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)