Due to the war in Western Asia, an energy crisis has arisen in the world. There is difficulty in getting oil, gas and fuel tankers from Gulf countries through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has stopped the movement of most of them, due to which many countries have been affected. Meanwhile, giving a big relief to the country close to America, Iran has indicated to allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

What did Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi say?

Foreign Minister of Iran Abbas Araghchi During an interview shared on his Telegram account, he said, we are talking to them (Japan) to find a safe route. We are ready to give them safe route. They just have to contact us and discuss the route. Araghchi’s statement came after his conversation with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Tuesday. In which Japan had expressed concern about the Japanese ships stranded in the gulf.

Why is Hormuz Strait important for Japan?

If iran If Japan gets permission from Iran to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, then it will join the select countries whose ships have recently been given permission by Iran to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Currently it mainly includes China, India and Pakistan.

Japan dependent on Middle East for crude oil

Let us tell you that Japan imports about 90 percent of its crude oil from the Middle East. It depends more on the route of the Strait of Hormuz. This route has been affected due to the war that broke out between America, Israel and Iran on February 28. Due to which oil and gas crisis has arisen, which has affected many countries including India. There has also been a rise in the prices of crude oil.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had given a direct warning at the very beginning of the war that ships passing through its waterways would be set on fire. After this, sea traffic almost came to a standstill. However, Tehran issued a statement last week saying that the Strait of Hormuz is closed only to Iran’s enemy countries.

The reigning 2025 NBA champions won’t be making the traditional visit to the White House due to a timing issue. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are due to play the Washington Wizards on Saturday evening, but a team spokesperson said that despite talks with the White House, the team will not be celebrating with the president. 

Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 13, 2025. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)

“We have been in touch with the White House, and we are appreciative and grateful for the communication we have had, but the timing just didn’t work out,” the team said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. 

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It was not immediately clear whether a formal invitation had been extended to the team. Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for confirmation.

The White House has a long-standing tradition of welcoming championship teams to celebrate their achievements. On Friday, President Donald Trump invited the Navy Midshipmen following a historic season that culminated in winning the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.

President Donald Trump holds up a helmet as he speaks during the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy presentation with the Navy Midshipmen football team in the East Room of the White House in Washington, District of Columbia, on March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

TRUMP SAYS US WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM WILL ‘SOON’ VISIT WHITE HOUSE AFTER DECLINING SOTU INVITATION

Teams have declined a White House visit in the past. The most notable instance was in 2017 when the Golden State Warriors had their invitation withdrawn by Trump after Stephen Curry and other players indicated they were not interested in visiting.

Trump recently invited the U.S. men’s ice hockey team to the White House and the State of the Union after their gold medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. The women’s team was also invited amid controversy regarding a quip the president made during a call with the men’s team. 

The women’s team declined Trump’s invitation to the State of the Union, citing “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.”

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) holds the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy as he celebrates with his team after they won the NBA basketball championship with a Game 7 victory against the Indiana Pacers Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City.  (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” USA Hockey said in a statement. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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A major Hollywood media outlet is seeing backlash online from top Republicans and conservatives after publishing a column on Friday arguing that Chuck Norris’ film legacy is overshadowed by politics.

The Variety opinion piece argues that many of the roles Norris played throughout his career were centered on a lone ranger who takes the law into his own hands, which is difficult to perceive in today’s tumultuous political climate.

The headline said, “Chuck Norris Was a Great Action Star — but Politics May Overshadow His Legacy.” “In nearly every Norris movie, he’s muscling into a foreign land or othered community, kicking a bunch of a–, completing his mission and hitting the road — or neutralizing the new threat that came into his town,” the Variety article stated.

“An all-American loner has to gun down outsiders who threaten his way of life, or go to another country to make sure justice is done.”

“Chuck Norris was an action legend and a great American. “Variety” is an example of why so many people detest the media,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis responded on X.

