Rick Santorum Quits, Teen Pregnancy, Guayabera: What’s Spiking (Tuesday)

The weekday report for the topics and people that are trending on
Yahoo! and across the Web for Tuesday, April 10, 2012.

Research by Search editor Mahlon Chute

A presidential hopeful dropped out of the race, narrowing the GOP field to just three. Teen pregnancy rates drop, according to the latest reports. In a curious mix of fashion and politics, one drops a not-so-subtle jab about the state of the Americas. Check out what else is dropping on the Web.

STANDOUT SPIKES

Rick Santorum: The former Pennsylvania senator has suspended his campaign. His daughter Bella, hospitalized Friday for complications due to Trisomy 18, was released Monday.
Teen Pregnancy: On average, rates are at an all-time low in the United States, but the U.S. rate of teen pregnancies is nine times higher than many other developed countries.
Guayabera: Cuban leader and fashionista Fidel Castro mocked President Obama’s wardrobe choices for the upcoming Summit of the Americas in Colombia. “The curious thing, dear readers,” he wrote, “is that Cuba is prohibited in that meeting; but the guayaberas, no. Who can stop laughing?”

NEWS & POLITICS

Dogs of the Titanic: The 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic will be commemorated April 15, 2012. Included among the many to be remembered are the three canine survivors: a Pekingese and two Pomeranians. At least 12 dogs were on the ill-fated voyage.
Mega Millions Winner or Maryland Lottery Winner: Three winners from Maryland, still anonymous, have at last stepped forward. Two are public school teachers and the third a school administrator, which rules out the possibility that Mirlande Wilson’s “misplaced” ticket was worth the millions that she claimed.
USS Enterprise: Two very different USS Enterprise ships are in the news.
- The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier headed for the Persian Gulf will need to request permission from the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps before entering.
- Plans to construct a full-size version of the “Star Trek” spaceship were almost realized in 1992.
Jessica Rae Sacco: Matthew Puccio, the live-in boyfriend of the Ohio woman whose dismembered remains were found in her bathtub, is one of five indicted on aggravated murder and other charges. Puccio claims that Sacco “asked to be stabbed.”
Grand Jury: Special prosecutor Angela Corey‘s decision not to convene a Florida grand jury in the Trayvon Martin case eliminates the possibility of a first-degree murder charge for his shooter, George Zimmerman.

SCIENCE & HEALTH

Gluten-Free Diet: The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness is launching an awareness campaign to address lack of understanding about gluten-free foods, diet, and potential health benefits. A recent study concluded that a gluten-free diet can more effectively re-establish bone mineral density than physical exercise.
UFO Sightings: Four witnesses filmed a strange ball of light in the area of St. Petersburg, Russia. Reported UFO sightings have been on the rise since January.

BUSINESS & MONEY

Facebook Buys Instagram: The news of Facebook purchasing the photo-sharing mobile app Instagram prompted a flurry of people to uninstall due to fears of privacy.
Mortgage Principal Reduction: People have been on the search after last week’s federal court approval of the $26 billion foreclosure settlement. Banks must change the way they handle and approve foreclosures, reduce principal on loans held by “underwater” homeowners (those who owe more than their property is worth), and increase refinancing opportunities. Some owners who may have lost their homes due to questionable foreclosure practices may get compensation.
Missile Silo Condos: A Kansas missile silo has been lined with condos as shelter in the event of a potential apocalypse. The condo sales price falls between $1 million and $2 million each. The developer hopes to similarly convert other missile silos.

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Cabin in the Woods’: New horror flick that promises to redefine the horror genre, by Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon, will open Friday. Related search: Cabin in the Woods trailer
‘The Three Stooges‘: New film directed by the Farrelly brothers is scheduled for release Friday.
Fibonacci Sequence: The children’s book by Sarah C. Campbell, “Growing Patterns,” about the Fibonacci sequence, was featured on the TV show “Touch.”

CELEBRITIES

Melissa Gilbert: A paso doble and a slippery floor led to her mild concussion and whiplash, but the “Dancing With the Stars” competitor tweeted “I’m alright” after being treated at the hospital.
Carly Rae Jepsen: The former “Canadian Idol” contestant has topped the U.K. and Australia charts with her new single, “Call Me Maybe.”
Chord Overstreet and Emma Watson: A Los Angeles bowling alley appearance has sparked rumors that the young TV stars may be rekindling a relationship after a two-month break.
Ashley Judd: Judd penned an op-ed slamming the media’s recent comments about her puffy face and accusations of plastic surgery as “nasty, gendered, and misogynistic.”
Bryant Gumbel: The former “Today” co-host told The Daily Beast that he was “embarrassed” by Sarah Palin’s appearance on the morning show and said Palin was selected due to popularity rather than talent or “gravitas.“
Jennifer Love Hewitt: After her new show, “The Client List,” premiered Sunday, she criticized ads that apparently digitally downsized her bosom. In other news, she is embarrassed for announcing her crush on Adam Levine.
Axl Rose: Rumors swirl that the Guns N’ Roses singer is dating Lana Del Rey after they were spotted leaving Chateau Marmont last Friday. The 25-year gap has been the attention-getter.

SPORTS

Mark Lenzi: Olympic gold-medal winner and former Indiana University diving star Mark Lenzi died Monday at age 43. He had been in a Greenville, N.C., hospital after a series of fainting spells.
Barry Zito: He pitched his first shutout game as an SF Giant in Monday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.
Yu Darvish: Darvish’s debut outing with the Texas Rangers had a slow start and the team fell behind in early innings, but the pitcher was still able to lead the team to a 11-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM AROUND THE WEB
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