Overview

• Israeli media reported that Hamas transferred seven surviving hostages in Gaza to the International Committee of the Red Cross, with further handovers expected later the same day.
• The U.S. Defense Department removed a draft pre‑publication review requirement from new media‑access rules but retained provisions critics say would restrict press freedom and frame journalists as adversaries.
• South Korea unveiled a Unification Ministry overhaul that restores inter‑Korean exchange and dialogue units, reduces the North Korea human‑rights bureau, and increases staffing.
• Japan’s Constitutional Democratic Party, Japan Innovation Party, and Democratic Party for the People arranged Oct. 14 talks to seek a single opposition nominee for the prime‑minister designation vote, as DPP leader Yuichiro Tamaki briefed Rengo‑affiliated labor officials on his party’s approach.
• China’s human‑rights site Weiquanwang reported that police detained or disappeared about 30 pastors and staff linked to the unregistered Sion Church across multiple regions.