USA: Hawaii 'ballistic missile threat' alert to phones was false alarm, officials say - by E. Ortiz, P. McCausland and C. Bailey

Hawaiians were thrown into a panic Saturday morning after an emergency alert was sent warning them to "seek immediate shelter" from a ballistic missile threat. But emergency officials took at least 20 minutes to relay it was a false alarm, with the governor's office later clarifying it was caused when someone pushed the wrong button.

The lapse led to an uproar over how such an error — with potentially dangerous consequences — could occur during a time of high international tensions with North Korea.

An alert in all caps was first sent to cellphones across the archipelago shortly after 8 a.m. local time (1 p.m. ET), saying, "Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill."

At 8:20 a.m., the state's Emergency Management Agency followed up in a tweet: "NO missile threat to Hawaii." A similar alert was sent to cellphones about 38 minutes after the first.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, who also tweeted "there is no incoming missile to Hawaii," questioned how the mistake happened and why it took so long before it was corrected, adding that it triggered feelings of terror unnecessarily in a state with more than 1.4 million people.

Read more: Hawaii 'ballistic missile threat' alert to phones was false alarm, officials say - NBC News

The Trump Tour To Asia: Trump to tour Asia under cloud of a nuclear North Korea

 President Donald Trump paid a solemn visit to the memorial at Pearl Harbor, a sacred journey for a commander-in-chief about to depart on an Asia trip that will be shadowed by fears of another international conflict.

Trump saluted Friday after entering the USS Arizona memorial following a short boat ride with first lady Melania Trump. They approached a wreath of white flowers - a gift from the couple - and watched as two sailors who stood beside it at attention placed the wreath near a wall of names of the fallen.

Trump said not a word about North Korea or its nuclear ambitions on Friday, the eve of his first official visit to Asia. He will arrive in Japan on Sunday morning, the first of five countries he will visit over 11 days as he exhorts Asian allies to increase pressure on Pyongyang to abandon its deadly ambitions.

Hawaii acted as a sort of midway point on Trump's trip halfway around the world. He arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Friday after a daylong flight from Washington.

 Read more: Trump to tour Asia under cloud of a nuclear North Korea - France 24

Windpower - Hawaii: Companies Propose Deep-Water Wind Farms off Hawaii Shores - by cathy bussewitz

As Hawaii pushes to meet its aggressive renewable energy goals, two companies have proposed offshore wind turbine projects for federal waters off Oahu. Their plan would use technology that floats the massive turbines in deep waters miles offshore.

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is the agency that would decide whether to approve ocean leases for the projects. It's holding a meeting about the proposals Monday.May 23

The offshore turbine proposals are in the early stages, and would face years of environmental reviews and community meetings before possible approval.

Hawaii has set a goal for its utilities to use 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2045.

Read more: Companies Propose Deep-Water Wind Farms off Hawaii Shores - ABC News

Tourism: US government shutdown: How will this crisis affect your planned vacation to America?

Closed: National State Parks 

Sorry, but tourists who are already in the US will just have to "grin and bear" this US  Government shutdown.

If, however, you are still planning planning to visit the US soon you probably are best advised  to try and reschedule your visit.

If your holiday plans only call for visiting a large city, to lie by the beach, or to visit corporate operated exhibits or theme parks, like Disney World, then go by all means.

For tourists who want to visit America's beautiful national parks, historic sites or museums, you should definitely change your plans if you still can, most of the famous spots are presently closed.

These include, but are not limited to:  Liberty Island, The National Zoo, some 19 museums and galleries around the US, including the National Museum, Natural History Museum, the Portrait Gallery, the Air and Space Museum, the White House and The Smithsonian,. Also closed are most State National Parks from Maine to Hawaii.

If you already happen to be  in America don't worry, you can still send a postcard home, although technically bankrupt, the US Postal Services is 'self-funded' and open for business.

EU-Digest

North Korea ups ante, putting rockets on standby - Foster Klug

North Korea's Kim Jong Un

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned Friday that his rocket forces were ready “to settle accounts with the U.S.,” unleashing a new round of bellicose rhetoric after U.S. nuclear-capable B-2 bombers dropped dummy munitions in joint military drills with South Korea.

Kim’s warning, and the litany of threats that have preceded it, don’t indicate an imminent war. In fact, they’re most likely meant to coerce South Korea into softening its policies, win direct talks and aid from Washington, and strengthen the young leader’s credentials and image at home.

But the threats from North Korea and rising animosity from the rivals that have followed UN sanctions over Pyongyang’s Feb. 12 nuclear test do raise worries of a misjudgment leading to a clash.
Kim “convened an urgent operation meeting” of senior generals just after midnight, signed a rocket preparation plan and ordered his forces on standby to strike the U.S. mainland, South Korea, Guam and Hawaii, state media reported.

Kim said “the time has come to settle accounts with the U.S. imperialists in view of the prevailing situation,” according to a report by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.

Read more: North Korea ups ante, putting rockets on standby - The Globe and Mail