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.



Matcha: The Japanese Tea Taking over the World

A staff member at Tokyo's Milia Matcha prepares a matcha drink for a customer. Philip FONG / AFP
A staff member at Tokyo's Milia Matcha prepares a matcha drink for a customer. Philip FONG / AFP
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Matcha: The Japanese Tea Taking over the World

A staff member at Tokyo's Milia Matcha prepares a matcha drink for a customer. Philip FONG / AFP
A staff member at Tokyo's Milia Matcha prepares a matcha drink for a customer. Philip FONG / AFP

Matcha is the new drink of choice at hip cafes worldwide, but Japanese producers are struggling to keep up with soaring demand for the powdered green tea.

Here's what you need to know about the drink beloved of weekend treat-seekers and "wellness" influencers:

What is matcha?

The word matcha means "ground tea" in Japanese and comes in the form of a vivid green powder that is whisked with hot water and can be added to milk to make a matcha latte.

Green tea was introduced to Japan from China in the early ninth century, and was first used for medicinal purposes.

Matcha came much later, in 16th century Kyoto -- part of the tea ceremony tradition developed by tea master Sen no Rikyu.

Today, there are different grades of matcha quality, from "ceremonial" to "culinary" types used in baking.

How is it produced?

Matcha is made from leaves called "tencha", which are grown in the shade in the final weeks before their harvest to concentrate the flavor, color and nutrients.

This "requires the construction of a complex structure with poles and a roof to filter the light", explained Masahiro Okutomi, a tea producer in Sayama, northwest of Tokyo.

Tencha leaves, rich in chlorophyll and L-theanine, a compound known for its relaxing effects, are hand-picked and deveined, then steamed, dried and ground between two stone mills to produce an ultra-fine powder.

It can take up to an hour to produce just 40 grams (1.4 ounces) of matcha -- making the powder on average twice as expensive to produce as standard green tea leaves.

What are its benefits?

Many drink matcha for its rich grass-like taste, but others are drawn to the drink's nutritional properties.

It is rich in antioxidants, and can aid concentration because of its caffeine content: one cup contains on average 48 milligrams, slightly less than a drip coffee but nearly twice as much as a standardly brewed green tea.

"Matcha is often seen as being good for your health," said Shigehito Nishikida, manager of Tokyo tea shop Jugetsudo.

"But people are also attracted to the Japanese culture around tea: the ritual, the time taken, the aesthetics," he said.

Why is it so popular?

Japan produced 4,176 tons of matcha in 2023 -- a huge increase from the 1,430 tons in 2012.

More than half of the powder is exported, according to the agriculture ministry, mostly to the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East.

Millions of videos on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube demonstrate how to make photogenic matcha drinks or choose a traditional "chasen" bamboo whisk.

"I feel like Gen Z really drove this enthusiasm for matcha, and they heavily relied on social media to do so," Stevie Youssef, a 31-year-old marketing professional, told AFP at a matcha bar in Los Angeles.

Matcha can also be used in cooking, extending its appeal to others aside from tea lovers.

"Some customers simply enjoy drinking it, others like preparing it themselves. And of course, many buy it as a gift -- Japanese matcha is always appreciated," said Jugetsudo's Nishikida.