U.S. & WORLD NEWS DIGEST | Earthquake hits off Papua New Guinea

Earthquake hits off Papua New Guinea

SYDNEY

Officials have not issued a local tsunami alert after a strong earthquake struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea. There are no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the 6.5-magnitude quake struck today with an epicenter about 76 miles west of Arawa, the capital of Bougainville province.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says there is no threat of a destructive, widespread tsunami. But the agency did say earthquakes of this size can sometimes generate tsunamis along coasts within 60 miles of the epicenter.

Emergency landing of jet in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.

Little Rock National Airport officials say a report of an engine fire has forced an American Airlines flight to make an emergency landing.

A release from the airport said the twin-engine MD 80 jet landed at 4:08 p.m. Sunday in Little Rock. The pilot had declared an emergency on Flight 1720 about 15 minutes earlier. The flight traveling from Dallas to Washington had 136 passengers and five crew members on board.

Airport officials say the plane taxied to a ramp under its own power and was moved to a gate. The airport was working to make sure passengers still get to their destination of Washington Dulles International Airport.

American Airlines officials did not immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Graham home after treatment

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Evangelist Billy Graham was discharged from an Asheville hospital Sunday after a five-day stay for treatment of pneumonia.

The 92-year-old Graham returned to his Montreat home, a spokeswoman for Mission Hospital said.

Physicians for Graham said his response to antibiotics and other treatment was “excellent,” and that he has regained strength.

But they added that his recovery will be slow.

“He has responded very well to treatment, with progressive improvement since his admission,” last Wednesday, said Dr. Lucian Rice, Graham’s primary care physician. “We expect continuing recuperation at home with very gradual recovery, returning to normal activities over several weeks. I’m delighted that he has come back this fast.”

Rice said in a hospital update that Graham experienced no complications while at the hospital. “It’s a really encouraging sign,” he said.

It was Graham’s fourth hospital stay since 2007.

Libya dismisses arrest warrants

TRIPOLI, Libya

The Libyan deputy foreign minister has dismissed efforts by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against three senior leaders.

Court prosecutors said earlier Sunday that they are putting the final touches to their case against three Libyan leaders on charges of murder and persecution in the brutal crackdown on anti-government rebels. Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is expected to be among them.

Speaking in a late-night discussion with reporters in the Libyan capital, Khaled Kaim said his government will “not show any attention to the decision.”

He says Libya doesn’t recognize the jurisdiction of the international court, nor do most African countries.

Wire reports