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.



Labubu-Maker Pop Mart Diversifies into Jewellery with New Concept Store 

A not for sale Labubu figure (L) and Labubu stickers are seen at a Pop Mart shop in Beijing on June 12, 2025. (AFP)
A not for sale Labubu figure (L) and Labubu stickers are seen at a Pop Mart shop in Beijing on June 12, 2025. (AFP)
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Labubu-Maker Pop Mart Diversifies into Jewellery with New Concept Store 

A not for sale Labubu figure (L) and Labubu stickers are seen at a Pop Mart shop in Beijing on June 12, 2025. (AFP)
A not for sale Labubu figure (L) and Labubu stickers are seen at a Pop Mart shop in Beijing on June 12, 2025. (AFP)

"Blind box" toymaker Pop Mart, which has seen frenzied sales worldwide for products related to its ugly-cute Labubu character, opened its first jewellery store in Shanghai on Friday.

The jewellery concept store, called Popop, sells accessories adorned with Pop Mart's top-selling characters, including Labubu, Molly and Skullpanda.

While Chinese consumption remains subdued in the face of a prolonged property downturn and sluggish economy, Pop Mart's affordable and adorable toys have remained in high demand both at home and abroad, driving its share price up more than 200% so far this year.

Investor Zhang Ming, 34, who owns Pop Mart stocks worth 100 million yuan ($13.92 million), flew from his base in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing for the opening to check out the new store type and decide whether to increase his shareholding in the company.

"I believe that the pricing and target audience for this brand are particularly well-suited, and I am confident that Pop Mart could potentially become China's version of Disney," Zhang said, predicting that the company's market cap could double from its current $45.65 billion valuation.

Along with some Disney characters and others related to anime, comics and popular video games, Pop Mart's characters are seen as fulfilling what has been called "emotional consumption", which sees young consumers spend on affordable luxuries that bring joy into their lives.

Fang Ke, 35, who has a birthday coming up this month decided to treat herself to a 699 yuan Labubu bracelet at the opening.

"I've loved Pop Mart for a long time; it's good-looking, brightly colored, and also has a visual impact," she said. "My daughter likes it too."

At Popop, prices start at around 350 yuan for charms or a simple silver ring, and go as high as 2699 yuan for necklaces adorned with metallic models of the characters. Most pieces are priced at under 1,000 yuan.

At a traditional Pop Mart store, the "blind box" toys that the chain is best known for generally sell for 69 yuan and up, but consumers have shown a willingness to shell out much more for limited editions.

Earlier this week, a Beijing auction house sold a human-sized Labubu figure for 1.08 million yuan, setting a new record and marking the toy's switch from craze to collectible.