A year in pictures 2024: Solar eclipse, assassination attempts and runaway horses

Credit: PA/AP

ITV News looks back on the stories that made the news throughout 2024.

January

Throughout the year, escalating violence in Gaza and surrounding areas resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties from Israeli airstrikes, while international tensions rose with military actions in Yemen, Iraq, and Syria.

After months of attacks, residents of Gaza continued to face the brutality of Israel's war. Credit: AP

The US and UK launched missiles at Houthi targets in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa in a joint mission responding to attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

Houthi fighters and tribesmen stage a rally against the US. and the UK strikes on Houthi-run military sites. Credit: AP

Both the King and the Princess of Waleseb underwent hospital treatment, Buckingham Palace confirmed.

The King leaves hospital three days after surgery on enlarged prostate

Mr. Bates vs The Post Office, a dramatisation of the British Post Office scandal, aired on ITV.

Alan Bates is portrayed by Toby Jones in the ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office. Credit: ITV

February

Alexei Navalny died in the penal colony in Siberia where he was serving a 19-year sentence after being found guilty of creating an extremist community, financing extremist activists, and various other crimes in August.

Alexei Navalny with his wife Yulia after a rally in Moscow in 2013. Credit: AP

King Charles is diagnosed with cancer and takes a step back from public-facing duties,

Camilla and Charles seen leaving Clarence House Credit: Victoria Jones/PA

A state of emergency is declared by the Haitian government after gangs storm two prisons and demand the resignation of the prime minister.

A demonstrator holds up an Haitian flag during protests in Port-au-Prince. Credit: AP

March

Kensington Palace released the first official photograph of the Princess of Wales since she underwent abdominal surgery in January. Hours later, photo agencies withdrew the image over concerns it had been photoshopped.

News agencies pulled a photo from the Palace for the first time over claims it had been photoshopped. Credit: PA

A container ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, and caused a collapse of the bridge and the deaths of six people.

The Dali container ship rammed through the Key Bridge in Baltimore. Credit: AP

The Princess of Wales says she is in the early stages of treatment after a cancer diagnosis.

Kate announcing her cancer diagnosis in a video message Credit: BBC Studios/PA

April

Israel attacks the Iranian embassy in Damascus, killing 16 people.

Emergency services work at a destroyed building hit by an air strike in Damascus. Credit: AP

Millions of people from across North America witnessed the moon block out the sun during a once-in-a-generation total solar eclipse.

Total solar eclipse, as seen in Guernsey, USA. Credit: David Le Conte

Four people were taken to hospital after five runaway horses of the Household Cavalry threw off their riders and raced through London.

Household Cavalry horses Trojan and Vida on the loose bolting through the streets of London near Aldwych Credit: left

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May

Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 counts in his landmark hush money criminal trial, becoming the first ex-American president in history to be convicted of felony crimes.

Trump was accused of falsifying records to cover up payments tied to a scheme to bury stories that might affect his 2016 White House bid. Credit: AP

A 73-year-old British man named as Geoff Kitchen dies on a flight bound from London to Singapore, following severe turbulence on the plane, while several others are seriously injured.

Geoffrey Kitchen died of a suspected heart attack during the incident.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces that a general election will be held on July 4.

Rishi Sunak was soaked in the rain as he called the General Election. Credit: PA

June

Mr Farage, who is now Clacton MP, was doused as he left the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoon pub in the Essex seaside town.

Nigel Farage was drenched with the milkshake outside a Wetherspoon pub. Credit: PA

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is freed from prison in a plea deal with the United States before being reunited with his family in Australia.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange embraces his wife Stella as he arrives in Canberra. Credit: PA

July

Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer walk into Downing Street after he was elected prime minister.

Sir Keir and his wife Victoria Starmer after he became prime minister in July 2024 Credit: PA Images

Lewis Hamilton wins the British Grand Prix at Silverstone - making history with his ninth victory at the track.

Lewis Hamilton wins the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Credit: AP

Donald Trump was shot in the ear in 'assassination attempt' at a rally, where a spectator was killed and two others were left critically injured.

Trump was the target of an assassination attempt on his life at a campaign rally in July. Credit: AP

August

Disorder - which led to the arrests of more than 600 people - broke out across the country after three girls were killed in Southport.

Riots broke out across the UK after three girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport.

Teams of athletes from across the world competed in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Rain pours down in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony. Credit: AP
Rapper Snoop Dogg with the brigadier, used in the theatre to mark the opening of a performance, at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Credit: John Walton/PA
Actor Tom Cruise jumps from the stadium roof during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Credit: David Davies/PA

Secretive artist Banksy unveiled a series of new artworks over several consecutive days in August, with fans eagerly anticipating where his next one would appear.

Banksy unveiled a new series of artworks featuring animals in August Credit: Aaron Chown/PA

September

Ryan Wesley Routh attempted the second assassination of Donald Trump during the US election. Credit: AP
Prisoners wee released early from jail as the new Labour government got to grips with the overcrowding crisis. Credit: PA
The world said goodbye to Maggie Smith who died aged 89 in September. Credit: PA
Huw Edwards was given a suspended sentence for accessing indecent images of children. Credit: PA

October

Flash floods in Valencia killed more than 200 people and stunned Spain. Credit: AP
Rachel Reeves became the first female chancellor to present a budget in October. Credit: PA
One Direction singer Liam Payne died after falling from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Ares. Credit: AP

November

Donald Trump won the US election in November. Credit: AP

November saw former president Donald Trump win the US election, becoming only the second-ever person to be re-elected after leaving the White House.

His victory over Kamala Harris stunned the US and the rest of the world with many of America's allies worried about the prospect of a second Trump term.

Snow struck the UK in November closing schools and causing disruption across the country. Credit: PA

December

People watch a TV screen showing South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declaring martial law. Credit: AP
Syrians celebrated the fall of the Assad regime after a lightning rebel offensive toppled the government. Credit: AP

The Syrian Civil War came to a stunning climax in December after a lightning offensive that began in November saw rebels capture key points across the country as the regime's forces effectively disintegrated and Bashar Al Assad fled the country.

Former US president Jimmy Carter died in December aged 100. Credit: AP

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