US man robs store to get health care in prison
“A North Carolina man robbed a local store for a dollar just so he could get health care in prison, he said.
“James Verone, 59, handed the teller a note demanding $1 and claimed he had a gun … He then walked away and sat down, waiting for police.
“[He said:] 'I wanted to make it known that this wasn't for monetary reasons, but for medical reasons.'
“With little money to his name and many medical problems, including a growth on his chest, two ruptured disks and an unidentified problem with his left foot, he said the 'robbery' was his last resort.
“'The pain was beyond the tolerance that I could accept'...
“He calculated that a non-violent crime like the bank hold-up would land him in jail, and even enable him to collect Social Security benefits upon his release.”
— June 21 NYDailyNews.com article.
Hedge funds grab African land
“Hedge funds are behind 'land grabs' in Africa to boost their profits in the food and biofuel sectors, a US think-tank says.
“In a report, the Oakland Institute said hedge funds and other foreign firms had acquired large swathes of African land, often without proper contracts.
“It said the acquisitions had displaced millions of small farmers.
“Foreign firms farm the land to consolidate their hold over global food markets, the report said.
“They also use land to 'make room' for export commodities such as biofuels and cut flowers.
“'This is creating insecurity in the global food system that could be a much bigger threat than terrorism,' the report said.”
— June 8 BBC.co.uk report.