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-Stocks hit record high as Biden, vaccine lift global prospects 

* Oil prices rally further on vaccine optimism despite inventory rise 

* PRECIOUS-Biden transition, vaccine hopes keep gold near 4-month low 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Most markets end higher as investors cheer Biden transition, vaccine progress 

* EMERGING MARKETS-Dollar weakness supports EM currencies, lira slides again 

* Israel's Netanyahu says he will visit Bahrain soon 

* Supreme leader dismisses talks as Iran looks to post-Trump future 

* EU pledges 1.2 billion euros for Afghanistan 

* U.S. pledges $600 mln in Afghan aid, but half depends on peace talks 

* Iraq amends oil density compensation plan starting with 2021 exports 

* Syrian army says Israel hits southern Damascus in second strike in week 

* Gaza's health system days from being overwhelmed by COVID-19, advisers say 

 

EGYPT

* As winter approaches, Egypt braces for second coronavirus wave 

* Egypt sets up $240 mln company to build railway cars 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi Aramco says domestic supplies unaffected by attack on Jeddah plant 

* Saudi Arabia's Jadwa hires HSBC to advise on exiting UEMedical - sources 

* Global oil markets well supplied, IEA says after attack on Saudi oil site 

* Saudi King approves renaming Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority to Saudi Central Bank 

* UK and Saudi Arabia discuss importance of global access to COVID vaccines 

* Saudi tells U.N. that Houthis to blame for Aramco attack 

* SABIC to consider IPO of its specialty chemicals unit - Bloomberg News 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* MEDIA-Biocon Biologics in talks with Abu Dhabi fund ADQ to raise fresh capital - Moneycontrol 

 

QATAR

* Qatar starts legal proceedings against FAB in New York in market manipulation row 

* Soccer-FIFA to stage 22-team Arab Cup in Qatar 

 

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