the buzz log

The more we learn of the ex-KGB agent and the ever-widening trail of radioactive material, the more confusing and chilling the story becomes. Searchers, however, have refused to be intimidated. In the past week, buzz on the investigation has surged tremendously. Here's a brief overview of the queries that have spiked the most...

• Alexander Litvinenko (+683%)—the one-time KGB (+172%) spy was looking into the murder of journalist and Kremlin critic Anna Politkovskaya (+171%). At the beginning of November, he met with several people in London. Within the month, he was dead from poisoning, and searches like "litvinenko death" and "russian spy" began their climb.
• Polonium-210 (off the chart)—the radioactive isotope is colorless, highly toxic, and suspected in the former spook's murder. Fears of contaminated planes and radiation exposure have boosted queries on "what is polonium 210," "polonium russian spy," and "polonium poisoning."
• Vladimir Putin (+226%)—before dying, Litvinenko accused the Russian president of being involved in the attack. Since then, another high-ranking critic of the Russian regime has fallen sick. With searches like "russia spy putin" and "putin plot" leaping in numbers, the Kremlin (+344%) chief has certainly been caught in this all-too-real tale.