DNA proves Bolsheviks killed all of Russian czar's children

One of the most enduring mysteries of the 20th century has been put to rest: DNA analysis of bone fragments has proven that two of Czar Nicholas' children believed to have escaped were killed with their royal family during the Russian Revolution.

The chemically damaged and burnt remains were found in the Romanov family's makeshift grave outside the city of Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2007.

In 2008, scientists used bone and tooth fragments to identify the remains as those of the two missing children of Czar Nicholas II: 13-year-old Crown Prince Alexei, the emperor's only son and heir to the throne, and his sister Grand Duchess Maria, about 19.

Researchers wanted to confirm their findings by comparing DNA from the remains with that of living Romanov relatives. The results of the DNA analysis were published online Tuesday in the journal PloS One.

The Romanov family, the last Russian monarchy, was executed in 1918 by Bolsheviks in the basement of a home in Yekaterinburg, about 900 miles (1,448 kilometers) east of Moscow. Several of their staff members and servants also were killed.

Nicholas' reign had ended when he abdicated the throne in 1917 at the time of the Russian Revolution.

The remains of the family were discovered in 1991, during the last days of the Soviet Union. In 1998, those remains -- of Nicholas, his wife, Alexandra, and three daughters -- were interred in a cathedral in St. Petersburg that contains the crypts of other Russian royalty.

At the time, many thought that Alexei and Maria might have escaped -- leading to hopes among royal supporters that one or both Romanovs were still alive. But clues left by one of the family's assassins led investigators to the grave where the remains of Alexei and Maria were unearthed in 2007.

The drama surrounding the Romanovs has been the subject of many books, movies and documentaries.

Several women have claimed that they were Anastasia, Nicholas' youngest daughter, contending that they escaped the executions.

The body of one such impostor, Anna Anderson, was cremated when she died in 1984. DNA tests showed she was not related to the Romanov family.

Prince Harry apologizes over racist remarks

Britain's Prince Harry issued a public apology Saturday after a British newspaper published video on its Web site of him using offensive and racist language.

The News of The World reported that Harry, third in line to the British throne, used offensive terms to refer to people from Pakistan and people of Arab descent.

Harry, who is an army lieutenant in the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, is purported to have made the remarks in 2006 in an airport departure lounge as soldiers waited to travel to Cyprus for training exercises.

The newspaper said in a statement that in the video, Harry referred to one colleague as "our little paki friend" — using a derogatory term for people of Pakistani origin.

It reported that he called another cadet — who was wearing a headscarf — a "raghead." The newspaper said that the video was filmed by other cadets and supplied to the newspaper.

St. James's Palace — the office of Harry and his elder brother Prince William — said on Saturday that Harry was sorry for any offense caused by his use of the word "paki."

"Prince Harry fully understands how offensive this term can be, and is extremely sorry for any offense his words might cause," spokesman Patrick Harrison said in a statement.

"However, on this occasion three years ago, Prince Harry used the term without any malice and as a nickname about a highly popular member of his platoon. There is no question that Prince Harry was in any way seeking to insult his friend."

Harrison said that Harry had used the other offensive term to refer to either the Taliban or Iraqi insurgents.

"Neither the army nor the armed forces tolerates inappropriate behavior in any shape or form," Britain's defense ministry said in a statement Saturday. "The Army takes all allegations of inappropriate behavior very seriously and all substantive allegations are investigated."

The ministry said no complaint had been raised against Harry over his comments. "We are not aware of any complaint having been made by the individual," the ministry's statement said.

Last year, Harry served with the British Army in Afghanistan for 10 weeks. He was withdrawn from the combat zone after his deployment, a closely guarded secret, became public.

Harry has previously acknowledged drinking underage and smoking marijuana. In January 2005, he apologized after being pictured in a newspaper at a costume party dressed as a Nazi, complete with a swastika armband.

I've a few problems with this:

- This incident occurred 3 years ago, and only now is an apology issued?

- I know he's a prince and all, but he couldn't apologize himself, with his own mouth, and a statement had to be issued for him? he was able to use his mouth to make the comments, couldn't use his mouth to issue the apology??

- With the costume incident in 2005, it's safe to assume this isn't just an accidental one time thing, but a pattern of behavior like this can be seen. I'm sorry but something like that can't be just condoned or brushed off simply because of someone's status. WRONG IS WRONG!

- Someone with feelings like this, being on a "peacekeeping" mission in a foreign country....with a loaded lethal weapon in hand, and knowing that there status can basically allow them to get away with anything... is VERY unnerving!!

- Is these traits to look up to in a potential future king?

Am I the only one who feels this way about this?? am I taking it the wrong way?? What do my readers think of this??