secretary in January 2023.
Besides preaching at the welcome service, Pillay will share keynote presentations on topics like rising authoritarianism and religious nationalism and the WCC’s global ecumenical pilgrimage. The agenda also includes the Pacific Launch of WCC Decade of Climate Justice Action in partnership with PCC.
Also present will be WCC president form the Pacific, Reverend François Phiaatae. WCC general secretary will be accompanied by WCC staff Marcelo Schneider.
Participants will engage in worship, dialogue, keynote presentations, and community visits, fostering a collaborative and culturally grounded approach to leadership and discernment.
The meeting also serves as an important milestone in preparation for the 13th Pacific Conference of Churches General Assembly in 2027.
Expected outcomes include a renewed shared understanding of the Household of God framework and the development of a preparatory document identifying priorities for future theological reflection and research.
Organisers highlight that PCLM 2026 is not only a forum for discussion, but a space for collective listening and spiritual renewal.
As Pacific communities face increasing complexity and uncertainty, the gathering aims to strengthen the churches shared witness to hope, justice, and care for the region’s people and environment…. PACNEWS
PAC – UNIVERSITY: HARDSHIP PACKAGE PACNEWS 3: Fri 10 Apr 2026
USP doubles student support amid global crises
SUVA, 10 APRIL 2026 (FBC NEWS) —The University of the South Pacific (USP) has announced a $1 million (US$500,000) student hardship and bursary package to shield students and their families from rising costs linked to the global fuel crisis.
The package doubles the current allocation from $495,000 (US$247,000) to $1 million (US$500,000), funded by reallocating existing savings without compromising teaching quality or essential services.
USP is also broadening access to this assistance, recognising that rising transport, food, and energy costs are affecting more than just the most vulnerable households.
Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Interim Management Group, Siosiua ‘Utoikamanu, said the decision reflects the university’s duty of care and long-term strategic outlook.
“Our priority is to ensure no student is left behind due to circumstances beyond their control. This commitment sends a clear message that USP will act early to protect student continuity and success.”
The university has also adopted a preparedness framework to strengthen resilience if global conditions worsen.
This includes flexible learning arrangements and targeted support for vulnerable campuses, to be activated as required.
The Pro-Chancellor said that the package reflects USP’s responsibility to protect student success during periods of external uncertainty…. PACNEWS
AUST – DEFENCE: AAP PACNEWS 3: Fri 10 Apr 2026
ADF boss weighs in on Middle East military capabilities
CANBERRA, 10 APRIL 2026 (AAP)—Australia could deploy a warship to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for oil trade if it was asked, the head of the defence force says, but the government wants to focus its military attention closer to home.
The nation’s top military officer has pushed back on suggestions Australia has not sent a Navy ship to the Middle East because of its ageing fleet, arguing it was more a question of where the defence force should focus its efforts.
“I am very confident we could deploy a ship into that environment if the government was to make a decision to do so,” Admiral David Johnston told journalists at a briefing in Canberra on Thursday.
“I have no hesitation in our ability to work in a Strait of Hormuz-type role.
“But perhaps what is an at least as important question is: where do our priorities lie?”
The opposition and some defence analysts have suggested Australia has not sent a ship because it doesn’t have the capacity to do so.
But Defence Minister Richard Marles said that wasn’t correct.
“We have capability, and that’s not the issue,” he told ABC Radio on Friday.
“We still have significant roles to play in the Indo-Pacific, which is where the bulk of our naval effort goes,” Marles said.
“All of those issues don’t go away.”
Iran has reportedly said it will begin charging a US$1-a-barrel toll for oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz, to be paid in cryptocurrency or Chinese yuan.
Around one-fifth of the world’s oil passed through the strait before the start of the war between Iran, the U.S and Israel.
U.S President Donald Trump took aim at the reported toll, urging Tehran to reverse course.
“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait – They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” he said in a post on his platform Truth Social.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott said Australia was betraying its values and letting down the U.S by not sending troops the Middle East.
“What is the point of having armed forces if they’re not to be used to support our allies in a just cause?” he wrote in an opinion piece for the Daily Telegraph.
Greens Senator David Shoebridge said Australia should be focused on securing peace in the region and should not get involved in trying to keep the strait open.
“There’s no conceivable way in which Australia’s military contribution would assist in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. That is not our job. We didn’t create this crisis,” he told ABC Radio…. PACNEWS
PNG – MEDICAL SHIP: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS 3: Fri 10 Apr 2026
PNG Health Minister Kapavore hails visiting Chinese medical ship
PORT MORESBY, 10 APRIL 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — Papua New Guinea Health Minister Elias Kapavore has described a visiting Chinese medical ship as a “vessel for healing” and “a symbol of solidarity”.
He welcomed the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Silk Road Ark which is on a goodwill visit to Papua New Guinea, providing free medical care over five days to the public.
The ship is equipped with medical facilities and equipment with 14 medical departments, three auxiliary departments, a pharmacy, and a ship-borne rescue helicopter, covering areas such as orthopaedics, ophthalmology, and surgery.
Kapavore, accompanied by Defence Force Chief Rear-Admiral Philip Polewara and Chinese ambassador Yang Xiaoguang, said the ship “comes to our shores not only as a vessel for healing but as a symbol of solidarity”.
It is the third time a Chinese medical has visited the country.
