DUBAI  - Here are some factors that may affect Middle East stock markets on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy.

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS-World stocks hit record high as bond yields ease with inflation fears 

* Oil maintains upward momentum but virus concerns cap gains 

* PRECIOUS-Gold unchanged after early spike as firm bond yields offset weak dollar 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Financials drag major Gulf markets lower 

* EMERGING MARKETS-Stocks, FX muted ahead of U.S. inflation data; Alibaba gains

* JPMorgan downgrades emerging market currencies to 'underweight' 

* China push for global power tops U.S. security threats - intelligence report 

* OPEC raises 2021 oil demand growth forecast on hopes virus impact wanes 

* Iran to begin 60% uranium enrichment after nuclear site incident 

* Dislodged ship held in Suez Canal as talks continue over $916 mln claim 

* Ship owned by Israeli firm attacked off UAE coast: media 

* Stalled Pfizer deal clouds Israel's hopes of swift herd immunity 

* Lebanon to ask Russia for help restoring port, building power plants 

* Syria's Assad dismisses central bank chief Karfoul

* Turkey plans April 24-May 4 Afghanistan peace summit 

* Tunisian journalists protest over new head of state news agency 

* Israel to allow limited entry of foreign tour groups in May 

* Sudan due to send first delegation to Israel next week, sources say 

* Lebanon's president says new maritime claim needs government approval 

* Iran sees record spike in COVID cases after holiday travels

* Jordan makes no purchase in tender for 120,000 tonnes feed barley - trade 

 

EGYPT

* Sudan PM calls Egyptian, Ethiopian counterparts to a summit - SUNA 

* Ship insurer says Egypt seeking $916 mln over Suez Canal blockage 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Maire Tecnimont wins $500 mln order in Saudi Arabia, shares rise 

* MEDIA-Saudi Arabia's Alfanar eyes sale of majority stake in India wind power assets - Mint

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* Biden administration proceeding with $23 billion weapon sales to UAE

* Dubai Islamic Bank breaks pricing record for Gulf AT1 bonds 

* Dubai's DP World seeks $210.2 mln in damages from Djibouti - documents 

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait court orders pre-trial detention of former premier, newspapers say 

 

OMAN

* Musandam Power Q1 Loss Widens 

* Oman's PDO appoints Shell's Phimister as managing director 

(Compiled by Dubai newsroom) ((dubai.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com))