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 @ 02:35PM (CDT)
World Clock
At time of update
Washington, D.C.
03:35PM
Los Angeles
12:35PM
London
08:35PM
Moscow
10:35PM
Beijing
03:35AM
Urgent
The most severe events and alerts
warn Tornado Warning
Effective 4 min agoRidgway, PA (Elk County) US
warn Tornado Warning
Effective 20 min agoEmporium, PA (Cameron County) US
extr Afghanistan: Level 4: Do Not Travel
Effective 5 years ago---
extr Volatility Index is up 12.19367%, currently at 18.77
Effective 15 min ago---
warn Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Effective 4 min agoWestminster, MD (Carroll County) US
warn Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Effective 4 min agoLeisuretowne, NJ (Burlington County) US
Alerts
The most recent alerts
warn Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Westminster, MD
Effective 4 min agoExpires in 25 min
warn Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Leisuretowne, NJ
Effective 4 min agoExpires in 40 min
warn Tornado Warning
Ridgway, PA
Effective 4 min agoExpires in 10 min
advi Special Weather Statement
Newton, NC
Effective 5 min agoExpires in 40 min
advi Special Weather Statement
Albany, KY
Effective 5 min agoExpires in 25 min
Events
The most recent events
Financial
The latest global financial data
Cardano (ADA)
0.1657
-0.90%
Coinbase
Bitcoin (BTC)
64526.54
0.99%
Coinbase
Dogecoin (DOGE)
0.07234
-0.25%
Coinbase
Ethereum (ETH)
1858.09
0.93%
Coinbase
Solana (SOL)
75.34
0.48%
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.
Escalating US-Iran military confrontation, active Russia-Ukraine warfare, and multiple natural disasters create a complex global security challenge requiring immediate civil defense attention.