Take the 2018 FIFA World Cup, for example. One group-stage match — Brazil versus Switzerland — attracted about 613,700 illegal viewers, the largest illicit audience recorded for a group-stage game during the tournament. 

Football and other major sporting events are particularly vulnerable because they draw huge global audiences watching in real time.

“Sports broadcasting represents one of the most economically significant sectors of the global entertainment industry,” the report said, noting that the worldwide market for sports broadcast rights was worth about $62.6 billion in 2024. 

Billions in lost revenue

The economic impact of piracy is substantial. 

In a joint industry submission cited by the report, organisations including the NFL, NBA and UFC estimated that live sports piracy causes the global sports industry to lose up to $28 billion in potential annual revenue. 

Broadcast rights form the financial backbone of modern professional sports, as revenues from television and streaming deals fund league operations, athlete salaries, youth development programmes and high-quality production of live coverage.

Piracy undermines that system by allowing unauthorised distributors to provide the same content without paying for rights.

“Piracy fundamentally undermines fair competition by allowing unauthorised distributors to offer sports content without bearing the costs of acquiring legitimate rights,” the report said. 

How illegal streams spread

Sports piracy usually begins when legitimate broadcasts are captured and retransmitted online through websites, mobile applications or social media platforms without permission.

The report says piracy also occurs through illegal IPTV services , third-party websites embedding official streams, and unauthorised public screenings in commercial venues that have not purchased licences. 

Technological advances have made the problem worse. Affordable equipment and widely available streaming software allow individuals or organised networks to retransmit high-quality video feeds that rival official broadcasts.

Social media platforms and messaging apps can then spread links to illegal streams rapidly, reaching thousands of viewers before authorities can intervene. 

Real-time enforcement challenge

Sports broadcasts face unique vulnerabilities because their commercial value depends almost entirely on live viewing.

Unlike films or television shows, a match generates little interest once the result is known.

“By the time enforcement mechanisms identify and remove unauthorised streams, much or all of the commercial harm has already occurred,” the report said. 

Piracy networks also exploit international jurisdictional gaps, often operating across multiple countries with servers, payment systems and operators located in different places.

Even when authorities shut down a piracy site, operators frequently reappear under new domain names or hosting providers, creating what the report describes as a persistent enforcement challenge. 

As the value of sports broadcasting rights continues to rise, the report warns that tackling illegal streams — particularly around global football tournaments — will require stronger international cooperation, technological tools and faster enforcement systems. 

“Sports broadcasting serves important cultural and social functions, bringing communities together and providing shared experiences,” the report said. “As technology continues to evolve and piracy operations grow more sophisticated, the challenge will intensify without proactive policy responses.”

According to local reports , the attackers fired warning shots, forcing the crew to hide in a safe area.

After staying on the vessel for nearly three hours, the armed men rounded up the crew on deck and took their phones before leaving.

When the crew came out of hiding, they found that the ship’s captain, chief mate, and chief engineer—all Chinese nationals—were missing.

Poor signal coverage at sea delayed the crew from reporting the incident until they sailed closer to shore.

The Ghana Armed Forces said the vessel has safely reached Tema Fishing Harbour, where Marine Police and Naval Intelligence officers have begun questioning the crew.

The authorities have also contacted neighbouring countries through the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre in Accra as part of regional efforts to fight piracy.

Officials say steps are being taken to find those responsible and bring back the kidnapped crew.

While the overall number of piracy incidents has not significantly increased, the escalation in violence and crew targeting signals a growing threat to maritime safety.

Southeast Asia remains the global piracy hotspot, recording 70 incidents in 2024 and accounting for over 60% of all reported cases globally. The Singapore Strait alone witnessed 43 incidents, making it the most dangerous shipping lane in the region. Most attacks here involved armed boarding of vessels at anchor or during low-speed transit, targeting crew valuables, cargo, or vessel equipment.

The Gulf of Guinea (West Africa) came up as the epicentre for crew kidnappings, even as the total number of reported incidents slightly declined. All 12 reported crew abductions globally occurred in this region, underlining the persistent threat of organised, high-risk maritime crime.

