I just discovered the reason for the new icon when i downloaded the 7.1.190. it is a new folder in the us according to RIM. if you go into messages then the options there you will find the message alerts settings click on it and you will see the settings for amber alerts,presidential alerts,and it sounds like the alert on television! . I am such a noob, all i had to do was do a proper search. well, it is cool anyway.