Yang said the visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and PNG.
Officers from China and PNG will engage in visits and exchange programmes.
“These will play an important role in deepening corporation between our two sides and enhancing the friendship between our peoples,” Yang said.
He also appreciated PNG’s firm adherence to the one-China policy…. PACNEWS
PAC – ASTRONAOUT: PMN PACNEWS 3: Fri 10 Apr 2026
From American Sāmoa to the Moon: How Dr Christina Koch’s path inspires Pacific youth
PAGOPAGO, 10 APRIL 2026 (PMN) — As the Artemis II crew prepares for splashdown, Pacific eyes are on Dr Christina Koch, the first woman to travel into deep space and her unique connection to the people of American Sāmoa.
Koch has long celebrated her ties to the islands. On a previous National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) mission in 2020, she carried the American Sāmoa flag to space and shared on Instagram: “I will never forget my Sāmoan friends… Great memories exploring new waves, trails, and reefs. One step closer to that umu [earth oven] on Mars! Fa’afetai lava! [Thank you!]”
Her connection to the islands is more than symbolic. Before joining NASA, Koch served as the Station Chief at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) American Sāmoa Observatory near Tula.
She monitored atmospheric baselines and climate trends. It was while living there that she learned she had been selected as an astronaut.
Congresswoman Aumua Amata, the United States Representative from American Sāmoa, said on Facebook that Koch’s journey is more than a personal milestone.
“We are proud of her connection to American Sāmoa and what it represents for our people and this historic journey. We are proud of [Koch’s] connection to American Samoa and what it represents for our people.
“Especially for our young men and women pursuing opportunities in science, service, and exploration, and thankful to all these dedicated astronauts. Fa’afetai lava, and continued prayers for a safe and successful mission.”
Koch’s work in “remote” and challenging locations including American Sāmoa, Ghana, Greenland, and Alaska helped shape the skills she needed for space.
She also fondly remembers outdoor adventures that connected her to local communities in American Sāmoa. It was also in American Sāmoa that she met her husband, Robert Koch.
“Learning how to thrive with a small group of people. Getting to know people really well, having them feel like you’re family and then getting to do really neat science,” she told the Resident Extreme podcast.
Koch says there was plenty to do in American Sāmoa in regard to outdoor adventure. She says it was a “beautiful place”, from the mountains to the ocean.
“Working seasonally, so having time off to do some of my outdoor hobbies, I’m between seasons working in those places. The overall lifestyle, incorporating science and those opportunities, was really great.
“So, a lot of paddling, hiking, scuba diving, surfing obviously. I wasn’t a surfer yet at that point, but Bob was really big into surfing. So just tons of adventure.”
Even her support network in American Sāmoa played a role in her astronaut journey. “Only two flights [left] American Sāmoa per week. So, it was no small feat just getting back to the States. Bob was really supportive.
“He got some friends together before my interviews, made me cards, made sure that everybody was rooting for me back home in American Samoa,” Koch says.
The Artemis II mission is historic. The four-person crew of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen travelled 252,756 miles (406,771km) from Earth, the furthest humans have ever ventured into space.
While they did not land on the Moon, their 10-day flight, which started from Florida on Thursday, 2 April (NZT), is testing life-support and navigation systems for future lunar missions.
The latest mission also marks the first human journey beyond the Moon since the Apollo programme ended in 1972.
For the Pacific community, Dr Christina Koch’s story is symbolic. Her work in American Sāmoa, her memories of local life, and her journey to the Moon highlight how roots in the Pacific can help shape extraordinary opportunities.
It is also a reminder to young Sāmoans that science, exploration, and service are within reach, and that their culture and communities can travel far – even beyond the Moon.
The Artemis II crew is due to splash down in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday, 11 April 2026, completing a milestone journey for humanity and for the Pacific eyes watching proudly from afar…. PACNEWS
AUST – DEFENCE: THE GUARDIAN PACNEWS 3: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Australian spy plane operators in Middle East not sharing intel with U.S for offensive operations, defence boss says
CANBERRA, 10 APRIL 2026 (THE GUARDIAN) — Australian personnel operating a state-of-the-art surveillance plane are filtering information gleaned from the Middle East war to ensure intelligence is not shared with the United States for offensive purposes, the defence force chief says.
As the federal government extended the deployment of the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft on Thursday, the chief of Defence, Admiral David Johnston, said the crew were taking active steps to only contribute to defensive operations.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, confirmed the plane would stay in the Middle East beyond its initial four-week mission to the United Arab Emirates after agreement from cabinet’s national security committee.
Intelligence about drones and other airborne threats is being shared with the US, but Johnston said the highly trained crew would withhold information not related to defensive activities.
“That was a really important consideration of the manner by which that aircraft was deployed and the functions it’s performing,” he said at the Russell defence headquarters in Canberra.
“The capabilities of the aircraft are such that it is the operators of that platform who determine what information leaves the platform.
“And we’re able to apply filters to it, draw judgments on the nature of what the aircraft is detecting through all of the means, from radar to electronic systems, and then be very clear on what we are presenting out that is then picked up inside the air operation system.”
Labor has faced criticism for supporting the war being led by the U.S president, Donald Trump, and Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, but insists Australia’s role is only defensive.
Ahead of the release of the next national defence strategy next week, Johnston called the E-7 Wedgetail “a gem of an aircraft”.
