DUBAI: Here are some factors that may affect Middle East stock markets on Sunday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy.

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Equities markets limp to finish line after volatile week 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Wall Street surge buoys Gulf, Saudi banks strong

* Oil prices steady near year-and-a-half lows ahead of New Year O/R

* Middle East Crude-Dubai softens; PetroChina gets 13 cargoes 

* PRECIOUS-Gold holds near 6-month high on softer dollar, tumultuous stocks 

* GRAPHIC-Take Five: The Year of the Bear! World markets themes for the week ahead 

* Russia, Turkey discuss coordination in Syria after U.S. withdrawal

* Bomb kills three Vietnamese tourists, Egyptian guide near pyramids -officials 

* Egyptian forces kill 40 suspected militants after tourist bus bombed 

* Yemen's Houthis start redeployment in Hodeidah as part 

* UAE reopens Syria embassy in boost for Assad 

* EXCLUSIVE-U.S. commanders recommend letting Kurdish fighters in Syria keep weapons

* UAE civil aviation: rescue helicopter crashed, all crew dead 

* Syrian surprise: How Trump's phone call changed the war

 

EGYPT

* Deposed Egyptian presidents come face to face in court 

* Egypt's central bank holds interest rates 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi Arabia: Govt reshuffle was expected as its four-year term was up

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* UAE's TAQA Says TAQA Atrush Increases Working Interest In Atrush Block By 7.5 Pct

* Dubai's Arabtec Unit Gets AED 222 Mln Construction Contract At Villanova 

 

QATAR

* Qatar's Pearl gas-to-liquids plant back to normal production rate-Shell 

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait's Unicap Receives Purchase Offer For Stake In Iskan Oman Investment 

 

BAHRAIN

* Bahrain says no interruption to diplomatic ties with Syria

(Reporting By Dubai newsroom) ((Dubai.Newsroom@thomsonreuters.com))