DUBAI, Dec 8 (Reuters) - 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.

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian stocks under pressure as pandemic concerns outweigh stimulus hopes  

* Oil falls amid surging virus cases and U.S.-China tensions 

* PRECIOUS-Gold near 2-week high as rising COVID-19 cases boost U.S. stimulus hopes 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Saudi stocks lead gains; Egypt loses

* Iranian official denies rumours of decline in supreme leader's health 

* Iran says 'smart satellite-controlled machine gun' killed top nuclear scientist 

* European powers rebuke Iran after uranium enrichment announcement 

* Protester killed in Iraq's Kurdistan region after days of unrest 

* Pope Francis to make risky trip to Iraq in early March 

* Eastern Libyan force says it intercepted Turkish ship

* As Lebanon subsidy crunch looms, UN agencies warn of social catastrophe 

 

EGYPT

* Young Egyptian finds fortune in scorpions 

* Egypt workers' remittances rose to $8 bln in the July-September quarter 

* Alongside Sisi, Macron says France will sell arms to Egypt irrespective of rights 

* Egypt sold $1 billion in dollar-denominated t-bills-cenbank 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi-led coalition says destroyed explosive drone from Yemen Houthis 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* Soccer-Abu Dhabi ruling family member buys 50% stake in Beitar Jerusalem 

* Unit 1 of UAE's first nuclear reactor reaches 100% power capacity - ENEC 

* Goldman Sachs banker who built Middle East business to retire

* Abu Dhabi Investment Office to open Israel office in weeks 

* Dubai's biggest developer Emaar halts new construction work, chairman says 

* Israel can link Middle East, European ports, DP World chairman says 

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait's Burgan Bank plans Tier 2 dollar bonds 

 

OMAN

* Companies form initiative to scale up green hydrogen production 

 

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