Approximately 85 defence force members were deployed as part of Australia’s assistance package to the UAE in early March. Albanese would not confirm where in the Middle East the Wedgetail would operate going forward.
“The Wedgetail will be staying in the region for a period of time,” he said, before departing for a visit to Singapore on Thursday.
Asked about possible Australian efforts to help reopen the strategic strait of Hormuz, Johnston said the Royal Australian Navy was equipped to help, but such a move might not be in the country’s strategic interest.
“I am very confident we could deploy a ship into that environment if the government was to make a decision to do so. I have no hesitation in our ability to work in a strait of Hormuz-type role.
“But perhaps what is an at least as important question is: where do our priorities lie?
“The United States has moved enormous military capacity into the Gulf region at the moment, including a lot of capacity out of the Indo-Pacific. This is an important time for us to be present in the Indo-Pacific to maintain that regional environment that we seek to maintain.”
Trump this week criticised Australia for not providing assistance on reopening the strait, which usually carries about 20% of global oil supplies.
Speaking about Nato countries, as well as partners including Australia, Japan and South Korea, Trump said, “they haven’t helped at all”.
The opposition has previously criticised Labor for not sending a warship when former US president Joe Biden was coordinating defensive operations in the Red Sea amid attacks on commercial shipping from Iran-backed militia.
Johnston said on Thursday that decision had nothing to do with maintenance or capability problems but was rather about strategic priorities.
“We were able to deploy to the Red Sea as much as we are able to deploy to the strait of Hormuz,” he said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
VAN – SMUGGLING: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Luganville businesswoman jailed in VT143M cigarette smuggling case
PORT VILA, 10 APRIL 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The Supreme Court of Vanuatu has sentenced prominent Luganville businesswoman Zhiqiong Huang, owner of H Store and Nemo Motel and co-operator of Santo Nambawan Store, to imprisonment after she admitted attempting to bribe customs officials to release a container carrying undeclared cigarettes in a case involving more than VT143 million (US$1.199 million) in unpaid duties.
In Public Prosecutor v Zhiqiong Huang [2026] VUSC 74, Justice Josaia Naigulevu imposed a total sentence of 24 months’ imprisonment on two counts of corruption and bribery of public officials, with 12 months to be served immediately and the remaining 12 months suspended for one year.
The case stems from the arrival of a shipping container in Luganville on 23 July 2025. Huang, a Chinese national residing in Vanuatu on an investor visa, lodged a customs declaration stating the container held 450 cartons of napkins valued at USD18,000. However, customs later uncovered that the shipment actually contained large quantities of cigarettes concealed behind false documentation.
Evidence before the Court revealed that between 24 and 25 July 2025, Huang made repeated contact with Customs Officer Jules Sesai requesting an urgent meeting. During a meeting at the wharf, she handed him a bag containing VT1.5 million (US$12,608) in cash and asked him to assist in releasing the container without inspection. The officer refused and reported the matter to his superiors.
Huang later escalated her attempts by offering a further VT1 million (US$8,395) to the same officer and contacting another customs officer to cancel the scheduled inspection. Investigations eventually confirmed that the container held 420 cartons of Peter Jackson Virginia cigarettes, 11 cartons of Chinese cigarette brands, and only 19 cartons of napkins. Customs authorities assessed the unpaid duty at VT143,820,550(US$1,206,315).
During a police interview, Huang admitted submitting a false invoice and declaration, delivering VT1.5 million (US$12.608) as a bribe, and offering an additional VT1 million (US$8,395) to influence officials. She pleaded guilty to two counts under section 73(2) of the Penal Code.
In sentencing, Justice Naigulevu stressed that bribery is a serious offence that undermines public institutions, weakens the rule of law, and threatens national economic stability.
The Court highlighted several aggravating factors, including the deliberate planning of the offence, use of deception through false documentation, repeated bribery attempts, the substantial sums of money involved, and the significant potential loss of government revenue.
A starting point of four years’ imprisonment was adopted, reflecting the seriousness of the offending. The sentence was reduced by 25 percent for Huang’s early guilty plea and further reduced to account for her previously clean record, positive character references, and contributions to the Luganville community. However, the Court gave little weight to claims that she was influenced by her husband or cultural factors, noting there was no supporting evidence.
The Court ultimately imposed a sentence of 24 months’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently. Huang will serve 12 months immediately, backdated to 19 August 2025 when she was remanded in custody, while the remaining 12 months is suspended for one year. She was also fined VT1 million (US$8,395), payable within three months.
In addition, all monies used in the bribery attempts are to be forfeited to the State and paid into the national treasury within 14 days.
Justice Naigulevu reaffirmed the Court’s firm stance that bribery will not be tolerated in Vanuatu, emphasising deterrence and the need to protect public confidence in government institutions.
The Court also commended the customs officers involved for their integrity in refusing the bribes and reporting the matter…. PACNEWS
VAN – ECONOMIC MICRO HUB: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 10 Apr 2026
PM Napat launches Emua Vila, Vanuatu’s first economic micro-hub
PORT VILA, 10 APRIL 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has officially launched Emua Vila, Vanuatu’s first Economic Micro-Hub (EMH), Thursday, marking a key step toward improving digital access, business services, and economic opportunities for rural communities.
