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-Asian shares tread water, markets eye U.S. inflation signals 

* Oil climbs as draw in U.S. crude stocks boosts optimism about demand 

* PRECIOUS-Gold on back foot as dollar firms; traders await U.S. data 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Dubai index up on property shares as major Gulf bourses ease 

* Iran says U.S. to lift oil sanctions, U.S. says nothing agreed 

* Agreement in principle reached over Suez Canal ship dispute 

* U.N. chief warns no Syria cross-border aid would be 'devastating' 

* Libya's foreign minister sees progress on removal of foreign mercenaries 

* Turkey in talks with several countries on FX swap, close to deal with Azerbaijan - sources

* EXCLUSIVE-Let down by rich and failing the poor, global vaccine scheme to be shaken up

* Jordan cancels barley tender - trade 

* Israel committed to responsible 2021-2022 budget, key lawmaker says 

* Vaccinated Israelis may need to quarantine because of Delta variant 

 

EGYPT

* Olympics-Liverpool's Salah unlikely to play for Egypt at Tokyo Games 

* Egypt eyes surge in fintech investment after new laws 

* IMF says Egypt's authorities can draw about $1.7 bln after final review - statement 

* Egyptian, French authorities recover 114 smuggled antiquities - statement 

* Egyptian president appoints ambassador to Qatar - official gazette 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi Aramco extends $10 bln loan on improved terms, sources say

* Saudi Arabia's STC Pay gains digital banking licence

* Saudi-led coalition destroys 4 Houthi drones headed towards kingdom -state media 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* Emirates Global Aluminium in talks to refinance $6 bln loan - sources 

* Dubai's Latifa is free to travel, statement issued through lawyers says 

* Abu Dhabi's Mubadala buys 2.6% of Russia's En+ group 

* Bitcoin Fund breaks new ground in Middle East with debut on Nasdaq Dubai 

* Mall operator says UAE Q4 retail revenue to be greater than pre-pandemic 

* Rights group says UAE detaining, deporting Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims 

 

QATAR

* Soccer-Qatar committed to improving worker welfare, says World Cup 2022 organiser 

* Qatar sovereign fund says focusing on warehouses, data centres 

* Qatar central bank governor sees no need to change currency peg regime 

* State-owned Qatari Diar refinancing debt, chairman says

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait Finance House sells $750 million in AT1 sukuk 

 

OMAN

* Oman introduces long-term residencies for foreign investors 

 

BAHRAIN

* Bahrain starts exploratory offshore drilling for oil and gas 

* Bahrain extends support program for businesses hit by COVID pandemic 

 

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