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Some slow-moving faults may help protect some regions of Italy and other parts of the world against destructive earthquakes, suggests new research from The University of Arizona in Tucson.

Lawyers for the family of slain British student Meredith Kercher on Monday asked for more than $33 million in damages from her alleged attackers in Italy. The family requested more than $6.6 million in compensation for each of Kercher's parents, two brothers and sister, ANSA reported Monday.

American Amanda Knox, 21, and Rudy Hermann Guede, 21, originally from the Ivory Coast, appeared before a judge at the closed pre- trial hearing in the Italian town of Perugia.But there was no sign of the third suspect, Knox's former Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 24, as Knox and Guede took their places in the courtroom.His lawyer Marco Brusco later refused to say why his client was not in court when asked by reporters.As Knox arrived, she appeared to be handcuffed to police officers.The 21-year-old American student was frowning as she walked into court, wearing jeans and a white T-shirt.The Kercher family entered the court without making any comment to the waiting media.Guede was flanked by officers, dressed casually in a green jumper and cream trousers.Cleared suspect Diya "Patrick" Lumumba also arrived, smiling and casually dressed in a cream jacket.His lawyer said he would be joining the case as a "civil plaintiff".

Italian officials Tuesday had the first preliminary court hearing in last year's killing of 21-year-old British exchange student Meredith Kercher. The court hearing in Perugia was the first chance for Kercher's family to come face-to-face with two of the suspects, U.S.