Greek PM Says State on Alert over Santorini Quakes, Urges Calm

People examine their property in the almost evacuated village of Oia on Santorini island, Greece, 05 February 2025. EPA/ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU
People examine their property in the almost evacuated village of Oia on Santorini island, Greece, 05 February 2025. EPA/ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU
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Greek PM Says State on Alert over Santorini Quakes, Urges Calm

People examine their property in the almost evacuated village of Oia on Santorini island, Greece, 05 February 2025. EPA/ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU
People examine their property in the almost evacuated village of Oia on Santorini island, Greece, 05 February 2025. EPA/ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU

Greek authorities are monitoring increased seismic activity on the island of Santorini, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday, urging the public to remain calm and follow the advice of the civil protection service.
Greece has declared a state of emergency on Santorini as hundreds of earthquakes have rattled the popular tourist island over the past week, prompting the evacuation of more than 10,000 residents and workers.
Authorities have warned of a high landslide risk on parts of the island and have shut schools, sent rescuers and advised residents to avoid indoor gatherings and ports that are surrounded by sheer rock faces. Army, fire service and police units have been deployed preemptively.
Some of the measures have been extended to the islands of Amorgos, Ios and Anafi, Reuters reported.
"I want to assure the residents of Santorini and the neighboring islands, which are being tested these days, that the state mechanism is on their side," Mitsotakis said during a brief visit to the island to inspect the state of readiness.
"We hope this phenomenon ends quickly and the island fully returns to its normal pace," he said, adding that preparedness and prevention were pivotal.
Greece, sitting on multiple fault lines, is one of Europe's most earthquake-prone countries. But the high seismic activity in the area of Santorini is unprecedented, seismologists have said, warning that it could last weeks or months.



Coffee Overtaking Tea Culture in the UK

“Fancy a brew?” is no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK (Getty)
“Fancy a brew?” is no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK (Getty)
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Coffee Overtaking Tea Culture in the UK

“Fancy a brew?” is no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK (Getty)
“Fancy a brew?” is no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK (Getty)

Discover the hidden gem of the UK's coffee culture, where vibrant independent cafes outshine the chains, offering a unique blend of flavors and atmospheres.

“Fancy a brew?” “I'll put the kettle on then.” Hearing those words are no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK, The Daily Express newspaper reported on Monday.

It said grabbing a coffee either on the go or at a café is as part of British culture these days as it is in Italy.

But while every person has its favorite chain, be it Pret, Starbucks, Costa or Cafe Nero, nothing beats finding a decent independent coffee shop one can call home especially when it can seem high streets are dominated by the same chains.

So with the demand for coffee only growing, where is the best spot in the UK to find an independent coffee shop?

A study by Reviva Coffee reveals the UK city that is the hidden gem when it comes to thriving coffee culture.

And it probably isn't where you'd expect. In fact this county is synonymous with tea. Yorkshire Tea, to be precise.

However the study discovered the best UK city to find independent coffee shops is in the Yorkshire city of Leeds. It has a staggering 584 coffee shops, of which 86.3% are independent, and just under 14% are chains.

Placing second is Edinburgh. Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or just needing a cosy pit stop, Edinburgh has you covered with its outstanding coffee scene with 560 shops, 85% of which are independents.

In third for best UK cities for independent coffee shops is Bristol which has 347 coffee shops, 86.3% of which are independent.