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.

INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian stocks slip as new COVID-19 strain darkens recovery prospects  

* Oil slips again as new coronavirus strain proves 'nightmare before Christmas'  

* PRECIOUS-Gold rises on U.S. stimulus cheer, virus fears  

* MIDEAST STOCKS-New COVID-19 strain trips Mideast markets  

* Iraq ready to export 700,000 tonnes of barley to Iran  

* Iraq's cabinet approves 2021 draft budget of $103 bln  

* UPDATE 2-Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman to close borders over new COVID strain  

 

EGYPT

* Egypt buys 50,000 tonnes of Brazilian raw cane sugar in tender - trade  

* Egypt needs to do more to help private sector, World Bank says  

* Vodafone set to stay in Egypt after STC deal collapses  

* Egypt's military to offer two firms for sale in first quarter  

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi regulator fines Saudi Telecom (STC) 10 mln riyals  

* Aramco to bring Google Cloud services to Saudi Arabia  

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* NMC Health sells Spain fertility business to Fresenius Helios 

* ADNOC Awards Eni And PTTEP Consortium Exploration Rights For Abu Dhabi’s Offshore Block 3  

 

QATAR

* Nakilat Transitions First FSRU To In-House Management  

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait Financial Centre Completes 35 Mln Dinars Private Placement Of Bonds  

* Kuwait's ALAFCO Posts Q4 Loss 

 

BAHRAIN

* GFH Acquires Amazon Designated Logistics Warehouses In Spain  

* Gulf Air And Egyptair Expand Codeshare Agreement - Statement  

 

OMAN

* Omantel Updates On Sale And Leaseback Of Omantel's Towers Passive Infrastructure  

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