Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Iran is building an underground nuclear facility, the agency’s head told the Associated Press. Satellite images released today show that Iran has begun construction (AP) at its Natanz nuclear facility, which was damaged in July by an explosion that Iran claimed was sabotage. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said that Iran is also stockpiling low-enriched uranium, though it does not appear to have enough to make a nuclear weapon. 

The move comes amid heightened tensions (NYT) between Iran and the United States, including over Iran’s nuclear activities. The Donald J. Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement more than two years ago and has ratcheted up sanctions on the country. Since then, Iran has increased both its stockpile and purity of enriched uranium, though it allows access for IAEA inspectors. 

South Korean President Moon Jae-in pledged that the country will achieve carbon neutrality (Guardian) by 2050. The announcement follows a similar vow from Japan. China also recently promised to be carbon neutral by 2060. 

This CFR Backgrounder looks at how countries around the world are attempting to decarbonize.

Hong Kong: Police arrested pro-democracy activist Tony Chung outside the U.S. consulate as he was about to seek asylum (NYT) there, an advocacy group said. Four other activists seeking asylum reportedly entered the consulate (SCMP) but were turned away.

U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said the Afghan government and the Taliban “urgently need” an agreement that would reduce violence (TOLO) and lead to a permanent cease-fire. Khalilzad alleged that “regional spoilers are using Afghans as cannon fodder.”

India: The government changed land laws (Hindu) in Jammu and Kashmir to allow people outside the region to buy land there. Critics decried the move as another affront to the region after India revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s partial autonomy in 2019.

The Qatari government expressed “regrets” (NYT) over any distress caused by the invasive examinations of more than a dozen women at an airport in Doha but said they were necessary to find the person who abandoned an infant there. Australia’s foreign minister said today that women on ten flights, including eighteen Australians, were forcibly examined.

Tanzania is holding (Nation) its general election today, despite preelection violence. The opposition party has alleged electoral fraud and said security forces have shot people. The African Union and East African Community (EAC) deployed observers and election monitors for the vote.

For CFR’s Africa in Transition blog, Nolan Quinn writes that Tanzanian President John Magufuli is transforming his party into a malevolent force.

Niger: A U.S. citizen was kidnapped (WaPo) in the southern part of the country near where Islamist fighters have been known to attack, unnamed U.S. and Nigerien officials said. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said it was aware of the abduction and providing assistance.

Polish women are striking (BBC) as protests continue against a court ruling that banned nearly all abortions last week. Participants are expected to stay home from work and school and refuse to do domestic chores. The ruling limits abortions to cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother’s life. 

UK/Kenya: Bilateral trade talks between the United Kingdom and Kenya have sparked opposition (Politico) from the EAC, a regional bloc of which Kenya is a member. The EAC, which is negotiating its own pact with the UK, fears that a deal would undermine its customs union.

A judge in Bolivia annulled an arrest warrant (BBC) for former President Evo Morales, allowing him to potentially return to the country. Morales fled Bolivia after last year’s disputed election and has been living in exile in Argentina. 

Venezuela: A leading opposition activist, Roland Carreno, was arrested (Reuters) for allegedly conspiring “against the democratic peace.” Opposition leader Juan Guaido alleged Carreno was forcibly disappeared. Rights groups say President Nicolas Maduro frequently arrests opposition members. 

The United States reported a record five hundred thousand (NYT) new coronavirus cases over the past week, even as the Trump administration claimed it was ending the pandemic. There has also been a nearly 50 percent spike (NYT) in hospitalizations from COVID-19.

This CFR Independent Task Force report looks at how to improve pandemic preparedness.