The CNN Wire: Thursday, Dec. 20

Editor's Note: The CNN Wire is a running log of the latest news from CNN World Headquarters, reported by CNN's correspondents and producers, and The CNN Wire editors. "Posted" times are Eastern Time.

Trucker accused of stealing Goya painting pleads guilty

NEWARK, N.J. (CNN) -- Steve Olson, the truck driver accused of stealing a Francisco de Goya painting on Nov. 8, entered a guilty plea in federal court Thursday.

Olson appeared in U.S. District Court in Newark, N.J., where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of art, according to Scott Creegan, courtroom deputy. His trial is set for March 24.

Olson is accused of stealing the Spanish artist's "Children with a Cart" while it was en route to an exhibition at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan. The art was stolen from a transport truck while it was parked overnight outside a hotel in Stroudsburg, Pa.

The 1778 painting is estimated to be worth about $1.1 million. It had been scheduled to appear in the exhibition "Spanish Painting from El Greco to Picasso: Time, Truth and History" at the Guggenheim. (Posted 1:16 p.m.)

Bush chastises Congress for funding pet projects

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- While praising Congress for "ending on a high note," President Bush Thursday chastised lawmakers for adding billions of dollars in earmarks to a massive omnibus spending bill, and ordered his budget director to review the legislation for wasteful spending.

Bush's comments come a day after the House gave final approval to a $555 billion omnibus spending bill by a vote of 272-142. The bill passed Wednesday evening contains an additional $70 billion in war spending, a action bitterly opposed by anti-war Democrats.

An earmark -- also known as pork barrel spending -- is money set aside for a special project benefiting only a congressional member's district.

Bush also faulted Congress for passing "at the last minute" the spending that funds the government for the 2008 fiscal year three months after the fiscal year began on October 1. (Posted 11:03 a.m.)

Bush: Tax cuts not the way to balance the budget

(CNN) -- President Bush vowed Thursday that his administration will consider every option to stimulate the economy, and he was satisfied with the progress.

"My view of the economy is that the fundamentals are strong," he said. He said that his administration has been reducing the deficit by cutting taxes which, he said, results in economic growth -- and in turn, yields more revenue for the treasury.

"Maybe somebody else thinks you can raise taxes and keep the economy growing but I don't," he said. "My view is that given more money, the government will find new ways to spend it." (Posted 11:02 a.m.)

Bush: Two-pronged strategy needed to combat global warming

(CNN) -- President Bush in his year-end press conference said Thursday a two-pronged strategy is needed to combat global warming: bring other countries to the table and develop a national plan.

Bush said he opposed the Kyoto Protocol because China wasn't a participant. Any initiative will not work until all the key players -- countries that emit greenhouse gases -- are involved, he said.

At the same time, Bush said, a national plan is needed. But it cannot compromise the American standard of living. He advocated nuclear power as a possible solution.

"If you're truly serious about dealing with greenhouse gases, then it seems like you ought to be a strong supporter of nuclear power," he said. (Posted 11:01 a.m.)

Bush expresses hope for Iraq, Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush on Thursday said he was pleased with he considers progress in Iraq, but acknowledged the situation wasn't ideal.

"Are we satisfied with the progress in Baghdad? No. But to say nothing's happening is simply not the case," he told a news conference.

Asked if U.S. allies in NATO are "avoiding the fight" in Afghanistan, Bush said he understood that some countries could not commit combat troops.

"My biggest concern is that people say we're kind of tired of Afghanistan so we're going to leave," he said. But he said he was confident democracy will work in Afghanistan.

"I believe in the universality of freedom," he said. (Posted 10:59 a.m.)

Bush: No comment on CIA videotapes destruction

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Thursday he would have no comment on the debate over the destruction of videotapes showing the interrogation of terrorism suspects until an investigation is completed.

"Until the oversight is finished, I will be rendering no opinion from the podium," he told a news conference.

The issue surfaced this month, when the CIA disclosed that it had destroyed hundreds of hours of videotapes. The tapes showed the interrogations of Abu Zubaydah, one of the first high-ranking al Qaeda members captured by U.S. agents, and another detainee, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri. (Posted 10:31 a.m.)

13 killed in Diyala suicide bombing targeting anti-al-Qaeda group

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A suicide bombing in an Iraqi village on Thursday killed 13 members of an anti-al Qaeda group working with Iraqi and coalition forces, police in Baquba told CNN. Ten other people were wounded.

