Saturday, October 21, 2006
Did N.Y. candidate billtaxpayers for sex line?
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Both major-party candidates for a congressional seat are decrying an ad sponsored by a national Republican committee that accuses the Democrat of billing taxpayers for a call to a phone-sex line. The ad, which began airing Friday, shows Michael Arcuri leering at the silhouette of a dancing woman who says, "Hi, sexy. You've reached the live, one-on-one fantasy line." Arcuri's campaign said an associate mistakenly dialed an 800-number sex line two years ago from Arcuri's New York City hotel room, and released records supporting the claim. The number shares the same last seven digits with the number for the state Department of Criminal Justice Services, which was dialed the minute after the first call was made. The ad's sponsor, the National Republican Congressional Committee, stood by the 30-second message. Spokesman Ed Patru insisted it was "totally true."
Egg salad recalled
WAYNE, W.Va. -- Ballard's Farm Sausage Inc. said Saturday it is recalling its egg salad in 17 states, including Ohio and Pennsylvania, because of possible contamination. The company said tests showed mixed results for Listeria monocytogenes. The bacterium can cause serious or fatal infections in young children or elderly people. It also can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. Ballard's President David Ballard said the company has temporarily suspended producing egg salad while it investigates the contamination. Consumers can return the 12-ounce containers of egg salad for a refund. The company did not say where the containers were sold.
Commander returns
JERUSALEM -- The Palestinian president brought a security commander out of retirement Saturday to block Hamas from building up its forces in the West Bank, the latest sign that the standoff between the Islamic militant group and Fatah could erupt into widespread violence. The commander, Ismail Jaber, has been tainted by corruption but is respected by thousands of gunmen loyal to Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement and holds sway over key West Bank commanders. Abbas has been locked in a power struggle with Hamas since the Islamic group trounced Fatah in parliamentary elections early this year.
Associated Press
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