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<p>China's Civil Affairs University announced a new undergraduate marriage program to develop marriage-related industries and culture, drawing scorn of social media users who questioned the need for such a course as marriage rates decline.</p>

<p>With the program due to start in September, the Beijing-based institution aims to "cultivate professionals to develop marriage related industries and culture", state media reported this week.</p>

<p>Policymakers are struggling to reverse the fall in new births, which are closely linked to marriage rates, after China's population fell for a second consecutive year in 2023.</p>

<p>Marriage is seen as a prerequisite for having children due to widespread policies, including one that requires parents to present a marriage certificate to register the baby and receive benefits. Single women and LGBTQ couples are not entitled to the same rights.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;China: 30 dead after torrential rains, Chinese premier visits affected areas</strong></p>

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<p>Called Marriage Services and Management, the new degree programme will focus on the development of the marriage industry, "aiming to highlight China's positive marriage and family culture to students and the public and advancing reform of China's marriage customs", the Global Times said.</p>

<p>The university will enrol 70 undergraduates from 12 provinces this year to field sectors including "family counselling, high-end wedding planning and the development of matchmaking products."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjAvdvivdaHAxXmXWwGHb5KORsQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hu-xijin-china-bans-ex-editor-of-nationalist-tabloid-global-times-from-social-media-but-why-746594" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/hu-xijin-china-bans-ex-editor-of-nationalist-tabloid-global-times-from-social-media-but-why-746594&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjAvdvivdaHAxXmXWwGHb5KORsQxfQBKAB6BAgIEAE">Hu Xijin: China 'bans' ex-editor of nationalist tabloid Global Times from social media, but why?</a></strong></p>

<p>Some users on China's social media platform Weibo ridiculed the announcement with one writing "It's time to start a state owned marriage agency."</p>

<p>Others questioned the need for such a degree. "This industry is not just a sunset, it's doomsday," one wrote, while another commented that "Learning this major is really unemployment after graduation."</p>

<p>While the number of new marriages in China jumped 12.4 per cent&nbsp;in 2023 from a year earlier, reversing a downtrend that has lasted for almost a decade, demographers warn that this was more due to delayed nuptials following the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p>Many young people are opting to stay single or put off getting married due to poor job prospects and chronically low consumer confidence as growth in the world's second-largest economy slows.</p>

<p><em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.</em></p>


China's Civil Affairs University announced a new undergraduate marriage program to develop marriage-related industries and culture, drawing scorn of social media users who questioned the need for such a course as marriage rates decline.

China's Civil Affairs University announced a new undergraduate marriage program to develop marriage-related industries and culture, drawing scorn of social media users who questioned the need for such a course as marriage rates decline. With the program due to start in September, the Beijing-based institution aims to "cultivate professionals to develop marriage related industries and culture", state media reported this week. Policymakers are struggling to reverse the fall in new births, which are closely linked to marriage rates, after China's population fell for a second consecutive year in 2023. Marriage is seen as a prerequisite for having children due to widespread policies, including one that requires parents to present a marriage certificate to register the baby and receive benefits. Single women and LGBTQ couples are not entitled to the same rights. Watch: China: 30 dead after torrential rains, Chinese premier visits affected areas × Called Marriage Services and Management, the new degree programme will focus on the development of the marriage industry, "aiming to highlight China's positive marriage and family culture to students and the public and advancing reform of China's marriage customs", the Global Times said. The university will enrol 70 undergraduates from 12 provinces this year to field sectors including "family counselling, high-end wedding planning and the development of matchmaking products." Also read: Hu Xijin: China 'bans' ex-editor of nationalist tabloid Global Times from social media, but why? Some users on China's social media platform Weibo ridiculed the announcement with one writing "It's time to start a state owned marriage agency." Others questioned the need for such a degree. "This industry is not just a sunset, it's doomsday," one wrote, while another commented that "Learning this major is really unemployment after graduation." While the number of new marriages in China jumped 12.4 per cent in 2023 from a year earlier, reversing a downtrend that has lasted for almost a decade, demographers warn that this was more due to delayed nuptials following the COVID-19 pandemic. Many young people are opting to stay single or put off getting married due to poor job prospects and chronically low consumer confidence as growth in the world's second-largest economy slows. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

