National news briefs

Mother of missing girl charged in N.C.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The mother of a 5-year-old girl who disappeared in central North Carolina was charged Saturday with human trafficking and other offenses, though authorities said they still did not know the girl's whereabouts.

Antoinette Nicole Davis, the mother of Shaniya Davis, faces a child abuse charge involving prostitution as well as filing a false police report, according to a news release from the Fayetteville Police Department. The release did not say whether the charges were related to her daughter's disappearance. Telephone messages left for police were not immediately returned.

An official at the Cumberland County Detention Center said Davis was still being booked and it was unclear whether she had an attorney. Her first court appearance would likely be Monday.

8 rescued from boat capsized off Tijuana

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Seven men and a pregnant woman clinging to a capsized boat have been rescued in Mexican waters off the coast of Tijuana.

The Coast Guard says the eight were picked up by a Canadian sailing vessel, the Island Princess, and taken to Shelter Island in San Diego.

U.S. Customs spokeswoman Jacqueline Dizdul says five of the men were taken to a hospital and treated for hypothermia. One also had a cut on his arm.

Honorary Oscars distributed early

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Academy Awards won't be presented until March, but the first Oscar statuettes of the season were being handed out Saturday night at a private, black-tie dinner in Hollywood.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is breaking with tradition and presenting its honorary Oscars away from the televised ceremony. Actress Lauren Bacall, producer-director Roger Corman and cinematographer Gordon Willis were to each receive Oscar statuettes at the inaugural Governors Awards event.

The winner of this year's Irving J. Thalberg Memorial Award, producer John Calley, was to also receive his trophy at the star-studded dinner. Each of the four recipients were chosen by the academy's Board of Governors.

Harmless powder found at Ellis Island

NEW YORK (AP) — A white powder that was found at Ellis Island and caused a brief evacuation at the immigration landmark in New York harbor has been deemed harmless.

Jersey City, N.J., fire official Armando Roman says a hazardous-materials team responded to a call about the powder at the island's immigration museum on Saturday afternoon. The museum was evacuated for about 90 minutes as the team investigated.

Spokespeople for the National Parks Service haven't returned phone calls seeking comment.

The director of Jersey City's Fire and Emergency Services Department says it hasn't been determined what the powder is.