Recently in International Category

Six Italian seismologists have been convincted of manslaughter for not properly informing citizens of the L'Aquila earthquake in April of 2009 that killed 300 people, says BBC news.

In a regional court, prosecutors said the defendants gave a reassuring statement that led to thousands deciding not to flee during the 6.3 magnitude quake, reports BBC.

The six ex-government officials have been sentenced to six years in prison, but will appeal the sentence.

The sentence has shocked the scientific world. Over 5,000 scientists signed a letter of objection to the Italian government, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Prosecutors said the defendants did not properly warn citizens of the potential damage the quake could cause, in particular the numbers of buildings that would fall.

BBC reports that David Rothery, of the UK's Open University, said earthquakes were "inherently unpredictable"

Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond have agreed to the terms of a referendum that could possibly dissolve the union of England, and make Scotland an independent country, reported the New York Times.

The New York Times says the agreement has given Scotland the authority to stage the vote to Scotland's five million people. Although the agreement is just the beginning, Salmond says it is "a major step forward in Scotland's home rule journey."

The vote, scheduled for 2014, will pose a single yes-or-no question. Residents as young as 16, two years below the legal voting age, will be able to vote on the referendum, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Although the main goal is freedom, Salmond says he is only looking to forge a new relationship with England. "We're not in the business of ripping things up. We're in the business of developing a new relationship between the people of these islands -- I think a more beneficial, an independent, equal relationship,"

Mr. Cameron hopes to secure the state of the United Kingdom. "I want to be the prime minister who keeps the United Kingdom together," Mr. Cameron said.