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 stocks at 7-month highs after Wall Street cracks more records

* Oil slips as demand fears outweigh strong U.S. stocks draw

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Saudi leads Gulf markets higher; Egypt retreats

* PRECIOUS-Gold dips below $2,000 as dollar slide briefly halts 

* Sudan 'astonished' at spokesman's remarks about 'contacts' with Israel 

* ANALYSIS-Iran's response to Israel-UAE pact: tough rhetoric, no action 

 

EGYPT

* Occupancy rates in Egypt's major Red Sea resorts 20-40% 

* Egypt's GASC buys 11,000 T of sunflower oil in tender 

* Egyptian bank Beltone diversifies in hunt for profitability

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* Saudi approves agreement with Saudi Arabian Chevron on Neutral Zone

* Saudi Arabia says verdict in Hariri assassination case marks start in achieving justice

* Saudi Arabia's SABIC picks banks for dollar bond - sources

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* UAE sees 'alarming' increase in coronavirus cases 

* Mossad head meets UAE national security adviser - WAM agency 

* Israel opposes any F-35 sale to UAE despite their warming ties

* Foreign residents still need permission to return to Dubai 

 

 

QATAR

* Qatar Petroleum enters exploration agreement in Angola 

* Qatar Airways says issued over $1.2 bln in refunds since March 

 

KUWAIT

* Kuwait budget deficit could widen to $46 bln in 2020/21 -document 

 

OMAN

* Oman transfers powers from Sultan's remit in government revamp

 

BAHRAIN

* Bahraini PM, 84, has passed routine medical test

 

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