2) Ageira being quite unhappy about the Kursari Navy reverse-engineering their Jump gate technology.
3) Outcasts becoming something more unhuman, under the control of the Nomads/Dom Vovash
4) Break-up of Rheinland with people leaving and invasion by Corsairs
5) Zoners losing Freeports 9 and 10 (And maybe more) to Corsairs/Outcasts.
Just some thoughts, all backed up by various rumours/news reports in the game.