President Donald Trump says a deal to end the Iran war is “very close,” but behind the scenes, high-stakes negotiations are still facing major hurdles. As secret US-Iran backchannel talks intensify in Islamabad, global powers are racing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a critical artery for nearly 20&#37 of the world’s oil supply. With shipping disrupted and markets on edge, fears of a massive energy shock continue to grow.

An early morning fire broke out at the iconic Rio Olympic Velodrome, sending flames racing across the arena’s fabric roof and triggering a massive emergency response. Fire crews rushed to the scene at approximately 4:17 AM, deploying over 80 firefighters and multiple vehicles to contain the blaze before it could spread further. The fire, which originated within the roof structure, was swiftly brought under control by the Rio de Janeiro State Military Fire Department, preventing what could have escalated into a major disaster. WATCH