ExclusiveThe Government Wants You to Prep

Imagine the power goes out. You reach for your phone. No connection. The tap still runs. But for how long? In Britain, the government is asking households to prepare for three days of disruption. Norway recommends a week. In America, the Pentagon is working to make military bases less dependent on civilian infrastructure. The preparations are real. But are they a warning about something imminent? Or insurance against something uncertain? Welcome to News Planet. I'm your host, Kathleen Lee. On October 22nd, Britain launched updated Be Ready Advice. The message? Think about how your household would manage if electricity, water, phones, or the internet temporarily stopped working. Keep some bottled water and non-perishable food. Consider who might need additional help. On October 26th, Norway opened its annual Self-Preparedness Week. Its advice goes beyond supplies. Know where to obtain information locally, arrange a preparedness friend, and plan how neighbors can help each other if communications fail. In Japan, reports say a new nationwide appeal is planned for November 2nd, alongside the launch of a disaster management agency. The recommendation is at least three days of food, water, and sanitation supplies, preferably a week. Now comes the military dimension. On September 30th, Pete Hegseth announced FORTRESS, an initiative covering independent power, stronger supply chains, strategic reserves, cyber protection, and resilient communications. An October memorandum began organizing its program office. Subsequent reporting described a goal of sustaining essential operations at major mainland U.S. installations for at least 90 days without outside support. Though, the specific 90-day benchmark has not been independently verified through a publicly released Pentagon directive. Here's how things escalate when they make it online. A reported 90-day military endurance target becomes a prediction of 90 days of nationwide darkness. The Pentagon's stated objective is to keep essential military operations functioning if infrastructure is disrupted. But with all the countries passing similar precautions, there seems to be more to the story. Another circulating post goes much further. It claims, Vladimir Putin warned that Israel is preparing an attack that would plunge America into three months of darkness. Although all of these are just rumors, the timing is too much of a coincidence to just be brushed off. Even if these claims sound unbelievable, it doesn't hurt to stay safe and not take the risk. Check your local emergency guidance. Build modest supplies gradually, rather than panic buying. Plan for medicines, lighting, communication, and anyone who needs extra support. Talk to neighbors about what you can share. The lights are on for now. Take the precautions and preparations seriously, but do not panic. Time will tell the truth behind these series of events. That's all we have today for News Planet. Thanks for watching and we'll see you next time.