QUESTION: How can you keep a good eye on your neighbours?

[uneducated]

Is there a way to receive more notifications about a particular Faction, perhaps one which is near you? This might help if you learn news that there is suddenly a civil war there or their ruler has died.

[Gray Fox]

I'm old school, so I can only advise DIY. Click the Diplomacy icon and then any region of the faction you want to check on. This brings up a screen where you can cursor over the icons to get further info on the leader, faction, etc. You can also see their diplomatic stats, like ongoing wars, cooperation agreements, alliances and so on. I station one light cavalry unit in my border regions spaced out so that I can monitor enemy units in regions that are nearby. I also scout their coast with light warships. You can also use the filters to check the map for loyalty problems. Good luck!