DUBAI - Here are some factors that may affect Middle East stock markets on Thursday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy.
INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL
* GLOBAL MARKETS-Asia shares loiter as S&P futures climb fresh peak
* Oil falls after U.S. gasoline inventories unexpectedly surge
* MIDEAST STOCKS-Major Gulf markets end mixed; Abu Dhabi snaps winning streak
* PRECIOUS-Gold prices slip as equities gain after Fed minutes
* Major powers meet separately with U.S., Iran on nuclear deal
* Iran says its ship Saviz was attacked in Red Sea
* Iran has produced 55 kg of 20% enriched uranium since January - official
* Iran passes daily coronavirus record as cases soar to nearly 21,000 - health ministry
* Syrian air defences confront Israeli attack over Damascus -SANA
* U.S. restores assistance for Palestinians, to provide $235 million in aid
* Biden reaffirms U.S. support for Jordan's king
* Jordan's King Abdullah says sedition quashed, country stable
* Lebanon's President Aoun holds central bank responsible for crisis
* Fighting pauses in Sudanese city of El Geneina, death toll reaches 87
* Iraq registers 8,331 new coronavirus cases in highest daily increase
* Morocco will keep coronavirus night curfew during Ramadan
* Israel's ThetaRay mulls listing as cash pours into tech sector
* Cloud firm Redis Labs valued at $2 bln as SoftBank, Tiger Global invest
* Israeli carrier El Al plans $105 mln share issue to meet bailout condition
* Bank of Israel bought $2 bln of forex in March, reserves near $186 bln
EGYPT
* Egypt's Sisi warns of potential for conflict over Ethiopian dam
SAUDI ARABIA
* IMF raises most Gulf countries' economic growth forecasts
* Saudi-led coalition intercepts a Houthi explosives-laden drone -Saudi state TV
* Saudi malls, supermarkets, restaurants told to increase hiring of Saudi nationals
* Saudi bourse converts into holding company ahead of IPO this year
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
* UAE replaces central bank governor after one year in role
* UAE's Agthia approves 75% acquisition of Egypt's Ismailia Agricultural
* Abu Dhabi crown prince discusses economic relations with new Libya prime minister -WAM
* Dubai to offer COVID-19 shots to country representatives at Expo 2020
KUWAIT
* Kuwait wealth fund reaches initial agreement on KPC dividends - source
(Compiled by Dubai newsroom) ((dubai.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com))