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Good Morning! It's Friday, July 18, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• FDA approves sale of Juul vapes across the U.S.

• Trump’s Birthday letter to Epstein released by WSJ. 

• Coldplay’s ‘kiss cam’ video goes viral for affair rumors.

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SPILL THE NEWS

FDA Approves Juul Vapes

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized Juul Labs to sell its e-cigarettes in the U.S., ending yearslong regulatory battle. The decision allows Juul’s vaping system and tobacco- and menthol-flavored cartridges to return to the market, after the company demonstrated that its products meet the standard of being “appropriate for the protection of public health”. Juul claimed it helped around two million adults quit smoking. “Today’s F.D.A. authorization of Juul products marks an important step toward making the cigarette obsolete,” said CEO K.C. Crosthwaite, who also stated that youth use is “down 98 percent since 2019, to one-half of 1 percent of youth.”

Critics were quick to respond. Senator Dick Durbin called the decision dangerous, saying Juul “ignited” a youth vaping epidemic and “lied about the harms of their vapes.” He urged F.D.A. Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary to reverse the move.

Once widely used by teens with flavors like mango and crème brûlée, Juul halted flavored vape sales in 2019. Teen vaping has since dropped from 27% in 2019 to under 8% in 2024. Meanwhile, unauthorized flavored vapes from China continue to flood the market, prompting the F.D.A. to step up enforcement

WSJ Releases Trump’s Alleged Birthday Letter To Epstein

President Donald Trump is threatening legal action against The Wall Street Journal following its report that he once sent a sexually suggestive birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein. The letter, reportedly signed by Trump and included in a 2003 birthday message book curated by Ghislaine Maxwell, allegedly featured the phrase “may every day be another wonderful secret” and a drawing of a naked woman.

Trump denied authorship, calling it “fake” and “not my language, not my words,” and said he warned WSJ owner Rupert Murdoch and editor Emma Tucker ahead of publication. Vice President JD Vance quickly defended the president, calling the story “complete and utter bullshit”. The White House also claimed the Journal couldn’t provide the letter when asked.

In response, Trump authorized Attorney General Pam Bondi to request the release of all grand jury testimony related to Epstein. “This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!” Trump wrote. Bondi confirmed she was prepared to file in court on Friday. The Justice Department had recently announced it would not unseal additional Epstein records, citing lack of evidence of a “client list” and maintaining that Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

UK Plans To Reduce Voting Age To 16

The UK plans to lower the voting age to 16 for future general elections, aligning national ballots with Scotland and Wales. This change, announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, will be introduced through a new elections bill, with the next election expected by 2029. Lowering the voting age fulfills Labour’s campaign promise and could favor the party, given young voters’ historical support, although the Greens also attract younger demographics.The reform package also targets political finance transparency, requiring “know your donor” checks on donations over £500 and closing loopholes that let foreign donors funnel money through UK-registered shell companies. Everything you need to know.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said, “For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged… by protecting our elections from abuse and boosting participation we will strengthen the foundations of our society for the future.” The Electoral Commission will be empowered to impose fines up to £500,000 for violations and crack down on abuse of campaigners.

These reforms follow speculation that Elon Musk might donate £100 million to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party — a claim Musk hasn’t confirmed. New voter ID rules will now include UK-issued bank cards and digital veteran or driving licenses to increase accessibility. 

CLICK-WORTHY

🦵 Trump diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. What is it?

🥤 Slushies unsafe for kids under 7, UK watchdog warns.👀 Have you been getting the “Gen Z stare”?

🤖ChatGPT launches agent that can book restaurants, edit files, and research online.

📞Israel regrets Gaza church strike after Trump calls Netanyahu directly.

✈️Coldplay ‘kiss cam’ video reveals Astronomer CEO, CPO allegedly having an affair.

💋 Will Trump change how we know NPR, PBS forever?

🎤 ‘Pretty Little Baby’ singer dies shortly after new-found fame.

🏛️ White House eyes Fed renovation to increase pressure on Powell.

💰What’s the average salary across the U.S.?

🚔Noncriminal ICE arrests surged in June after Trump’s arrest quota increase

IN GOOD HEALTH

😊Key to aging well? It’s your “Joyspan”.

🛁Social media's “everything shower” craze might not be supporting real wellness.

💪It might take just 20 minutes to sculpt your strongest abs ever.

💊Why Benadryl may be doingmore harm than good.

IN STYLE, IN BEAUTY

🩳Who knew gym shorts could be this hot right now?

🧴Smoothen your neck at home with these derm-approved formulas.

👗Summer dresses you'll want to wear every single day.

💅From budget to luxe: top nail polishes that stay chipping‑free up to two weeks.

THE FAME FRAME

🚫Emma Watson barred from driving for six months in UK. 

🤖Netflix reveals that one of its movies used generative AI.

💑Why Justin and Hailey Bieber never considered divorce.

🎀First-ever Barbie animated movie is in the works!

🎉Disneyland celebrates its 70th with parties, parades, and limited merch.

WEIGH IN

“The truth may be inconvenient, but it is not optional.”

— Samantha Power