5A- Identifying Local Opportunities

Title: Cubans right to want freedom of religion to be in country's constitution

Link: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AMIHB%21Miami%2BHerald%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0122%21January%2B22&f=advanced&format=text&docref=news/1711FBE4186698E8

• This article discusses the issues that many Cubans face in trying to freely practice their chosen religion.
• Unfortunately, not everybody gets to enjoy the freedoms that we take for granted.  In Cuba, the government does not place importance on protecting the Freedom of Religion or Belief.  In fact, they are constantly creating obstacles in an attempt to hinder some religion's abilities to practice their beliefs.  There are many third world countries that are struggling with governments that try to "control and divide churches".  Cubans are seeking a new constitution which will be voted on on February 24th.  
• The church that is in fear of being demolished by the government is the Familia Cristiana Baptist Church.  Christian Cubans are looked down upon the most by the Cuban government and are on constant distress about the state of their freedom to practice Christianity.

Title: Gruden: Saints losing Super Bowl shot due to official's gaffe will ‘sting forever'

Link: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AMIHB%21Miami%2BHerald%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0122%21January%2B22&f=advanced&format=text&docref=news/1711FB7476D840B0

• This article discusses the heartbreak and ramifications of a missed call in an NFL Conference Championship Game.
• The problem that is discussed in this story has been around for as long as sports have been played.  The job of a referee is to create an equal and fair playing field for both teams.  When one team gets away with a missed call that hinders the other team, it can drastically affect the result of the game.  Most recently, this occurred in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, January 20th.  A blatant Pass Interference call was not made at a crucial point in the game.  As a result the New Orleans Saints were not able to make it to the Super Bowl.
• Those who have to deal with this problem are coaches and players around the world.  Sports teams at all levels struggle with referees that tamper the result of the game with a missed or incorrect call.

Title: Government shutdown is hurting Florida's farmers — and the people who eat their food

Link: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AMIHB%21Miami%2BHerald%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0122%21January%2B22&f=advanced&format=text&docref=news/1711FB743B4E6368

• This article discusses the ramifications of the government shutdown that affect Florida's agricultural industry.
• The problem posed in this article is that farmers don't have access to the resources that they need in order to successfully do their job.  Farmers need access to permits for exporting, loans, grants, disaster relief, etc.  Due to the government shutdown, none of these resources are available.  Not only are the farmers suffering because of the shutdown, consumers are as well.  The food that is being sold has not been properly inspected which means it is susceptible to diseases.  
• Floridians are suffering the most from this shutdown because agriculture is Florida's second-largest industry.  People are losing jobs, and unsafe food is being eaten.

Title: VENEZUELA - Military could turn against Maduro, according to officials in exile - Venezuela's armed forces are distancing themselves from President Nicolás Maduro after he won an election that is viewed by other democracies as being illegitimate, say former officers in exile.

Link: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AMIHB%21Miami%2BHerald%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0121%21January%2B21&f=advanced&format=text&docref=news/1711A81AC6BB7ED8

• This article discusses the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and the controversy surrounding his reign.
• The problem posed in this article is that the recently inaugurated President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, is slowly turning his presidency into a dictatorship.  The issue arose when it was announced by members of the military that the public should being protesting their President.  Many members of the military believe that Maduro holding office is unconstitutional.  Their reasoning behind this is because of the widespread belief that Maduro won an illegitimate election.  
• The group that has the problem is the people of Venezuela.  At this point, the Venezuelans need to stand up against their illegitimate leader and seek a constitutionally sound election.

Title: Shutdown is costing our economy billions. But the cost in lost faith in our democracy is incalculable.

Link: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AMIHB%21Miami%2BHerald%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/1712A48D5A6216E0

• The article discusses the issues that the government shutdown has caused in regards to lost faith in our government, as well as economic issues.
• The major problem posed in this article is that many Americans are losing faith in the government that they will always do the right thing.  The shutdown is causing lots of problems for many Americans, yet the government sticks to its own agenda.  Rather than end the shutdown, many Americans are not being paid, not receiving the help they need, and are thus losing faith in our government.  Since 1950, the amount of people who believe in the government's ability to do the right thing has dropped from 80% of people polled to 20% of people polled.
• As Americans, we are suffering from this problem.  The more we start to lose faith in our government, the harder it will be to get things done as a country.