A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand—the second major quake suffered by the city in the last five months—causing "multiple fatalities" and trapping hundreds of people inside buildings. The video above, which is somewhat graphic, shows some of the aftermath.

After hinting that he might on Twitter a few hours ago, we now have photo confirmation that miniature pop figurine Justin Bieber has done the unimaginable. The tiny wee creature has cut his famous hair. Gone is the shaggy sweep of tresses, replaced by a thickety bramble of mouse-brown locks. Will a nation weep? So far, his legions of Twitter fans seem to have rallied behind him in this confusing hour. A nation, no, a world, watches.

As with all news from Libya, much of it is difficult to confirm. But multiple sources are reporting that several anti-Qaddafi protests have broken out in Tripoli for the first time today, and gunfire can be heard across the city.

Three hours after his shirtless Craigslist antics appeared on this site, Rep. Chris Lee (R-NY) announced his resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives. Moments ago his office sent the following press release to the media:

AOL just bought news site Huffington Post for $315 million—$300 million in cash. HuffPo founder Arianna Huffington will become editor of all AOL "content properties." That sound you just heard was the whole internet going "Whaaaaat?"

One person was killed and 11 injured in a shooting in a frat house outside Youngstown, Ohio.

Ali Abdullah Saleh, the longtime President of Yemen, has said he won't try to extend his term or put his son in power, according to Reuters. A large "Day of Rage" protest aimed at Saleh's government is planned for Wednesday.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is expected to make a public statement shortly, and an Obama administration official says that Mubarak has decided against running in the next election.

An appellate court has kicked ex-White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel off the ballot for Chicago mayor over residency requirements. Wow. He'd been leading in polls and fundraising, and his case will likely hit the Illinois Supreme Court now.

An explosion has rocked Moscow's Domodedovo airport—Russia's busiest—wounding hundreds and killing at least 31. The bomb hit the international terminal, apparently outside its security perimeter. A suicide bomber is suspected; Chechen separatists struck the same airport in 2004.

Less than 90 minutes after Keith Olbermann announced on MSNBC that his show, Countdown, was over effective immediately, colleague Rachel Maddow spoke out—albeit briefly—on the issue during a live taping of Real Time with Bill Maher. Watch inside.

At the end of tonight's broadcast of Countdown, MSNBC powerhouse Keith Olbermann dropped a bomb on his viewers: "This is the last edition of Countdown," said the stone-faced anchor. Olbermann was reportedly fired by MSNBC today. His final words, inside.

Apple just announced that CEO and mastermind Steve Jobs is taking a "medical leave of absence." That sounds bad.

Ashley Turton, a lobbyist and ex-Hill staffer whose husband, Dan Turton, is the White House's legislative liaison to the House of Representatives, was found dead in a burnt car inside a Capitol Hill garage this morning.

Click to viewA gunman shot U.S. congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords during an event outside a Safeway in Tucson Arizona this morning. At least 12 others were wounded. Following is an eyewitness report from a man who helped hold the suspect down.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit central Chile today, 60 miles northwest of Temuco.

Both JFK and Newark airports are closed thanks to the storm. Hope your parents have cable!

The Senate has passed President Obama's tax deal with Republicans, 81-19. The House will vote tomorrow.

56-year-old Clay Duke took his own life today during a shootout with authorities at a Florida school board meeting, mere seconds after he fired at—and missed, thankfully—several local officials. The dramatic showdown was caught on tape—watch it inside.

A British judge has just granted bail to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, on the condition that he surrender his passport, put up $315,000 bond, obey a curfew, and wear an electronic monitor.