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., also weighed in, blasting the outlet in a sharply worded response posted to X on Friday.

ACTOR AND MARTIAL ARTIST CHUCK NORRIS DEAD AT 86

Chuck Norris during Stunt Awards. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc) (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)

“Chuck Norris spent an enormous amount of time celebrating what was great about America with those who kept us free and safe. And you showed in your arrogance why we hate Hollywood.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Variety for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Norris died Thursday and is remembered as an action star of the 1970s and 1980s, starring in films TV shows “Delta Force” and “Lone Wolf McQuade.” He was 86.

Regarding Norris’ 1990s-era TV show “Walker, Texas Ranger,” Variety said that “the black-and-white, right-and-wrong simplicity of ‘Walker’ is cop-aganda nonetheless.”

Variety further contended that Norris’ roles are being remembered in a different, darker light within today’s divided political climate.

CHUCK NORRIS’ DEATH INSPIRES TRIBUTES AS SYLVESTER STALLONE, JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME LEAD HOLLYWOOD REACTIONS

Chuck Norris points a gun in a scene from the film ‘Hero And The Terror’, 1988. (Photo by Cannon/Getty Images) (Cannon/Getty Images)

“…His roles were part of a body of work used to show American strength, might and the pernicious attraction of taking the law into one’s own hands — something that seems less fun in a year in which our country is funneling money into bombing Iran and ICE agents are acting like one-man militias.”

Variety columnist William Earl suggested that, given the moral division plaguing the nation, it is easier to see Norris’ characters as justification for “fringe conspiracy” rather than a good-cop moral standing.

He added, “But it gives me hope for the future, where outrageous law enforcement and one-man militias are fantasy, only in a world seen on a VHS copy of 1985’s “Invasion U.S.A.” Then we can be thankful it’s just a movie.”

The piece garnered swift and pointed criticisms, with prominent conservatives knocking the publication for its critique of a Hollywood icon so soon after his death.

“This is total trash. Absolute garbage, bulls—, propaganda nonsense, leftist ideology trash. Screw you Variety,” @mattvanswol wrote.

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American travelers across the nation are facing hours-long security lines as TSA workers continue to receive empty paychecks.

LaGuardia Airport in New York City, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, William P. Hobby Airport in Houston and many other airports have had wait times of over 2.5 hours.

Now, some domestic passengers are “hacking the system” by going through international TSA lines, while others are taking advantage of touchless ID.

VIDEO CAPTURES CRAZY AIRPORT CROWDS AS PASSENGERS POUR INTO TERMINAL AFTER SECURITY CHECKPOINTS CLOSE

The Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta on Tuesday cautioned travelers about delays in an X-post — and called out passengers for attempting to hack the system.

“We are seeing increased congestion at the International Terminal Checkpoint caused by domestic travelers attempting to bypass lines in the Domestic Terminal,” wrote airport officials. 

Some passengers are skipping long lines by using PreCheck’s touchless ID or hopping onto international TSA security lines. (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“If you are flying domestically, please use the Domestic Security Checkpoints. At this time, wait times at the International Checkpoint are longer than those at the Domestic Terminal.”

A TSA worker and union representative in Oakland, California, Joseph Cerletti, told Fox News Digital in an interview that it’s “very unfortunate that people are trying to hack the system.”

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He added, “It shouldn’t be like this. I feel really bad for the traveling public. TSA funding needs to be prioritized immediately as [it’s] a national security issue.”

Many travelers who have TSA PreCheck are taking advantage of the touchless ID program, which “enhances the security screening process with facial comparison technology for faster, more efficient identity verification,” according to TSA’s website.

“TSA funding needs to be prioritized immediately as [it’s] a national security issue,” said a TSA union representative to Fox News Digital.  (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Participants must opt in by creating a profile through their airline by uploading their valid passport information.

“Follow airport signs to the dedicated TSA PreCheck Touchless ID queue,” reads the TSA website. 

