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-Asian shares inch higher as data drives rebound hopes 

* Oil rises after sharp drop in U.S. crude inventories 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Banks weigh on Saudi as most major Gulf markets ease 

* PRECIOUS-Gold firms near 8-year peak as virus fears prompt safe-haven demand

* Pompeo pushes Iran arms embargo at UN, Russia says U.S. knee on Iran's neck

* Blast at Tehran clinic kills 19, says state-run news agency

* Lebanese government raises subsidised bread prices as currency tumbles 

* Lebanon's PM says rescue plan shows huge losses in financial system 

* Tunisia coalition under pressure over PM conflict of interest allegations

* Spain to open border with Morocco only in case of reciprocity 

* Jordan issues double tranche $1.75 bln Eurobond, pushes public debt 

* U.N. raises $7.7 billion for Syrians beset by war and COVID-19

 

EGYPT

* Egypt's M2 money supply up 17.24% year-on-year in May- c.bank 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Gulf economies to shrink by 7.6% this year, IMF says 

* Saudi Arabia's economy contracts by 1% in Q1 amid oil plunge 

* Saudi central cank governor calls for more lending from commercial banks 

* Saudi regulator allows SMBC unit to arrange securities deals 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* EXCLUSIVE-DAMAC's chairman considers taking company private -sources 

* Dubai's economy shrank by 3.5% y/y in Q1 amid coronavirus crisis 

* Emirates NBD hires banks for perpetual dollar bonds -document

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait to resume commercial flights, doesn't see full capacity until Aug. 2021

 

OMAN

* India's Jindal Steel and Power to sell Oman unit for more than $1 bln to cut debt

 

QATAR

* Qatar banks Al Khaliji and Masraf Al Rayan begin merger talks 

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