But a U.S. military account of the incident said six people were killed in the blast -- including one Coalition soldier -- and 11 people were wounded; 10 of them Coalition forces.

The bomber targeted the headquarters of a Concerned Local Citizens group, police said. The attack occurred in Kana'an, a largely Shiite village about 20 kilometers, or more than 12 miles, east of Baquba -- the capital of Diyala province.

CLCs, programs put together by the U.S. military, provide volunteers for security tasks.

However, the U.S. military spokeswoman said the attack took place ahead of a normal city council meeting, not a CLC meeting. (Posted 9:37 a.m.)

3die when car bomb explodes outside Baghdad liquor store

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- At least three people were killed and 10 others wounded Thursday when a parked car bomb exploded outside a liquor store in Iraq's capital, an Interior Ministry official said.

The casualties were mainly shoppers and employees at the store, which was heavily damaged.

A convergence of religious holidays may have increased traffic at such stores: Wednesday marked the first day of Eid al-Adha for Sunni Muslims. Shiites begin its observance Friday. For Christians, the Christmas holiday season is under way.

The Eid al-Adha holiday corresponds with the end of the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. (Posted 8:30 a.m.)

Giuliani to check out of St. Louis hospital after overnight stay

(CNN) -- Republican presidential candidate Rudy Guiliani will check out of a St. Louis hospital Thursday after he was admitted overnight for flu-like symptoms, his spokeswoman, Maria Comella, said.

"After precautionary tests the doctors found nothing of concern at this time and Rudy will be going back to New York later today," Comella said. "He is in high spirits and is grateful to the doctors and nurses who checked him out."

Giuliani -- who had been campaigning in Missouri on Wednesday for the Feb. 5 Republican primary -- became ill and then felt worse after his plane took off to return to New York.

He returned to the airport, consulted his personal physician, then went to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where he was admitted. (Posted 7:09 a.m.)

Down to the wire in Iowa: Dems in a dead heat

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two weeks to go until the Iowa caucuses and it appears to be a dead heat in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination in the Hawkeye State, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll out Thursday morning.

Thirty percent of likely Iowa Democratic caucus-goers support Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York as the nominee, with Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois at 28 percent and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina at 26 percent.

With the poll's sampling error at plus or minus four percentage points, it's a virtual tie for the top spot in Iowa, the first state to vote in the race for the White House. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is at 7 percent with the remaining Democratic candidates all in the lower single digits.

On the Republican side, 33 percent of likely GOP caucus-goers support former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as the nominee, with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in second place at 25 percent and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani at 11 percent.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee are tied at nine percent, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas at 6 percent, with the rest of the Republican field in the lower single digits. (Posted 6:01 a.m.)

Series of earthquakes hits near Turkish capital

(CNN) -- Five earthquakes hit an area near the Turkish capital of Ankara Thursday and damaged homes, but there were no reports of casualties, CNN sister network CNN Turk reported.

The first earthquake happened at 9:40 a.m. (2:40 a.m. ET) and the last happened around 12:25 p.m. (5:25 a.m. ET), CNN Turk reported. The last was the biggest, with a magnitude of 5.7.

The epicenter was in the town of Bala, about 20 miles southeast of Ankara. Three sources told CNN Turk that 10 to 15 houses were damaged. The governor of the area told CNN Turk there were no reports of any casualties. (Posted 5:54 a.m.)

Russian FM to visit Libya; nuclear issue on agenda

MOSCOW (CNN) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to visit Libya next week to discuss a range of issues including Libya's nuclear ambitions, the state-run agency RIA-Novosti reported.

Lavrov's visit with his Libyan counterpart, Abd al-Rahman Muhammad Shalgham, was scheduled for Dec. 23 and 24, the news agency said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin told RIA-Novosti that Libya had a right to civilian nuclear power.

"We are ready to assist Libya in the implementation of its inalienable right to the benefits of civilian atomic energy," Kamynin said.

He said Russia and Libya had to "focus on promising oil cooperation," adding that Russian companies Gazprom and Tatneft had launched the development of oil fields in Libya.

The Middle East, Iraq, and Africa -- including the Darfur crisis -- were also on the agenda, Kamynin told the news agency, along with "world community efforts to counter terrorism." (Posted 5:40 a.m.)

Queen Elizabeth to become Britain's oldest reigning monarch

LONDON (CNN) -- Queen Elizabeth II was set to become Britain's oldest reigning monarch on Thursday, surpassing the record set by her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria.

