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-Asia shares slip as investors ready for end of 2021  

* Oil firms, near highest since late November on risk appetite 

* PRECIOUS-Gold steady as weaker Treasury yields balance improved risk appetite  

* MIDEAST STOCKS-Most Gulf bourses close higher as Omicron worries ease 

* Russia says OPEC+ prioritises mid-term strategy over U.S. calls for more oil  

* ANALYSIS-Russia seen missing its May target for pre-pandemic oil output  

* We have weeks, not months, to conclude Iran nuclear deal - European negotiators  

* Iranian and Russian officials strike positive tone on nuclear talks  

* U.S. says it is too soon to say how substantive Iran nuclear talks in Vienna might have been  

* Israel hits Syrian port for second time this month - Syrian army 

* Israeli defense minister meets with Palestinian president - tweet 

* Thirty-one killed in Sudanese gold mine collapse - official 

* U.N. bodies urge Yemen's Houthis to release two staff members  

* Tunisia expects deficit at 6.7% of GDP in 2022  

* Lebanon PM signals backing for c. bank governor facing multiple probes  

 

EGYPT

* Egypt's GASC seeks wheat in new international tender  

* Scans reveal details of unwrapped ancient Egyptian mummy  

 

SAUDI ARABIA

* TABLE-Saudi money supply increase in November 

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

* UAE approves Sinopharm's protein-based vaccine  

 

QATAR

* Ooredoo Group and CK Hutchison $6 bln merger of their Indonesian businesses approved following EGM 

 

KUWAIT

* New finance minister, opposition lawmakers in Kuwait's cabinet  

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