The CNN Wire: Sunday Aug 26

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.

Olmert, Abbas to meet on Tuesday

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet Tuesday in Jerusalem, an official in Olmert's office told CNN.

The two leaders last met three weeks ago, on Aug. 6, and indicated it was the first in a series of meetings that would be held.

At the time, an official in Olmert's office told CNN the two leaders discussed "steps to be taken in the longer way to bring about the creation of the Palestinian state, which Prime Minister Olmert would like to see happening as soon as possible."

Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat echoed that assessment, telling reporters in Ramallah, "They both discussed the most fundamental issues that are the basis for the creation of a Palestinian state." (Posted 2:30 a.m.)

Fire burns at chemical storage site in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CNN) -- A fire broke out early Monday at a chemical storage facility at Jebel Ali port in the United Arab Emirates, sending choking black smoke into the sky, a Dubai Civil Defense Department official said.

According to the official, at least 15 fire engine teams are trying to put out the blaze at the company called ChemStor. He said the fire would take several hours to put out. (Posted 1:40 a.m.)

Roadside bomb kills 2 U.S. soldiers in Iraq

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Two U.S. Special Forces soldiers died in Baghdad Thursday from injuries caused by a roadside bomb, the U.S. military said a statement released over the weekend.

Sgt. 1st Class Adrian M. Elizalde, 30, of North Bend, Ind. and Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Tully, 33, of Falls Creek, Pa., were assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) from Fort Lewis, Wash.

Since the start of the war, the U.S. military has lost 3,728 troops in Iraq. (Posted 11:40 a.m.)

Wrestling star's son, passenger hurt in 'spectacular' wreck

(CNN) -- A high-speed car accident in Clearwater, Fla.,left the teenage son of wrestling star Hulk Hogan seriously injured and a companion in critical condition late Sunday, police said.

Nick Bollea was the driver of a car that went out of control while driving at a "high rate of speed" about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Clearwater police spokesman Wayne Shelor said. The Toyota Supra slammed into a palm tree just east of downtown, destroying the car, Shelor said.

Hogan, one of the top professional wrestlers of the 1980s and 1990s, is now featured in the VH1 reality show "Hogan Knows Best." His son, wife Linda and daughter Brooke regularly appear on the show, one episode of which documented the 17-year-old Nick's interest in a type of high-speed car racing known as "drifting."

Shelor said there was no evidence of drag racing or "drifting" in Sunday's wreck. (Posted 11:05 p.m.)

Wrestling star's son hurt in Florida car wreck, police say

(CNN) -- The teenage son of wrestling star Hulk Hogan and a companion were seriously injured in a high-speed car accident in his hometown of Clearwater, Fla., Sunday evening, a police spokesman said.

Nick Bollea was the driver of a Toyota Supra that went out of control and slammed into a palm tree while headed out of downtown Clearwater at a "high rate of speed" about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Clearwater police spokesman Wayne Shelor said. "It destroyed the car," he said.

Hogan, one of the top professional wrestlers of the 1980s and 1990s, is now featured in the VH1 reality show "Hogan Knows Best." His son, wife and daughter regularly appear on the show.

A helicopter took Bollea and his passenger, whose identity was not immediately released, to a hospital in nearby St. Petersburg after paramedics removed them from the wreckage, Shelor said.

"They're both down there. Nick's father is down there," he said. (Posted 9:35 p.m.)

In 'long shot,' robot will seek info on trapped miners' fate

(CNN) -- In what an official said is "a long shot," rescuers plan Monday to lower a robot through a bore hole in an attempt to find six miners trapped for three weeks in a collapsed Utah mine.

In addition, the co-owner of the mine announced that he has ordered a seventh hole to be drilled into Crandall Canyon.

A sixth hole drilled into the mine was the latest to have yielded no useful information about their fate, Jack Kuzar, district manager of the Miners' Safety and Health Administration, told reporters. "There was no void," he said. (Posted: 7:30 p.m.)

Months-old injury leads Laura Bush to cancel planned trip to Australia

CRAWFORD, Texas (CNN) -- First lady Laura Bush will not accompany her husband on his upcoming trip to Australia because of a pinched nerve in her "shoulder-neck area" that occurred several months ago but is only now being revealed, her spokeswoman said Sunday.

Spokeswoman Sally McDonough said in a written statement that Mrs. Bush has undergone physical therapy for the pinched nerve, the result of a hiking injury this year.

Doctors "have strongly advised her to not travel overseas in order to avoid potential complication and aggravation by extended long-distance travel," the statement said. (Posted: 4:30 p.m.)

Survey: Gas prices dip 3 cents per gallon

(CNN) -- Gasoline prices in the United States are down slightly, nearly 3 cents per gallon, but recent price cuts may have ended, the publisher of a national survey said Sunday.

The average price of a gallon of regular-grade gasoline on Aug. 24 was $2.75, down 2.86 cents from the last survey, which was carried out Aug. 10, said Trilby Lundberg, publisher of the Lundberg Survey.

That is 43.42 cents below the peak price of $3.18 for gas reached last May 18, she said. (Posted: 3:27 p.m.)

