LinkedIn News Middle East

As 2024 draws to a close, the trends defining our world are coming into sharper focus, even as fresh challenges and opportunities arise — from ongoing conflicts across MENA to breakthroughs in AI. What can we expect to happen in 2025? Every December, LinkedIn News spotlights bold predictions from our editors and experts around the world, from MAGNiTT’s Philip Bahoshy to clinical psychologist Dr. Saliha Afridi, that are poised to shape the year ahead. This year’s 10 Big Ideas explore shifts in global wealth migration, the localization of workplace mental wellness, a new edge for creators, and much more. What trend or idea do you think will have the biggest impact next year? Join the conversation in the comments or share a video with #BigIdeas2025.

Welcome to the Daily Rundown! Here are the top conversations 1️⃣ Personalization will drive retail trends in 2025  A more personalized shopping experience, supported by AI, and a higher focus on sustainability are among the key retail trends in 2025, says BFL CEO Toufic Kreidieh, sharing more expectations: https://lnkd.in/ewwCZqDR 2️⃣ Social media fragments  As more social media platforms enter the market, users could find themselves juggling multiple profiles to stay connected, experts say. Read more about this Big Idea: https://lnkd.in/e-CJCt5K 3️⃣ Robots to build your next home  AI and robotics are transforming the construction sector to meet rising housing demand, experts say. Read more about this Big Idea: https://lnkd.in/eWSm-zXS 4️⃣ One in 127 people affected by autism An estimated 61.8 million people worldwide were on the autism spectrum in 2021, affecting 1 in 127 – up from 1 in 271 in 2019 – underscoring the need for early detection and support, according to a recently published report. Bloomberg News reports: https://lnkd.in/eJPTufyV 💬 Have a take on these stories? Share in the comments section.

To gain clarity, you must silence the "noise" through intentional resets to realign with your purpose, says author Patrick Joseph Samaha. He explains that this process can take the form of a daily ritual or a deeper pause after significant challenges, emphasizing that "zeroing" oneself supports upward growth. How do you think a reset can help foster growth? Check out the post below and share your thoughts.

Welcome to the Daily Rundown! Here are the top news stories for Tuesday, December 24 — UAE updates tax rules, Arab hunger crisis deepens, and more. 1️⃣ UAE eases rules on ownership transfers The Gulf country has updated its tax rules, effective January 1, to simplify compliance and ease ownership transfers, particularly for companies involved in international operations. Anna Wilcox, a senior accountant, shares more: https://lnkd.in/gqKqjWHh 2️⃣ Arab region faces unprecedented hunger crisis In 2023, about 66 million people – approximately 14% of the population in the Arab region – faced hunger, with 39.4% facing moderate or severe food insecurity, a United Nations report reveals: https://lnkd.in/g72X5jnJ 3️⃣ UAE private air travel to finish 2024 strong This is driven by high net-worth individuals, economic growth, new businesses and advanced airport infrastructure, according to MEBAA, with the UAE’s share of the MENA businesses aviation reaching between 40-45%. The National News reports: https://lnkd.in/gFGApXBm 4️⃣ Dubai hotels ramp up for New Year’s Eve Dubai's New Year’s Eve hotel bookings are surpassing last year, with over 71.8% of rooms already reserved and some chains expecting full occupancy by December 31, CoStar Group data shows: https://lnkd.in/g3H42yqN 💬 Have a take on these stories? Share in the comments section.

Organizations need a well-thought-out Generative AI strategy to unlock its massive potential, says Volodymyr Semenyshyn, president of SoftServe. Success in Gen AI isn’t just about adopting the technology, it’s about fostering a culture of adaptability and innovations while building a solid roadmap, he adds. Check out his post below and share your thoughts in the comments.

Welcome to the Daily Rundown! Here are the top news stories for Monday, December 23 — Qatar warns of halting EU gas exports, Careem Pay launches UAE-Lebanon transfers, and more. 1️⃣ Qatar warns of halting EU gas exports Qatar warns it may halt gas exports to the EU over strict sustainability fines, the energy minister told the Financial Times. Reuters News Agency:    https://lnkd.in/exwgAjsQ 2️⃣ Careem Pay launches instant UAE-Lebanon transfers Careem Pay has launched an international remittance service to Lebanon, enabling AED-to-USD transfers from Careem accounts to Purpl wallets via mobile numbers, removing the need for a bank account. Co-founder of Purpl Jean-Marie Khoueir weighs in: https://lnkd.in/eSmuF_yP 3️⃣ Sudan, Gaza top IRC’s crisis watchlist Sudan has topped the International Rescue Committee’s 2025 watchlist of global humanitarian crises for the second year, followed by Gaza and the West Bank, Myanmar, Syria, and South Sudan. CEO of IRC David Miliband weighs in: https://lnkd.in/eFbJ72DE 4️⃣ Crypto.com names president for UAE operations The cryptocurrency platform has appointed Mohammed Al-Hakim as president of its UAE operations amid the country’s push to expand its blockchain and cryptocurrency industry. More from Al-Hakim here: https://lnkd.in/eHapDPBe 💬 Have a take on these stories? Share in the comments section.

