DUBAI - Here are some factors that may affect Middle East stock markets on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy. Reuters84@

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian stocks weaken as infection worries curb vaccine enthusiasm 

* Oil slips on demand worries as COVID-19 lockdowns tighten in Europe 

* PRECIOUS-Gold firms as U.S. stimulus progress weighs on dollar 

* MIDEAST STOCKS--Major Gulf markets gain on higher oil prices, vaccine progress 

* Explosives-laden boat hits fuel ship at Saudi port, ministry says 

* OPEC cuts 2021 oil demand outlook again as pandemic impact lingers 

* U.S. sanctions NATO ally Turkey over purchase of Russian defense system 

* EXCLUSIVE-Abu Dhabi's Mubadala reviews equities fund in investment shake-up - sources 

* Iran's Rouhani defends execution of dissident journalist 

* Pro-Sisi party wins majority in Egypt's parliamentary polls 

* U.S. blacklists two Iranian officials over Levinson disappearance 

* U.S imposes sanctions on Turkey over Russian defense system buy 

* United States takes Sudan off terrorism list after 27 years 

* Kuwait names new oil and finance ministers as government faces liquidity crunch 

 

EGYPT

* Egyptian Gulf Bank Expects 15% Growth In 2021 Profit 

* Egypt's GASC seeking wheat for Feb. 1-15 shipment 

 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Sovereign funds step-up dealmaking, but few bargains on offer 

* Saudi's SPIMACO Appoints Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Alfadhli As Acting CEO 

 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* Dubai non-oil private sector shrinks as business mood darkens 

* EXCLUSIVE-Italy authorises Abu Dhabi fund to invest in TIM's grid - sources 

* Emirates Expands Global Network With Restart Of Flights To Istanbul 

* DAE Delivers First Of 18 Boeing 737 Max 8 Aircraft To American Airlines 

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait's Boubyan Petrochemical Q2 Profit Rises 

 

BAHRAIN

* Ithmaar Holding Appoints KPMG Bahrain As Financial Adviser To Sell Bank Operations In Bahrain 

* Investcorp Acquires Sanos Group 

 

OMAN

* Oman Investment & Finance Seeks Sharehoders Approval On Merger Between OIFC And GIS 

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