QUICK HITS

1 Philips to pay $1.1billion over sleep apnea machines:

Medical device maker Philips said it will pay $1.1 billion to settle hundreds of personal injury lawsuits in the U.S. over its defective sleep apnea machines, which have been subject to a massive global recall. The Dutch manufacturer did not admit any fault and said it reached the agreement to resolve any uncertainty over the cases. Philips has recalled more than 5 million breathing machines since 2021 because their internal foam can break down over time, leading users to inhale tiny particles and fumes while they sleep.

2 Family dynasty hatches plan to rule Togo:

Togo President Faure Gnassingbé is set to secure power for life if his party retains a majority in parliamentary elections, cementing a West African dynasty as the region tilts away from democracy. Monday’s vote comes after lawmakers backed a recent controversial constitutional change that opponents say paves the way for Gnassingbé to extend his family’s 57-year rule. That amendment makes the president of the republic a largely ceremonial post and transfers real power to the president of a council of ministers.

3 Hunter Biden’s attorney threatens to sue Fox News:

Hunter Biden and his attorneys have sent a letter making several demands of Fox News, including one that threatens litigation if the network does not remove content from its website that includes sexually explicit images of the president’s son. The letter also demands that Fox News issue a retraction or correction to news coverage about allegations that the Biden family was bribed by a Ukrainian oligarch. Much of that coverage was based on information from an FBI informant who has since been charged by the Justice Department with lying about the matter.

4 Ford’s driver-assist feature under investigation:

U.S. auto safety regulators are investigating Ford Motor Co.’s BlueCruise driverassistance feature after a pair of fatal crashes involving the technology. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defect Investigation opened the preliminary evaluation after it received notice of two battery-electric Mustang Mach-E SUVs colliding with stationary vehicles while BlueCruise was engaged.

5 Dead newborn found on Florida college campus:

A newborn infant was abandoned in a garbage bin and found dead at the University of Tampa, police said Monday. The baby was wrapped in a towel and placed in the garbage bin, police said. The mother was found as well and taken to a hospital. Her name and the circumstances of the discarded baby were not immediately available.