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

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares near 1-wk highs but Delta woes mount 

* Oil drops for third day on concerns COVID-19 variant spread to cut demand 

* PRECIOUS-Gold inches higher on lacklustre dollar ahead of U.S. jobs data 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Saudi leads major Gulf markets higher; blue-chip selloff hits Egypt 

* Britain tells UN 'highly likely' Iran behind deadly tanker attack 

* Iran-backed forces seize tanker, maritime sources say; Iran denies it 

* Iran official says Tehran to drop prisoner swap plans with U.S. - report 

* Incoming president says Iran will seek end to 'tyrannical' US sanctions 

* Lebanon's president exerting all efforts to form gov't 

* Lebanon's Aoun supports transparent investigation on eve of blast anniversary

* Some officials saw risk of Beirut blast, did not act - HRW report 

* Macron hosts new Lebanon fundraiser a year after port blast 

* Tunisian central bank keeps key rate unchanged at 6.25% 

* Tunisia's powerful union wants small cabinet, with experienced prime minister 

* Bennett says Israel able to "act alone" against Iran over ship attack 

* Fintech firm Rapyd raises $300 mln in private funds 

* Israel's Hapoalim ready to resume regular dividends after one-time payout - CFO 

 

EGYPT

* Egypt's Sisi calls for first bread price rise in decades 

* TIMELINE-The evolution of Egypt's food subsidy programme 

* Egypt's GASC cancels international vegetable oils tender 

* Egypt's wheat import bill declined 13% this year - supply minister 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* S. Arabia increases executions in 2021 after 2020 fall - rights group 

* Saudi Arabia says sees an emboldened Iran around Middle East

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* Abu Dhabi National Energy Co nears deal to sell some Canadian assets to Blue Sky -sources 

* UAE, China to cooperate against money laundering, terrorism financing 

* UAE lifts ban on transit flights including from India and Pakistan 

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait wealth fund KIA appoints new board of directors

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