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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))