Athens

By Nikos Roussanoglou

Rental rates for offices in Athens posted a fresh year-on-year decline of 14.5 percent in the first quarter of 2014, according to a survey conducted by certified surveyors Geoaxis.

Greek universities are in for a new spell of upheaval as administrative staff are to walk off the job from Tuesday as part of a two-day strike called by their national union to protest the imminent dismissal of colleagues as part of the government’s civil service overhaul.

Greece’s culinary delights are on the agenda this weekend with two gastronomy events in Athens showcasing why the country has come a long way since the days of moussaka dominance. From sardine sandwiches as street food extraordinaire to rare-to-come-by wild truffles, the wealth of local produce is laid out through displays and lots of interactive activity.

A section of Nea Philadelphia Park in northeastern Athens is to be sacrificed so that AEK can build a new soccer ground, according to legislation tabled in Parliament on Friday.

What do the Parthenon, a tube of toothpaste and aluminium window frames have in common? Geology, which provides us with the raw materials for many of the products we use on an everyday basis, even baby powder.

Piraeus Bank SA (TPEIR) sold its 9.9 percent stake in Athens Water Supply & Sewage Co SA (EYDAP) to Paulson & Co SA for 86.3 million euros ($120 million), according to a Piraeus Bank official who asked not to be identified in line with policy.

As street market vendors protested in central Athens over planned changes to their sector on Friday, government and opposition lawmakers clashed in Parliament over legislation outlining the troika-imposed reforms.

The Federation of Private Employees (OIYE) said on Wednesday that its members will go on a 24-hour-strike on Sunday in protest to the opening of retail stores seven Sundays a year.

Employees were expected to participate in a rally at The Mall Athens in Maroussi, northern Athens, at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Citing the results of forensic tests, police indicated on Tuesday that Nikos Maziotis, the self-professed leader of the guerrilla group Revolutionary Struggle who has been at large since July 2012, took part in a violent robbery last month in Achaia, in the Peloponnese.