Russian authorities launched two criminal cases Thursday, after discovering the theft of at least 11 billion rubles (US$172 million) of the 91 billion ($1.4 billion) invested in the country’s new space center -- Cosmodrome Vostochny, Reuters reported Thursday.

Six Estonian businessmen were freed from charges of money laundry, tax fraud and involvement of criminal organization gang after 91 cancelled court hearings, reports an Estonian weekly Eesti Ekspress.

Over the past seven days, a string of anti-drug and organized crime busts by authorities across Ohio have led to dozens of indictments and huge loads of seized drugs and weapons, according to reports. 

United Kingdom has suspended a convicted prisoner exchange agreement with Pakistan, signed in November 2018, due to leniency in the law and punishment to drug smuggler criminals in Pakistan, Dawn has reported.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to stay in power as Israel’s leader, in the wake of corruption charges and his political rival’s failed attempt to form a coalition government.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has ordered the country’s Military Security Agency (VBA) to open an investigation shortly after a video was released this week showing an alleged Russian spy bribing a Serbian identified as a “Serbian high-positioned agent,” Serbian media reported.

Ten people have been arrested on suspicion of smuggling more than £15.5 million (US$20 million) out of the United Kingdom into Dubai, hidden in suitcases over the past three years, British authorities say.

Regulators have begun civil proceedings against Westpac Banking Corporation alleging more than 23 million money laundering rule breaches, Australia’s anti money-laundering and terrorism financing regulator (AUSTRAC) said Wednesday.

The General Court of the European Union on Wednesday gave a reprieve to Austria’s former Meinl Bank (now called Anglo Austrian Bank), allowing it to keep its banking license pending further court action.

Italian military police have broken up an international organized crime group that has ransacked stolen archaeological artefacts worth US$ 7 million from southern Italy sites, Europol announced this week.