TV1 News

Sydney Olympics - S11 - New Crime Stats - Cannabis Decriminalisation - Petrol Protests

- SYDNEY OLYMPICS: The head of the International Olympic Committee has declared Sydney ready to host the Olympics, which are due to open tomorrow. There have been teething problems with transport. Journalists were unhappy with his answers to questions about drugs and corruption in the IOC.

- S11: Melbourne police have launched an internal inquiry after a protestor was knocked down and run over by a police car outside the World Economic Forum last night.

NEW CRIME STATS: Reported crime is on the rise, but police are solving more crimes. Violent crime has gone down, but homicides rose slightly. Speed, or methamphetamine, is behind a rise in drug busts in New Zealand, Police say.

CANNABIS DECRIMINALISATION: There is concern among Maori organisations over calls to decriminalise marijuana. Only 35% of Maori organisations support decriminalising marijuana.

PETROL PROTESTS: Police and army escorts have been helping tankers through protester’s blockades in Britain, as truck drivers and farmers campaign to try to get the government to reduce petrol tax, to ease the rising price of crude oil. The petrol crisis has prompted panic buying in Britain, forcing supermarkets to ration supplies.

In Europe, the French Government capitulated to protesters demands, but blockades have spread through Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, and other European countries are expected to follow.

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