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 climb to three-week highs on vaccine optimism, dollar retreats 

* Oil prices rise on stronger economic outlook, U.S. stockpile draw 

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Abu Dhabi index extends gains for eighth session; other markets flat 

* PRECIOUS-Gold dips as strong U.S. data sparks economic recovery hopes 

* Brookfield, BlackRock no longer in race for over $10 bln Aramco pipeline stake - sources 

* World powers, Iran hold 'constructive' talks on reviving nuclear deal 

* Iran indicts 10 over Ukraine plane crash, prosecutor says; Canada demands justice 

* Iran cargo ship attacked in Red Sea - Al Arabiya TV 

* U.S. charges New York cosmetics executive with Iran sanctions violations 

* Sudanese Cabinet votes to repeal Israel boycott law 

* Sceptical president invites Netanyahu to form next Israeli government 

* Lebanon's central bank agrees to give A&M info for audit -finance ministry 

* Israeli cenbank chief deplores lack of stable government, state budget 

* U.S. expresses concern over sentencing of Saudi aid worker 

* Death toll from clashes in Sudan's West Darfur climbs to 50 - medics

* Rebound in Iranian exports unlikely to shock oil markets -Goldman Sachs 

* Iraqi PM agreed on Saudi, UAE investment projects in Iraq, with value exceeding $6 bln - agency 

 

EGYPT

* Suez Canal may expand southern channel, chairman says 

* Three-way talks over Ethiopian dam fail in Kinshasa -statements 

* Egypt's GASC buys 345,000 tonnes of wheat in tender for Aug. 1-10 shipment 

* Traffic in Suez canal not affected by tanker's engine failure - canal authority

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi Arabia's SABIC picks HSBC, Morgan Stanley for specialty unit IPO - sources

* Saudi cabinet authorizes minister to negotiate with Singapore on draft energy memorandum 

* Saudi-led coalition destroys explosive-laden drone launched by Yemen's Houthis - state TV 

* KPMG to convert Saudi unit to closed joint stock company 

* Saudi cabinet approves Banque Misr's license to open a branch in the kingdom - statement

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* Abu Dhabi's Etihad starts direct passenger flights to Israel

* UAE's flydubai to have all 14 737 MAX jets in service by June 

* UAE's first nuclear power plant begins commercial operations

* UAE's ADNOC revises March Murban crude OSP to $65.16/bbl 

* Payments giant Stripe expands to Middle East with Dubai office 

 

QATAR

* Qatar Airways calls for borders to reopen, says more airlines to need aid 

* Qatar Airways interested in potential Boeing 777X freighter, CEO says 

* Qatar Airways CEO says passenger demand unlikely to recover until 2024 

* MEDIA-Qatari Royal is among investors exposed in Credit Suisse supply-chain funds - Bloomberg News 

OMAN

* Oman says citizens entering country can do mandatory quarantine at home 

 

BAHRAIN

* Bahrain's economy shrank 5.51% y/y in Q4 - government data 

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