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))