Court allows

abuse verdict

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is rejecting a push by President Donald Trump to throw out a jury’s $5 million finding that he sexually abused writer E. Jean Carroll at a New York City department store in the mid-1990s and later defamed her.

Trump’s lawyers had challenged the judge’s decision to allow testimony from two other women who accused Trump of sexual abuse decades ago, allegations the Republican president has denied. Carroll’s lawyers urged the justices to pass on the case, arguing the lower-court decisions were in line with others around the country.

The decision comes about two years after the court granted Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution.

Ruins searched

in Venezuela

LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AP) — With the window for finding survivors shrinking fast, Venezuelans combed through more ruins of buildings toppled by last week’s devastating back-to-back earthquakes. Attention also turned to the country’s humanitarian crisis that could persist for years.

Relief organizations say the first 72 hours after a natural disaster is the most crucial time period for rescues, though survival can be extended if people have access to food and water. Five days after the twin quakes, questions loomed about whether the cash-strapped government will be able to coordinate the effort needed to care for thousands of people who have been left homeless. The death toll stood at more than 1,700 people.

Comcast plans

to split

NEW YORK (AP) — Comcast is planning to split itself into two separate publicly traded companies by spinning off NBCUniversal and Sky. The company said Monday that its board and management team think each company will be better positioned to pursue its own strategic priorities, invest for growth and create long-term shareholder value as independent entities.

Media and entertainment company NBCUniversal includes a theme parks division, Universal film and television studios, NBC and Telemundo networks, Peacock, and Bravo. Its portfolio will now include European media business Sky.