First marriage-related degree course introduced in Chinese university

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<p>The Kremlin on Friday (Aug 2) said that Vadim Krasikov, freed by Germany in&nbsp;Thursday's prisoner swap deal with the West, is an operative with Russia's FSB security service. Addressing a press conference,&nbsp;Kremlin spokesperson&nbsp;Dmitry Peskov said, "Krasikov is an FSB employee." Peskov added that Krasikov served with FSB's elite&nbsp;and secretive Alpha unit.</p>

<p>Krasikov "served with some of the people working in the president's security detail," Peskov further told reporters. According to a report by the news agency AFP, an investigation by investigative journalism group&nbsp;Bellingcat revealed that&nbsp;Krasikov had links to the FSB.</p>

<p>However, Friday's admission (by the Kremlin) was the first time Moscow has publicly confirmed he was an FSB agent.</p>

<h2><strong>A life sentence in Germany</strong></h2>

<p>Krasikov was serving a life sentence in Germany for the murder of a Chechen rebel commander in a Berlin park in 2019 — an assassination that German judges said was ordered by the Russian state.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-and-harris-to-welcome-freed-americans-arriving-from-russia-746431">Freed Americans return home following historic prisoner swap; Biden, Harris greet them at airport</a></strong></p>

<p>The rebel commander was identified as&nbsp;Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, who had&nbsp;taken up arms against the Russian state in the early 1990s but since forsworn the armed Chechen independence struggle.</p>

<p>On Thursday (Aug 1), Krasikov&nbsp;and nine other Russians were&nbsp;freed in the historic prisoner exchange that saw Moscow release American&nbsp;citizens including&nbsp;Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva, along with a host of Russian dissidents and activists.</p>

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;hailed the return of the Russian prisoners by saying the motherland never forgot about them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Germany played a key role&nbsp;in Thursday's prisoner swap between Moscow and the West.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Relatives of Krasikov's victim&nbsp;slam his release</strong></h2>

<p>Relatives of&nbsp;Khangoshvili&nbsp;voiced disappointment&nbsp;in Krasikov's release from prison. In a statement released by their lawyer, the Chechen rebel commander's relatives said, "On one hand we are glad that lives have been saved.&nbsp;But we are very disappointed that there are apparently no laws even in countries that put the rule of law on a pedestal."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;26 prisoners released in landmark exchange at Ankara airport</strong></p>

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<p>Earlier, German&nbsp;Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the decision had been difficult but necessary to save lives, a view echoed by Justice Minister Marco Buschman.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Kremlin on Friday (Aug 2) said that Vadim Krasikov, freed by Germany in Thursday's prisoner swap deal with the West, is an operative with Russia's FSB security service.

The Kremlin on Friday (Aug 2) said that Vadim Krasikov, freed by Germany in Thursday's prisoner swap deal with the West, is an operative with Russia's FSB security service. Addressing a press conference, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "Krasikov is an FSB employee." Peskov added that Krasikov served with FSB's elite and secretive Alpha unit. Krasikov "served with some of the people working in the president's security detail," Peskov further told reporters. According to a report by the news agency AFP, an investigation by investigative journalism group Bellingcat revealed that Krasikov had links to the FSB. However, Friday's admission (by the Kremlin) was the first time Moscow has publicly confirmed he was an FSB agent. A life sentence in Germany Krasikov was serving a life sentence in Germany for the murder of a Chechen rebel commander in a Berlin park in 2019 — an assassination that German judges said was ordered by the Russian state. Also read | Freed Americans return home following historic prisoner swap; Biden, Harris greet them at airport The rebel commander was identified as Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, who had taken up arms against the Russian state in the early 1990s but since forsworn the armed Chechen independence struggle. On Thursday (Aug 1), Krasikov and nine other Russians were freed in the historic prisoner exchange that saw Moscow release American citizens including Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva, along with a host of Russian dissidents and activists. Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the return of the Russian prisoners by saying the motherland never forgot about them. Germany played a key role in Thursday's prisoner swap between Moscow and the West. Relatives of Krasikov's victim slam his release Relatives of Khangoshvili voiced disappointment in Krasikov's release from prison. In a statement released by their lawyer, the Chechen rebel commander's relatives said, "On one hand we are glad that lives have been saved. But we are very disappointed that there are apparently no laws even in countries that put the rule of law on a pedestal." Also watch | 26 prisoners released in landmark exchange at Ankara airport × Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the decision had been difficult but necessary to save lives, a view echoed by Justice Minister Marco Buschman. (With inputs from agencies)

