Patra

Electronic cigarettes have played a significant role in the reduction of tobacco smokers in Greece, according to the results of a study commissioned by the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center in Athens, the National School of Public Health and the universities of Patra and Macedonia.

Promitheas almost forced Olympiakos's second loss in the Basket League, but the Reds held on to stay one point behind leader Panathinaikos.

The administration office at the Moria reception and identification centre on the island of Lesvos was evacuated on Friday after staff received a letter deemed suspicious, state-run news agency ANA-MPA reported.

The letter, sent through a private courier company, appeared to have originated from Oman.

After Greek authorities collected on Thursday 12 suspicious envelopes sent to universities around the country, more letters were delivered Friday to six separate campuses.

Police was told universities in Ioannina, Rethymno, Patra, Corinth and Lamia received similar envelopes, as well as the private Mediterranean College in Thessaloniki.

Greece's leading universities are set to participate in a European Union initiative for the creation of six "European universities" that will enable students to obtain a degree by combining studies in several countries of the bloc.

Rick Pitino's domestic debut on the Panathinaikos bench brought the champion's 10th win in as many Basket League games on Sunday, while Olympiakos braved the challenge of host PAOK to win at Thessaloniki.

The Greens were challenged during the first half at Patra by Promitheas, but overcame their host with an 86-69 score to extend their perfect record in the league.

Judges in Greek administrative courts will hold a general meeting on December 14 to discuss various planned changes in their sector as part of the government's constitutional revision.

A new clash broke out between Greek political leaders on Friday over a wave of sitins at schools, some of which have been staged in opposition to the government's name deal with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. 

"New Democracy was, is and will always be against any form of sitin," New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in comments from Patra.

Conservative New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Friday expressed his opposition to a wave of sitins at schools, some of which have been staged in opposition to the government's name deal with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

"New Democracy was, is and will always be against any form of sitin," Mitsotakis said in comments from Patra.

The casino at Rio, near Patra in western Greece, appears to be on its last legs. Its management decided to close it for an indefinite period on Monday, having changed its opening times last week.

The casino management is locked in a dispute with employees, whom it is asking to accept shift work and a pay cut of up to 25 percent, as the company's streamlining plan dictates.