In today's episode, a further section of the Varosha beachfront is being opened with sunbeds and umbrellas being placed along a roughly 600-metre stretch of the golden sands.

Elsewhere, Cyprus does not meet the terms and conditions to apply for Nato membership and will not apply for the moment, Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides said.

In other news, the island is in the crosshairs of the European Commission for failing to cut down on pollution.

All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.