Lessons From The Headlines: What We Learnt In 2024
2024, ah. What a year you’ve been. I feel like I’ve lived through enough news cycles to know that every headline comes with a healthy side of existential reflection. And this year has been no exception. While international events such as the US Election and Euro 2024 dominated Google’s trending searches for the year, we enjoyed our fair share of local news stories that shaped the cultural discourse here in Singapore.
From kite-surfing teenagers winning Olympic medals to Changi Airport finally flexing post-pandemic dominance, 2024 has been a buffet of “Wait, what?” moments. Let’s unpack this year’s most news-worthy moments.
Dream big and start young–success knows no age limit
Kitefoiler Max Maeder Wins Olympic Bronze Medal On National Day, becoming the nation's youngest Olympian
Kicking off this list is Max Maeder, our young phenom who entered the history books as the youngest Singaporean to win a Olympic medal at the Paris 2024 Games back in August. What were you doing at 17? I’ll wait.
While Max was out there kitefoiling (which, by the way, sounds like something Tony Stark invented), I was probably busy playing FIFA on PS2. This kid isn’t just a national treasure; he’s living proof that Gen Z might actually save the world while millennials are busy reminiscing about Harry Potter and Twilight (guilty!).
Also, let’s talk about the poetic timing of this bronze medal—on National Day, no less! It’s as if the universe was smiling kindly on our Little Red Do and wanted to give a birthday present all the way from Paris, France.
Max, you’ve set the bar high for every Singaporean—young and old. Your achievement reminds us that with dedication and passion, even the loftiest goals are within reach. It's a new chapter in Singapore's Olympic story, one that will surely inspire the next generation to dream big and aim higher. Now I’m reconsidering my life choices and wondering if it’s too late to learn kitefoiling. (Spoiler: It is.)
Who knew friendship bracelets and screaming fans could boost the economy?
Taylor Swift and Coldplay boost Singapore's tourism economy with multiple stadium shows
The year started with concert fever as some of the most famous celebrity musicians descended on our island for a series of sold-out concerts at the Sports Hub. These two musical juggernauts landed on our shores like pop-culture hurricanes, and Singaporeans responded in the most Singaporean way possible: Suddenly, everyone was a “Swiftie” or a “Coldplayer” (is that even a word?), and entire MRT lines felt like unofficial concert merch queues.
If you didn’t manage to snag tickets to Taylor Swift or Coldplay this year, congratulations on defeating the disease that is FOMO. I’m still recovering from the euphoric experience of watching Coldplay in concert (sorry Swifties).
But hey, credit where it’s due. Taylor and Chris Martin brought an electrifying energy to Singapore, turning our little red dot into the global stage for unforgettable music moments and giving our tourism economy a well-deserved spotlight. Between the glowing reviews of Marina Bay Sands and fans weeping over “Fix You”, our economy got a much-needed boost. Now, any chance The Weekend might be doing a World Tour in 2025?
Modern leaders thrive when they can relate to the next generation
Lawrence Wong sworn in as Singapore's fourth prime minister: First PM born after Singapore's independence
In 2024, we welcomed Singapore’s fourth prime minister and our first in 20 years, Lawrence Wong. Two things that make him an instant hit with millennials: a relatable backstory (having grown up in an HDB flat in Marine Parade) and the kind of warm, “uncle-next-door” vibes that he gives off on his TikTok channel. Not to mention those wicked guitar skills.
PM Wong’s swearing-in ceremony felt like a generational shift. He is the first prime minister born after our independence, and brings fresh, youthful energy to Singapore’s leadership team as we navigate through an uncertain world.
While I’m cautiously optimistic about his tenure, I do wonder how he’ll handle the modern PM’s greatest challenge: being a meme. Joking! To be honest, as a millennial, it’s little touches like these that made him relatable to many Singaporeans, showing that leadership doesn’t always have to be buttoned-up—it can have a human side too. Here’s hoping Wong’s social media game remains as strong as his leadership skills. I’m definitely rooting for his success.
Connectivity is the heartbeat of a thriving community
More MRT stations completed in 2024, including Stage 4 Of the Thomson-East Coast Line and NEL Punggol Coast
Is there anything more Singaporean than celebrating new MRT stations? This year, we saw the expansion of the Thomson-East Coast Line and the Northeast Line’s Punggol Coast extension, which is a fancy way of saying, “Finally, some of us can get to work without a Grab surcharge that makes us cry.”
Public transport is the backbone of our nation. So these new stations feel like Christmas came early. I’ve already seen IG stories of my friends living in Punggol marvelling at the new Punggol Coast MRT station and I couldn’t be happier for them.
Can we also take a moment to appreciate how the MRT map now resembles a masterpiece of intricate urban planning? It’s a testament to Singapore’s ambition to connect every corner of our island seamlessly. Good luck to tourists trying to figure out which line goes where. (Pro tip: Just follow the uncles with foldable bicycles. They always know.)
Resilience leads to revival
It’s official: Changi Airport is back, baby! With passenger traffic surpassing pre-pandemic levels, 2024 was the year our aviation hub flexed on the world.
It’s heartwarming to see the airport buzzing again. Long queues at immigration? That’s the sound of progress. Packed duty-free shops? A sign of recovery. My personal favorite moment? Welcoming my Canadian cousins to Singapore and watching them gape in awe at the indoor waterfall at Jewel.
2024 has reminded me that Singapore is, if nothing else, endlessly fascinating. Here’s to another year of chasing headlines, dodging ERP gantries, and embracing the glorious chaos that is life on our sunny island.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to Google “how to kitefoil without drowning.”
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