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 advance as vaccine, recovery hopes triumph soft U.S. data 

* Oil rally boosted by surprise fall in U.S. stocks  

* PRECIOUS- Gold gains as weak U.S. jobs data, virus worries dim recovery hopes  

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Major Gulf shares extend gains on upbeat global outlook  

* OPEC+ leaning towards oil cut extension, despite rally - sources  

* Oil tanker hit by blast at Saudi terminal, Saudi Arabia confirms  

* U.S. envoy to Iran says more sanctions coming, urges Biden to maintain leverage  

* UAE halts new visas to citizens of 13 mostly Muslim states - document 

* Sudan's former PM Sadiq al-Mahdi dies from coronavirus in UAE  

* Lebanon may lower obligatory reserves threshold, says source  

 

EGYPT

* EGX Says Muhammad Faraj Masoud El Muhairby Raises Stake In Real Estate Egyptian Consortium  

* Egypt's GASC seeks wheat for shipment Jan. 20-31  

* Egyptian inventor trials robot that can test for COVID-19 

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* China's crude oil imports from Russia down 4%, Saudi down 30% as buying frenzy cools 

* Saudi c.bank membership to be modified - governor to state TV 

* Moody's upgrades Saudi Electricity's ratings to A1 on increased government support 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* Abu Dhabi's Mubadala seeks Israeli partners on technology investment 

* UAE's ADGM to sign MOU with Israel's securities authority on fintech 

* Emirates Completes Refunds Backlog Returning AED 6.3 Bln To Customers 

 

KUWAIT

* Agility Announces Solar Projects In Dubai And Jordan 

* Snam CEO proud Desfa won bid to manage Kuwait LNG plant 

 

QATAR

* Qatar coastguard stops two Bahraini vessels -Bahrain ministry 

 

BAHRAIN

* Bahrain's industry minister meets Israeli delegation

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