Search results often illuminate how people engage with a story. The murder of ex-quarterback Steve McNair by his mistress, Sahel Kazemi, and Kazemi's subsequent suicide engendered a wave of Web queries. Half of the searches originated with women, and heavy female interest in “Steve McNair wife” and “Steve McNair family” underscore just two of the story's tragic elements. Football fans who remember McNair as the first black Super Bowl QB and consumers of true-crime narrative both have their pick of Web resources, including 911 audio, personal photos, a feature on murder-suicides, and memorial coverage. Web searches for Kazemi, 20 years old and in over her head in so many ways, also spiked—not suprising, as before her final act of despair, she was unknown. —JB (Follow us on Twitter)

Violence between the Han and Uighur ethnic groups in China's Xinjiang province resulted in 156 deaths. Even as troops moved into the regional capital, the government launched a spin campaign to limit the type of PR damage it suffered inTibet. Internally, though, the Chinese couldn't control the chain of rumor and exaggeration that had sparked the violence. Two thousand miles away, a false story about Uighurs raping Han triggered deadly but limited attacks on Uighurs. But when embellished tales of an anti-Uighur massacre reached Xinjiang, the cauldron of simmering Uighur grievances—restrictions on language and worship, Han emigration, and linkage of a separatist movement to Al Qaeda—boiled over. Protests continue, despite China's harsh threats. —JB (Follow us on Twitter)

"Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine, and I just wanted to say I love him so much." For the celebrity brought down by child abuse allegations, it was Michael Jackson's little girl who gave the most moving testimony about his life. Millions watched live TV and Web coverage of the pop singer's July 7 memorial; global numbers may be a billion. Paris Jackson's 20-second farewell stood out among memorable moments and made her one of the most-searched people online. Her father had tried to shield his children from the media glare. That is over, as Jackson's legacy—tangible and symbolic—will be wrangled in the public forum, as will details of custody issues, criminal probes and revelations. Whatever the truth, those 20 seconds showed how well Jackson did by his own. —VC (Follow us on Twitter)

Was it a “higher calling” or family? Ethics probes or a stalled oil pipeline? 2012 ambitions or GOP backlash? Cementing her reputation as political maverick/cipher/polarizing figure, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stunned her constituents and everyone else when she announced she’ll step down July 26. Her speech—surgically parsed by pundits of every political stripe—left more questions than it answered about her reasons for leaving office 18 months early. Her near-son-in-law claims the embattled Palin has had lucrative offers following her failed vice-presidential bid, including a book deal, but for now her plans are unclear. Little-known Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will finish out her term, and Alaskans who complained about the attention she brought to their state may start to miss the spotlight. —DH (Follow us on Twitter)

Berlin Zoo is all Knut has ever known, but for months the superstar polar bear was the subject of a bitter custody battle. Neumünster Zoo, which loaned out papa bear Lars to breed, wanted the cub back—or a profit cut. On June 8, the zoos settled for $600,000...but can Knut truly call Berlin home? He has had some tough times (on top of being endangered): His mother, Tosca, abandoned him, his twin died, and Knut spent his first 44 days in an incubator. Yes, unbearable cuteness brought crowds and a Vanity Fair cover—but a growth spurt and surly spirit whittled away his appeal, and his keeper died. Most troubling: With a bear market and tight spaces, the zoo reportedly wanted to offload its ursine burden. Denials followed, and Knut's staying put for now. But as he gets bigger, something's gotta give. —VC (Follow us on Twitter)

Nuclear tests, missile launches, jailed journalists—North Korea’s on a roll. And when a wave of denial-of-service attacks against government computers in South Korea and the U.S. commenced July 4th, little damage but a lot of speculation as to the culprit ensued. South Korean intelligence suspects the North, but some analysts find it unlikely that the country, which has almost no Internet access and trouble producing electricity, is responsible. Casting further doubt, the attack, which infected and linked 50,000 computers without their owners' knowledge, was traced to 16 nations, none of which were North Korea. Whether or not the North is behind the onslaught, with more serious attacks possibly on the way, cyber-security is now definitely on the agenda. —JB (Follow us on Twitter)