[POL] Political upheaval in Micronesia — Protests and political crisis. Stability and influence declining. [DIPLO] Diplomatic scandal rocks Gambia — International reputation has suffered. Influence fell by 7%. [EVENT] Natural disaster strikes Botswana — Infrastructure damaged. GDP fell 2% and morale has dropped. [MIL] Military buildup in Sri Lanka — 1,239 new troops recruited. Regional tensions increase. [TECH] Technological breakthrough in Laos — Research labs report a significant advance. +2.4 research points. [ECON] Economic growth in Kyrgyzstan — GDP grew 4%. National confidence is rising. [POL] Political upheaval in Oman — Protests and political crisis. Stability and influence declining. [EVENT] Natural disaster strikes Syria — Infrastructure damaged. GDP fell 2% and morale has dropped. [ECON] Economic growth in Luxembourg — GDP grew 3%. National confidence is rising. [ECON] Economic growth in Slovakia — GDP grew 3%. National confidence is rising. [POL] Military incident in Saudi Arabia — Equipment failure and supply disruption. Readiness has dropped. [DIPLO] San Marino and Italy sign defensive pact — A mutual defence agreement has been signed between San Marino and Italy. An attack on either nation will trigger a joint response. [DIPLO] Liechtenstein and Switzerland sign defensive pact — A mutual defence agreement has been signed between Liechtenstein and Switzerland. An attack on either nation will trigger a joint response. [ECON] Trade agreement: New Zealand — Australia — New Zealand and Australia have signed a bilateral trade agreement, expected to boost economic growth for both nations. [DIPLO] Lesotho and South Africa sign defensive pact — A mutual defence agreement has been signed between Lesotho and South Africa. An attack on either nation will trigger a joint response. [ECON] Trade agreement: Gambia — Senegal — Gambia and Senegal have signed a bilateral trade agreement, expected to boost economic growth for both nations. [ECON] Trade agreement: Sierra Leone — Guinea — Sierra Leone and Guinea have signed a bilateral trade agreement, expected to boost economic growth for both nations. [ECON] Trade agreement: Gabon — Cameroon — Gabon and Cameroon have signed a bilateral trade agreement, expected to boost economic growth for both nations. [ECON] Trade agreement: Botswana — South Africa — Botswana and South Africa have signed a bilateral trade agreement, expected to boost economic growth for both nations. [ECON] Trade agreement: Zambia — Angola — Zambia and Angola have signed a bilateral trade agreement, expected to boost economic growth for both nations.