For the first time since 2002 the War in Iraq did not generate enough search interest to make it the number one news event of the past year. Hurricane Katrina is the most-searched news event of 2005, just edging out the Tsunami. In fact Hurricane Katrina and the Tsunami disaster both generated more search interest than the ongoing War in Iraq.

The incredible amount of search activity following Hurricane Katrina propelled the national disaster into the overall top 10 list of the Web's Most Wanted, making it the most searched news event of 2005. This marks the first time since 2001 that a news event made it into the top 10.

Search activity for the Iraq War has dropped 90 percent during the past year. Additionally searches for President George W. Bush decreased 82 percent with the President dropping from number 81 in 2004, to number 359 this year, generating less online interest than Scooby-Doo.

Tsunami:
Among the many heroic survivors from the deadly wall of water was 25 year-old super model Petra Nemcova. Search activity for Nemcova increased nearly 900 percent following news of her tsunami ordeal as she and her photographer boyfriend were swept out of their bungalow window at a resort in Thailand. Nemcova, who appeared on the 2003 cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, was found with a broken pelvis and internal injuries, clinging to the top of a palm tree for more than eight hours. Nemcova's boyfriend was never found, and presumed dead.

Even after her dreadful ordeal Nemcova remained positive, as was evident when she was contacted by the editors of US Weekly about taking an exclusive picture in her Thailand hospital bed. In return, the magazine would donate the proceeds from the sale of the photo to the children who survived. Meanwhile, multitudes of Americans searched for ways to aid victims of this frightful natural disaster as the United States delivered more supplies than any other nation.

The top news stories most requested by Lycos users for 2005

1. Hurricane Katrina
2. Tsunami
3. War in Iraq
4. Petra Nemcova
5. Hurricane Rita
6. September 11th
7. Pope John Paul II
8. Peter Jennings
9. Rosa Parks
10. Gas Prices
11. Amber Frey
12. Mars
13. Natalee Holloway
14. Bird Flu
15. Johnny Carson

PASSING:
For 30 years as host of The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson put most of America to bed each night with his charm, wit and humor. Following his death, Carson generated more search activity with web users than any other celebrity death in recent months. Searches for Carson soared more than 2,760 percent after news of his death, making it one of the most-searched celebrity deaths since the passing of former President Ronald Reagan in June 2004. Because Carson kept such a private personal life, the web has once again become a source for remembering the comedic legend.

People in Norfolk, Nebraska, the town where Carson was raised, also piqued search interest. One out of every 10 search requests for Johnny Carson specified Carson's connection to Norfolk, Nebraska. The high school auditorium that bears his name was filled with people who grew up with the paragon of late night talk, and wanted to share his memory in the only public memorial for Carson. 'Carnac the Magnificent' never forgot his roots and his known donations to the town amounted to more than $5 million.

Nostradamus
Millions mourned the loss of Pope John Paul II, turning to the web to discuss and understand this spiritual and political figure, but all the while asking questions about what happens next. Searches for the leader of the Catholic Church rose 2300% immediately following his death. Related searches, such as the Pope's Funeral, were also up 756%. Primary web search activity, however seemed to focus on the successor to the pontiff. The lingering question over who would succeed him also caused a surge in searches for Nostradamus, who re-entered The Lycos 50 for the first time since the September 11 attacks on America. In Sept. 2001, people scoured the Internet in search of any pre-warning of the terrorist attacks from Nostradamus. This year, web users searched for Nostradamus' predictions of who would become the next Pope, and prophesies regarding Pope John Paul II's successor. After white smoke puffed out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, we quickly learned that German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was named the 265th Pope and chose the name Benedict XVI.

ONE TO WATCH
The story already generating substantial search activity is the Bird Flu. What has people worried is the possibility that the virus will mutate into a highly infectious strain that can impact humans. We'll be keeping a close eye on this story in 2006.

Dean Tsouvalas can be reached at dean.tsouvalas@lycos-inc.com