Germany plans to tighten its laws to criminalize people-smuggling activities aimed at the UK, as part of a new agreement with the UK government. The move comes amid rising concerns over dangerous small boat crossings in the English Channel, which have claimed over 70 lives this year. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser signed the Joint Action Plan, committing to prosecute smugglers and cooperate on law enforcement strategies, especially in removing migrant-smuggling content from social media.