News in brief

By The Associated Press

Oracle settles suit over tracking data

NEW YORK | Tech behemoth Oracle has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit for $115 million over allegations that it tracked consumer activity both on and offline.

The suit alleges Oracle captured, compiled, and sold individuals’ data to third parties without their consent. Oracle maintains its practices were lawful, that it disclosed its activities, and it admitted no wrongdoing.

Under the class action settlement, Oracle will pay $115 million to establish a settlement fund, and anyone residing in the United States from August 19, 2018 to the present who was affected may be eligible to file a claim. The fund will also cover up to $28.75 million for attorneys fees and other costs. All valid claimants will receive the same amount of money, which is dependent on how many people file.

Torrential rain, flooding force mass evacuations across Central Europe

PRAGUE | Heavy rains have caused severe flooding in Central Europe, affecting countries like Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania. On Sunday, the death toll was rising.

The floods have claimed lives in Romania, Austria and Poland. In the Czech Republic, four people were missing. The situation was particularly dire in northeastern Czech regions, with mass evacuations underway. Prime Minister Petr Fiala warned that the worst was not over.

In Austria, Lower Austria was declared a disaster zone. A firefighter died while responding to the crisis.

Romanian authorities reported more deaths due to flooding. In Poland, the situation was described as dramatic, with evacuations and infrastructure damage.

At least 40 people drown in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria | A boat carrying mostly farmers capsized on a river in northwest Nigeria, drowning at least 40 people, President Bola Tinub u said Sunday.

The accident happened in Zamfara state, as farmers were trying to get to their land, Tinubu said in a statement. The president promised support for the victims and directed emergency agencies to assess the incident.

Yazid Abubakar, a police spokesperson in Zamfara, told The Associated Press the accident happened on Saturday and that five people were rescued, but 40 are still missing. It was not immediately clear how many people were on the boat when it went down.

Army to guard hospital in Italy after spate of attacks

ROME | Italy’s army will guard medical staff at a hospital in the southern Calabria region starting Monday, after a string of violent attacks on doctors and nurses by enraged patients and relatives across Italy, local media reported.

Prefect Paolo Giovanni Grieco approved a plan to reinforce the surveillance services already operated by soldiers on sensitive targets in the Calabrian town of Vibo Valentia, including the hospital, the reports said.

—From AP reports