Another Report Backs Arafat's 'Natural' Death

Russian scientists are siding with the French when it comes to how Yasser Arafat died. He wasn't poisoned, they say, despite what Swiss scientists found to "moderately support" that theory. "Yasser Arafat died not from the effects of radiation but of natural causes," the head of Russia's state forensics body said, per Reuters, after an investigation into samples taken by the three countries from the former Palestinian leader's body last year. But if you think that closes the book on Arafat's 2004 death, you're wrong. The Palestinian ambassador to Moscow has already said an investigation will continue.

"I can only say that there is already a decision to continue" despite the Russian findings, Faed Mustafa said, per the AFP. "We need a result, a final and concrete result to take the issue off the table." The Russian team, however, said, "We've completed an expert evaluation, and everyone agreed with us. Moreover, even the Swiss withdrew their statements and agreed." But that's a bunch of baloney, according to the Swiss scientists. "We maintain our position," says a rep for the team. (More Yasser Arafat stories.)