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CHICAGOTwo women used the online classified site to offer sex with girls in exchange for “donations” or “roses” Д code words for money, police said.

Tamara Cotton, 25, and Christina Holt, 19, were arrested separately and were not working together, Cook County Sheriff’s officials said Thursday.

Cotton was arrested Dec. 31 when an undercover officer arrived at her apartment and a 16-year-old girl offered to perform a sex act for $200, according to the sheriff’s department.

While out on bond, Cotton was arrested again on Jan. 5 when she allegedly drove another girl to meet an undercover officer who had arranged a sexual encounter. Cotton was charged with pimping and related offenses.

Police arrested Holt on Monday and charged her with keeping a house of for allegedly arranging a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl.

The three minors arrested were not taken into custody, sheriff’s spokeswoman Sally Daly said.

“We’ve considered them to be more the victims in this case, given the fact that they were being pimped by adults,” Daly said.

The Craigslist ads answered by the officers offered sex acts in exchange for “donations” or “roses” Д meaning money, according to police. The ads featured photos of unidentified women.

In an e-mail to the Chicago Tribune, Craigslist CEO said the site prohibits illegal activity and intends its erotic services page for “legal escort services and sensual massage providers.”

February 28, 2007 — JERUSALEM - Israel got its first Arab president yesterday - even if it’s only for a week.

Acting President Dalia Itzik left yesterday on a trip to the United States, leaving Majalli Wahaba, a Druse, as Israel’s ceremonial president.

Wahaba’s unexpected journey to the president’s office began last month, when President Moshe Katsav was suspended as he faced several criminal charges, including rape. Itzik, who is the speaker of parliament, stepped in to take his place.

With Itzik gone, Wahaba, who is her deputy, takes over both her roles - running the parliament and assuming the presidency - making him the first member of Israel’s minority Arab community to serve in the country’s top ceremonial post.

Wahaba told The Associated Press that he takes the short-lived promotion seriously, although “I would prefer to be in this position in different circumstances.”

Arabs make up about 20 percent of Israel’s population of 7 million.

Unlike most other Arab citizens, Druse serve in the Israeli military.

Wahaba, 53, attained the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring.

He is a member of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s Kadima Party.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Defending World Cup champion Benjamin Raich won Tuesday’s World Cup slalom before a supportive crowd of 50,000 at Schladming, Austria.

Raich has conquered the floodlit Planai course four times since 1999. Benjamin Raich rallied to win Tuesday’s slalom at Schladming.
(Armando Trovati/Associated Press)

“It is such a fantastic atmosphere here,” he said. “The first time I won here, I was stunned.

“And each year, I’m more and more amazed by the crowds and their enthusiasm. I had chills today.”

Raich trailed fellow Austrian Mario Matt heading into the second leg, but skiied brilliantly to win in a combined time of one minute 42.55 seconds.

“You have to risk everything [in slalom], so it did not matter how much he was leading by,” Raich said. “I was just going for it.”

Jens Byggmark of Sweden, who won both slaloms last weekend at Kitzbuehel, finished 0.38 seconds behind Raich in 1:42.93.

“I had nothing to prove,” said Byggmark, who leads Raich by 58 points (423 to 365) atop the World Cup slalom standings.

Hampered by back woes, Matt dropped to third place (1:43.15) in the final race before the world championships in Are, Sweden.

“My back problem was pretty bad after the first run,” he said. “But in the second run, you’re so focused on what you’re doing [that] I didn’t feel it too much.”

Bode Miller of the United States skidded a few gates into the second run and finished last in 25th (1:52.15).

If Miller captures the slalom at Are, he will become the first skier in history to win gold medals in all five disciplines at the worlds.

Michael Janyk of Whistler, B.C., Paul Stutz from Banff, Alta., Patrick Biggs of Orleans, Ont., and Montreal’s Ryan Semple all failed to complete their first runs.

It marked the first time this season no Canadians qualified for the second leg.

Janyk remains the lone Canadian in the top 10 through seven slaloms.

The Vancouver native sits ninth overall with 174 points. With files from the Associated Press