By Tom Wilson

LONDON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Crime involving cryptocurrencies hit an all-time high of $14 billion last year, blockchain researcher Chainalysis said on Thursday, a record that comes as regulators call for more powers over the fast-growing sector.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - A federal judge rejected a plea agreement on Wednesday that called for 15 to 21 years in prison for a man authorities described as the world´s largest purveyor of child pornography.

Eric Eoin Marques is entitled to withdraw his guilty plea from last year if the judge departs from the sentencing range prosecutors and defense attorneys recommended.

But U.S.

District Judge Theodore Chuang isn't bound by the terms of the Justice Department´s plea deal.

"It's too flawed, and I also don't agree with the outcome," Chuang said.

THE HAGUE, April 19 (Reuters) - The number of cross-border drug trafficking cases referred to the European agency for prosecutorial cooperation nearly doubled in four years to 562 in 2020, partly driven by a huge increase in the production of synthetic drugs, the agency said.

Germany has announced a spike in far-right crime and warned that political extremists are 'the biggest threat to our country.'