There are no serious national events at this time.
The United States faces escalating near-term geopolitical risks centered on imminent US-Iran military confrontation and critical Strait of Hormuz tensions, concurrent with significant domestic severe weather threats including wildfires, flash flooding, and widespread air quality degradation. Financial markets are experiencing heightened volatility reflecting global uncertainty, while major power competition between the US, Russia, and China continues to intensify across multiple strategic domains.
LAST UPDATED 07-17-2026 @ 06:31PM (CDT)
World Clock
At time of update
Washington, D.C.
07:31PM
Los Angeles
04:31PM
London
12:31AM
Moscow
02:31AM
Beijing
07:31AM
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 21 min ago---
warn Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Effective 26 min agoMayo, FL (Lafayette County) US
warn Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Effective 31 min agoMountain Home, ID (Elmore County) US
Alerts
The most recent alerts
advi Special Weather Statement
Wells, NV
Effective 24 min agoExpires in 1 min
advi Flood Advisory
Cody, WY
Effective 25 min agoExpires in 1 hr
warn Special Marine Warning
Washburn, WI
Effective 25 min agoExpires in 59 min
warn Flash Flood Warning
Junction, UT
Effective 25 min agoExpires in 14 min
advi Test Message
Gaithersburg, MD
Effective 25 min agoExpires in 15 min
Events
The most recent events
ok Green earthquake (Magnitude 4.5M, Depth:10km) in Russian Federation 17/07/2026 21:09 UTC, 230 thousand in 100km.
Burla, Altai KraiEffective 25 min ago
ok Green earthquake (Magnitude 5M, Depth:35km) in Mexico 17/07/2026 22:13 UTC, 190 thousand in 100km.
Puerto Madero, ChiapasEffective 56 min ago
Financial
The latest global financial data
Cardano (ADA)
0.1654
2.99%
Coinbase
Bitcoin (BTC)
63864.03
0.15%
Coinbase
Dogecoin (DOGE)
0.0724
0.10%
Coinbase
Ethereum (ETH)
1835.3
-1.50%
Coinbase
Solana (SOL)
74.86
-0.53%
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
81.77
4.46%
Yahoo Finance
Gold
4023
0.77%
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 elevated volatility with the Volatility Index surging 12.19 percent to 18.77, indicating increased uncertainty and risk sentiment. The Nikkei 225 declined significantly by 4.03 percent, while the S&P 500 and DOW Jones each experienced moderate declines of 1.01 percent and 0.77 percent respectively. Cryptocurrency markets show mixed performance with Bitcoin and Cardano gaining modest ground, but Ethereum declining 1.50 percent amid broader market pressure. Energy markets are strengthening with crude oil rising 4.46 percent to $81.77 per barrel, while U.S. gasoline prices have increased across all regions, with increases ranging from 0.02 to 4.43 percent depending on region.
Two countries maintain Level 4 Do Not Travel advisories: Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, indicating extreme security concerns. Nicaragua is at Level 3 Reconsider Travel status due to ongoing instability. Multiple nations including Togo, Eswatini, Spain, Cuba, Cameroon, and Moldova remain at Level 2 Exercise Increased Caution status. The majority of other monitored countries are at Level 1 Normal Precautions including Singapore, Australia, Georgia, Latvia, and Paraguay. All space weather parameters remain normal with no geomagnetic storms, radio blackouts, or solar radiation alerts currently active. The current DEFCON level remains at 5 (GREEN), indicating no heightened military posture.
Active US-Iran military operations, ongoing Ukraine crisis with political instability, and accelerating nuclear capabilities in major powers present immediate and substantial risks to global security.