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Juul seeks authorization on a new vape it says can verify a user’s age. Here’s how it works

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

(CNN) — E-cigarette company Juul Labs is seeking US authorization to sell a “next-generation” vape with age verification capabilities in the United States.To verify a user’s age, the proposed vape pairs with a phone app, requiring a customer to either upload their government ID and a real-time selfie or input personal information and allow a third-party database to verify their identity, according to a Juul spokesperson.A unique Pod ID chip within the Juul device can also detect counterfeit cartridges made by other companies, many of which have flooded the market with illegal fruity flavors that appeal to minors.The mission of the new platform is twofold, according to the company: Encourage adult smokers to switch from combustible cigarettes to e-cigarettes while restricting underage access.The legal age to purchase e-cigarettes in the United States is 21.“We look forward to engaging with FDA throughout the review process while we pursue this important harm-reduction opportunit...

Changing workplaces: Tattoos no longer taboo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Carolann Mohrman, 75, perched behind an artist’s booth at the sixth-annual Denver Tattoo Arts Festival last week as the buzz of tattoo needles filled the air – slightly out of place because she doesn’t have any tattoos nor does she plan to get inked.“I don’t like having my skin punctured,” the Lakewood resident said. The first-time attendee instead walked through the doors of the Colorado Convention Center at 700 14th St. on Sunday, July 23, in a show of support for her niece, Eva Mohrman, a tattoo artist and co-owner of Constantly Custom Studio in East Brunswick, N.J.As a child in the 1950s, Mohrman was taught by society at large to view tattoos as “very demonic,” she said, adding that “only Navymen” boasted the body modifications.“Now, everybody has them except me,” she said with a laugh. When asked whether tattoos affect a person’s reputation in the workplace, she answered with a resounding “no” – “not here in Denver.”Today’s office culture has evolved beyond the norms that baby ...

Patriots still counting on young running backs as depth is tested in training camp

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

FOXBORO — The Patriots are well aware of their biggest current need for veteran depth on their roster.That’s why the team has brought in free agents Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson for visits or workouts since reconvening at Gillette Stadium last week. The Patriots need a veteran running back.But since they haven’t signed one yet even though they released James Robinson in June, Ty Montgomery is “day to day” with an injury and starter Rhamondre Stevenson — who spent Monday’s practice on a side field working on his conditioning — is having his load managed in practice, per a source, the Patriots were counting on 2022 NFL Draft picks Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong on Monday in the first fully padded practice of the summer.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots rookie WR returns, Matt Judon limited again at Monday practice New England Patriots | Bailey Zappe encouraged by TDs in Patriots QB’s best practice of training c...

Rental car insurance explained

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

By Jerry Brown, BankrateWhen you rent a car, a customer service rep may try to sell you rental car insurance. Rental insurance may protect you from having to pay if the rental is stolen or damaged. But in some circumstances, you may not need to purchase additional coverage. For example, if you already have full coverage car insurance, your policy may extend to the rental.Bankrate’s insurance editorial team covers scenarios where you may need rental insurance and explains how some common types of rental car insurance work.When do you need rental car insurance?Figuring out if you need rental car insurance can be confusing. The type of coverage you carry on your personal auto policy, your contract terms and the reason you are renting a vehicle can all determine whether you should purchase extra rental car coverage.In most cases, the coverage you carry on your auto policy will extend to a rental car as long as you rent a private passenger vehicle. In some scenarios, however, your person...

Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dies at 70

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

By Andrew Dalton | Associated PressLOS ANGELES — Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian whose character Pee-wee Herman became a cultural phenomenon through films and TV shows, has died.Reubens died Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he did not make public, his publicist said in a statement.“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” Reubens said in a statement released with the announcement of his death. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”The character with his too-tight gray suit, white chunky loafers and red bow tie was best known for the film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and the TV series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”Herman created Pee-wee when he was part of the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings in the late 1970s. The live “Pe...