Welcome to the Wrap-Up – your summary of the day's top news and talking points, curated by LinkedIn News Middle East. Check out the slideshow below and click or swipe to view the next item. 💡 Share your views on today's topics in the comments below. 👉 International Workplace Group plc expands to Egypt – ZAWYA  https://lnkd.in/guQ5wQ-m 👉 Instagram to launch AI editing tool – TechCrunch https://lnkd.in/gscXru7S 👉 The best partnerships come from the most unexpected places – Leon Harlow/LinkedIn https://lnkd.in/g4T4bVcC  👉 Today’s debate: The main reason people choose to quit their jobs? Elfried Samba weighs in  https://lnkd.in/ghmTPSj6 #TheWrapUp

Welcome to the Daily Rundown! Here are the top conversations 1️⃣ How to handle interruptions  Interruptions can prevent you from being heard, writes Omar Halabieh, tech director at Amazon Payment Services, who suggests tips such as politely asking to continue and steering the conversation back to the topic. https://lnkd.in/gDAJHHxk 2️⃣ The power of listening  Authentic listening can be more powerful than rushing in with solutions, writes Chief Human Resources Officer Juma Beljaflah, explaining that people become more open when they feel truly heard. https://lnkd.in/g8ZtGXsx 3️⃣ Coping with holiday burnout  Prioritizing what truly matters to you and setting boundaries can help you cope with feeling overwhelmed during the holidays, writes Head of Corporate Well-being at AVP Rebecca McGuane: https://lnkd.in/gKJwBD_N 4️⃣ What’s wrong with corporate wellness programs  Some of the common shortcomings in corporate wellness programs are being too generic, not taking feedback into account and micromanaging participation, writes career coach Gayu Lewis: https://lnkd.in/g2ihsMix 💬 Have a take on these stories? Share in the comments section.

Welcome to the Daily Rundown! Here are the top conversations 1️⃣ Avoid this job search approach  Using a generic resume and mass applying to jobs is a common mistake that sabotages career transitions, writes founder of Unwind the Grind Samia Hasan, highlighting the need for a strategic and tailored approach: https://lnkd.in/gykyb9Qa 2️⃣ Tips for effective emailing  Concise emails with a professional tone and actionable items are more impactful than vague or overly-casual ones, writes job search specialist Trisha Chapman: https://lnkd.in/gZEaECb3 3️⃣ Work hard and smart Success stems from discipline and strategy, writes leadership coach Saahil Mehta, who shares tips such as avoiding multitasking and delegating effectively: https://lnkd.in/gY5nt_Z3 4️⃣ Mastering time management in business Optimize your time when starting a business by dedicating a few hours a day to connect with potential clients and follow up on old leads, suggests sales training expert Olga Sinenko: https://lnkd.in/gUSb2sst 💬 Have a take on these stories? Share in the comments section.

Welcome to the Daily Rundown! Here are the top conversations 1️⃣ What’s the future of EV charging? As electric vehicles become more common, the increased demand for solid charging infrastructure could be met by curbside charging stations, experts say. Read more about this Big Idea: https://lnkd.in/eX4qx8QA 2️⃣ AI to accelerate green progress AI and digitalization will boost sustainability in 2025, accelerating progress in agriculture, education, and resource management across MENA, writes sustainability expert Nahla Nabil: https://lnkd.in/eiHDbZQR 3️⃣ Migrant workers on the rise in Arab countries: ILO Arab countries had the highest share of global migrants in their workforce in 2022, with men at 38.5% and women at 31%, as per a report by the International Labour Organization: https://lnkd.in/eGWw6Z9G 4️⃣ Work-life balance “is a myth” Career coach Amanda Davies argues that the two are not separate, but are constantly impacting each other all the time: https://lnkd.in/egwpkBYT 💬 Have a take on these stories? Share in the comments section.