The initiative, which opened its doors to the public on 9 April 2026, is designed to redefine digital service delivery by providing secure access to essential services, business expertise, and opportunities for economic independence in remote areas.
Located approximately 45 kilometres from Port Vila, Emua Vila has been established as a strategic testing ground — close enough to measure impact while remote enough to demonstrate the model’s effectiveness. The hub is supported by reliable electricity and telecommunications infrastructure, with strong collaboration from the North Efate Area Council and the local community.
The facility delivers essential digital services and business support while incorporating cost-recovery mechanisms aimed at promoting self-reliance and sustainable economic activity. It is also designed as a scalable model for potential expansion across the Pacific region and beyond.
The launch event featured community engagement activities, including pre-launch workshops on online safety, digital skills, and business development. The official opening ceremony was followed by a two-day community fair showcasing local businesses, entertainment, and outdoor screenings.
Director of the Department of Communications and Digital Transformation (DCDT), John Jack, described the initiative as a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey.
“This is an important achievement for the country. It represents a practical step forward in transforming services and creating new opportunities for people,” he said. “Technology is not an end in itself — it is a tool to improve access, inclusion, and service delivery where people live and work.”
Jack said the initiative aligns with the Government’s Digital Transformation Master Plan, launched in September 2024, which focuses on improving connectivity, enabling digital government services, and promoting digital skills and economic empowerment.
He also called on government ministries and agencies to modernise systems and processes to ensure services are user-centred and accessible to communities nationwide.
PM Napat said the EMH represents a forward-looking model that brings services closer to the people while reducing costs and improving accessibility.
“This is the model we must introduce to empower our communities,’ he said. “It will improve livelihoods, reduce the cost of accessing services, and strengthen local economies.”
He emphasised that the initiative is the result of strong collaboration between the Government, private sector partners, and local communities, highlighting partnerships with international stakeholders, including technology companies and development partners.
“This partnership shows what is possible when public leadership, private innovation, and community ownership come together,” the Prime Minister said.
Secretary General (SG) of SHEFA Provincial Government Council (SPGC), Lionel Kaluat, said the project aims to improve connectivity and provide underserved communities with access to digital services and economic opportunities.
“The intention is to create sustainable economic growth while minimising financial and infrastructure barriers,” he said, adding that the hub will support local productivity and community development.
Managing Partner of Worldwide Watchman Keen, Aaron Boyd, said the concept was developed to address global challenges in connecting remote communities.
“The traditional model of delivering connectivity to remote areas is not working,” he said. “This initiative creates a new model based on partnership, cost-sharing, and community involvement.”
Boyd said the system eliminates traditional cost barriers and enables expansion without heavy financial burdens on governments, allowing similar hubs to be replicated globally.
President of Samsung New Zealand, Emily Choi, said technology plays a critical role in connecting people and creating opportunities across sectors such as education, healthcare, and business.
“Technology has the power to transform lives and create new opportunities, especially for remote communities,” she said.
“This partnership is about enabling access, supporting development, and building resilient digital infrastructure.”
The Acting Chairman of the North Efate Area Council said the hub represents more than just infrastructure.
“It is a symbol of hope, opportunity, and a shared vision to strengthen our local economy while respecting our customs and supporting our people,” he said.
A representative from Digicel added that the initiative brings essential services directly to communities, including financial transactions, connectivity, and digital tools.
“For too long, rural communities have faced barriers to access. This hub brings services closer to the people and empowers them to participate fully in the economy,” the representative said.
The Emua Vila EMH is expected to serve as a model for future development, supporting inclusive growth, digital access, and long-term resilience for communities across Vanuatu and the wider Pacific region…. PACNEWS
FIJI – UNION: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Reconsider stance: Fuel price increase will have drastic impact on Fiji workers – Anthony
SUVA, 10 APRIL 2026 (FIJI TIMES) —It is time for the Fiji Government to reconsider its stance on minimum wage and all wages stipulated in the Wages Council Orders.
Citing the latest fuel price increase that came into effect on April, Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) national secretary Felix Anthony said that would have drastic impact on workers, more particularly the majority that earned minimum wage, which he added was “well below the poverty line”.
“Cost of everyday essentials are likely to be affected, and this would put our poorest into a very precarious situation, and may have serious social implications,” Anthony said in a statement.
“Already we see workers struggling to put decent food on the table for their families.
Anthony said it was the Government reconsidered its stand because the current minimum wage of $5(US$2.50) “is grossly insufficient and condemns workers to perpetual poverty”.
“As always, the case by businesses is endorsed without consultation or even justification whereas the plight of workers takes decades,” he said.
Anthony made the comment as they challenged the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (FCCC) 01 April fuel price determination.
In response, the Government stated it acknowledged the pressure on families, adding while the Government continued to advance worker protections, noted that resistance to wage increases had come from some employers.
It stated the advocacy by the union body for improved wages and conditions must be directed where such resistance existed.
It added the Government had increased the minimum wage within two years of taking office.
