[POL] Political upheaval in New Zealand — Protests and political crisis. Stability and influence declining. [TECH] Technological breakthrough in Equatorial Guinea — Research labs report a significant advance. +2.9 research points. [DIPLO] Diplomatic scandal rocks Burundi — International reputation has suffered. Influence fell by 5%. [ECON] Economic downturn in Burkina Faso — GDP fell 3%. Domestic unrest is rising. [ECON] Economic downturn in Republic of the Congo — GDP fell 7%. Domestic unrest is rising. [DIPLO] Diplomatic scandal rocks South Sudan — International reputation has suffered. Influence fell by 5%. [EVENT] Natural disaster strikes Trinidad and Tobago — Infrastructure damaged. GDP fell 4% and morale has dropped. [MIL] Military buildup in Jamaica — 100 new troops recruited. Regional tensions increase. [MIL] Military buildup in Uruguay — 344 new troops recruited. Regional tensions increase. [MIL] Military buildup in Qatar — 709 new troops recruited. Regional tensions increase. [EVENT] Natural disaster strikes Georgia — Infrastructure damaged. GDP fell 3% and morale has dropped. [DIPLO] Diplomatic scandal rocks Ireland — International reputation has suffered. Influence fell by 6%. [DIPLO] Diplomatic scandal rocks Finland — International reputation has suffered. Influence fell by 7%. [POL] Military incident in Russia — Equipment failure and supply disruption. Readiness has dropped. [POL] Military incident in Poland — Equipment failure and supply disruption. Readiness has dropped. [ECON] Economic growth in Spain — GDP grew 6%. National confidence is rising. [DIPLO] Vatican City and Italy sign defensive pact — A mutual defence agreement has been signed between Vatican City 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: Fiji — New Zealand — Fiji and New Zealand have signed a bilateral trade agreement, expected to boost economic growth for both nations. [ECON] Trade agreement: New Zealand — Australia — New Zealand and Australia have signed a bilateral trade agreement, expected to boost economic growth for both nations.