Nation briefs 2/24/06

Mob indictment charges 32 with racketeering

NEW YORK -- A federal indictment unsealed Thursday charges 32 people with racketeering crimes, including people described as the acting boss, members and associates of the Genovese organized crime family. The 42-count indictment says the defendants engaged in crimes for more than a decade. Those crimes include murder, violent extortion of individuals and businesses, labor racketeering, obstruction of justice, narcotics trafficking, money laundering and firearms trafficking.

Teenager shoots student at Oregon high school

ROSEBURG, Ore. -- A teenager shot and critically wounded a 16-year-old student at school Thursday, then fled to a diner, where he put the gun to his head before surrendering, police said. Police spokesman Sgt. Aaron Dunbar said the shooter appeared to be a student. He was arrested shortly after the attack at Roseburg High School. The victim, whose identity has not been released, was hit three times in the torso and once in the elbow, said Vic Fresolone, CEO of Roseburg's Mercy Hospital. He "is doing very well, better than can be expected considering the bullet wounds," Fresolone said.

Arab company agrees to delay U.S. ports takeover

WASHINGTON -- A United Arab Emirates company offered Thursday to delay part of its $6.8 billion takeover of most operations at six U.S. ports to give the Bush administration more time to convince skeptical lawmakers the deal poses no security risks. The surprise announcement relieves some pressure from a standoff between President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress, which has threatened to block the deal because of the UAE's purported ties to terrorism. Under the offer coordinated with the White House, Dubai Ports World said it will agree not to exercise control or influence the management over U.S. ports pending further talks with the Bush administration and Congress.

-- From wire reports