“This is not a situation of choosing between fuel companies and workers. It is about managing a global crisis responsibly, ensuring that Fiji maintains fuel supply, protects economic stability, and supports its people during a period of international uncertainty,” the Government stated in a statement…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Politically connected crypto project pursued resort with alleged scam syndicate figures
By Tom Allard, Emanuel Stoakes, Aubrey Belford, Martin Young, Yan Z.H, Bernadette Carreon
DILI, 10 APRIL 2026 (OCCRP) — AB is a little-known blockchain network that recently partnered with the Trump family’s crypto firm. But one of the projects it has promoted — a proposed crypto technology resort in Southeast Asia — involved people sanctioned by the U.S last year for ties to the Prince Group, an alleged multibillion-dollar fraud syndicate.
Last November, a new blockchain network known as AB announced it had partnered with a company with an impeccable political pedigree: World Liberty Financial, a booming cryptocurrency firm co-owned by the family of U.S President Donald Trump.
The collaboration, which gave AB the right to carry on its online ledger one of the Trump family company’s signature products, a “stablecoin” pegged to the U.S dollar, was just the latest in a string of bold announcements that associated the emerging AB network with high-profile figures from around the world.
Launched just early last year, AB publicly touted a former president of Serbia as its “blockchain moderator.” Its philanthropic arm, an Irish-registered nonprofit foundation, lists about two dozen current and former world leaders as its advisers.
Until recently, AB also promoted online what it called a “flagship project” — a “blockchain theme resort” in Timor-Leste, a small and impoverished country in Southeast Asia.
Stretching out into the sea near Timor-Leste’s capital, Dili, the 300,000-square-meter development was billed as a place where the brightest minds in crypto would gather in luxury. The nonprofit would receive between five and 10 percent of its future profits.
In a now-deleted online statement, the former Serbian leader Boris Tadić extolled AB’s resort as a future “worldwide nexus for industry collaboration and talent exchange.”
An OCCRP and Guardian Australia investigation, however, has found that the planned resort involved three people who were later sanctioned by the U.S Treasury in a crackdown on the Prince Group, a Cambodia-based conglomerate that it alleges is one of the world’s largest online scam syndicates.
The Prince Group has been accused by the U.S of being part of an illicit industry that steals tens of billions of dollars from victims every year while operating massive scam compounds in converted hotels, office parks, and casinos across Southeast Asia. In what it dubbed its “largest forfeiture action” against online scammers, the U.S government last year seized US$15 billion worth of bitcoin from Prince Group’s CEO, Chen Zhi. (The Prince Group has said that it “categorically rejects the notion that it or its chairman has engaged in any unlawful activity.”)
There is no evidence that AB is directly connected to the Prince Group, or that illicit funds flowed into the resort project. The three sanctioned people involved with the resort have not been charged with any crime and were removed from the Timor-Leste project shortly after the sanctions were announced, corporate documents and interviews show.
There is no suggestion that World Liberty, Tadić, or any other political figures were aware of sanctioned people’s prior involvement.
However, the revelations come amid concerns that Timor-Leste, a small country of just 1.4 million people located between Indonesia and Australia, is becoming a new target for scam syndicates. Tens of billions of dollars are believed to be stolen every year by the syndicates, who often operate out of large compounds in converted casinos, resorts, and office parks across Southeast Asia.
According to a statement posted on one of AB’s websites on 04 March, the Timor-Leste resort project was the result of a June memorandum of understanding between its “core entities” and a separate Timor-Leste-registered company and was cancelled in November before it reached “a substantive implementation stage.”
“The MoU was only a preliminary intention and did not produce any substantive legal or financial consequences,” the statement said.
Lawyers for World Liberty said the company is “committed to responsible practices and compliance.” They said World Liberty carried out due diligence on AB and was not made aware of the resort or people behind it.
“Claims attempting to link World Liberty Financial with sanctioned individuals are unfounded and untrue,” they said. “[World Liberty] has no relationship or association with any of these sanctioned individuals or the Timor-Leste project.”
Longtime Friends
For much of its roughly year-long history, the corporate architecture behind the AB network has been cloaked in mystery.
OCCRP and Guardian Australia spent four months analyzing corporate records, flight manifests, text messages and photographs to identify key figures behind AB’s digital veneer.
As reporters began reaching out to people connected to the Timor-Leste project, promotional material for the resort was removed from AB’s websites and social media accounts. In its March post, published after reporters began their inquiries, AB for the first time clarified what it says is its structure. AB now describes itself as a “decentralised” ecosystem consisting of two companies that exist in the real world: an Irish nonprofit, and a foundation registered in the Cayman Islands, a secrecy jurisdiction that does not disclose directors or beneficial owners.
AB also purports to include two separate entities that are entirely virtual: an open-source blockchain, and a “decentralised autonomous organisation” called AB DAO, which is governed by holders of its native cryptocurrency token.
Reporters, however, were able to identify two ethnic Chinese businessmen who, after being contacted, described themselves as leading figures in separate parts of AB’s network. Neither of them appeared on AB’s publicity materials or on publicly available corporate documents.
One of them is Sui Chenggang, a Chinese software developer. After being contacted by reporters, Sui said that he was the “initiator of the AB ecosystem” and the beneficial owner of its financial arm, the Cayman Islands company AB Foundation.
Sui’s Caymans company was a formal party to the now-canceled agreement to pursue the Timor-Leste resort, according to documents obtained by reporters. A photograph obtained by reporters shows that the businessman, who goes by the name Jacky Sui, met World Liberty executives — including Donald Trump Jr. and Zach Witkoff, the son of Trump’s peace envoy — on the sidelines of a crypto conference in Singapore last October.
