In today's episode, the strengthening of bilateral defence and military cooperation between Cyprus and Greece was the focus of a meeting between the defence ministers of the two countries on Thursday. In other news, Cyprus has ramped up its returns of irregular migrants this year with over 4,370 repatriated so far – compared to 2,353 last year, according to Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou. And Cyprus needs to address the rhetoric that stigmatises, targets, and victimises members of the LGBTI community, Justice Minister Anna Koukkides Procopiou has said.

All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you in partnership with London Greek Radio and Cyprus Mail. For more news direct from Cyprus, visit www.cyprus-mail.com