Knox sentenced for murder...Tragedy in Russian club...Brokaw in NYC wreck

PERUGIA, Italy (AP) — Amanda Knox's family insists she's innocent and a victim of character assassination. But an Italian jury has found the American student guilty of murdering her British roommate in 2007 and sentenced her to 26 years in prison. Her Italian ex-boyfriend was also convicted and sentenced to 25 years.

MOSCOW (AP) — An explosion and fire apparently caused by pyrotechnics has torn through a nightclub in the Russian city of Perm, reportedly killing scores of people. According to news reports, most of the victims of the early morning tragedy were young people.

NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw and his wife say they were involved in a three-car accident in New York City this afternoon. They were not injured. But the driver of an SUV that went out of control on a Bronx highway was killed. A mail truck driver was injured in the wreck.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has turned back a Republican effort to eliminate a long-term care insurance program to help seniors and the disabled. But the vote exposed the difficulties Democratic leaders face in keeping their own moderates in line. Eleven Democrats voted with Republicans who argue the program is too costly.

CHICAGO (AP) — A defense attorney for Rod Blagojevich says the former Illinois governor will take the stand at his fraud trial. But, Attorney Samuel E. Adam says Blagojevich will claim his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination if called to testify in a $90 million civil suit. The lawsuit involves four casinos forced to pay $90 million to five racetracks under legislation signed by Blagojevich.