There are no serious national events at this time.
Active US-Iran military engagement with significant escalation risk, concurrent Russian offensive operations in Ukraine, devastating natural disasters, and elevated market volatility create a complex security environment requiring heightened civilian awareness and preparedness.
LAST UPDATED 07-18-2026 @ 05:03PM (CDT)
World Clock
At time of update
Washington, D.C.
06:03PM
Los Angeles
03:03PM
London
11:03PM
Moscow
01:03AM
Beijing
06:03AM
Urgent
The most severe events and alerts
extr Afghanistan: Level 4: Do Not Travel
Effective 5 years ago---
extr Volatility Index is up 12.19367%, currently at 18.77
Effective 43 min ago---
warn Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Effective 3 min agoEmporium, PA (Cameron County) US
warn Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Effective 4 min agoAlgonquin, MD (Dorchester County) US
warn Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Effective 4 min agoHobart, OK (Kiowa County) US
warn Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Effective 4 min agoWoodside East, DE (Kent County) US
Alerts
The most recent alerts
watc Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Leonardtown, MD
Effective 3 min agoExpires in 3 hr
watc Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Lexington Park, MD
Effective 3 min agoExpires in 3 hr
advi Special Weather Statement
English, IN
Effective 3 min agoExpires in 12 min
warn Flash Flood Warning
Barboursville, WV
Effective 3 min agoExpires in 2 hr
warn Special Marine Warning
Dahlgren, VA
Effective 3 min agoExpires in 27 min
Events
The most recent events
watc M 4.4 - 47 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico
Puerto Madero, ChiapasEffective 28 min ago
Financial
The latest global financial data
Cardano (ADA)
0.1669
-0.18%
Coinbase
Bitcoin (BTC)
64790.4
1.40%
Coinbase
Dogecoin (DOGE)
0.07245
-0.10%
Coinbase
Ethereum (ETH)
1860.49
1.06%
Coinbase
Solana (SOL)
75.54
0.75%
Coinbase
DOW
52146.42
-0.77%
Yahoo Finance
FTSE 100
10600.37
0.27%
Yahoo Finance
DAX
24830.98
-0.34%
Yahoo Finance
S&P 500
7457.69
-1.01%
Yahoo Finance
Nikkei
64141.12
-4.03%
Yahoo Finance
Volatility Index
18.77
12.19%
Yahoo Finance
Crude Oil
81.78
4.47%
Yahoo Finance
Gold
4018.8
0.67%
Yahoo Finance
DOW Futures
52375
-0.78%
Yahoo Finance
U.S. Regular Gasoline Prices - National
3.855
2.07%
US EIA
U.S. Regular Gasoline Prices - East Coast
3.765
1.76%
US EIA
U.S. Regular Gasoline Prices - New England
3.851
1.18%
US EIA
U.S. Regular Gasoline Prices - Central Atlantic
3.925
1.32%
US EIA
U.S. Regular Gasoline Prices - Lower Atlantic
3.642
2.25%
US EIA
U.S. Regular Gasoline Prices - Midwest
3.662
3.71%
US EIA
U.S. Regular Gasoline Prices - Gulf Coast
3.423
2.39%
US EIA
U.S. Regular Gasoline Prices - Rocky Mountain
3.823
4.43%
US EIA
U.S. Regular Gasoline Prices - West Coast
4.832
0.02%
US EIA
Global financial markets are experiencing notable volatility and directional pressure. The Volatility Index has surged 12.19 percent to 18.77, indicating elevated market uncertainty. Major equity indices are declining, with the Japanese Nikkei leading losses at -4.03 percent, followed by the U.S. S&P 500 at -1.01 percent and the DOW at -0.77 percent. Energy commodities are surging, with crude oil rising 4.47 percent and gasoline prices increasing across all U.S. regions between 0.02 and 4.43 percent. Bitcoin and Ethereum show modest gains, while alternative cryptocurrencies like Cardano and Dogecoin are retreating. Gold prices have increased 0.67 percent, reflecting investor flight-to-safety behavior amid market instability.
International travel advisories indicate elevated risks in select regions. Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo maintain Level 4 Do Not Travel status due to security and stability concerns. Nicaragua has been elevated to Level 3 Reconsider Travel status. Multiple countries including Togo, Eswatini, Spain, Cuba, Cameroon, and Moldova are at Level 2 Exercise Increased Caution. The U.S. military posture remains at DEFCON 5 (Green), indicating normal peacetime operations with no elevated military threat. No significant geomagnetic, solar radiation, or radio blackout events are currently occurring, indicating stable space weather conditions.