BREAKING NEWS: Explosion in New York

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/09/police_respond_to_reported_explosion_in_manhattan.html

Reports still emerging at this time

Interesting that WNBC reported that the suspect was in custody first. Then after a while on screen the cited WNBC as the source of that development. Well done to WNBC for scooping the Network and the other news channels. You can watch on ROKU the local 24hr news channel NEWS 12 New Jersey. Get the Anywhereman private channel.

These incident is also the first time that the Federal ALERT system was use for this purpose. These are typically used for AMBER Alert and TORNADO/STORM Alerts.
http://gizmodo.com/man-wanted-over-nyc-bombing-identified-in-citywide-phon-1786792573

Example of AmberALERT

"Attention everyone! Be suspicious of anyone who looks mildly Arab this morning! Turn to The Internets for info!"

I got one of these (in US ATM) but regarding a missing child. I jumped out of my skin. It's a bit inconsistant as some people received it and others did not get it till 20 mins later, but it's a good system for alerts. UK should get it.

I had mobile data turned off so not sure how they send it out. On a UK number as well.

They use a certain frequency that isn't used by the mobile data/voice etc, it doesn't matter what your number is.

There are trials in Scotland, the Midlands and some areas of London for these types of messages on O2 and EE.

Even with data turned off they are still pushed through. A lot of them are geotargetted so there may be a delay. Additionally time may vary by carrier used. Essentially the cell tower your on receives the message and sends it out to all phones.