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2015 news trends


What were the trending news stories in 2015? The search trends show that interest in the following topics increased: refugees, women’s sport, space exploration, transgender identity, and the Paris attacks.

Interest in women’s sport increased. For example, interest in the FIFA Women’s Soccer World Cup increased from 7% in 2011 to 23% in 2015, mainly due to America’s win in July to defeat Japan (5-2). Interest in Ronda Rousey spiked after her victory over Bethe Correia in August in Brazil in the UFC bantamweight competition, and then her loss to Holly Holm later in November in Australia – the second most searched fight of the year, behind the Floyd Mayweather Jr. versus Manny Pacquiao welterweight fight in May in Nevada. In addition, interest in the No. 1 ranked women’s singles tennis player, Serena Williams, increased as she nearly took the Grand Slam title (winning all major tournaments except the US Open) – she racked up more internet searches (51%) than Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka combined (49%). Yesterday, on December 14, 2015, Serena Williams was named Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year.

Although refugees have been fleeing Syria since 2011, the ‘refugee crisis’ peaked in 2015, and so did interest in the situation, especially in the difference between the terms ‘migrant’ and ‘refugee’ and how to provide aid and support for children – particularly since the tragedy of three-year-old Aylan Al-Kurdi on the beach in Turkey in September.

Space exploration received renewed interest due to NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft that flew closer to Pluto than ever before in July and sent back images. In September NASA revealed evidence of water on Mars. Hence Pluto and Mars were the most popular planets this year.

With the interest in Caitlyn Jenner and her first public appearance on the cover of the magazine, Vanity Fair, in July, the topics of gender identity and transgender identity increased.

The Paris attacks on November 13, as a result of terrorism killing 130 and injuring more than 400 people, garnered a quest for news and information, as well as tributes.

Source: Bing Trends 2015

Image credit: Serena Williams Official Site serenawilliams.com
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