Unused gift cards can feel like wasted money. Here’s what to do if you have them after a store goes out of business

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Erin McCarthy | The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)Ashley Battista Ridolfi had been saving her spa gift card for the final weeks of her pregnancy.Her husband gave it for her birthday in February, knowing she’d enjoy a premium massage — valued around $150 — at Toppers Spa, a place she’d patronized several times in the past five years.Ridolfi, 37, of Eagleville, Pennsylvania, thought of the unused gift card immediately when she saw an article last week about the regional chain filing for bankruptcy and closing all its locations. “I had not had the opportunity to use it yet, and I was planning on using it in the next six weeks or so,” she said Thursday.Ridolfi, a sales and marketing director, said she hasn’t been able to find contact information for the company online. She took to a Facebook group of Toppers customers, a forum where other users wrote that they had hundreds to thousands of dollars in unused gift cards or account credits, and asked if anyone had heard what to do with unused ...

Cape and Islands DA calls on Merrick Garland to investigate the DeSantis Martha’s Vineyard migrant flights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

The Cape and Islands district attorney is the latest official calling on U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to launch federal criminal and civil investigations into Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration’s transport of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard.Cape and Islands DA Robert Galibois on Monday wrote a letter to Garland about the migrant flights last September, when 49 asylum seekers were transported from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard.Galibois noted that there are “serious indications and allegations” the immigrants were tricked and fooled into making the journey.“Subsequent reporting and public statements also indicate that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration planned, initiated, funded with taxpayer monies, and executed this enterprise,” the DA wrote to Garland.“I am conscious of my obligation as District Attorney to investigate any potential criminal activity that occurs within my jurisdiction, regardless of...

‘Barbie’ brought crowds back to movie theaters. Will they stay?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

By Anna Helhoski | NerdWalletWhat does it take to lure people away from streaming and back into long-vacant movie theater seats? It turns out bubble-gum pink nostalgia, several dozen retail collaborations and omnipresent marketing will do the trick.In the opening weekend of “Barbie,” the highly anticipated film directed by Greta Gerwig brought in $162 million. That’s the highest-grossing opening weekend ever for a film directed by a woman and the 20th highest-grossing film opening weekend of all time, according to Box Office Mojo by IMDB Pro, a site that tracks box office revenue.In recent years, the theater-going experience seemed kaput. Dwindling attendance was largely due to a combination of pandemic closures and the proliferation of streaming services offering more film entertainment than you could consume in a lifetime. Box office declines led to closures: 2,165 screens in the U.S. closed from 2019 to 2022 — about 5.3% — according to a March report by the Cinema Fou...

US needs a win or draw to avoid risk of elimination in group play for 1st time in Women's World Cup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The United States arrived at the Women's World Cup as the favorites to win an unprecedented third consecutive title. But after an underwhelming draw against the Netherlands, there's a real chance the Americans can be eliminated in group play for the first time in tournament history. The U.S. plays Portugal in the third and final match of Group E play, and if Portugal pulls off an upset Tuesday at Eden Park in Auckland, the Americans could be in big trouble. The United States needs to either win or draw against Portugal, one of eight teams playing in its first World Cup, to ensure the Americans continue to play in this tournament. “I think we feel like we have to win everything all the time,” said American star Megan Rapinoe. “That’s the expectation for ourselves. That’s the expectation playing for U.S. national team. It’s just kind of like, ‘Why would you come into the World Cup if you don’t think that you should win it, and if you don’t think that you c...

Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dies from cancer at 70

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian whose character Pee-wee Herman became a cultural phenomenon through films and TV shows, has died. Reubens died Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he did not make public, his publicist said in a statement. “Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” Reubens said in a statement released with the announcement of his death. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”The character with his too-tight gray suit, white chunky loafers and red bow tie was best known for the film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and the TV series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.” Herman created Pee-wee when he was part of the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings in the late 1970s. The live “Pee-wee Herman Show” debuted at a Los Angeles theater in 1981 and was a success with both...