Convicted: Italian Scientists Who Failed to Warn of Earthquake

We've just taken prognostication to a higher level.
From the AP via Reason:

Having grown up in a household with Neapolitan roots, I'm probably beyond shock at the odd twists and turns that Italian reasoning can take. Still, I have to raise an eyebrow at the news that an Italian court convicted seven earthquake researchers of manslaughter for failing to predict a 2009 rumble that killed over 300 people. After a trial that has been ridiculed worldwide for its semi-medieval quality, the scientists face six years in prison if the convictions survive the appeals process.
From the AP:

Scientists worldwide had decried the trial as ridiculous, contending that science has no reliable way of predicting earthquakes.

 Among those convicted were some of Italy's most prominent and internationally respected seismologists and geological experts, including Enzo Boschi, former head of the national Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology....MORE

Previously:
Sept 27 
Attention Prognosticators: "Italian Prosecutors Target Scientists Who Failed To Predict the Future"

July 13
Market Prognosticators Rejoice! Federal Judge Strikes Down Anti-Fortunetelling Law

January 9, 2011 
Tax Policy Debate, Romanian Style (witches, mandrake, cat poo, the usual)

Romania's witches vow to take revenge on tax-hungry politicians.

Self-declared witches in Romania are preparing to curse the country's rulers publicly for taxing their profession under an amended labour law.

Poisonous mandrake plants are due to be hurled into the River Danube and queen witch Bratara Buzea has devised a spell involving cat dung and a dead dog.

Income tax of 16% and health and pension payments have been imposed....

February 8, 2011 
Attention Market Pontificators: Witches to be Fined, Jailed if Predictions Don't Pan Out

There's more bad news in the cards for Romania's beleaguered witches.

A month after Romanian authorities began taxing them for their trade, the country's soothsayers and fortune tellers are cursing a new bill that threatens fines or even prison if their predictions don't come true....

Italy is also on a responsibility kick:
Attention Prognosticators: "Italian scientists charged with manslaughter for failing to predict earthquake