East-West prisoner swap: Kremlin says Vadim Krasikov, freed by Germany, is FSB operative

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<p>Global Times, the Chinese-state-owned tabloid, is one of the most nationalist supporters of President Xi Jinping's regime, but one of its editors has now been 'banned' from social media, according to reports.</p>

<p>There is no official reason given on why Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of Global Times and an online influencer who defends China, suddenly disappeared from social media since last posting on Saturday (Jul 27). But Hu's silence appears to be in the wake of the backlash he faced for an article he had written on the economic reforms of China.</p>

<p>A report by Bloomberg news agency citing a person familiar with the matter said that he has been "banned from posting on social media" after writing controversial comments about the Chinese economy. His account on Weibo has been suspended, as per the source who was not named in the report.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hu has some 25 million followers on Weibo, the X-like microblogging platform on the Chinese internet. He is also active on WeChat and X, which is banned in China, where he has half a million followers.</p>

<p>After retiring from Global Times in 2021, He wrote a newspaper column, <em>Hu Says</em>, and appeared on television channels and online to offer a strident defence of Chinese policies.</p>

<h2><strong>What did Hu write that angered Chinese state media?</strong></h2>

<p>In an article on Chinese economic reforms, Hu suggested that the private sector in the country may become equal to the public sector. The article has since been deleted.</p>

<p>In the piece posted on his WeChat account on July 22, Hu also wrote about the recent plenum of China’s Communist Party (CCP).</p>

<p>The resolution document of that event, Hu wrote, left out a phrase that had been used to stress the role of the state sector in the country’s economy, according to a report in the South China Morning Post.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjl3fDPptaHAxXXzzgGHS-5FkMQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-agree-to-uphold-peace-and-tranquility-along-line-of-actual-control-746045" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-agree-to-uphold-peace-and-tranquility-along-line-of-actual-control-746045&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjl3fDPptaHAxXXzzgGHS-5FkMQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE">India, China agree to ‘uphold peace and tranquility’ along Line of Actual Control</a></strong></p>

<p>The phrase in question is related to the Chinese public ownership playing a dominant role in its economy. Hu said it was a “historic change” that showed China hoped to “achieve true equality between the private and the state-owned economy”.</p>

<h2><strong>Backlash for Hu's article</strong></h2>

<p>The article garnered backlash from nationalist writers, bloggers and even state media. They accused him of “blatantly violating the political discipline of the party”, noting that the “dominant role” of public ownership was enshrined in the constitutions of both the ruling party and the country, the SCMP report said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: India boosting security along China border</strong></p>

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<p>The Chinese Communist Party's official paper, the People’s Daily, wrote a commentary that China’s basic stand on the state and private sectors “hasn’t changed and won’t change in the future”, the report said.</p>

<p>Hu's sudden silence on social media appears to have followed this.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Global Times, the Chinese-state-owned tabloid, is one of the most nationalist supporters of President Xi Jinping's regime, but one of its editors has now been 'banned' from social media, according to reports.

