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))