Sui’s “longtime friend” and another pivotal figure in the AB resort project in Timor-Leste is Lin Xiaofan, an enigmatic Guangdong-born entrepreneur who travels the world on a passport from the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Reached by OCCRP and Guardian Australia, Lin confirmed that he played a leading role in the Timor-Leste resort project and denied any connection to the Prince Group.
“I have always despised those who run scam compounds,” he said.
Reporters found that Lin facilitated some of AB’s connections to influential people, including Timor-Leste’s president. Lin said he served as an adviser to Tadić, the former Serbian leader. (In response to questions Tadić confirmed Lin served in this role. He said he was a supporter of the Timor-Leste resort but had no role in it and was not aware of any involvement by sanctioned individuals.)
Lin also said he was the “initiator” of AB’s Irish nonprofit, which is chaired by the country’s former leader, Bertie Ahern. (Ahern acknowledged to reporters that he met Lin and chairs the nonprofit. He said he had no knowledge of the resort project.)
Lin denied playing any role in AB’s blockchain network. Lin did, however, say that it was he who introduced Sui to World Liberty executives.
‘Too Secretive’
Timor-Leste is an unlikely setting for a cutting-edge crypto-themed property development.
The country’s capital, Dili, is in many ways a throwback to earlier times. Battered minibuses trawl its dusty streets for passengers. Internet and mobile phone service is patchy, and power cuts are commonplace. Almost all day-to-day business in the country is done with paper U.S dollars, the young country’s only legal currency.
In 2024, the digital future landed via a private jet.
Lin, who often goes by the English name Frank, arrived with an entourage that included Fan Bingbing, a Chinese actress whose disappearance in 2018 made global headlines. (Fan reappeared in public several months later that year, reportedly posting a lengthy statement online apologising for tax fraud and praising the Chinese Communist Party.)
Once in Timor-Leste, Lin made a beeline for members of the local elite, including President Jose Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and hero of the country’s quarter-century independence struggle against occupation by Indonesia.
Speaking to reporters, Ramos-Horta described Lin as at times “too secretive” but well-connected. Lin appeared to be a “huge innovator” who was clearly in control during meetings, he said.
During an early meeting, Lin came bearing a gift of surveillance cameras and night vision equipment. On a subsequent visit, Lin and his entourage pitched their resort idea.
“They met with me and showed me the video. Very nice,” Ramos-Horta said.
The president said he accepted an invitation from Lin to serve as an adviser to the AB’s nonprofit alongside his friend, the former Serbian leader Tadić.
The resort concept was ambitious. According to mockups Lin shared with Timorese officials, the development was to be built next to Dili’s airport. Luxury overwater villas with private swimming pools would stretch out into the sea alongside a yacht club and “Sea Plaza.”
Last June, the Irish nonprofit, named AB Foundation Company Limited by Guarantee, and Sui’s Caymans company, AB Foundation, signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the project with a newly established Timorese company, AB Digital Technology Resort Lda.
The following month, AB’s Irish nonprofit publicly announced a US$500,000 donation to a local charity run by President Ramos-Horta. The money came directly from Lin.
(Ahern, the nonprofit’s chair, said the organisation has “no bank accounts or funds” and so its board never formally authorised the payment.)
Later on, that month, Ramos-Horta signed a letter recommending Lin be granted a Timorese diplomatic passport and given the title of special adviser to the president for economic and commercial affairs. The passport was issued that very same day, according to a copy of the document obtained by reporters.
Ramos-Horta told reporters he gained no personal benefit from the donation to his charity and gave the passport to Lin in order to generate new “clean” investment for Timor-Leste.
“In a private conversation, [Lin] said he would like to move his business to Timor,” Ramos-Horta said. “And if his businesses are legitimate, as appear in some of his formal presentations, blockchain, high-tech, all of that. Yes, we would like to have that.”
When reporters from OCCRP and Guardian Australia visited the resort’s proposed site — a sandy, weed-strewn lot near Dili’s airport — in February, there were no signs of construction.
The site of a proposed digital resort in Tasi Tolu, Dili, Timor-Leste.
Lin told reporters the project was still active. He was finalizing the resort’s design and recruiting a new general manager, he added.
Lin also told reporters that AB is no longer part of the project and provided a copy of a 27 November letter terminating the agreement. (AB also stated in its March announcement that the MoU for the project was canceled last November, the month after the U.S sanctions came out.)
‘Casual Dinner and Cigar Time’
The link between the Timor-Leste resort and people sanctioned by the U.S. came via the local company set up last June to develop the project, AB Digital Technology Resort.
Corporate records show the majority shareholder of the company, which was established with US$10 million in capital, was Yang Jian, a Cyprus citizen of Chinese origin who was sanctioned by the U.S in October for allegedly working with Prince’s CEO, Chen Zhi, to build a separate resort in the Pacific Island nation of Palau. The project was described by the U.S Treasury as a “predatory investment.”
Source Documents
Registration document for AB Digital Technology Resort Lda, a company set up in Timor-Leste to develop AB’s blockchain resort project. The document shows the company’s previous shareholders, who were removed in late 2025 after the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions targeting the Prince Group. Also included: A memorandum of understanding between AB Foundation Company Limited by Guarantee (Ireland), AB Foundation (Cayman Islands), and AB Digital Technology Resort Lda (Timor-Leste) for the establishment of the Timor-Leste resort. The MoU has since been canceled.
