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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-Asian shares set to finish 2020 at record high, riskier currencies in favor
* Oil set for 20% drop in 2020 as lockdowns weigh, market eyes more stimulus
* MIDEAST STOCKS-UAE markets close lower after country reports cases of new virus variant
* PRECIOUS-Gold set for best year in a decade with 24% rise
* OPEC+ oil output cut compliance at 101% in November - sources
* Twenty-two killed in attack on Aden airport after new Yemen cabinet lands
* Iran allocates $150,000 for families of victims of Ukraine plane crash
* Once Netanyahu's greatest rival, Israel's Gantz is down, if not out
* Iraq signs $2.6 bln deal with S. Korea's Daewoo to build first phase of Faw port
* Lebanon can stretch reserves for six more months of subsidies, PM says
* Jordan tenders to buy 120,000 tonnes feed barley - trade
* Syrian state media says 28 killed in bus ambush in Deir al-Zor
* Tunisia president to launch dialogue to 'correct the revolution' process
EGYPT
* Egypt summons Ethiopia's envoy over comments - statement
* Egypt achieves self-sufficiency in rice in 2020 with 6.5 mln tonnes - cabinet
* Egypt to auction $850 mln in 1-year dollar-denominated T-bills on Jan. 4 - c.bank
* Egyptian prosecution wants accusations against police excluded from Regeni case
SAUDI ARABIA
* U.S. State Department approves potential sale of 3,000 smart bombs to Saudi Arabia
* Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power to build wind park in Azerbaijan - Bloomberg News
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
* DXB Entertainments Appoints KPMG Lower Gulf And SHUAA Capital As Financial Advisors
* ADNOC Distribution Plans To Become One Of Leading KSA Fuel Retailers By 2025
KUWAIT
* Burgan Bank Obtains $390 Million Banking Loan For 3 Years
OMAN
* Oman Investment & Finance Shareholders Approve Merger Between OIFC And Gulf Holding Company
BAHRAIN
* AUB And KFH Extend Suspension Period For Resumption Of Acquisition Of AUB By KFH
(Compiled by Dubai newsroom) ((dubai.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com))