From Charli to Jilly to Moo Deng the hippo: the faces we won’t forget from 2024

Some made a splash in politics, social media, sport or the arts. Others took a brave personal stand. Observer writers and critics pick the names on everyone’s lips this year

Topics

What Do We Want From the Mall?

Decades after mega retail centers became a shorthand for bland suburbia, there may be some hope for them yet.
The New York Times - 1d
As a media columnist, even I found myself turning away from the news in 2024. But we can do things differently | Jane Martinson

More people are avoiding ‘boring’ or ‘depressing’ news for scrolling social media, but accurate reporting has never been more vital. The other night I broke a long-cherished habit. At home in time ...
The Guardian - 1d
Viral News of 2024: ‘Brat,’ Demure, Moo Deng, Pookie and Jett and More

Blink and you might have missed these viral but fleeting moments.
The New York Times - 2d
NASA Astronauts Won’t Return From Space Station Until Late March

The effects of problems with Boeing’s Starliner capsule will further delay Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore’s journey back to Earth, extending their time in orbit to nine months.
Inc. - 2d
Sports in 2024: What we learned from a year of change

From NIL to streaming to the ascendance of Caitlin Clark, has there ever been a year in sports that ushered in so much change at the same time?
Yahoo Sports - 4d
How to get from the me to the we society

Social capital can become a golden thread woven throughout public policy, from health to housing to education
Financial Times - Dec. 14
Move Over, Charlie Brown: Lessons From ‘The Boondocks’ Christmas Special

With “A Huey Freeman Christmas,” the show continued what “A Charlie Brown Christmas” began: acknowledging the weight of the holiday.
The New York Times - Dec. 13
Five things we learned from the Scottish Budget

Scrapping the two-child cap and changes to tax thresholds are among plans for the next financial year.
BBC News - Dec. 4
Forget Boomers and Millennials. We Actually Belong to 8 ‘Micro Generations’

A philosopher argues that the usual generational labels are useless and proposes a new system of eight ‘micro generations.’
Inc. - Dec. 3