Watergate Figure Death, John Edwards Trial, Doughnut Vault: What’s Spiking (Monday)

The weekday report for the topics and people that are trending on
Yahoo! and across the Web for Monday April 23, 2012.

Research by Search editor Liz Streng

The so-called "hatchet man" for President Richard Nixon died over the weekend, less than two months before the 40th anniversary of the notorious Watergate break-in. Among many instances of modern-day political notoriety is the trial of a man who tried to be president, twice. Luckily, for those of us who seek solace from bad news in sweets, there lies salvation in Chicago. Below, today's roundup of the good, the bad, and the edible that buzzed online.

STANDOUT SPIKES

• Charles Colson: The former special counsel to Richard Nixon, who compiled the infamous "enemies list" and founded a prison fellowship ministry, died Saturday at age 80 from complications from a brain hemorrhage.

• John Edwards: The trial of the former North Carolina senator and two-time presidential hopeful heard opening statements Monday. He has been accused of using political campaign money to hide his mistress. Related search: rielle hunter

• The Doughnut Vault: Food and Wine magazine has decreed this Chicago eatery as the No. 1 indie place for sweets, thanks to "big, fresh chocolate-glazed and pistachio-covered doughnuts with $1 cups of coffee. Wipe the drool, please.

NEWS & POLITICS

• Shaqueta McDade: The 26-year-old Louisiana mother of four has been charged with four counts of negligent homicide, after a mobile home fire killed all her sons, ranging ages from 2 to 8, on Saturday. The boys had been left home alone.

• Marco Rubio: The Florida Republican senator's name had been bandied about as a possible vice-presidential candidate, so much so he has declared politely, "I'm not even going to discuss the process anymore."

• Brittany Killgore: Jessica Lopez, suspected in the death of the California marine wife, was charged with first-degree murder in court, entered plea of not guilty and is being held on $3 million bail.

• Etan Patz: A basement search in New York's SoHo district has not yielded clues in the 33-year cold case of the missing 6 year old. Some human hair—not blonde like Etan's—and possible blood stains will be sent to the FBI forensic lab in Quantico.

• Isabel Celis: Tucson police continue to track leads and declare "everyone is a person of interest" in the case of missing 6-year-old Isabel Celis, who has not been seen since since Friday night.

• Fort Ord: President Obama has declared the former military base in northern California a national monument.

NATURE & SCIENCE

• Meteor Shower 2012: The annual Lyrid meteor shower had its brightest showing yet due to a dimly moon.

• Nor'Easter: A late weather storm has made April into "Snowpril" in parts of the U.S. Some higher elevations have seen more than a foot of snow.

• DARPA Hypersonic Glider: The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency came out with its postmortem findings on the Falcon Hypersonic Vehicle 2 (HPV-2), which deteriorated after hitting 13,000 mph, about 20 times the speed of sound. The unmanned military drone crashed into the Pacific 9 minutes into its flight August 2011, when its skin peeled off.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

• Viddy: Potential investors such as Twitter's Biz Stone, Jay-Z's Roc Nation, and Shakira are circling the video-sharing app, which lets users upload 15-second videos and throw in special effects.

• Wal-Mart Mexico Bribe: Shares dropped 4.7% after the New York Times reported Wal-Mart made $24 million in bribes to get building permits, and the company's internal investigations were delayed.

• DIJA: The Dow Jones Industrial Average will be pumping up the annual dividend payout by 8.40% year-over-year and 2.18% from the previous quarter.

ENTERTAINMENT

• Joe Millionaire: The star of 2003 reality dating show, Evan Marriott, admitted in a Sunday night Fox 25th Anniversary Special that he squandered his earnings. A recent ankle injury changed the construction worker's focus to helping others get in shape via the Joe Millionaire Challenge. Related search: zora andrich

• Think Like a Man: The dating comedy earned $33 million in the weekend box office and shoved "The Hunger Games" from the number one slot.

• Veep: The HBO show starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Anna Chlumsky debuted last night to mixed reviews.

• Real Housewives of Atlanta: The Bravo reality show's three-part reunion special ended Sunday night with name-calling and finger-pointing.

• Celebrity Apprentice: The master of illusion Penn Jillette wasn't tricky enough—he got fired on the Sunday episode.

CELEBRITIES

• Jennifer Hudson: The singer and Oscar-winner cried Monday while testifying at the trial of the man accused of killing her mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew four years ago.

