What's going on: Strong earthquake strikes Christchurch, New Zealand

Also, state comptroller, who Thursday warned communities of higher pension payments, offers online tips for government workers on how to pad their pensions, and state orders Watertown nursing home shut down.

TVNZ, via APIn this image from video, a car lies under fallen rubble in Christchurch, New Zealand, after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck early Saturday (Friday afternoon Eastern time). No tsunami alert was issued and there were no reports of injuries, but looters broke into some damaged shops in Christchurch, police said. The quake, which hit 19 miles west of the southern city of Christchurch, shook a wide area.

From The Associated Press:

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck much of New Zealand's South Island early Saturday. No tsunami alert was issued and there were no reports of injuries.

The quake, which hit 19 miles (30 kilometers) west of the southern city of Christchurch, shook a wide area with some residents there saying buildings had collapsed and power was severed.

» Read the story: Powerful 7.4 quake hits New Zealand's South Island
» Strong quake strikes near Christchurch, New Zealand [CNN World]
» Violent quake hits Christchurch [The National Business Review]
» Christchurch Hospital inundated with injured people [TVNZ.co.nz]
» Latest News: Christchurch earthquake [New Zealand Herald]
» New Zealand's biggest quakes [stuff.co.nz]

Gulf of Mexico update:

» U.S. offshore oil fire may delay lift of drill ban [Reuters]

» BP removes failed blowout preventer from Gulf well [USA Today]

In other news:

» State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli offers how-to guide on padding state pensions [pressconnects.com]

» Hurricane Earl update: Storm surges up coast toward Cape Cod [The Christian Science Monitor]

» Federal lien against Mercy was last straw; state orders nursing home closed [Watertown Daily Times]

» EEE not stopping outdoors enthusiasts at Oneida Lake [WSYR-TV Channel 9]

» New York state budget fiasco threatens internships, work-study [The Daily Orange]

» CNY hamlet welcomes weekend music festival [CNYcentral.com]

» Oneida County historical society’s ceiling collapses in main gallery room [Utica Observer-Dispatch]