extr Afghanistan: Level 4: Do Not Travel
Effective 5 years ago ---
There are no serious national events at this time.
Active US-Iran military escalation with exhausted diplomatic channels, combined with threats to critical global energy infrastructure, compounded by widespread domestic natural disasters and economic market instability, creates a multifaceted crisis environment warranting elevated civilian preparedness.
LAST UPDATED 07-18-2026 @ 07:32AM (CDT)World Clock
At time of updateWashington, D.C.
08:32AMLos Angeles
05:32AMLondon
01:32PMMoscow
03:32PMBeijing
08:32PMUrgent
The most severe events and alertsextr Volatility Index is up 12.19367%, currently at 18.77
Effective 16 min ago ---
warn Flood Warning
Effective 39 min ago Cactus, TX (Webb County) US
Alerts
The most recent alertsadvi Test Message
Gaithersburg, MD
Effective 7 min ago Expires in 3 min
advi Special Weather Statement
Bedford, PA
Effective 11 min ago Expires in 27 min
advi Test Message
Gaithersburg, MD
Effective 17 min ago Expires in 7 min
advi Flood Advisory
Fort Myers, FL
Effective 18 min ago Expires in 1 hr
advi Marine Weather Statement
Marco, FL
Effective 22 min ago Expires in 42 min
Events
The most recent eventsok Green earthquake (Magnitude 4.9M, Depth:10km) in Southern East Pacific Rise 18/07/2026 11:12 UTC, No people affected in 100km.
--- Effective 54 min ago
Financial
The latest global financial dataCardano (ADA)
0.1659
-0.78%
Coinbase
Bitcoin (BTC)
64096.74
0.32%
Coinbase
Dogecoin (DOGE)
0.07226
-0.36%
Coinbase
Ethereum (ETH)
1845.32
0.24%
Coinbase
Solana (SOL)
74.97
-0.01%
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
Financial markets are experiencing notable volatility with the Volatility Index surging 12.19%, indicating heightened market uncertainty and investor concern. Major indices show mixed performance, with the Nikkei declining 4.03%, S&P 500 down 1.01%, and DOW down 0.77%, while crude oil prices have increased 4.47%. Gasoline prices have risen across all US regions, with increases ranging from 0.02% to 4.43%, with the Rocky Mountain region showing the steepest increase. Gold prices have increased 0.67%, suggesting traditional safe-haven asset accumulation. Cryptocurrency markets remain relatively stable with minor fluctuations in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major digital assets.
Data
The latest global dataTogo
Level 2
Singapore
Level 1
Eswatini
Level 2
Afghanistan
Level 4
The Kyrgyz Republic
Level 1
Bhutan
Level 1
Spain
Level 2
Cuba
Level 2
Australia
Level 1
Georgia
Level 1
Cameroon
Level 2
Nicaragua
Level 3
Moldova
Level 2
Latvia
Level 1
Paraguay
Level 1
Geomagnetic Storm
none
Radio Blackout
none
Solar Radiation
none
Current DEFCON Level
DEFCON 5 - GREEN
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Level 4
Argentina
Level 1
Saint Lucia
Level 2
Eswatini
Level 2
Haiti
Level 4
Malta
Level 1
Niger
Level 4
French Guiana
Level 1
Malaysia
Level 1
Federated States of Micronesia
Level 1
Federated States of Micronesia
Level 1
Montserrat
Level 1
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Level 1
Thailand
Level 1
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Level 1
Samoa
Level 1
Ghana
Level 2
Indonesia
Level 2
Turks and Caicos Islands
Level 2
Gabon
Level 1
Norway
Level 1
Pakistan
Level 1
Malawi
Level 1
Burkina Faso
Level 1
Kuwait
Level 3
Oman
Level 3
Venezuela
Level 3
Russia
Level 1
El Salvador
Level 1
El Salvador
Level 1
Vietnam
Level 1
Vietnam
Level 1
Jamaica
Level 2
Jamaica
Level 2
Slovakia
Level 1
Chad
Level 1
International travel advisories indicate significant regional instability, with Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo maintaining Level 4 (Do Not Travel) designations. Nicaragua is classified at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), while nine additional nations including Spain, Cuba, Cameroon, Togo, Eswatini, and Moldova are at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution). No geomagnetic storms, radio blackouts, or elevated solar radiation events are currently active. The current DEFCON level remains at DEFCON 5 (GREEN), indicating normal operational posture with no elevated national security threat status.
Headlines
The latest headlines of interest!!! US strikes hit Iran for seventh night
France24 ---
!!! Middle East live: Kuwait says Iran hit second water and electricity plant
France24 ---
!!! US and Iran attack infrastructure, raising fears of escalation
South China Morning Post ---
!!! Venezuela quake death toll tops 5,000 as IMF releases recovery funds
France24 ---
Donald Trump blames Canada for smoke pollution
France24 ---
France: 2,000 hectares lost in forest fires
France24 ---
Ukraine: Protests over Fedorov's removal continue for a second day
France24 ---
US strikes hit Iran for seventh night
France24 ---
Venezuela quake death toll tops 5,000 as IMF releases recovery funds
France24 ---
Russia says Ukrainian drone attack killed several in Moscow logistics centre
France24 ---
Middle East live: Kuwait says Iran hit second water and electricity plant
France24 ---
No fuel, no patience: Russians endure fuel shortages
France24 ---
UN launches new refugee hub in Ethiopia offering legal aid and protection
France24 ---
Thousands protest in Kyiv for second day over ouster of popular defence minister Fedorov
France24 ---
Magnitude 7.3 quake hits Mexican coast near Guatemala, tsunami alert lifted
France24 ---
Paris region's record June heatwave more than doubled normal mortality rate to reach 3,000
France24 ---
Pakistani troops kill 24 militants in raids as violence escalates in region near Afghanistan
Associated Press ---
The sell-off for AI stars worsens, while oil prices keep jumping
Associated Press ---
Weather conditions again brought devastating floods to a vulnerable swath of Texas
Associated Press ---
FACT FOCUS: A look at US and Iranian claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz
Associated Press ---
How to protect yourself from the bad air caused by wildfires
Associated Press ---
The other AI superpower: How Russia and China are building an alternative to Silicon Valley
Russia Today ---
US and Iran attack infrastructure, raising fears of escalation
South China Morning Post ---
Strong quake off Mexican coast rattles Guatemala and El Salvador
South China Morning Post ---
Russian activist arrested a day after predicting Putin will end up in handcuffs
South China Morning Post ---
Chemical tanker seized off Yemen coast in suspected Somali pirate hijack
South China Morning Post ---
US confronts floods, heatwaves, smoky skies all at once amid Trump aid cuts
South China Morning Post ---
Active military escalation between the US and Iran, alongside Ukrainian governance instability and major natural disasters, are elevating global security risks.
