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UK, France agree to nearly $900m deal to curb small boat crossings

Britain and France have agreed to a nearly $900 million deal aimed at reducing small-boat migrant crossings across the English Channel, with the two countries expected to sign the deal on Thursday. Riot-trained police will be sent to beaches in France as part of a new £662 million ($893 million) deal with the UK to stop illegal migrants from crossing the English Channel, BBC reported. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is due to sign the three-year agreement with France on Thursday, which will see at least 50 police officers, trained in "riot and crowd control tactics," drafted in to tackle violence and "hostile crowds." The deal will see France deploying millions of pounds worth of drones, two helicopters, and a camera system to intercept people smugglers and illegal migrants. Also Read: Britain to make refugee status temporary under asylum overhaul Ahead of the signing, Mahmood said joint work with France has stopped tens of thousands of illegal migrants from board...

Iran offers to help ease Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed Tehran’s readiness to play a constructive role in reducing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, stressing dialogue and regional cooperation as the only viable path toward stability, Tasnim News Agency reported. According to the report, Araghchi said Iran is prepared to assist both neighbouring countries in resolving their differences and urged continued diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation. He underscored that stability between Pakistan and Afghanistan is crucial for broader regional peace and security. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed Tehran’s readiness to assist in easing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.https://t.co/yoFUYkv7IX pic.twitter.com/PlHQQv8fNQ — Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) April 23, 2026 Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated into sustained cross-border hostilities following a series of militant attacks and retaliatory strikes, prompting a sharp deterioration in relations between the two neighbours. The situation intensified after exchanges of fire along the border and airstrikes targeting militant positions inside Afghanistan. In response, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, a military campaign targeting terrorist networks along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, particularly groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Security sources describe it as a “precise and targeted” operation aimed at dismantling militant leadership, infrastructure, and logistics hubs, and maintaining that it will continue until its objectives are fully achieved despite diplomatic engagement. Meanwhile, China also facilitated exploratory trilateral talks in Urumqi involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Chinese officials, aimed at reducing escalating tensions. Also Read: Afghan hackers breach Indian media network, air political message rejecting Taliban-India ties The engagement was described as preliminary and part of an existing trilateral mechanism rather than formal mediation, with both sides represented by foreign office, defence, and security officials. Pakistan used the discussions to press for verifiable action against militant groups operating from Afghan soil, insisting that verbal assurances alone would not be sufficient. At the same time, China has continued to stress for high-level negotiations, with Islamabad reiterating its demand for “concrete, verifiable action” against cross-border terrorism. The talks are focused on addressing Pakistan’s core security concerns while managing ongoing hostilities and preventing further escalation, even as counterterrorism operations continue on the ground. China has since stated that both sides have agreed to explore a “comprehensive solution” to the conflict and avoid steps that could further escalate tensions. The emerging framework reportedly includes border de-escalation, cooperation against militant groups such as the TTP, phased restoration of trade routes, refugee management, and improved communication mechanisms, with Beijing positioning itself as a facilitator to stabilise relations between the two neighbours.

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