By early Friday, the queen will be 81 years and 244 days old. Victoria died in 1901, having lived 81 years and 243 days.

A spokeswoman said Buckingham Palace had heard from historians and observers that the milestone would come around 5 p.m. (noon ET) Thursday.

The record is different from that of the longest-serving monarch, which belongs to Queen Victoria, who reigned for nearly 64 years. Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952, meaning she has served 55 years.

The queen was born at 2:40 a.m. on April 21, 1926. Eleven prime ministers, starting with Winston Churchill, have served during her reign.

Buckingham Palace said the queen would not be marking the day with any special events or public engagements, but would be "working as normal." (Posted 5:23 a.m.)

Quake rattles New Zealand coast

(CNN) -- A powerful earthquake that shook the northeastern coast of New Zealand on Thursday night caused structural damage but there were no initial reports of serious injury or death.

A 6.6 magnitude quake occurred at sea off the east coast of North Island, near the coastal city of Gisborne, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Media reports in New Zealand, citing the government, listed the magnitude at 6.8.

Walker Vance, public information manager of Gisborne District Council, said there is no tsunami risk. he reported damage such as collapsed roofs, and power outages but he did not know of any deaths or injuries in the quake, reportedly felt as far south as the city of Christchurch.

Because of tsunami fears, people attempted to get to high ground, Vance said, but people returned home as they realized there was no tsunami risk. When asked how it felt, he said it was "probably a series of three quick jolts, followed by a lull of a few seconds, followed by another two jolts." (Posted 5:21 a.m.)

South African prosecutor: Enough evidence to charge newly-elected ANC leader

POLOKWANE, South Africa (CNN) -- South Africa's top prosecutor said Thursday he has enough evidence to charge Jacob Zuma, the newly-elected leader of the African National Conference, with corruption, following years of allegations.

Mokotedi Mpshe (moh-koh-TEH-dee MM-sheh), the acting director of National Prosecutions, told local station Talk Radio 702 that he now has enough evidence for a trial.

"The investigation is complete," Mpshe told the station. "All what we are doing now is to tie the loose ends. But the investigation is complete and the investigation, with the evidence that we have now, points to a case that can be taken to court."

Zuma, 65, has for years faced corruption allegations which center on an alleged payment Zuma received from his financial adviser, guaranteeing protection in any government investigation into an arms deal. Zuma was deputy president at the time. (Posted 4:54 a.m.)

Israeli troops, Palestinian militants trade fire in Gaza; 4 militants killed

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Palestinian medical sources have confirmed the deaths of at least 4 militants -- all killed in the clashes with Israeli soldiers.

Israel Defense Forces earlier confirmed that armed Palestinian militants and Israeli troops traded fire in Gaza on Thursday, with the soldiers hitting at least two fighters.

Troops have been carrying out operations in central Gaza to thwart militants who've been launching Qassam rockets into Israel and to combat the Palestinian fighters operating near the Israeli-Gaza border.

According to the IDF, three Qassam rockets were fired into Israel on Thursday, with one of the rockets falling near an elementary school. (Posted 4:45 a.m.)

Israeli troops, Palestinian militants trade fire in Gaza

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Armed Palestinian militants and Israeli troops traded fire in Gaza on Thursday, with the soldiers hitting two fighters, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Troops have been carrying out operations in central Gaza to thwart militants who've been launching Qassam rockets into Israel and to combat the Palestinian fighters operating near the Israeli-Gaza border.

Hamas security sources and Islamic Jihad sources confirmed fighting, but they noted that it is unclear how many people have been injured since ambulances cannot get to the location at the moment. There have been unconfirmed reports that Islamic Jihad militants were killed. (Posted 4:13 a.m.)

Military in Iraq announces release of more detainees during Muslim holy period

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- The U.S. military in Iraq on Thursday announced the release of 100 detainees at Baghdad's Camp Cropper, a move called a "gesture of goodwill and reconciliation during the holiday of Eid al Adha" -- the period coinciding with the end of the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca known as the Hajj.

About 850 detainees have been freed during the Hajj and Eid period. The 100 were freed from the detention facility on Wednesday. The military said most of the detainees went through "a review board process" and swore to a judge that they would "maintain peace and good conduct." (Posted 3:49 a.m.)

Giuliani taken to hospital with flu-like symptoms

(CNN) -- Rudy Giuliani, the Republican presidential candidate, was taken to a hospital in St. Louis with flu-like symptoms and is spending the night there, a Giuliani spokesman confirmed to CNN early Thursday.

