Morning Brief: Reporters Walk Out of Pentagon Over New Restrictions, Israel Receives Two More Hostage Bodies

Good morning! Here’s your Thursday, October 16, 2025, world brief. Reporters walk out of the Pentagon over new press restrictions, sparking a media freedom backlash. Trump shifts focus to ending the Ukraine war and weighs selling Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, while Germany pledges $2 billion more in aid. Israel recovers two more hostage bodies as Gaza returns 45 remains under a fragile truce. “Gen Z” protests sweep across continents, toppling governments, and the UN urges Pakistan and Afghanistan to hold their ceasefire after deadly border clashes.

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Reporters Walk Out of Pentagon Over New Restrictions on Press Access

Dozens of journalists walked out of the Pentagon on Wednesday after refusing to sign new rules imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that restrict how reporters can gather and publish information about the US military.

The policy requires media outlets to obtain approval from Hegseth before reporting on both classified and unclassified material, with violations punishable by expulsion.

Around 40 to 50 reporters turned in their badges by the 4 p.m. deadline, marking one of the largest mass departures of Pentagon correspondents in decades.

Reporters walked out of the Pentagon after declining to agree to Defense Secretary Hegseth’s new media access guidelines. pic.twitter.com/iGjF2PYkQB

— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) October 16, 2025

President Donald Trump defended the policy, calling the press “very dishonest” and saying the rules would help reduce disruption.

News organizations across the political spectrum, including The New York Times, Fox News, and The Associated Press, rejected the new conditions, saying they undermine press freedom. Only One America News Network agreed to comply.

Critics, including current and former military officials, said the rules amount to censorship and would further isolate the Pentagon from public scrutiny.

Reporters vowed to continue covering defense issues from outside the building despite reduced access.

Trump to Visit South Korea Ahead of APEC Summit

US President Donald Trump will visit South Korea from October 29-30, South Korea’s national security adviser announced Thursday.

The trip comes just before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which begins in Seoul on October 31 and includes participation from the United States.

US Army Exceeds Recruiting Goal, Starts New Fiscal Year with Strong Momentum

The US Army surpassed its recruiting target last fiscal year, signing 62,050 new soldiers — 1,000 above its goal — and begins fiscal 2026 with 22,000 recruits already waiting to ship to boot camp, twice the number from the previous year.

Brig. Gen. Sara Dudley, head of Army Recruiting Division, said the strong start provides stability and room to refine recruiting strategies.

The Army aims to enlist 60,000 soldiers this year after making significant reforms, including the Future Soldier Prep Course to help applicants meet fitness or academic standards.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll called 2025 the best recruiting year in 13 years.

Efforts now include boosting Reserve enlistment, which reached only 75 percent of its target last year.

Trump Shifts Focus to Ending Ukraine War, Considers Selling Tomahawk Missiles to Kyiv

With a ceasefire holding in Gaza, President Donald Trump said he is now focused on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine and is weighing whether to sell long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv to pressure Moscow into negotiations.

Speaking Wednesday, Trump said progress in the Middle East had bolstered his confidence that he could broker peace in Europe and directed his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to prioritize talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday to discuss the potential arms sale and future strategy.

Trump says ‘made some good progress’ on ending Ukraine conflict

‘Interestingly, made a lot of progress today because of what took place in Middle East’

‘Only the “keep thinking business” people will understand that’ https://t.co/yj4ko07oIb pic.twitter.com/xtxTLUJBKM

— RT (@RT_com) October 15, 2025

Providing Tomahawks, which can strike nearly 1,000 miles, would mark a major escalation and cross what Putin has called a “red line.” Defense analysts say the move would be politically significant but logistically slow to implement.

Meanwhile, Trump is also considering stronger economic measures against Moscow, including Senate legislation to impose tariffs on nations that buy Russian energy.

The White House has begun reviewing the bill closely, signaling growing interest in broader sanctions if Europe agrees to participate.

Ukrainian Delegation Meets US Arms Makers Ahead of Zelenskyy-Trump Talks

A Ukrainian government delegation met with executives from US defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon this week as Kyiv seeks advanced weaponry ahead of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Led by presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak and Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, the delegation discussed expanding cooperation on air defense systems, cruise missiles, and drone production.

Kyiv is particularly interested in acquiring Tomahawk missiles, which could allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory.

Together with Prime Minister @Svyrydenko_Y, NSDC Secretary @rustem_umerov, First Deputy Foreign Minister @SergiyKyslytsya, and our Ambassador to the US @StefanishynaO,
we met with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Their tech is saving lives: F-16s and advanced air defense systems are… pic.twitter.com/kfmg5TzgmH

— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) October 15, 2025

Ukrainian forces continue striking Russian energy targets in Crimea as Moscow retaliates against Ukraine’s power grid.

Svyrydenko also met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to finalize the US-Ukraine Reinvestment Fund, which will give American investors access to Ukraine’s mineral and energy sectors.

The fund’s first projects are expected to focus on critical minerals, energy, and infrastructure.