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“When your face is all you need to verify your identity, there’s no fumbling with physical documents.”

Photo and personal data are deleted within 24 hours of passengers’ scheduled flight departures.

“The longer this goes [on], the worse the situation is gonna get on a day-by-day basis,” said one TSA worker.  (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

“I think Touchless ID is the best idea for people who want to skip the line,” said Cerletti. 

“The longer this goes, the worse the situation is gonna get on a day by day basis,” he added. 

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TSA PreCheck Touchless ID will be at 65 airports by spring 2026, according to the TSA.

Cerletti said some officers are having very tough conversations with their landlords or with their banks.

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“You have cell phone bills, you have gas, you have groceries, you have car insurance. That [list] doesn’t even account for rent or mortgage,” he said.

“We deal with millions of people every day,” he added, “and TSA [agents] have to make millions of right decisions every day. We have nearly 25 years in protecting this country. And funding TSA immediately would be good for the country. And again, the Democrats are nowhere near making a deal right now.”

The creators of “Love Story” struggled to find a modern actor who could portray the ‘80s-era masculinity of JFK Jr., to the point they nearly had to shut down production.

The FX limited series “Love Story” dramatizes the 1990s romance between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette before their deaths in 1999. The show has also faced its fair share of controversies since its release. But even before it officially premiered, the show had a major hurdle to overcome as its creators encountered America’s modern crisis of masculinity.

Executive producer Brad Simpson spoke about this directly to People magazine last month, in an interview that resurfaced thanks to the conservative women’s news outlet Evie Magazine.

“JFK [Jr.] was hard,” Simpson said. “We were three weeks away from shooting and we still [had] not cast him. We’d seen every male actor between the age of 25 and 38. [Creator] Connor [Hines] was coming in every day with models he’d found on Instagram, sending cold emails.”

LAST PERSON TO SEE JFK JR ALIVE REVEALS CHILLING PREMONITION ABOUT HIS FATAL FLIGHT THAT NIGHT

Paul Anthony Kelly at FX’s “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” Red Carpet Premiere held at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 3, 2026, in New York, New York.  (Adela Loconte/Variety via Getty Images)

Fellow executive producer Connor Hines told the same news outlet that he was desperate to find a good fit for the role, to the point he was “approaching people on the street, at the gym, ‘Would you like to read for John? Please. We need him.'”

While the series has become a cultural phenomenon, Simpson recalled that the struggle to cast the role brought the show to the very brink, saying, “We were about to shut down production and pause because we couldn’t find him.”

Actor Paul Anthony Kelly is somewhat of a newcomer to mainstream fame, but was seen as a perfect choice because he not only looks like JFK Jr. did, but also has one other rare quality that even seasoned Hollywood creators struggled to find in the acting world.

The magazine summarized, “It wasn’t an issue of not liking the actors who were in the running, Simpson says, but there was simply something missing with all of them until they saw Kelly.”

“Part of it was just that sort of ’80s, old school masculinity — a man with hair on his chest, sort of Richard Gere, Tom Selleck, the classic chiseled looks — we’re not making those guys anymore, for some reason, and he really needed to have that,” Simpson said.

BROOKE SHIELDS MAKES RARE PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT JFK JR’S KISSING SKILLS DECADES AFTER BRIEF FLING

The show’s creators recalled having great difficulty casting the beloved American icon, both in terms of his particularly good looks and his 1980s-era masculine appeal. (Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images)

Kelly was among a final group of potential choices who were called in to read from the script in person, as was done in the past in what the creators called an “old-fashioned screen test.”

“I remember at the screen test, one of the hair and makeup people passed by me, and was like, ‘You’re crazy if you don’t cast him,'” Simpson said of Kelly’s audition. “It was just clear that he was JFK.”

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The series has faced its fair share of controversies and its hurdles in production, as it bases its story on fairly recent cultural events from only a few decades ago. (Andrew Savulich/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)

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