Situation Reports

Voter registration for a statehood referendum in the Ethiopian region of Sidama has exceeded one million people since opening Nov. 2, The Reporter Ethiopia reported Nov. 9.

South Africa's Special Investigating Unit Special Tribunal has received the first series of cases to prosecute government departments accused of looting billions of rand in recent years, Fin 24 reported Nov. 11.

India's Supreme Court has ruled that the construction of a Hindu temple over the ruins of the historic Babri Mosque in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh can proceed, Reuters reported Nov. 9.

The Chilean government is planning to begin the process of drafting a new constitution under the auspices of a constituent congress and final ratification through a referendum, Bloomberg reported Nov. 11.

The South Korean government isn't considering postponing the termination of an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan set to expire Nov. 23, the country's defense ministry said Nov. 11, Yonhap reported.

Afghan Chief Executive and presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah has urged the country's election commission to stop a recount of votes from the presidential election in September, saying the recount includes roughly 300,000 illegitimate votes, Reuters reported Nov. 10.

A group of Japanese lawmakers is seeking to increase security cooperation with the United States and Taiwan in an attempt to push back against growing Chinese influence and military buildups in the Asia-Pacific region, The Japan Times reported Nov. 11.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera has announced plans to assemble an intelligence team to focus on protests, as well as submit several bills to Congress to raise penalties for demonstrators who engage in violence and vandalism, Reuters reported Nov. 7.

Moody's Investors Service has lowered its credit rating outlook for India from "stable" to "negative," citing an ongoing slowdown in the country's economy, Reuters reported Nov. 8.

Tanzania's main opposition party has announced that it will boycott upcoming local elections, citing intimidation by the ruling party that is impeding candidates from campaigning, AFP reported Nov. 8.