Global Times, the Chinese-state-owned tabloid, is one of the most nationalist supporters of President Xi Jinping's regime, but one of its editors has now been 'banned' from social media, according to reports. There is no official reason given on why Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of Global Times and an online influencer who defends China, suddenly disappeared from social media since last posting on Saturday (Jul 27). But Hu's silence appears to be in the wake of the backlash he faced for an article he had written on the economic reforms of China. A report by Bloomberg news agency citing a person familiar with the matter said that he has been "banned from posting on social media" after writing controversial comments about the Chinese economy. His account on Weibo has been suspended, as per the source who was not named in the report. Hu has some 25 million followers on Weibo, the X-like microblogging platform on the Chinese internet. He is also active on WeChat and X, which is banned in China, where he has half a million followers. After retiring from Global Times in 2021, He wrote a newspaper column, Hu Says, and appeared on television channels and online to offer a strident defence of Chinese policies. What did Hu write that angered Chinese state media? In an article on Chinese economic reforms, Hu suggested that the private sector in the country may become equal to the public sector. The article has since been deleted. In the piece posted on his WeChat account on July 22, Hu also wrote about the recent plenum of China’s Communist Party (CCP). The resolution document of that event, Hu wrote, left out a phrase that had been used to stress the role of the state sector in the country’s economy, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. Also read: India, China agree to ‘uphold peace and tranquility’ along Line of Actual Control The phrase in question is related to the Chinese public ownership playing a dominant role in its economy. Hu said it was a “historic change” that showed China hoped to “achieve true equality between the private and the state-owned economy”. Backlash for Hu's article The article garnered backlash from nationalist writers, bloggers and even state media. They accused him of “blatantly violating the political discipline of the party”, noting that the “dominant role” of public ownership was enshrined in the constitutions of both the ruling party and the country, the SCMP report said. Watch: Gravitas: India boosting security along China border × The Chinese Communist Party's official paper, the People’s Daily, wrote a commentary that China’s basic stand on the state and private sectors “hasn’t changed and won’t change in the future”, the report said. Hu's sudden silence on social media appears to have followed this. (With inputs from agencies)

Hu Xijin: China 'bans' ex-editor of nationalist tabloid Global Times from social media, but why?

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<p>Japan sweltered through its hottest July since records began 126 years ago, the weather agency said, as extreme heatwaves fuelled by climate change engulfed many parts of the globe.</p>

<p>Temperatures in the country were 2.16 degrees Celsius higher than average, breaking last year's record for July of 1.91 degrees Celsius above average.</p>

<p>"It was the highest since statistics began in 1898," the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said Thursday, noting that the figures were "considerably higher" nationwide.</p>

<p>Of 153 observation posts across Japan, 62 broke their average temperature record in July.</p>

<p>Contributing factors included a high-pressure system over the Pacific and "warm air from the south" that shrouded northern parts of the archipelago, the JMA said.</p>

<p>Since April, heatstroke has killed 59 people in Japan, according to the disaster management agency.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/monsoon-mayhem-kedarnath-route-battered-with-heavy-rain-14-dead-700-stranded-rescue-operation-underway-746499">Monsoon mayhem: Kedarnath route battered with heavy rain; 14 dead, 700 stranded- rescue operation underway</a></strong></p>

<p>Parasols and chunky necklaces that can be stored in the freezer have been a common sight around Tokyo, where street performer Jiro Kan, 56, told AFP he was feeling the heat.</p>

<p>"After spending two hours standing here, I get so sweaty I can literally squeeze it all out from my shirt. I'm drenched," said Kan, dressed in an all-yellow suit.</p>

<p>"People who are used to a more dry type of heat like in the United States find the heat and humidity in Japan more difficult to handle," he said in tourist hotspot Asakusa.</p>

<p>Last month, Shizuoka west of Tokyo became the first Japanese region to see the mercury reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) this year -- far surpassing the 35-degree threshold deemed "extremely hot" by authorities.</p>

<p>Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common across the globe, with the European Union's climate monitor saying in July that the Earth experienced its warmest day in recorded history.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.</em></p>


Japan sweltered through its hottest July since records began 126 years ago, the weather agency said, as extreme heatwaves fuelled by climate change engulfed many parts of the globe.

Japan sweltered through its hottest July since records began 126 years ago, the weather agency said, as extreme heatwaves fuelled by climate change engulfed many parts of the globe. Temperatures in the country were 2.16 degrees Celsius higher than average, breaking last year's record for July of 1.91 degrees Celsius above average. "It was the highest since statistics began in 1898," the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said Thursday, noting that the figures were "considerably higher" nationwide. Of 153 observation posts across Japan, 62 broke their average temperature record in July. Contributing factors included a high-pressure system over the Pacific and "warm air from the south" that shrouded northern parts of the archipelago, the JMA said. Since April, heatstroke has killed 59 people in Japan, according to the disaster management agency. Also Read: Monsoon mayhem: Kedarnath route battered with heavy rain; 14 dead, 700 stranded- rescue operation underway Parasols and chunky necklaces that can be stored in the freezer have been a common sight around Tokyo, where street performer Jiro Kan, 56, told AFP he was feeling the heat. "After spending two hours standing here, I get so sweaty I can literally squeeze it all out from my shirt. I'm drenched," said Kan, dressed in an all-yellow suit. "People who are used to a more dry type of heat like in the United States find the heat and humidity in Japan more difficult to handle," he said in tourist hotspot Asakusa. Last month, Shizuoka west of Tokyo became the first Japanese region to see the mercury reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) this year -- far surpassing the 35-degree threshold deemed "extremely hot" by authorities. Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common across the globe, with the European Union's climate monitor saying in July that the Earth experienced its warmest day in recorded history. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Japan sees hottest July since records began

