Retrospective: The top 10 news stories that defined 2024

FRANCE 24

30 December 2024 at 3:12 am·1-min read

Retrospective: The top news stories of 2024

From the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to former US president Donald Trump’s return to the abrupt collapse of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s regime, FRANCE 24 looks back at the key events that defined 2024.

Russian dissident Alexei Navalny dies in prison

In February, Russia’s state prison service released a statement saying that opposition leader Alexei Navalny had lost consciousness and could not be revived. Navalny had been behind bars since his return to Russia in 2021, having narrowly survived a poisoning attempt that he – and many others – believed had been orchestrated by the Kremlin in a brutal attempt to silence one of its most popular critics.

In 2023, Navalny had been sentenced to a further 19 years in a remote penal colony above the Arctic Circle for a slew of charges seeking to paint the politician as a dangerous extremist.

The law, which its critics hold to be directly inspired by a similar Russian article that has been used to stifle civil society groups critical of the Kremlin, was passed by the ruling Georgian Dream party – though fiercely opposed by their former ally-turned-chief opponent, Georgian president Salomé Zourabichvili.

Australian Associated Press
Teen sensation Fonseca stuns world No.9 Rublev at Open
US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz, Brazilian teen Joao Fonseca and Denmark's Holger Rune are among those through to the second round of the Australian Open.
Australian Associated Press
De Minaur races into round two with straight-sets win
Australian top gun Alex de Minaur has shown he's on pace for a run deep into the Open with a straight-sets win over Botic van de Zandschulp in round one.
Australian Associated Press
Hurricanes go top in BBL, end Renegades' finals hopes
Tim David hit a six in the last over to ensure Hobart's BBL win over the Melbourne Renegades, a result that puts the Hurricanes on top of the ladder.
Australian Associated Press
Australian No.1 Kim Birrell bows out at Melbourne Park
German qualifying lucky loser Eva Lys has left Australian No.1 Kim Birrell in tears after ousting her in the opening round at Melbourne Park.
Australian Associated Press
Injury-affected Popyrin crashes out of Open
An injury-affected Alexei Popyrin has crashed out of the Australian Open in the first round, slumping to defeat at the hands of Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
Australian Associated Press
Navarro and Raducanu advance at Australian Open
Emma Navarro and Emma Raducanu have both won tight encounters to book their spots in the second round of the Australian Open.
Australian Associated Press
Hurt piles pain on Taipans in crucial Phoenix win
South East Melbourne import Matt Hurt and former Cairns guard Nathan Sobey have combined to swat aside the bottom-placed Taipans by 11 points.
Australian Associated Press
US prosecutor says Trump 'would have been convicted'
A report by the departing US Special Counsel Jack Smith says Donald Trump would have been found guilty, if his indictments against him had proceeded.
Australian Associated Press
Airport police officers allegedly stabbed with pen
A woman removed from an interstate Jetstar flight for allegedly being disruptive has been accused of attacking two police officers with a pen.
Australian Associated Press
Queer group slams 'slap on the wrist' over Nazi salute
A queer activist collective has criticised the sentence of an "ignorant" man who performed a Nazi salute and disrupted a transgender support march.
Australian Associated Press
Mystery marble-like balls force nine beach closures
The cause and content of marble-sized balls washing up on Sydney beaches are being investigated as a water authority denies any issue with sewerage plants.
Australian Associated Press
Kyrgios can be world's best doubles player, says expert
With Nick Kyrgios admitting he may have played his last Australian Open singles match, a leading analyst believes the mercurial talent should focus on doubles.
Australian Associated Press
Socceroos to cast net wide in bid to fill Souttar void
Uncapped Australian defender Nectar Triantis is looming as a possible option to cover for the loss of Harry Souttar.
Australian Associated Press
Seaplane tragedy pilot 'saved lives' with instructions
A couple who survived a seaplane crash that killed three people say the pilot's emergency exit instructions were "a critical factor in our survival".
Australian Associated Press
King 'bloody stoked' with Australia's unlikely ODI win
Australia have grabbed a crucial early lead in the women's Ashes after defending a paltry 180 in the second ODI against England at the Junction Oval.
Australian Associated Press
Teenager Jones no match for former Wimbledon champ
Teen prodigy Emerson Jones' grand slam debut has ended in a 53-minute first-round Australian Open exit at the hands of former Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina.
Australian Associated Press
'Light-on' pay offer bump won't stop trains disruption
A pay dispute between a state government and train drivers appears set to rumble on, with industrial action that could cause delays and cancellations on deck.
Australian Associated Press
More insurance pain possible following LA fires
Insurance premiums are already rising in Australia and destructive fires in the United States may help keep costs high.
Australian Associated Press
Tragedy as councillor's son drowns in swollen dam
A mother and local councillor has lost her son, with his body was recovered by authorities at a local dam following heavy rainfall.
Australian Associated Press
Fine job as Edwards casts a spell on struggling Wizards
A sensational final quarter by Anthony Edwards has helped the Minnesota Timberwolves overcome a sloppy first half to beat the NBA-worst Washington Wizards.

Russian dissident Alexei Navalny dies in prison

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