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-Dollar on defensive after Fed, trade worries nag shares
* MIDEAST STOCKS-Blue-chips lift Saudi, UAE's Aldar and Emaar climb
* Oil prices rise on surprise U.S. crude inventory draw
* PRECIOUS-Gold rises after Fed plans fewer than expected rate hikes in 2018
* Trump, Saudi leader discuss Houthi 'threat' in Yemen -White House
* Germany condemns Turkish military offensive in Syria
* Protesters clash with police in Tunisian mining town over jobs
* U.S. makes contingency plans in case Iran nuclear talks fail
* Libya should resist rushing to elections this year -Human Rights Watch
* OPEC supply cut compliance hits record, oil glut going fast
* Iran played significant role in defeating Islamic State in region -Supreme Leader
* Iran inches closer to dream of gasoline independence
EGYPT
* Egypt crackdown paves way for long-term Sisi rule - Human Rights Watch
* Egypt's middle class faces hardship as austerity bites
* Al-Futtaim investment in Cairo Festival City to reach $1.7 bln by 2023
SAUDI ARABIA
* Formerly detained Saudi businessmen Alwaleed and Alhokair in talks for loans
* Saudi Electricity CEO says power consumption growth to slow
* Saudi February inflation edges down slightly after jump on new tax
* Newly empowered Saudi women to help drive growth at Al Rajhi Bank
* Saudi Crown Prince to visit France as Macron juggles relations - source
* Saudi Arabia says revamping education to combat "extremist ideologies"
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
* UAE central bank raises rates by 25 bps
* UAE's ADNOC awards PetroChina stakes in two offshore concessions
* Dubai completes $2.45 billion project financing for metro extension
* Shareholders of Abu Dhabi's Aldar approve increasing foreign ownership limit to 49 pct-source
* DP World to build and manage Congolese deepwater port
* Noble Group hit by lawsuit amid crucial debt restructuring
* Pearl Petroleum signs gas sales deal with Kurdistan Regional Government
* ADIC to join Mubadala group as wealthy Abu Dhabi consolidates funds
* Mubadala advances $1 bln Malaysia Pegaga gas field project
* TABLE-UAE's Fujairah oil inventory data for week ended March 19
QATAR
* Qatar bourse to list Masraf Al Rayan's ETF
KUWAIT
* Kuwait central bank raises discount rate 25 bops
* TABLE-Kuwait bank lending growth edges down in January
* Kuwait to launch IPO of Az-Zour water and power project in three months
* Kuwait plans $6.6 bln industrial city-official
BAHRAIN
* Bahrain central bank raises rates by 25 bps
* TABLE-Bahrain February inflation climbs further in wake of fuel price hike
(Compiled by Dubai newsroom)