Current legal issues in the news 2019

Here are some of the current legal issues that were in the news in 2019:

  1. Impeachment Inquiry into President Trump: The House of Representatives launched an impeachment inquiry into President Trump in September 2019, following a whistleblower complaint about his dealings with Ukraine. The inquiry centered on allegations that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden, and interfered in the 2020 presidential election.
  2. Brexit and the Irish Backstop: The UK's withdrawal from the EU (Brexit) was a major legal issue in 2019. The Irish backstop, a provision aimed at preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland, was a key point of contention between the UK and EU. The UK's Supreme Court ultimately ruled that Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to prorogue Parliament was unlawful.
  3. Hong Kong Protests and National Security Law: Protests in Hong Kong against the government's proposed national security law led to clashes between protesters and police. The law, which aimed to ban secessionist and subversive activities, was criticized for its potential to erode civil liberties and freedom of speech.
  4. WeChat and TikTok Data Collection: The US government launched an investigation into the data collection practices of Chinese social media apps WeChat and TikTok, citing national security concerns. The apps were accused of sharing user data with the Chinese government.
  5. Google Antitrust Investigation: The US Department of Justice launched an antitrust investigation into Google's business practices, including its dominance in the search engine market. The investigation was sparked by concerns that Google's market power was stifling competition.
  6. Facebook Libra Cryptocurrency: Facebook's plans to launch a cryptocurrency, Libra, were met with regulatory scrutiny and criticism from lawmakers. The US Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency all expressed concerns about the potential risks and benefits of Libra.
  7. Amazon Deforestation and Indigenous Rights: The Brazilian government's decision to weaken environmental protections and allow increased deforestation in the Amazon rainforest sparked international outrage. The move was criticized for its impact on indigenous communities and the environment.
  8. US-China Trade War: The ongoing trade war between the US and China led to a series of legal disputes and tariffs on billions of dollars' worth of goods. The dispute centered on issues such as intellectual property, technology transfer, and market access.
  9. Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry: The UK's Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people in 2017, led to a major inquiry into the disaster. The inquiry heard evidence about the building's design, construction, and safety measures, as well as the response of the authorities to the fire.
  10. MeToo Movement and Legal Reforms: The MeToo movement, which began in 2017, continued to drive legal reforms and investigations into sexual harassment and assault. In 2019, several high-profile cases, including those involving Harvey Weinstein and R. Kelly, led to criminal charges and convictions.

These are just a few examples of the many legal issues that were in the news in 2019. The year was marked by significant developments in areas such as technology, international relations, and social justice.