FBI Ends Piracy Sites, Reports $17 Million Loss to Industry

FBI Shuts Down Game Piracy Sites, Warns of Hacker Threat to Old Routers & Laser Incident with China

The FBI has confirmed the seizure of several websites involved in the illegal sharing of video games, an action that follows last week’s closure of the Nsw2u site. According to the U.S. agency, this operation spanned various domains and received support from tax authorities in the Netherlands. Separately, the FBI has issued a warning to users: hackers are actively targeting older, end-of-life (EOL) router models. Users are advised to remain vigilant. Geopolitical Tensions: Chinese Laser Incident and US Policy Updates Germany recently summoned China’s ambassador following an incident in which a Chinese navy ship allegedly pointed a laser at a German plane. This occurred during Operation ASPIDES, the EU’s mission to protect international shipping from piracy and other attacks in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea regions. The targeted aircraft was a civilian-operated “Flying Eye,” a multi-sensor platform equipped with advanced surveillance capabilities over the sea, which also had military personnel on board. The plane was conducting a routine mission over the Red Sea when it was lased without warning or prior contact from a Chinese warship that had been observed in the area multiple times.

FBI Reports Mixed Financial Performance in Global Markets Amid U.S.-China Tensions

This incident echoes a 2018 claim by the Pentagon that Chinese nationals used military-grade laser pointers to blind U.S. pilots stationed at the U.S. base in Djibouti. In other U.S. developments, a temporary maritime truce involving the U.S. Navy has been established following the conclusion of the conflict with the Houthis, though other ships have reported attacks this week. Additionally, the U.S. is reportedly considering banning Chinese purchases of American farmland, a separate policy discussion unrelated to the laser incident. Financial Market Summary Global financial markets saw mixed performance. In Asia, the Shanghai Composite increased by 0.13%, and the Hang Seng by 1.02%. Australia’s stock exchange closed down by 0.58%. All major European bourses, including London’s DAX, France, Spain’s IBEX, and Italy’s MIB, showed gains by the end of the day. North American markets also ended positively, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ 100, and Volatility Index all recording gains. The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) Index also closed higher.

Mixed Global Commodity Markets Performance amid Currency Fluctuations

In commodities, gold was trading at $3297.80 by 11:00 AM, while silver was at $36.44. The Gold ETF (GLD) rose by 1.36 points (0.45%), but the Silver ETF (SLV) fell by 0.29 points (0.87%). West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil stood at $67.68 and Brent crude oil at $69.36. Both the U.S.-Russian Ruble and Canadian 10-year rate were holding steady at their respective closing numbers. Currency markets saw the U.S. Dollar Index at 97.30, up by 12 basis points from its Tuesday close. The CNY was at 7.1802 onshore and 7.1847 offshore against the U.S. dollar. The Turkish Lira remained at a concerning level of 40.05, with signs of impending hyperinflation.

Global Bond Yields Diverge Amid Variations in Major Economies

Bond yields generally declined. The U.S. 10-year bond yield dropped by 8 basis points to 4.336, the 30-year bond yield fell by 7 basis points, and the 2-year bond yield was down by 5 basis points to 3.857. The Canadian 10-year rate also dropped by 7 basis points. In Europe, the Portuguese 10-year bond yield dropped by 2 basis points to 3.116, the Spanish 10-year bond yield also dropped by 2 basis points to 3.287, the Italian 10-year bond yield decreased by 1 basis point to 3.548, and the German 10-year bond yield fell by 2 basis points to 2.6320. Japan’s 10-year bond yield rose to 1.515, increasing by 2 full points and 10100 basis points.

In Case You Missed It

For all you PlayStation enthusiasts out there, don’t miss out on the incredible deals being offered by PlayStation Plus! As part of their 15th anniversary celebration, they’re slashing prices on a wide range of games with discounts up to -90%. From classic titles like Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition to more recent releases such as Elden Ring and Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition, there’s something for everyone. Plus, many games are available for under €20 or even less than €10! Check out Bruno Pferd’s comprehensive breakdown published on July 14th at PS Plus Offers: Up to -90% Discounts for Subscribers to find the best deals before they expire on July 16th. For those interested in the growing influence of Middle Eastern countries in the global gaming industry, be sure to check out “UAE Publisher Announces Partnership with Octopath Traveler Studio Acquire” by Ahmed Hassan (published on 2025-07-14). This insightful piece explores how the UAE is following Saudi Arabia’s lead and partnering with Japan’s renowned studio Acquire to foster its own gaming sector. Dive into the details and discover what this collaboration means for the future of game development in the region! UAE Publisher Announces Partnership with Octopath Traveler Studio Acquire For all you fighting game enthusiasts out there, be sure to check out “Fatal Fury City of the Wolves: SNK Unveils Its Version of Street Fighter’s Ken Masters” by Jonathan Dubinski from July 13, 2025. In this intriguing piece, SNK’s latest move in the realm of crossovers is revealed as they introduce a matured and weary Ken Masters into their beloved Fatal Fury universe. This exciting development not only deepens the narrative connection between Terry Bogard and Ken but also promises more characters from Street Fighter making their way to City of the Wolves. Dive into the full article at Fatal Fury City of the Wolves: SNK Unveils Its Version of Street Fighter’s Ken Masters to explore how SNK is breathing new life into the fighting game genre.