Quake Of 7.4 Hits New Zealand Near Christchurch WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A major earthquake of 7.4 magnitude hit New Zealand, 30 km (20 miles) west of Christchurch early on Saturday morning, causing no immediate reports of casualties but widespread damage, authorities said. BP Oil Spill Costs Hit $8 Billion As Ends Rig Probe BP said the cost of dealing with its oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico had risen to $8 billion. Wind And Rain From Hurricane Earl Buffet North Carolina Hurricane Earl battered North Carolina's coast with rain, winds and waves on Friday. Oil Spill Seen In Gulf Platform Explosion An oil and gas platform in the Gulf of Mexico exploded on Thursday, setting off a blaze and a small oil spill. U.S. Sues Arizona Sheriff In Immigration Probe The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday sued an Arizona sheriff for refusing to cooperate with its investigation into allegations the sheriff discriminates against Hispanics. Apple TV a first step for more ambitious plans? Critics hoping for more from Apple Inc's Web-to-TV plans may just need to wait a bit longer.

Bob Dylan's Paintings On Show In Danish Gallery Slash Launches Fan Contest Guns N' Roses Bottled Off Stage Clapton: 'I Hate My Singing'

Stranded Actor Paul Hogan In Australia Tax Deal Brendan Fraser Heads To Broadway With "Elling" Bay Offered $50,000 Reward Over Puppy-Thrower Hilton's Ex-Boyfriend 'Surprised' By Drugs Charge

Barkley Leads Trojans To Win Over Hawaii Ohio State Kicks Off The Season With A Bang America's Latest Sweetheart Gunning For Sharapova Mardy Fish Scores Second-Round Win At Open

Warren Schedule Change Stirs Talk On Consumer Job White House: No Second Stimulus Being Considered Tea Party Promises To Be A Force In November Judge Rules Against U.S. Government On Oil Drilling

Man Bites Police Over A Pet Peeve German Firm Can't Fire Man For 1.8 Cent Theft Vuvuzelas Banned From European Soccer Competition Older People Enjoy Reading Negative Stories About Young