Politics: Protests, geopolitics and legal questions

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan oil and money would no longer go to Cuba, and activists reported heavy casualties amid nationwide protests in Iran; the Supreme Court of Canada will hear the WE Charity conflict-of-interest challenge this week.

Several international and domestic developments are unfolding at once. A range of political statements, public demonstrations and legal reviews have moved to the foreground. Space missions and technology issues also featured over the weekend. Coverage is being shaped by limited on-the-ground reporting in some places. Key facts: - Venezuela and Cuba: U.S. President Donald Trump said no more Venezuelan oil or money will go to Cuba; Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejected the announcement, and Venezuela’s regime remains in place while exiled opposition figures assess options. - Iran protests: Protesters gathered across Iran over the weekend, and activists reported many deaths; internet and phone outages have made independent verification difficult, and Iranian officials warned foreign militaries could be considered targets if force is used. - Supreme Court case: The Supreme Court of Canada will hear a challenge this week related to the WE Charity summer jobs program and alleged conflict-of-interest involving then–prime minister Justin Trudeau; Democracy Watch previously lost at the Federal Court of Appeal. - Space and science: NASA launched the Pandora satellite on a SpaceX rocket to study exoplanet atmospheres, and the agency cancelled a planned spacewalk after an astronaut had a medical issue, with a return-to-Earth timeline announced. Summary: The items span diplomacy, public unrest, legal review and scientific missions. The Supreme Court hearing is scheduled for this week, some diplomatic and security deliberations are ongoing, and other developments remain undetermined at this time.