U.S. military targets insurgents in Samarra; civilians reported to be among casualties

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A U.S. military operation Sunday in Samarra, north of Baghdad, killed at least 18 insurgents and the U.S. military is investigating reports that several Iraqi civilians were killed and wounded in a subsequent airstrike.

Samarra police said five civilians were killed and seven wounded in an airstrike on a house around 3 p.m. (7 a.m. ET).

Samarra is in Salaheddin province, about 60 miles (97 km) north of Baghdad, where U.S. and Iraqi troops have stepped up operations against insurgents. (Posted 3:16 p.m.)

Wildfires reach Olympia

ATHENS, Greece (CNN) -- Wildfires that have scorched much of southern Greece have reached the ancient city of Olympia, an official said Sunday.

Fire Department spokeswoman Janis Stamoulis said the flames were near the old museum and archeological center, and that the city was "in danger."

None of the city's historical sites had been destroyed, she said.

Earlier Sunday, Fire Brigade Officer Nikos Tsogas said two people had been arrested in connection with the fires, which have razed dozens of villages and killed at least 51 people. (Posted 1:12 p.m.)

Campaign gives Edwards a different focus

(CNN) -- In a presidential contest where spouses are almost as prominent as the contenders - at least on the Democratic side -- Elizabeth Edwards holds her own.

The wife of John Edwards, running third in the polls for his party's potential nomination, says she wouldn't be chief of staff or a Cabinet secretary in her husband's would-be administration but she defined the role of first lady.

"I think the first lady gets a megaphone. She doesn't get a job; she gets a megaphone to talk about the things she cares about," Elizabeth Edwards said on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday.

And she listed those things for her as veterans' issues - her father was a military man; after-school programs - she has two young children, ages 7 and 9; breast cancer and treatment and research - she speaks candidly and openly about her diagnosis of the deadly disease. (Posted 1:03 p.m.)

Katrina hospital deaths: Grand jury hears no testimony from five medical experts who concluded 'homicide'

(CNN) -- A New Orleans grand jury that declined to indict a doctor on charges that she murdered patients in the chaotic days after Hurricane Katrina never heard testimony from five medical experts brought in by the state to analyze the deaths. All five had concluded that as many as nine patients were victims of homicide.

In detailed, written statements, the five specialists, whose expertise includes forensic medicine, medical ethics and palliative care, determined that patients at Memorial Medical Center had been deliberately killed with overdoses of drugs after Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005.

The grand jury had been asked to consider second-degree murder charges against a doctor and two nurses in four deaths. But in July the grand jury decided that no one should be indicted.

In a decision that puzzled the five experts hired by the state, New Orleans District Attorney Eddie Jordan never called them to testify before the grand jury. What remains unclear, because of grand jury secrecy laws, is whether the grand jury even saw the experts' written reports.

"They weren't interested in presenting those facts to the grand jury," said Dr. Cyril Wecht, the former coroner of Allegheny County, Pa., and a past president of the American Academy of Forensic Scientists. "The hard scientific facts are those from five leading experts, (the patients died) from massive lethal doses of morphine and Versed. As far as I know the toxicological findings were not presented to the grand jury and certainly not with quantitative analysis" -- From CNN Investigative Correspondent Drew Griffin and Senior Producer Kathleen Johnston (Posted 11:04 a.m.)

Backed by U.S. lobbyists, former Iraqi PM says he's heading to Baghdad to 'fight for our country'

(CNN) -- Backed by a powerful Republican lobbying firm in Washington, former interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi plans to head to Baghdad in the coming days to push for a new government that he hopes will "reverse the course in Iraq ... to a less sectarian, non-sectarian course."

Speaking to CNN's "Late Edition With Wolf Blitzer" from Amman, Jordan , Allawi said Sunday he will head to Iraq next week and did not rule out replacing current Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in his quest to change the current government.

"I would play my role in Iraq in whatever capacity is required to change Iraq into an unsectarian country, to a peaceful country, to a democratic country," Allawi said.

Allawi blames al-Maliki for leading a government loyal to Shiite groups and Iran, accusing the Iraqi leader of "supporting militias to take the rule of law in their hands." (Posted 11:09 a.m.)

Deadly blasts kill 44 in southern India; top Indian official backs off blaming Islamic militants

NEW DELHI (CNN) -- A top Indian official Sunday backed off claims that Islamic militants carried out attacks in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, stressing that the investigation into the two blasts that killed at least 44 people Saturday night is still ongoing.

"These are things that will not be openly discussed ... we can comment when the investigation is complete," Home Secretary Shivraj Patil said at a news conference in Hyderabad.

In earlier news conferences, local officials placed the blame squarely on Islamic militants.

One explosion, suspected to have been a bomb, occurred as a laser music show was to begin at an outdoor auditorium in Lumbini Park after 7:30 p.m. (10 a.m. ET). Ten people were killed.

A second blast happened five minutes later, 8 kilometers (about 5 miles) away at a snack shop in Kothi market -- a commercial area with large crowds. At least 34 people were killed, hospital officials said Sunday.

Authorities believe a gas cylinder may have exploded at the shop. (Posted 11:10 a.m.)