Germany Pledges $2 Billion in New Military Aid as Ukraine Seeks $120 Billion for 2026 Defense

Germany announced more than $2 billion in new military aid for Ukraine on Wednesday, including $500 million worth of US weapons purchased under NATO’s fast-track Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the package will include Patriot interceptors, Iris-T air defense systems, radar, precision-guided artillery, rockets, and ammunition. Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, and Sweden also pledged to contribute to the initiative.

⚡️ Germany unveils details of its $500 million aid package for Ukraine under NATO’s PURL program.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius says it will fund air defense systems, Patriot missiles, radars, and GMLRS for HIMARS and M270 launchers.
pic.twitter.com/RMMwWOeqF1

— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) October 15, 2025

The announcement came after a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels, where Ukrainian officials warned they will need $120 billion in 2026 to sustain their war effort against Russia.

Kyiv said it can cover half that amount and urged allies to dedicate at least 0.25 percent of GDP to military support.

The new pledges follow reports showing Western aid to Ukraine dropped 43 percent in recent months.

🇺🇦 Ukraine Support Tracker Update: Military aid to Ukraine fell 43% in July–Aug 2025, despite NATO’s new PURL initiative. EU-led financial & humanitarian aid stayed stable at €7.5bn, 86% from EU institutions.
Full data & details 👉 https://t.co/JFRHwkFqHc pic.twitter.com/IUGAdaXacW

— Kiel Institut (@kielinstitute) October 14, 2025

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged allies to “translate goals into guns,” while several Nordic and Baltic states called for renewed commitment amid waning support.

France, Italy, and Spain have faced criticism for contributing less, with France refusing to join the US-led PURL program, arguing that European funds should prioritize the continent’s own defense industry.

Israel Receives Two More Hostage Bodies as Gaza Returns 45 Palestinian Remains

Israel received the remains of two additional hostages from Hamas on Wednesday, shortly after officials said one of the previously returned bodies did not belong to a hostage.

The transfers, carried out by the Red Cross under a fragile US-brokered ceasefire, are part of an ongoing exchange that has seen Hamas return hostages’ bodies while Israel releases Palestinian prisoners and remains.

The Israeli military said the new bodies are undergoing forensic identification in Tel Aviv.

🟡 IDF representatives informed the families of Inbar Hayman and Sergeant Major Muhammad Al-Atresh that their loved ones have been brought back for burial.

According to the information and intelligence available to the IDF:
– Inbar Hayman, 27, was murdered by Hamas during the…

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 16, 2025

Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry said it received 45 more Palestinian bodies from Israel, bringing the total returned to 90.

Forensic teams in Gaza reported evidence of mistreatment, with several bodies arriving shackled or bearing signs of torture. Israel has not clarified how many remains it still holds.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed not to compromise on recovering all hostages, while President Donald Trump warned that Israel could resume fighting if Hamas fails to meet its obligations.

The World Food Program said aid deliveries to Gaza resumed Wednesday, with 400 trucks carrying food, fuel, and medical supplies entering the enclave after a two-day pause for the body exchanges and a Jewish holiday.

Global ‘Gen Z’ Protests Sweep Multiple Countries, Topple Governments

A wave of youth-led, leaderless protests is spreading worldwide, uniting young people under shared frustration with corruption, inequality, and unresponsive governments.

In Madagascar, demonstrations by “Gen Z Madagascar” culminated this week in a military coup that ousted President Andry Rajoelina.

Similar movements have erupted in Nepal, Indonesia, Peru, Morocco, Kenya, and the Philippines, where protesters demand accountability, better public services, and an end to political nepotism.

Many protesters have rallied behind a black “One Piece” pirate flag — a pop culture symbol of rebellion against corrupt rulers — seen in demonstrations from South Asia to Latin America.

VIDEO: Why has the ‘One Piece’ flag become a Gen Z protest symbol?

A cartoon skull and crossbones from the cult manga series has been seen among crowds of protesting youngsters from Asia to Africa to Latin America and Europe. The emblem has become the flag of Gen Z… pic.twitter.com/4D1oRtpYO9

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 6, 2025

Social media has been central to organizing and amplifying these movements, with platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Discord used to mobilize crowds and share political grievances.

Experts say the protests reflect a generational shift as young people, disillusioned with traditional politics, turn to digital activism and street movements to demand systemic change.

UN Urges Pakistan and Afghanistan to End Border Clashes as Ceasefire Holds

The United Nations called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to end hostilities and protect civilians after days of cross-border fighting left dozens dead and hundreds injured.

The clashes, the deadliest since the Taliban took power in 2021, prompted a ceasefire on Wednesday following appeals from regional powers.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said at least 17 civilians were killed and 346 wounded in Spin Boldak, with additional casualties reported in nearby provinces.

Pakistan has not released its civilian toll but continues to accuse the Taliban of harboring militants, a claim Afghanistan denies.

🇵🇰 🇦🇫 Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed Wednesday to a 48-hour “temporary ceasefire” following deadly border clashes that killed more than a dozen civilians.

FRANCE 24’s International Affairs Editor @ketgorjestani brings you up-to-speed on the situation ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/IeqDa2maek

— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) October 16, 2025

Border crossings remained closed Thursday as both sides observed the fragile truce.

Sources: News Agencies