Top World News Stories of 2010

From massive leaks of secret, scandalous documents to a World Cup that was literally buzzing with regional flair, these 10 news stories were tops in 2010.

WikiLeaks Dumps Documents

Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange Holds Press Conference — Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

WikiLeaks sprang onto the Internet scene back in 2007, but its three damning document dumps this year sent Washington scrambling for cover and raised controversial questions about where the line is drawn between freedom of information and espionage. On July 25, the site released some 75,000 U.S. military documents pertaining to the Afghanistan War, some containing damaging leaks about confidential Afghan informants. On Oct. 22, WikiLeaks released the largest leak of U.S. military documents in history: nearly 400,000 Iraq war documents that showed higher civilian casualties and torture by Iraqi forces. And on Nov. 28, the site started publishing more than 250,000 diplomatic cables that embarrassed or infuriated foreign governments.

Haiti Earthquake

Haitians queue at a UN aid distribution — ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images

On Jan. 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake struck near the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, with a shocking magnitude of 7.0, killing thousands and leaving an already impoverished nation in shambles. The Haitian government's death toll estimate of 230,000 puts the temblor at the sixth deadliest on record. Even though many countries swung into action with the emergency aid effort, the island struggled to recover. Six months after the quake, hardly any of the vast rubble of buildings had been cleared. Nine months after the temblor, a million refugees were still living in tent camps. Gang and sexual violence in the camps were reportedly increasing. And thousands died in a cholera outbreak that began in October.

Chile's Miner Miracle

The Chilean miners and rescuers arrive at the 2010 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute — Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

It was a chilling scenario with a survival story for the ages: A main ramp in the San Jose Mine, near Copiapo, Chile, collapsed on Aug. 5, 2010, trapping 33 miners 2,300 feet below ground. For days, anxious relatives braced for the worst, gathered around the mine as rescuers tried to locate the miners to no avail. Then on Aug. 22, a note was attached to a drill bit when it reached the surface: "Estamos bien un el refugio los 33." All of the miners were well in the shelter. After initial, depressing predictions that a rescue may not happen until Christmas or longer, all 33 miners came to the surface one by one through a specially drilled hole and rescue capsule beginning on Oct. 12. The miners inspired all and became instant celebrities.

Economy Busts and EU Bailouts

Prince Charles and Camilla's Car Attacked in London — Ian Gavan / Getty Images

As the world struggled to recover from a global recession, entire countries took a hit and extended a hand for help. In May, the IMF and EU agreed to extend a $145 billion bailout package to Greece. In November, a $113 billion bailout package was extended to keep Ireland afloat. Fears abounded about Portugal being the next to need a bailout, or Spain -- Europe’s fourth-largest economy, whose need for a bailout would likely exceed the $980 billion bailout fund set up by the IMF and EU in May. But countries trying to tighten their belts didn't go over well, either: In October, a vote by French lawmakers to raise the retirement age to 62 was met with rioting, as was a December decision in Britain's parliament to hike college tuition fees.

North Korea Attacks

North Korea Hits South Korea With Artillery Fire — Getty Images

The world had grown used to Kim Jong-Il's saber-rattling, nuclear tests, and petulant responses to the on-again, off-again six-party talks. But in March, the South Korean ship Cheonan was struck by an explosion, broke in two and sank in the Yellow Sea. Forty-six sailors died, and an international investigation found a North Korean torpedo fired from a submarine to be the culprit. Pyongyang denied sinking the ship, but on Nov. 23 the North fired a barrage of artillery rounds at South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island, killing two soldiers and two civilians. South Korea fired back, and the incident ratcheted up tensions even more as an ailing Kim anointed his third son, young Kim Jong-Un, to be prepared to take control of the reclusive country.

Iran's Nuclear Defiance

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses the Millennium Development Goals summit on September 21, 2010 in New York City. — Chris Hondros / Getty Images

Not only did the international community not get closer to solving the dilemma of Iran's budding nuclear program, but Iran made progress over the year in pushing forward with its plans. Tehran claims it wants to go nuclear for energy purposes, while many fear weapons intentions from the saber-rattling Islamic Republic. The U.N. Security Council agreed on May sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program, but Iran spent the rest of the year stressing that the sanctions hadn't hurt the country. In August, the Bushehr nuclear plant opened and was loaded with fuel by November, according to Iran. As Iran remained defiant to negotiations, its program came under attack by a computer worm and by the killings of nuclear scientists.

Hello (and Goodbye) Vuvuzela

South Africa supporters blow vuvuzelas — JEWEL SAMAD / AFP via Getty Images

As teams gathered in South Africa for the summer's World Cup, soccer fans from the world over eagerly seized upon an African horn that made jubilant footie fans sound more like an angry beehive. The controversial horn, which caused many TV viewers to hit the "mute" button, emits 127 decibels, louder than sandblasting or a pneumatic riveter. FIFA president Sepp Blatter jumped into the din and said the vuvuzela would not be banned from venues, but some countries took preventive measures: The Spanish city of Pamplona banned vuvuzelas during its famous running of the bulls. The chief of the 2012 Olympics in London wanted vuvuzelas banned there. And the top fatwa authority in the United Arab Emirates issued an edict against the poor vuvuzela.

U.S. Combat Operations in Iraq End

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Visits Iraq As Operation Iraqi Freedom Comes To An End — Jim Watson - Pool / Getty Images

After seven and a half years of conflict, the overthrow and death of dictator Saddam Hussein, and arduous conflict that saw extremists trying to take advantage of the fragile government in Baghdad, President Barack Obama declared on Aug. 31 that U.S. combat operations in the country had drawn to a close. It wasn't until November in the government-less country that parties reached a deal that gave Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki another four-year term while attempting to iron out disputes between the Shiite and Sunni coalitions. The death toll stands at 4,746 coalition deaths, as well as tens of thousands of Iraqi soldiers and insurgents. Operation New Dawn worked toward all U.S. troops leaving the country by Dec. 31, 2011.

European Terror Threat

The Eiffel tower lit up — Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Over three days back in 2008, 166 people were killed (including 28 foreigners) by 10 gunmen, young men heavily armed and supplied who carried out concurrent bombings, shootings, and hostage-takings throughout Mumbai. The deadly spree, blamed on al-Qaeda-linked Lashkar-e-Taiba, gave rise to new concerns about how smaller-scale attacks with domestic operatives could wreak havoc on a city and fly under the radar of homeland security. Reports indicated that al-Qaeda operatives had been given the go-ahead to launch similar attacks in Europe, and U.S. State Department issued a vaguely worded October travel alert for Americans traveling to Europe. Known targets were believed to include airports and tourist attractions in England, France, and Germany.

Midterm Power Shift in Washington

John Boehner Attends Rally For Jim Renacci — Matt Sullivan / Getty Images

It was surprising to see the international attention focused on this year's midterm elections in the U.S., though the past two years had certainly demonstrated how economic and other initiatives can ripple across the globe. Much of the interest focused on the diminishing popularity and influence of President Barack Obama, who stormed onto the world stage like a rock star when he promised to rebuild America's image. With sinking poll numbers and stubbornly high unemployment, Obama's next two years would be with a Republican House and a diminished Democratic majority in the Senate.

Top 10 News Stories of 2010