WASHINGTON (AP) — A new federal rule forbids airline passengers from packing electronic cigarettes or other battery-operated electronic smoking devices in their checked bags to protect against in-flight fires. The rule still allows e-cigarettes in carry-on bags, but passengers cannot recharge the devices while on the plane. The Department of Transportation said there have been at least 26 incidents since 2009 in which e-cigarettes that have caused explosions or fires, including several in which the devices were packed in luggage. ~ snip