The updated report for the topics and people that are trending on
Yahoo! and across the Web for Thursday, March 22, 2012.
Research by Search editors Margaret Guzman & Mahlon Chute
STANDOUT SPIKES
- Titanoboa: A replica of a prehistoric snake makes its public premiere at Grand Central Station in New York City. The replica is 48 feet long, weighs 2,500 pounds, and will promote an exhibit at the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History. Smithsonian magazine delves into how it was "found." Related Searches: Titan Boa Snake, Paleocene epoch, Tyrannosaurus Rex, T.Rex
- Titanic Images: National Geographic has used sonar technology to capture amazing new images of the 100-year-old wreckage for its April issue: "Remembering The Titanic."
- China Coup Rumors: Rumors are circulating about power struggles in Beijing after the removal of populist Bo Xilai. There is no hard evidence, but the whispers surrounding the secretive government have been enough to slightly affect markets and keep the Chinese social media universe on alert. Related Searches: Beijing Zhou Yongkang, Zhou Yongkang, Wen Jaibao
- Zhou Yongkang: The head of China's powerful Political and Legislative Affairs Committee and a close supporter of former Chongqing Party Secretary Bo Xilai, who was removed from his position a week ago. China watchers have suggested that Zhou may be next. (p.m. update)
- Million Hoodie March or Trayvon Martin rally: On Wednesday night, demonstrators joined by Occupy Wall Street marched through New York City to protest police handling of Martin's shooting in Florida. The city commissioners of Sanford, Flor., passed a "no confidence" motion against Police Chief Bill Lee Jr., who has defended the position not to arrest the shooter, George Zimmerman. Related Searches: Trayvon Martin petition, Trayvon Martin criminal background, Trayvon Martin crime scene, Trayvon Martin ethnicity, Trayvon Martin hate crime, Trayvon Martin police chief, Trayvon Martin Skittles
NEWS & POLITICS
- Joel Shrum: Al-Qaida claimed responsibility for the killing of the American teacher in Yemen. Related Searches: proselytizing (p.m. update)
- Walburga Stemmer: Adolf Hitler's favorite commander Erwin Rommel, the "Desert Fox" who relentlessly fought allied forces across North Africa in World War Two, was a hopeless romantic, extracts from love letters published in a German newspaper reveal Related Searches: Rommel (p.m. update)
- Deryl Dedmon: Received two life sentences on state charges Wednesday for the June 2011 death of 47-year-old James Craig Anderson. (p.m. update)
- Casey Anthony: Anthony, whose murder trial occupied headlines last summer, has announced that she plans to be baptized in order to mark a new beginning. Meanwhile, Anthony is serving probation for check fraud, and a civil suit filed by Zenaida Gonzalez against Anthony has been delayed until Jan. 2, 2013. Related Searches: Casey Anthony check fraud, Casey Anthony is guilty, Casey Anthony Hiding, Casey Anthony Baptism, Caylee Anthony
- Clintonville: Mysterious subterranean booms continue to unsettle residents of Clintonville, Wisc. The booms and ground shaking have continued for several days and are still unexplained. Related Searches: audio of Clintonville booming, Clintonville boom theories, Clintonville earthquake cause
- Pope Benedict XVI: Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to visit Mexico and Cuba on a trip that begins Friday. The pope's arrival in Mexico is expected to be clouded by a new book that alleges that internal documents are evidence that the Vatican had knowledge that the Mexican founder of the Legion of Christ religious order was a drug addict and pedophile.
BUSINESS & MONEY
- Vantiv: The third-party payment processor's stock gained $2.20, or 12.9 percent, to $19.20 in morning trading on Thursday after trading as high as $19.53 earlier in the session. (p.m. update)
- Keystone Pipeline: President Obama is scheduled for a stop in Cushing, Okla., where he is expected to discuss an expedited approval process for a section of the controversial pipeline.
- Oil Prices: Oil prices are lower amid predictions that growth in China may be less than expected in 2012, and Saudi Arabia promises increased supply. But this has not quelled speculation that prices will continue to rise.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Bent: The TV comedy "Bent" premiered last night on NBC and features Amanda Peet.
- Angry Birds Space: New mobile game "Angry Birds Space" is available for download today for iOS, Android, PC, and Mac. The franchise has racked up nearly a billion downloads.
