Around the World
Scotland Yard "Scoping" New Information about Princess Diana’s Death
Disturbing new information about Princess Diana’s death is now reviving conspiracy theories that continue to swirl around the 1997 crash that killed her.
The shocking new allegation claims British special forces were behind the deaths of Princess Diana and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed.
“Scotland Yard says this is the first time since that exhaustive inquest into the death of Princess Diana concluded in 2008 that they are assessing new information, which has sent the British press and social media buzzing,” CNN's Erin McLaughlin reports.
“It's the latest conspiracy theory about Diana's death, coming almost 16 years after that horrific middle-of-the-night car crash, a high speed paparazzi chase through a tunnel in Paris, with a deadly end.”
Scotland Yard released a statement saying it is "scoping" the new information, "assessing its relevance and credibility".
“According to British Newspaper, the Sunday People, the claim surfaced in a seven page letter, written by the estranged in-laws of an unidentified special forces sniper,” McLaughlin reports.
“In the handwritten letter they allege their former son-in-law boasted that the British SAS was behind the deaths.”
The new claims fuel the obsession many have with Princess Diana.
“People don't want to believe that someone as loved as Princess Diana can just die in a road accident,” Royal Analyst Mark Saunders says.
“It just isn't enough. They want more.”
But Scotland Yard’s exhaustive investigation into the tragic car crash had concluded that Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed were killed by the gross negligence of their driver and of the paparazzi chasing them that night.
And Scotland Yard has made it clear, for the moment the new claims will not reopen that investigation.
“Buckingham Palace is not commenting,” McLaughlin reports, but those who know the royal family have been quick to dismiss the claim.”
Just one of many conspiracy theories, “I don't think people are taking it hugely seriously,” says CNN Royal Commentator Katie Nicholl.
Just days away before the 16th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, Nicholl says the timing of the claim needs to be taken into consideration.
“Was this sort of leaked deliberately because of the timing?” Nicholl asks. “One does wonder.”
Princes William and Harry have said in the past that such conspiracy theories are hurtful to them to hear.
“I think they just want their mother's memory left in peace, but it just seems that that cannot happen,” Nicholl says.
“There is too much interest in her, even today.”
Russia Could Prosecute Gay Athletes in Sochi
The host of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Russia just announced that not all may be welcomed at the games.
“In July Russia implemented what has become known as the “Anti-gay Propaganda Law,” reports CNN’s Phil Black.
“It bans the public discussion of gay rights and relationships anywhere children might hear it.”
Now there is great concern over what the law could mean for gay athletes and fans visiting Russia for the games.
The politician responsible for driving the law told parliament, “it outlaws spreading information that gives a distorted perception of social equality between traditional and nontraditional sexual relations,” Black reports.
“The International Olympic Committee says it’s been assured by the government this law won't be applied during the games, but not every official supports that.”
One says that “all Russian laws should be enforced during the Olympics regardless of who is breaking them,” fueling the growing outrage across the world over the law.
Grateful for the international support, Russian gay activists say their goal is to kill off this law before the Olympics.
“If that doesn't work," Black reports, "they want to use the international focus on Russia during the games to apply maximum pressure on the Russian government.”
Mideast Peace Talks Begin Tonight
Hope and fear across the Middle East today.
The hope? Peace talks set to begin tonight in Washington between top Israeli and Palestinian officials. (Watch above video)
The fear? The situation in Egypt becoming more volatile as the military plans to clear our pro-Morsy demonstrators from East Cairo.
In Egypt, there was more bloodshed overnight, CNN's Reza Sayah reports. In the city of Rafah, one soldier was killed and 8 wounded in an attack on a military coup. Over the weekend more than 70 Egyptians were killed in Cairo, most of them supporters of deposed President Morsy.
"This conflict is getting closer and closer to a decisive stage," he says. "You have the Muslim brotherhood and supporters of the ousted President on one side, the military back interim government on the other, they've been in a deadlock... and what could be coming is more bloodshed." Watch:
For more details on the developments in the Mideast, CNN's Chief International Correspondent Christiant Amanpour weighs in:
"So many people do have hope that this time there may be a small window of opportunity..." she ways. Watch:
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