KHOBAR / Reuters Saudi Arabia’s National Industrialization Co’s chief executive expects to see the benefits of a restructuring soon and has a more positive outlook for the chemicals market. Like many Saudi petrochemical firms, Tasnee’s earnings have suffered as its product prices are closely tied to oil prices, which have slumped since mid-2014. To combat poor market conditions, Tasnee …

  Seoul / AFP North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un hailed a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test as an “eye-opening success”, state media said on Sunday, declaring Pyongyang has the ability to strike Seoul and the US whenever it pleases. Saturday’s launch came amid growing concern that Pyongyang is preparing a fifth nuclear test. But it was followed just hours later by …

  Yangon / AFP Violent storms which saw hailstones the size of golf balls rain down across Myanmar have killed at least eight people in recent days, toppled pagodas and damaged thousands of buildings, officials said Sunday. The freak storms struck across five states on Friday and Saturday after weeks of heatwave temperatures regularly topping 40C (104F). “From what we know …