- Hunger Games: Searches for "The Hunger Games" are currently tracking 38% higher then searches did for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2" before its July premiere, and has more than 4 times the searches for "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part I" before its November release. Both of those movies, of course, were sequels. Related Searches: Jennifer Lawrence, Katniss Everdeen, Hunger Games Reviews
CELEBRITIES
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Tulisa Contostavlos: Her admission that she was featured in a "sex tape" with a former boyfriend contradicts a public denial issued on behalf of the X Factor judge, which insisted it was "100 per cent fake". Related Searches: Tulisa Contostavlos Sex Tape, Tulisa Contostavlos Video, Tulis (PM update)
El Debarge : The 80s music star was arrested in Encino on suspicion of drug possession with intent to sell. (p.m. update) - Baptiste Giabiconi: The French singer and model is reportedly dating Katy Perry. Related Searches: Baptiste Giabiconie (p.m. update)
- Jessica Biel: Jessica Biel has been cast as Vera Miles for upcoming film "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho." Related Searches: Jessica Biel Psycho , Jessica Biel Psycho Shower
- Dianna Agron: "Glee" actress Agron reportedly has the amorous attention of Sebastian Stan, Tim Tebow, and Bobby Ryan.
- Billy Joel: "American Idol" contestants performed songs by Billy Joel during Top 10 week.
- Hugh Hefner's Son: Hef's 21-year-old son, Marston, pled no contest to domestic violence charges and has been sentenced to a 52-week domestic violence program.
- Kim Zolciak: The "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star is pregnant and expecting her second child with husband Kroy Biermann.
SPORTS
- Nicklas Lidstrom: The injured Detroit Red Wings captain is hoping to return to the ice on Saturday. (p.m. update)
- Ronny Turiaf: The veteran basketball player who missed most of the season due to a hand injury has signed with the Miami Heat. (p.m. update)
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Jeremy Shockey: Denies snitching on his team. Related Searches: Jeremy Shockey Snitch, Bountygate, New Orleans Saints (p.m. update)
- Jerry Tarkanian: UNLV Basketball coach Tarkanian has been kept in a Las Vegas hospital for observation after suffering a mild heart attack.
- Allen Iverson: The former NBA star's soon-to-be ex-wife Tawanna Iverson has made an unusual request: She filed court documents requesting to know the name and phone number of all women that Iverson has had sex with since their wedding day.
- Derek Fisher: Earlier this week Fisher announced that he had reached a buyout with the Houston Rockets, but two days later signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. His first game with the Thunder was last night against the Clippers.
- Mark Sanchez: Following Tebow's trade to the Jets, many are speculating what effect this will have on Jets starting QB Mark Sanchez.
- Sean Payton suspended or Bountygate: The NFL has suspended New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton following the bounty system scandal that targeted opposing players. Payton is suspended for next season without pay. Related Searches: Saints Bounty Program, New Orleans Saints
HIGHLIGHTS FROM AROUND THE WEB
Late update: What's popular on Yahoo!, Twitter, Google Trends, CNN, BBC, Hollywood Reporter, and other sources
Click image to see more photos
• Monster titanoboa snake invades New York
• President Obama uses sign language during impromptu greeting with student
• White Mississippi teen gets life sentence in black man's death
• APNewsBreak: Marine critical of Obama faces charge
• Sanford city manager says police were barred from arresting Trayvon Martin's killer
• Obama's health care law passed 2 years ago, but where are we now?
• 2 U.S. men arrested on gay cruise in Caribbean
• 'Don't Re-Nig' purveyor Paula Smith says bumper sticker isn't racist
• P.A.Q Gubbio: Meet, Ian Purkayastha, 19-year-old "Truffle Dealer"
• Scratch Test: Does Your Phone Really Need A Screen Protector?
Twitter Trends (USA)
• #askzayn
• #ThatMiniHeartAttackWhen
• #NEWMUSICCOMIN
• New Themes
• Standard and Chalk
• Hey Zayn
• Die Toten Hosen
• We Love Lea Michele
• Beliebers Are Very Sexy
• Abercrombie & Fitch
• Obama defends his policy on oil pipeline
• Gingrich, Santorum look to get more mileage from Etch A Sketch flap
• Feds charge 3 with hate crimes in Mississippi killing
• Musician battles stage IV colon cancer
• Museum discovers 'new' Van Gogh painting
• House votes to repeal key health care reform provision
• Sanford, Florida, police chief steps aside 'temporarily' in fallout from teen's death
• Romney's big day marred by Etch A Sketch remark
• ACLU: Facebook password isn't your boss' business
• French killings suspect dies shooting at police, authorities say
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