Search engine giant Google on Monday released its “Year in Search,” a roundup of 2023’s top global queries, ranging from unforgettable pop culture moments to the loss of beloved figures and tragic news carrying worldwide repercussions.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas war topped the news trends category in 2023, per Google’s global data, followed by queries related to the Titanic-bound submersible that imploded in June, as well as February’s devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
A major event in India that entered the history books also made it to the list. Here are the other news trends that gripped the world in 2023:
No. 2 Titanic submarine
The Titan submersible, designed for deep-sea exploration, tragically imploded in June. Carrying five passengers on a journey to the Titanic wreck, the vessel’s catastrophic implosion resulted in their deaths. The incident occurred near Newfoundland, Canada, at a depth of 12,500 feet. Debris from the Titan was located 500 meters away from the Titanic, leaving unanswered questions about the cause of the implosion.
No. 3 Turkey Earthquake
On February 6, a massive earthquake struck southern and central Turkey, and northern and western Syria. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8 and was followed by a second earthquake of magnitude 7.7. The epicenter of the earthquake was 37 kilometers west-northwest of Gaziantep, Turkey. The earthquake caused widespread destruction in both countries. In Turkey, over 42,000 people were killed and over 100,000 were injured.
No. 4 Hurricane Hilary
Hurricane Hilary, a Category 4 monster, battered the Pacific coast of Mexico and the Baja California peninsula in August. Torrential rain and howling winds unleashed widespread devastation, causing floods, mudslides, and power outages. The storm’s fury extended to the US, with California, Nevada, and Arizona experiencing record-breaking rainfall and flooding. The aftermath revealed billions of dollars in damage, highlighting the vulnerability of coastal communities to these powerful hurricanes.
No. 5 Hurricane Idalia
Hurricane Idalia, a destructive Category 4 force, unleashed its fury on the southeastern United States, particularly North Florida, in August this year. Its rampage caused widespread damage, flooding, and devastation. The storm also impacted the Yucatán Peninsula, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada. The tragic incident took 10 lives, leaving a lasting impact on countless families and communities.
No.6 Hurricane Lee
Hurricane Lee, a long-lived and monstrous Category 5 storm, battered Bermuda, the Northeastern United States, and Eastern Canada with its fury in September. This powerful Cape Verde hurricane left a trail of destruction, causing widespread flooding, power outages, and infrastructure damage. Lee’s impact stretched far and wide, leaving a lasting impression on the affected communities.
No. 7 Maine Shooting
On October 25, a mass shooting occurred in Lewiston, Maine, leaving 18 dead and 13 wounded. The shooting took place at a bowling alley and a bar, with the gunman, identified as Robert Card, taking his own life two days later. The motive for the shooting is still unknown. Card was described as a quiet and reclusive individual, and there were no prior reports of violence or threats.
No. 8 Nashville Shooting
In the last week of March, a horrific mass shooting occurred at The Covenant School, a private Christian elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee. The gunman, identified as 28-year-old Aiden Hale (born Audrey Elizabeth Hale), a transgender man and former student of the school, tragically killed three nine-year-old children and three adults before being confronted and shot by two Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers.
No. 9 Chandrayaan-3
Chandrayaan-3, the successor to India’s ambitious Chandrayaan-2 mission, is a testament to the country’s growing spacefaring prowess. Launched on July 14, the mission completed its aims to soft-land a lander and rover on the lunar surface, marking a significant milestone in India’s lunar exploration program. The primary objective of Chandrayaan-3 was to demonstrate the ability to soft-land on the Moon and deploy a rover for scientific exploration.
No. 10 War in Sudan
The ongoing war in Sudan is a complex conflict with deep roots and devastating consequences. It has been raging since April this year, pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both factions are vying for control of the country following the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
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