Yang Jian, who OCCRP recently revealed owns at least US$17 million worth of London property, did not respond to questions.
Lin provided documents showing a business agreement with Yang Jian was terminated on October 17, three days after the Prince Group sanctions were announced by the U.S Treasury. Also on October 17, Yang Jian’s shareholding was transferred to a man Lin described as his “close friend” Ye Chengzhong, according to corporate records he provided.
“Yang Jian appeared as a nominee shareholder in the company registration documents … during the project’s preparation stage, but he never contributed any funds to the company,” Lin said.
Two other people who were sanctioned alongside Yang Jian over the same Palau project also worked on the Timorese resort project, documents and interviews show.
Yang Yanming, also known as Kimi Yang, represented himself as the resort company’s manager and carried a business card identifying himself as a director of AB Digital Technology Resort, according to a photograph obtained by reporters. He also traveled by private jet with Lin from Timor-Leste to Hong Kong last July, according to the flight manifest.
“I have no association whatsoever with the Prince Group,” Kimi Yang told reporters. He said he had met the Prince Group boss Chen Zhi two or three times but “just for casual dinner and cigar time.”
Kimi Yang identified Shih Ting-yu, a sanctioned Taiwanese national also known as Vivian Shih, as working for him on the project. He said she was dismissed from the company after the sanctions came out.
Reached by phone, Shih, who is currently under separate investigation in Taiwan over her alleged ties to the Prince Group, denied any knowledge of the Timorese resort project or any connection to the Prince Group.
“I don’t know about anything,” she said. “I just want to go back to my normal life.”
While the three sanctioned people were quickly removed from AB Digital Technology Resort, records show the company continued to be 38-percent owned until mid-December by a Cyprus passport holder, Zhao Chen, who, according to records from the Mediterranean island country, became a citizen in 2018 as the wife of Hu Xiaowei. Hu, also known as Chen Xiao’er, is a sanctioned alleged Prince Group affiliate who, according to Taiwanese media, has been labeled by prosecutors there as Prince Group’s alleged “second in command.”
Zhao also signed a cooperation agreement that kick-started the resort project. But Lin told OCCRP and Guardian Australia he did not know who Zhao was and had never been in contact with her.
Zhao and Hu, who have not been charged, did not respond to questions.
Timorese corporate records show Zhao was replaced as shareholder on December 11 by Hong Kong citizen Ching Ho Leung. Leung told reporters he was a relative of Lin’s friend Ye and provided a document showing that he was holding his shares in the company on behalf of Ye.
Although Lin said he did not know Zhao, he confirmed to reporters that he was acquainted with Hu, the purported Prince Group number two.
Lin initially told reporters that he had only met Hu once at a karaoke bar in London in 2022. But when pressed about a flight manifest and other evidence that indicated the two men had flown on a private jet out of Manila the following year, Lin confirmed he had “happened to run into” Hu in the Philippines. Flight records show the plane departed Manila airport on February 13 and stopped over in Dubai before continuing to St. Mortitz in Switzerland. The flight was the subject of an inquiry by the Philippines Senate after it emerged that Hu had been able to slip out of the country without being recorded in the original manifest.
“I took his aircraft as a courtesy ride,” Lin said, adding he was going to the European nation for a medical check-up.
‘Magic Weapon’
The AB network has recently taken pains to distance itself from the sanctioned people involved in the Timor-Leste resort project. But it continues to publicly list on its website the politician-studded Irish nonprofit that, like Lin himself, has links to what Chinese President Xi Jinping calls the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s “magic weapon,” a network of official “united front” organisations aimed at building its influence abroad.
Lin is listed as an “honorary president” on the website of the Hong Kong Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, a prominent united front organisation. AB’s Irish nonprofit has since late last year touted roughly US$1.92 million worth of donations made in its name to the reunification association to pass on to the victims of an apartment building fire in Hong Kong.
Wen Danjing, an Ireland-based Chinese businessman who is a director of the nonprofit and signed the MoU to develop the Timorese resort on its behalf, is listed in China’s overseas NGO registry as the head of a Chinese branch office of the InterAction Council, an organisation co-founded by former Irish leader Ahern. The branch office is listed as under the supervision of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, a united front agency.
Bethany Allen, a senior China analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the AB nonprofit’s open affiliation with united front structures was intended to build its “political capital” with Beijing.
“A donation through a peaceful unification society doesn’t just signal a company’s charitable intent — it sends a clear signal directly to the CCP that this company or charity is on board with CCP priorities and can be trusted.”
Lin, however, said such an argument was “speculation” that “lacks factual basis.” He said his role with the Hong Kong association is “an honorary position within a social organisation and does not involve any government role or administrative responsibilities.”
Wen told OCCRP and Guardian Australia that he is “not a member of the Chinese Communist Party, [does] not work for any Chinese government agency, and [is] not associated with the United Front.”
Ahern said he had “no knowledge” about any questions related to China’s united front.
‘The Testing Phase’
Another aspect of the AB network’s business that remains prominently displayed online is its collaboration with World Liberty Financial, which was founded in 2024 by partners including companies affiliated with the Trump and Witkoff families.