Local Indian officials blame deadly blasts on Pakistani, Bangladeshi militants

NEW DELHI (CNN) -- Islamic militants were the culprits behind two deadly explosions that killed at least 44 people and wounded scores more Saturday night in southern Indian city of Hyderabad, Indian officials said Sunday.

"Available information points to Pakistani and Bangladeshi groups being behind the blasts," Y.S.R. Reddy, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh state told reporters. The minister earlier said "this is definitely terrorist activity," and urged everyone to stay calm.

However, no official statements have been issued from India's Home Ministry.

Hospital officials said they were treating more than 100 people who were wounded in the blasts - some severely - but the carnage could have been worse.

Authorities also found explosives at 16 other locations in and near the city -- one of India's biggest, Reddy said. Early Sunday those unexploded devices were sent to forensic labs for examination, police sources said. (Posted 7:02 a.m.)

Militants fire upon civilians making religious pilgrimage south of Baghdad

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Militants opened fire on unarmed civilian pilgrims traveling south of Baghdad on a religious trek to Karbala, killing one woman and wounding six other people -- including women and children -- on Sunday, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official told CNN.

The incident started around 10:30 a.m. (2:30 a.m. ET) south of Baghdad in Saidiya, an area once populated with Sunnis and Shiites but now predominately inhabited by Sunnis. Militants fired small arms weapons at the pedestrians. Shiite militiamen who were escorted the pilgrims returned fire, security sources said.

There was no immediate word on whether any militants suffered casualties. (Posted 6 a.m.)

Fires across Greece stable, but officials worried winds might pick up

ATHENS, Greece (CNN) -- Fires burning across southern Greece that razed dozens of villages and killed at least 49 people were stabilized Sunday, but fire officials worried thick smoke and strong winds might hamper emergency workers' efforts.

"It's not getting worse," Fire Brigade Officer Nikos Tsogas said of the fires, but added "we have to act fast because the winds might pick up."

Tsogas said the plan for Sunday was to deploy planes loaded with water that were offered by Greece's European Union allies, France, Cyprus and Italy. In addition, France and Cyprus each offered 60 forest rangers to help quell the flames.

Around nine other nations, mainly from the EU but also from Israel, have offered aircraft, according to Tsogas. (Posted 5:42 a.m.)

2 people arrested in connection with deadly fires sweeping across southern Greece

ATHENS, Greece (CNN) -- Greek officials have arrested and charged two individuals in connection with the fires that have scorched southern Greece, razing dozens of villages and killing at least 49 people, Fire Brigade Officer Nikos Tsogas said Sunday.

One of the individuals is a 65-year-old man, who witnesses said they saw torching areas in the southern Peloponnese region near the town of Areopolis, located 190 km (120 miles) southwest of Athens.

The second person was a 77-year-old woman who reportedly started a fire while cooking in her garden in Zaharo, one of the hardest hit areas in the south.

Tsogas said authorities are deeming her behavior criminal neglect.

Meanwhile, officials are also investigating a gas canister explosive device found attached to a cell phone on the outskirts of Athens.

About 30 meters away rags drenched in petrol were found underneath parched brush and twigs, Tsogas said. Witness reports indicate two "suspicious" individuals were seen near the site. Tsogas said authorities were treating the case seriously. (Posted 5:37 a.m.)

Officials: India blasts that killed 44 were terror attacks

NEW DELHI (CNN) -- The death toll continues to rise in southern India, where hospital officials Sunday said two blasts the night before killed at least 44 people in Hyderabad in what authorities are calling terrorists attacks.

More than 100 people were wounded, several critically, hospital officials added.

"This is definitely terrorist activity," Y.S.R. Reddy, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh state said, urging everyone to stay calm.

The chief minister held a Cabinet meeting Sunday, after which he announced a $500 compensation fee and free medical care would be offered to those injured in the blasts. In addition, $12,000 would be given to the families of those killed, as well as government jobs, he said.

Security has been beefed up at the airport and railroads after police said the almost simultaneous blasts were coordinated attacks and forensic investigators were working to pin down exactly what kind of explosives were used. (Posted 5:05 a.m.)

Attorney: Sixth mine bore hole revealed chamber filled with rubble

(CNN) -- A sixth bore hole drilled into a space where six Utah miners were thought to be working before an Aug. 6 mine collapse revealed that the chamber was filled with rubble and contained no space where the men could have survived, Colin King, a Salt Lake City attorney representing some of the miners' family members, told CNN Saturday.

That news was conveyed to the family members, King said. He quoted Rob Moore, vice president of Murray Energy, as telling the relatives, "There was zero void."

"They are going through a living hell, and it's just heartbreaking," King said of the miners' families. Moore told relatives Saturday officials have not ruled out the possibility of drilling a seventh hole, King said, but no definite plans or intentions were communicated to the families. "They gave nothing definite about anything," he said.

Earlier, a Mine Safety and Health Administration spokesman on duty at the Crandall Canyon mine said in a statement drilling on the bore hole was complete and "the process of evaluation" was underway. Matthew Faraci said a news conference likely would be held Sunday. (Posted 10:32 p.m.) E-mail to a friend