Italian scientists suspend resignation over quake ruling

After Environment Minister Corrado Clini told Italian television he "hoped the verdict is overturned on appeal because it's impossible to make timely and precise earthquake predictions, and it is not right to ask that of scientists," Italy's principal natural-disaster risk-assessment body suspended its resignation, as a sign of "solidarity with the scientific community on the part of the government."

They had stepped down in protest against last week's conviction of former group members for manslaughter in connection with the 6.3-magnitude L'Aquila earthquake that killed more than 300 people in 2009. As reported by Gazzetta del Sud, the president of the Major Risks Commission, Luciano Maiani, credited the move to "a very important and encouraging signal" from the office of Premier Mario Monti.