Report: Bing publishes most-searched news stories of this year

With more than a month away until the first primary, the top-tier, according to the latest poll, is Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Herman Cain, Rick Perry and Ron Paul. Unfortunately for Cain, he has been plagued with sexual harassment allegations and accusations of infidelity.  Although this has not happened to Perry, he has suffered from blunders in debates and during speeches.

8) 9/11 10-year anniversary – It has been 10 years since the tragic Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. More than 3,000 Americans were killed, and this attack led to the global War on Terror, later named Overseas Contingency Operations. The whole country honored the tenth anniversary of 9/11.

7) Conrad Murray Trial – Doctor of the cultural icon Michael Jackson, Conrad Murray wassentenced to four years in prison after he was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter of Jackson.

6) Joplin Tornado – At the end of May, a strong EF5 multiple-vortex tornado struck the town of Joplin, Missouri. It killed at least 159 people and caused more than $2.8 billion in damages. It became the seventh-deadliest tornado in U.S. history and 27th-deadliest internationally.

5) Amy Winehouse Death – The world was shocked when 27-year-old singer, songwriter Amy Winehouse passed away from alcohol poisoning. The award-winning star was found dead in her London home on July 23.

4) Japan Earthquake & Tsunami – In March, an overwhelming 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck Japan, which led to a devastating tsunami, landslides, intense flooding, severe damage to the country’s infrastructure and several nuclear incidents. Nearly 16,000 have lost their lives, 6,000 have been injured and close to 4,000 are still missing. Damages have amounted to approximately $300 billion, and the Bank of Japan has so far offered to provide $183 billion.

The earthquake was so strong that it shifted the planet’s axis by at least four inches (10 cm), shortened the Earth’s day and moved Honshu by eight feet (2.4 m).

3) Hurricane Irene – Hurricane Irene was a Category 3 hurricane that traveled through the Caribbean, the east coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada.  It left 56 people dead and caused more than $10 billion in damages.

2) The Death of Osama bin Laden – After many years of attempting to capture and kill Osama bin Laden, a team of Navy SEALs initiated Operation Neptune Spear and was ordered to kill bin Laden in Pakistan on May 3. Although it was a controversial move to some, thousands of Americans celebrated in the streets. The entire setup was criticized by Congressman Ron Paul, but much of the U.S. government, including Republicans, applauded President Barack Obama for his actions.