Major drug crackdown: Kuwait says it carried out its biggest-ever drugs bust, seizing nearly five tons of raw Lyrica powder and almost four million capsules plus manufacturing equipment, with an estimated value of KD 150 million. Health regulation tightening: The Ministry of Health issued new rules governing promotion of medicines and medical products, including tighter controls on company representatives’ access to ministry facilities and stricter requirements for promotional claims. Digital government coordination: Kuwait’s Customs and the Public Authority for Industry discussed enabling e-payment for industrial exemption transactions to speed customs clearance. Traffic enforcement via tech: Car rental firms in Kuwait have started refusing new rentals for customers with unpaid traffic violations after an electronic link with the General Traffic Department’s system. Oil sector reshuffle: KOC announced operational appointments and changes aimed at strengthening oil security, safety management and decision-making. Energy diplomacy: Kuwait’s oil undersecretary met a US Congress delegation to discuss ways to deepen energy cooperation. Development finance: The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development is engaging El Salvador’s “Two Schools a Day” education push and signals interest in supporting expansion. Banking update: NBK Egypt reported net profit of KD 26.1 million in the first half of 2026. Cybercrime warning: Authorities referred a fraud case to cybercrime investigators after an expatriate reported KD 500 stolen via a website scam.