The company is reported to have earned the two families roughly US$1.4 billion since then, including through the adoption of its USD$1 stablecoin. World Liberty’s deals, including an agreement to sell nearly half of its shares for half a billion dollars to an Emirati official with ties to the country’s intelligence apparatus, have raised criticisms from ethics and political experts that the first family could be putting the national interest at risk with its foreign partnerships.
Both World Liberty and the White House have said that President Trump and Steve Witkoff, a longtime friend of the president who is now serving as his peace envoy, have no role in the company’s decision-making.
Sui, the beneficial owner of AB’s Cayman Islands company, said he signed an MoU with World Liberty on 17 September last year after he was introduced to its executives by Lin. He refused to provide reporters with a copy of the document, citing its confidentiality provisions.
“With respect to the specific transaction terms, the cooperation constitutes a normal commercial agreement between the two parties and includes standard provisions relating to technical cooperation and ecosystem collaboration,” Sui said, adding that it “does not involve any form of personal benefit transfer or hidden arrangements.”
On 14 October, a fortnight after Sui was photographed with Trump Jr and the younger Witkoff, the U.S announced its sanctions against the Prince Group. By the time AB and World Liberty announced their partnership, on 12 November, the resort project remained on AB’s websites and social media accounts, but the three sanctioned people had already been removed from the Timorese company, AB Digital Technology Resort.
Sui said: “To the best of my recollection, the Timor-Leste resort project was not discussed” during conversations with World Liberty.
Although it is still in effect, the collaboration between AB and World Liberty has resulted in little increased uptake for USD1. Just over US$3 million worth of the stablecoin is currently held by users of AB DAO’s main blockchain, a low volume that Sui attributes to the integration being “currently still in the testing phase.”
This pales in comparison to the more than US$4.4 billion worth of USD$1 currently circulating across all blockchains, part of an aggressive push by World Liberty for the adoption of the cryptocurrency over other stablecoins, such as the industry leader Tether.
On the sidelines of a glitzy crypto forum the company hosted at the family resort in Mar-a-Lago on February 18, Trump Jr and his brother, Eric, told media outlet CNBC that one goal of their stablecoin is to help maintain the dominance of the U.S dollar in global finance.
Another reason, Eric Trump said, was revenge for family members being dropped by traditional banks in the aftermath of the 06 January 2021 riot in the U.S Capitol.
“We’re the most canceled people in the world in 2020, 2021,” he said.
“And it’s really great to almost have this retribution, where all of a sudden we start pushing an agenda, our agenda is to modernise finance to [make sure] that can never, ever happen to anybody again,” Trump said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Weather Ready Pacific strengthens Early Warning systems to safeguard Pacific communities
MAJURO, 10 APRIL 2026 (SPREP) — The Pacific’s ability to protect lives, livelihoods, and economies from increasingly frequent and severe weather hazards has taken another important step forward through the Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) Programme.
The programme is the brainchild of the Pacific Meteorological Council and is being implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
As part of its mission to strengthen regional resilience, the WRP is delivering specialised training on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) to Pacific Island countries.
CAP is a globally recognised standard and message format that enables faster, clearer, and more coordinated emergency warnings across multiple communication channels and networks simultaneously ensuring communities receive timely and actionable information when hazards strike.
CAP Alerts can be geographically targeted to a defined warning area, and the format is capable of including maps, images, video and audio for improved accessibility while also supporting multiple languages.
Through this initiative, WRP has commissioned New Zealand Meteorological Service (Met Service) to deliver training across five Pacific nations: the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, Niue, Papua New Guinean (PNG) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).
The programme reflects a growing regional commitment to strengthening early warning systems as a critical component of disaster risk reduction and economic resilience.
The training is delivered by New Zealand Meteorological Service’s Pacific Meteorology Lead, Raveen Das, a recognised expert in Pacific meteorology and severe weather forecasting.
Das has played key roles in advancing international meteorological initiatives across the region and is delivering the training in coordination with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The initiative strongly aligns with the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All (EW4All) global effort to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems.
“Effective early warnings are one of the most powerful tools we have to protect lives, livelihoods, and national development gains in the Pacific,” said Das.
“By strengthening the systems that generate and disseminate official alerts, we are helping ensure that communities from remote outer islands to urban centres receive clear, trusted warnings that enable them to act early.”
The training brings together a broad group of stakeholders responsible for issuing and responding to warnings. Participants include representatives from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, National Disaster Management Offices, humanitarian partners, national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, traditional knowledge champions, and other authorised alerting agencies.
The sessions cover the core principles and operational foundations that underpin CAP, including alerting fundamentals, impact-based forecasting and warning services, and approaches for contextualizing global standards to the unique needs of Pacific communities.
A key emphasis is on inclusivity ensuring warning systems reach all people, including those in remote locations and vulnerable populations, so that no one is left behind when hazardous situations arise.
The training in RMI was held from 09-12 March, with FSM’s held from 24-26 March. The two trainings mark a significant milestone with both countries now operational with CAP capability.
The next training under this regional initiative is scheduled to take place in Kiribati from 4-6 May, PNG from 11-13 May, and Niue from 25-27 May.
By strengthening early warning capabilities across the Pacific, Weather Ready Pacific is helping nations better anticipate and respond to hazards, protecting communities while supporting sustainable development and economic resilience in one of the world’s most climate vulnerable regions…. PACNEWS