Giuliani -- who had been campaigning in Missouri on Wednesday -- became ill and then felt worse after his plane took off to return to New York.

He decided to return to the airport, consulted his personal physician, and then went to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where he was admitted. (Posted 3:21 a.m.)

Iranian detainee in Iraq freed

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- An Iranian who had detained by coalition forces in Iraq has been freed, the U.S. military said Wednesday.

The detainee, identified as Sayed Hadir Alawi Mohammed, was released on Tuesday to the custody of the Iraqi government. He had been in the custody of Multi-National Forces-Iraq since July 2004.

He was released after the military determined that he was him "no longer a threat to the security of Iraq." MNF-I now has 10 Iranians in detention.

Last month, nine Iranian detainees were freed. Two were affiliated with the Iranian military entity called the Quds Force, a group recently designated by the United States as a supporter of terrorism. (Posted 2:44 a.m.)

West Point report: Stronger Libyan presence seen among foreign fighters in Iraq

(CNN) -- U.S. Military Academy researchers studying documents about foreign fighters entering Iraq note the predominance of Saudi jihadis but are emphasizing a relatively new development -- an increasing number of Libyan militants in the country, citing the link between a Libyan militant group and the al Qaeda terror network.

"The apparent surge" in Libyans could be tied to "the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group's (LIFG) increasingly cooperative relationship with al Qaeda, which culminated in the LIFG officially joining al Qaeda on November 3, 2007," according to the West Point report, called "Al Qaeda's Foreign Fighters in Iraq: A First Look at the Sinjar Records."

The 30-page report reviewed documents seized in a September raid in the Sinjar area close to the Syrian border -- a development reported by CNN. The data at that time was called "an al Qaeda rolodex" by one official. The report lists the identities of nearly 600 foreign nationals who entered Iraq between August 2006 and August 2007. (Posted 2:23 a.m.)

Despite Halloween flap, Myers confirmed to head ICE

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Julie Myers was confirmed by the Senate Wednesday to be the permanent head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

The confirmation came despite a controversy over an agency Halloween party in which a guest's costume featured darkened skin, dreadlocks and prison garb. Myers was part of a three-judge panel who dubbed the costume "most original" at the event.

In a letter to a senator after the incident, Myers said she "deeply regrets" the incident but was unaware the person had applied dark make-up, and was "shocked and horrified" to find out the next day "that the employee's true skin color was not as it appeared."

Myers, 38, was a 2006 recess appointment by President Bush to be assistant secretary of homeland security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement after her nomination to the post stalled because of Senate concerns about her inexperience. Bush renominated her in January, and she won the overwhelming recommendation of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, but the controversy threw her confirmation into doubt. Her recess appointment was set to expire at the end of the year. (Posted 10:51 p.m.)

Nicaraguan prosecutors appealing American's release

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (CNN) -- Nicaraguan prosecutors are appealing a court's decision clearing an American man of murdering his former girlfriend and setting the stage for his release, officials said Wednesday.

The office of Isadora Ibarra, prosecuting attorney, said she had left Wednesday to deliver the appeal to Granada. Eric Volz, 28, of Nashville, Tenn., remains in custody despite the Monday ruling by a Nicaraguan appeals court that he should be released immediately.

His attorney, Fabbrith Gomez, has said the Managua judge who sentenced Volz -- Ivette Toruno Blanco -- was stalling on signing court documents, holding up his release. Blanco has said the documents were incorrectly numbered and returned to Granada, Gomez said.

Volz was convicted in 2006 of raping and killing Doris Ivanez Jimenez. Ten witnesses in the case testified or gave affidavits swearing that he was in his office in Managua, two hours away from the town where Jimenez was killed, at the time of her slaying. He founded and served as publisher of EP (El Puente) magazine. (Posted 10:37 p.m.)

Family found alive after three days in California woods

(CNN) -- Stranded in the snowy California woods for more than three days after losing their way while searching for a Christmas tree, a father and his three children fashioned a "help" sign out of tree branches on a nearby unpaved road, according to the helicopter pilots who found them.

The four sought shelter from the snow in a culvert and removed their sodden socks in an effort to stay warm and dry while they waited for rescue, the pilots said.

Frederick Dominguez said that during the three-day ordeal, he and his children slept inside a log for warmth and ripped apart their shirts to wrap their wet, freezing feet.

"You just go to survival mode," he said. "Every parent would do that. You would do anything, sacrifice yourself, because these are your kids." (Posted 10:32 p.m.) E-mail to a friend