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Recently-appointed Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) chief executive Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah has reshuffled the senior management of the state-owned group’s main subsidiaries, in the latest sign of change in the country’s energy sector.

Kuwait executed seven people at the Central Prison on the morning of 16 November, including four locals and citizens of Ethiopia, Pakistan and Syria. The Public Prosecution said their various crimes included murder, kidnapping, possession of unlicensed firearms and adultery. It was the largest number of executions since 2017.

Kuwait’s Sheikha Majda Jaber Hamoud Al-Sabah has launched a non-profit organisation to tackle mental health issues. Majda said she was motivated to start the Houna Initiative after suffering an episode of severe depression several years ago

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrived back in Kuwait, after his latest visit to Italy for medical checks. He has made at least two other trips to Italy this year, but until now officials had only described them as “private visits”

The United States has approved a deal to sell a $3bn air defence system to Kuwait.

Concerted opposition from Kuwait’s National Assembly forced Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed to quickly rethink his cabinet. Senior figures including Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal have since called for an end to disputes over “petty matters” but the parliamentary arithmetic suggests further clashes between the executive and the legislature, and between liberals and conservatives, is more likely than not.

The Kuwait Air Force received two more Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3 jets in late September, part of a $9.6bn order for 28 of the multi-role fighter aircraft signed in late 2015.

More than half of the seats in the National Assembly changed hands in the late-September election, with opposition and Islamist groups emerging as the main winners.

The recent death in London of disgraced former Kuwait pensions boss Fahad Al-Rajaan – convicted in 2019 for embezzling funds from the Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS) – has meant efforts to recover the missing assets are now likely to shift to other family members and accomplices.

GSN Risk Grade – B↓2↓ Candidates line up: A total of 376 candidates have registered for the National Assembly (parliament) election, which is due to be held on 29 September. At least one candidate has since been ruled out, after police arrested an un-named former MP who was standing in the second constituency, accusing him of attempting to buy votes.

Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah returned to Kuwait on 14 September, following a private visit to Italy that began in early August. There was no official word on the reason for the emir’s trip, but observers have said it is likely to be linked to Sheikh Nawaf’s poor health.

Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah made a brief official visit to Saudi Arabia on 13 September, where he was met at the airport by Mecca Region deputy governor Prince Bader Bin Sultan Bin Abdelaziz and minister of state Prince Turki Bin Mohammed Bin Fahd.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah left Kuwait in August for what was described officially as a private visit to Italy. It follows a similar trip to Italy in May.  His exact destination, the reason for the trip and its expected duration have not been announced, but it is likely to be linked to his ill health.

Nomination papers were filed by 376 candidates for the upcoming National Assembly (parliament) election by the time of the 7 September deadline, including 27 women. Among the candidates were over 44 members of the outgoing parliament, as well as former national speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun.

Disgraced former Kuwait Public Institution for Social Security director Fahad Al-Rajaan died in London on 6 February, according to a report by the Kuwait Times. Al-Rajaan had fled to the UK amid accusations of embezzling public funds.