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<p>Turkey has blocked access to the social media platform Instagram, the country's&nbsp;national communications authority said on Friday (Aug 2). The government blocked Instagram&nbsp;without stating a reason. It is also not yet known the duration for which the ban would last, a report by the news agency Reuters said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The block came two days after&nbsp;Turkish communications official Fahrettin Altun criticised Instagram&nbsp;for what he called its decision to block condolence posts on the killing of Hamas leader&nbsp;Ismail Haniyeh.</p>

<h2><strong>'This is censorship...'</strong></h2>

<p>In a post on X, Atlun hit out at Instagram for&nbsp;blocking the condolence posts by saying, "This is censorship, pure and simple." He added, "We will continue to defend freedom of expression against these platforms, which have repeatedly shown that they serve the global system of exploitation and injustice".</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-chief-haniyeh-was-killed-by-bomb-hidden-two-months-ago-in-tehran-guesthouse-746338">Hamas leader&nbsp;Haniyeh was killed by bomb hidden two months ago in Tehran guesthouse: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>“We will stand by our Palestinian brothers at every opportunity and on every platform,” the top Turkish official said.</p>

<p>There was no immediate comment from Instagram parent Meta Platforms Inc. on either the ban or Altun's comments.</p>

<p>Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, was killed in Tehran&nbsp;on Wednesday (July 31).&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Over 50 mn use&nbsp;Instagram in Turkey</strong></h2>

<p>Citing Turkish media, a report by Al Jazeera on Friday said that more than 50 million people in Turkey use Instagram. Several users in the country took to X to complain about being unable to refresh their Instagram feed.</p>

<p>Yaman Akdeniz, a Turkish digital law expert, said on X, "Access to Instagram was blocked (…) around 3:00 AM this morning following an administrative order. The decision was made either by the presidency or a ministry. The BTK must have its decision approved by a judge."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Who is Khaled Meshaal, set to be the next Hamas chief?</strong></p>

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<p>“The censorship imposed on Instagram is arbitrary and can never have any explanation or justification. No judge should approve such a request,” he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Turkey has blocked access to the social media platform Instagram, the country's national communications authority said on Friday (Aug 2). The government blocked Instagram without stating a reason.

Turkey has blocked access to the social media platform Instagram, the country's national communications authority said on Friday (Aug 2). The government blocked Instagram without stating a reason. It is also not yet known the duration for which the ban would last, a report by the news agency Reuters said. The block came two days after Turkish communications official Fahrettin Altun criticised Instagram for what he called its decision to block condolence posts on the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. 'This is censorship...' In a post on X, Atlun hit out at Instagram for blocking the condolence posts by saying, "This is censorship, pure and simple." He added, "We will continue to defend freedom of expression against these platforms, which have repeatedly shown that they serve the global system of exploitation and injustice". Also read | Hamas leader Haniyeh was killed by bomb hidden two months ago in Tehran guesthouse: Report “We will stand by our Palestinian brothers at every opportunity and on every platform,” the top Turkish official said. There was no immediate comment from Instagram parent Meta Platforms Inc. on either the ban or Altun's comments. Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, was killed in Tehran on Wednesday (July 31). Over 50 mn use Instagram in Turkey Citing Turkish media, a report by Al Jazeera on Friday said that more than 50 million people in Turkey use Instagram. Several users in the country took to X to complain about being unable to refresh their Instagram feed. Yaman Akdeniz, a Turkish digital law expert, said on X, "Access to Instagram was blocked (…) around 3:00 AM this morning following an administrative order. The decision was made either by the presidency or a ministry. The BTK must have its decision approved by a judge." Also watch | Gravitas: Who is Khaled Meshaal, set to be the next Hamas chief? × “The censorship imposed on Instagram is arbitrary and can never have any explanation or justification. No judge should approve such a request,” he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Turkey blocks access to Instagram without stating reason

