Gapped Sentences

For those who love the "gapped sentences" and also for those who fear them, I'll be publishing a set of them every day. If you find the suitable word, and I hope you will, write it as a comment, or let me know when we meet again.
The gapped sentences of the day:

 Find the single word that can fill each of these gapped sentences:

·         There was an unexpected ........ of events in the world of politics today.

·         I always try to do people a good ........ as it doesn't cost anything to be thoughtful.

·         He was born around the ........ of the century.