• Giuliana Rancic: The red-carpet hostess and Bill Rancic are having a baby through a gestational surrogate. The television personality and reality TV show star had a very public struggle to be pregnant: She suffered a miscarriage and underwent treatment for breast cancer. Related search: giuliana and bill

• Justin Bieber: The singer mocked his alleged baby momma Mariah Yeater on Twitter over the weekend. The 20-year-old claimed she was carrying his child and soon after withdrew the claim. On Saturday, Bieber Tweeted whatever came to his mind during "Random Twitter Hour" and wrote: "Dear mariah yeeter…we have never met…so from the heart i just wanted to say…" He then linked to a YouTube clip of Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat character repeating, "You will never get this. You will never get this. La la la la la…"

• Susan Sarandon: During a Tribeca Film Festival talk, the actress revealed that she had recently been denied security clearance to visit the White House.

• Taylor Hicks: The season 5 "American Idol" winner will do an eight-week show at Bally's Las Vegas, starting June 26.

• Teresa Giudice: The housewife brought the drama on the premiere of "Real Housewives of New Jersey" and told brother Joe Gorga that his wife would leave him if a "richer man came along." Gorga plans to adopt his sister so that he can disinherit her. (OK, we made that one up, but it's a good idea.) Related searches: dina manzo, rhonj, joe giudice

• Valeria Lukyanova: The 21-year-old Ukranian model went Barbie with $800,000 worth of cosmetic surgery and zero self-esteem.

• Veena Malik: Veena Malik, a Bollywood actress and model who raised controversy last year with a supposed nude cover for FHM magazine, said "she would pose in nude photos for $1 million."

• Katy Perry: The recently divorced singer was locking lips with Florence + the Machine guitarist Robert Ackroyd at Coachella. Ain't no hologram, girl.

• Mariah Carey: The pop songstress described how she lost her baby weight using Jenny Craig and doing aquatic exercises for 45 minutes three or four days per week, details in the May issue of Shape magazine.

• Lindsay Lohan: The actress is gainfully employed! She will play Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor in the biopic, "Liz & Dick." Of the honor, Lohan states, "I have always admired and had enormous respect for Elizabeth Taylor. She was not only an incredible actress but an amazing woman as well."

• Dick Clark: Dick Clark has been cremated, according to representatives, and TMZ obtained his death certificate, which noted that the entertainment mogul underwent prostate surgery the day before his death.

• Lady Gaga: Conservative South Koreans have protested the singer for "spreading unhealthy sexual culture" through "lewd lyrics and performances," in advance of her "Born This Way" tour. Officials won't allow anyone under 18 to her concert.

• Neil Diamond: The 71-year-old crooner wed manager Katie McNeil, 42, on Saturday, his third trip down the aisle.

• Robin Gibb: The Bee Gees singer woke from a week-long coma after contracting pneumonia. He has colorectal cancer and remains in ICU because he is "exhausted, extremely weak, and malnourished." Related searches: barry gibb death, maurice gibb, andy gibb

SPORTS

• UFC 145 Results: Jon Jones defended his light heavyweight title against Rashad Evans, although the match went the full five rounds, the first time for Jones.

• Metta World Peace: The Lakers forward (aka Ron Artest) didn't live up to his name Sunday when he threw an"unintentional elbow" to the head of Oklahoma City Thunder's James Harden, who may have suffered a concussion. Peace was ejected and faces a possible suspension.

• Kevin Love: The Timberwolves have opted to keep the forward out of action for the rest of the season due to a concussion suffered on April 11.

• Brian Dawkins: The former Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins tweeted his retirement Monday morning, "I would like to thank the Eagles & the Broncos 4 believing in me. I would like 2 thank all my teammates & Coaches that I have been blessed 2 go to battle with. Along with u, the fans 4 helping make my career 1 that I have enjoyed tremendously. In other words. I am announcing my retirement from the NFL #BBTB"

• Marian Hossa: The Blackhawks forward visited teammates for the first time Monday after a concussion in game 3 of the quarterfinal series. Phoenix Coyotes' Raffi Torres received a 25-game suspension for the hit.

• Boston Bruins: The hockey team won 4-3 against the Washington Capitals in overtime. Game 7 of the playoffs comes Wednesday.

• Derek Fisher: Despite an 8-0 no-confidence vote by NBA players' executives, Fisher will not resign as president.

• Lizzy Musi: The daughter of drag racer Pat Musi spun out in the third round of qualifying at the ADRL and took out a stationary camera

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