<p>Taiwanese law enforcement authorities have arrested 449 people after busting its largest illegal pornography ring. Those arrested engaged in making, selling, or possessing child pornography as well as recordings of women in restrooms. Out of those arrested, 178 were buyers of the explicit content.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At a news conference on Thursday (July 31), the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said that all arrested are Taiwanese but the forums were operated from overseas domains.</p>

<p>The arrests were made after a series of raids in June and July that targeted two porn rings, Chuangyi Sifang and SCP, which were operating through the messaging app Telegram.</p>

<p>Most of those detained were paid members of the networks, suspected of viewing and trading in illegal pornography, as well as uploading content.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/revealed-pakistan-armys-secret-programme-to-target-dissenters-on-social-media-746519">Revealed! Pak Army's secret programme to target dissenters on social media</a></p>

<p>The suspects include some teachers, software professionals and&nbsp;even military personnel, CIB's High-tech Crime Center chief Lin Chien-lung was quoted as saying in Taipei Times.</p>

<p>The suspects were charged under Taiwan's Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act as well as laws against money laundering and organised crime, Lin told a news conference in Taipei.</p>

<p>Members paid in cryptocurrency and network tokens to join the porn ring, Lin said, adding that transactions were done in accounts as well as web domains registered overseas.</p>

<p>Chuangyi Sifang was raided after TV host Mickey Huang's indictment in May for allegedly possessing child pornography. Huang was reportedly a paid member of the network since 2014, reported Taipei Times citing the Taichung Prosecutors’ Office.</p>

<p>Police arrested a man surnamed Chang who was reportedly managing Chuangyi Sifang forum. The owner of the forum is thought to be Lao Ma, a Chinese citizen based in China, according to Taiwanese authorities. Currency worth US$30,454 was confiscated in the raid.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/us-man-gets-high-on-edibles-attempts-sex-with-flight-attendant-opens-door-mid-air-746543">US man gets high on edibles, attempts sex with flight attendant, opens door mid-air</a></p>

<p>Another raid in July targeted SCP and its affiliate site OAT, where visuals of women in restrooms in public places, hotel restrooms and bars were shared.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Taiwanese law enforcement authorities have arrested 449 people after busting its largest illegal pornography ring. Those arrested engaged in making, selling, or possessing child pornography as well as recordings of women in restrooms.

Taiwanese law enforcement authorities have arrested 449 people after busting its largest illegal pornography ring. Those arrested engaged in making, selling, or possessing child pornography as well as recordings of women in restrooms. Out of those arrested, 178 were buyers of the explicit content. At a news conference on Thursday (July 31), the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said that all arrested are Taiwanese but the forums were operated from overseas domains. The arrests were made after a series of raids in June and July that targeted two porn rings, Chuangyi Sifang and SCP, which were operating through the messaging app Telegram. Most of those detained were paid members of the networks, suspected of viewing and trading in illegal pornography, as well as uploading content. Also read: Revealed! Pak Army's secret programme to target dissenters on social media The suspects include some teachers, software professionals and even military personnel, CIB's High-tech Crime Center chief Lin Chien-lung was quoted as saying in Taipei Times. The suspects were charged under Taiwan's Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act as well as laws against money laundering and organised crime, Lin told a news conference in Taipei. Members paid in cryptocurrency and network tokens to join the porn ring, Lin said, adding that transactions were done in accounts as well as web domains registered overseas. Chuangyi Sifang was raided after TV host Mickey Huang's indictment in May for allegedly possessing child pornography. Huang was reportedly a paid member of the network since 2014, reported Taipei Times citing the Taichung Prosecutors’ Office. Police arrested a man surnamed Chang who was reportedly managing Chuangyi Sifang forum. The owner of the forum is thought to be Lao Ma, a Chinese citizen based in China, according to Taiwanese authorities. Currency worth US$30,454 was confiscated in the raid. Also read: US man gets high on edibles, attempts sex with flight attendant, opens door mid-air Another raid in July targeted SCP and its affiliate site OAT, where visuals of women in restrooms in public places, hotel restrooms and bars were shared. (With inputs from agencies)

Taiwan's largest illegal porn ring busted, 449 arrested for crimes including child pornography

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