Kidnappers often demand ransom, posing not only a financial burden on shipping companies but also grave psychological trauma for crew members.

Indonesia, despite previous improvements in maritime security, saw an uptick for the third consecutive year, with 22 incidents reported in 2024. Compared to 18 incidents in 2023 and 10 in 2022, the trend raises concerns about weakening enforcement or shifting criminal tactics within Indonesian waters.

Chattogram Anchorage (Bangladesh) recorded 14 incidents, making it the most active location for piracy in South Asia in a decade. The rise here reflects vulnerabilities in port security and the need for enhanced surveillance and patrolling measures.

In terms of weapon use, guns were reported in 26 incidents, a significant jump from 15 in 2023. Knives were also involved in 39 attacks, indicating growing aggression even in opportunistic boardings.

The EU Naval Force (EU Navfor) announced that Kenya will assist Seychelles in prosecuting maritime crime suspects in the face of disruption of maritime trade in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthis and the resurgence of piracy in Somalia.

According to EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger, the EU Navfor will extend its presence in different areas to curb other related crimes including human trafficking.

“EU Navfor Somalia managed to suppress piracy in its previous years but with the current operation Atalanta, the forces will work with different governments to address emerging piracy and the illegal group at Suez Canal,” the Ambassador was quoted as saying.

 EU Navfor’s Operation Atlanta handed over six suspected pirates to Seychelles authorities on May 14 for investigations. The suspects were allegedly from Somalia and were involved in the piracy attack to the Marshall Islands-flagged Merchant Vessel Chrystal Arctic on the May 10.

Operation Atalanta has legal agreements with Seychelles, which allows for the trial of suspected pirates arrested, The East African reports. 

Coal and lignite production in India reached a billion-tonne mark on March 22, a 7% increase from the previous fiscal year. The move is attributed to the Modi government's reforms since 2014. The government is pushing domestic output to reduce imports and aims to be self-sufficient by March 2025. The achievement is expected to benefit power consumers as coal-fired plants supply over 70% of the national grid, Times of India reports.

Anti-piracy operation

India brought 35 accused Somali pirates to Mumbai following the recapture of a hijacked bulk carrier. The pirates are expected to face trial in India and could potentially face the death penalty. According to reports , the operation also led to the rescue of 17 crew members. India's navy has increased anti-piracy efforts in response to a surge in maritime assaults.

Political unrest

Hundreds of protesters in India's capital, New Delhi, demanded the immediate release of Arvind Kejriwal, a top rival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the country prepares for a national election. Kejriwal was arrested by the federal Enforcement Directorate, accusing his party and ministers of accepting 1 billion rupees ($12 million) in bribes from liquor contractors two years ago. His Aam Aadmi Party denied the accusations and said Kejriwal would remain Delhi's chief minister, AP news reported.

Bilateral ties with Bhutan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated on March 23 a hospital for women and children in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, during a two-day visit. The hospital, built with Indian assistance, will double India's assistance for Bhutan's five-year plan. The hospital, which has state-of-the-art facilities for paediatrics, gynaecology, obstetrics, anesthesiology, operation theatre, neonatal intensive care, and pediatric intensive care, will add value to the quality of mother and child health services in Bhutan, Hindustan Times reported. “Inaugurated the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital, which stands as a beacon of hope for several families, offering quality healthcare. This facility embodies a commitment to nurturing a healthy future generation,” Modi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Navy's commitment to security

Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar stated that no Indian-flagged vessel has been targeted by the Houthis. The Navy has been actively engaged in anti-piracy, anti-missile, and anti-drone operations, emphasizing its mission to maintain a safe, secure, and stable Indian Ocean Region, according to NDTV . The Maritime Anti-Piracy Act of 2022, has empowered the Navy to take affirmative action to protect Indian nationals and vessels, as evidenced by the recent apprehension of 35 pirates off the coast of Somalia.