In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Chinese surgeons have successfully performed the world’s first transplant of a gene-edited pig liver into a living human patient, who survived for 171 days post-operation. This historic procedure, detailed in the Journal of Hepatology, represents a significant step forward in addressing the critical shortage of human donor organs. The operation was conducted by a team from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, utilizing a pig liver developed by researchers from Yunnan Agricultural University. The donor pig underwent rigorous pathogen screening and a complex 10-gene modification process, which included knocking out three genes responsible for rapid antibody-mediated rejection and inserting seven human genes to enhance immune acceptance and prevent blood clotting complications. The transplant was performed on May 17, 2024, on a 71-year-old patient with an unresectable liver tumor. The pig liver was transplanted as an auxiliary organ to support the patient’s native liver. Initial post-surgery results were promising, with no signs of acute rejection for the first 31 days. However, complications arose on day 38 due to blood clots in the small vessels of the transplanted organ, leading to its removal. The patient later experienced recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding and passed away on day 171. Despite the limited survival, this case demonstrates the potential of xenotransplantation as a bridge therapy for patients awaiting human liver transplants. The review article in the journal emphasizes that while this operation does not yet enable widespread clinical use of pig livers, it establishes proof-of-concept that such grafts can function in humans.
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Ronaldo rested as Al-Nassr beats Goa 2-1 in Asian Champions League 2
In a thrilling encounter in the Asian Champions League Two, Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr secured a 2-1 victory against FC Goa on Wednesday, maintaining their flawless record in the tournament. Despite the absence of their star player Cristiano Ronaldo, who remained in Riyadh for rest, Al-Nassr showcased their depth and resilience. Brazilian winger Angelo Gabriel and Haroune Camara netted crucial goals to give the Saudi side the lead, while Brison Fernandes managed to pull one back for Goa, though it wasn’t enough to alter the outcome. This victory marked Al-Nassr’s third consecutive win in Asia’s second-tier continental club championship. Meanwhile, in the AFC Champions League Elite, Al-Hilal continued their dominant run with a 3-1 triumph over Qatar’s Al-Sadd. Turkish midfielder Yusuf Akcicek opened the scoring in the 25th minute, followed by a goal from former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly just before halftime. Although Roberto Firmino reduced the deficit for Al-Sadd in the second half, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic sealed the win for Al-Hilal in the 81st minute. Al-Hilal, a four-time champion, now leads the western group of the 24-team tournament, which is divided into two geographic zones. The top eight teams from each zone will advance to the knockout stage. In other matches, South Korean clubs Ulsan HD and Gangwon FC emerged victorious over their Japanese counterparts, Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Vissel Kobe, respectively. Additionally, former AC Milan coach Sergio Conceição celebrated his first win as the head of Saudi club Al-Ittihad with a commanding 4-1 victory over Iraq’s Al-Shorta.
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‘Disgraceful’ deep-fake AI video condemned by presidential candidate
Catherine Connolly, an independent candidate in Ireland’s presidential election, has formally lodged a complaint with the Electoral Commission regarding a malicious deepfake video circulating online. The AI-generated video, which surfaced on Tuesday night, falsely depicted Connolly announcing her withdrawal from the upcoming election scheduled for Friday. Connolly, a member of the Irish parliament (TD) for Galway West since 2016, condemned the video as a ‘disgraceful attempt to mislead voters and undermine democracy.’ She reaffirmed her candidacy, stating, ‘I am absolutely still in the race to become Ireland’s 10th president.’ Connolly urged the public not to share the video but to report it, emphasizing that the best response to such disinformation is to vote. Her campaign team has flagged the video to social media platforms, demanding its immediate removal and clear labeling as fake. Connolly, a former deputy speaker in the Dáil and ex-member of the Irish Labour Party, has garnered support from several left-leaning parties and independent figures in her presidential bid. This incident highlights the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes in electoral processes and the need for robust measures to combat digital misinformation.
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ICJ rules Israel’s ban on Unrwa and aid blockade violate international law
In a landmark decision, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared on Wednesday that Israel’s ban on the United Nations’ primary humanitarian provider to Palestinians and its restrictions on aid to Gaza and the occupied West Bank contravene international law. The court unanimously emphasized that Israel, as an occupying power, must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law, ensuring Palestinians have access to essential supplies such as food, medical resources, and shelter. By a vote of 10 to 1, the ICJ further ruled that Israel must facilitate and not obstruct relief schemes for Gaza, including those administered by the UN and its agencies, particularly the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The court also underscored Israel’s duty to prevent forced displacement, refrain from using starvation as a war tactic, and cooperate in good faith with UN entities. Additionally, the ICJ dismissed Israel’s claims linking UNRWA staff to Hamas, affirming the agency’s impartiality and critical role in delivering aid. The ruling highlighted Israel’s controversial attempt to replace UNRWA’s operations with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which failed to meet international humanitarian standards. This advisory opinion follows six months of hearings at The Hague, where over 40 states and organizations argued Israel’s breach of its legal obligations. Only the US and Hungary opposed the majority view, citing military necessity and security concerns. The case stems from Israel’s 2024 ban on UNRWA, which sparked global condemnation and calls for Israel’s expulsion from the UN. This marks the third ICJ advisory opinion since 2004 addressing Israel’s violations of international law, with the court’s interpretations holding significant authority in global legal frameworks.
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Watch: Helicopter flying Indian President to Kerala sinks into landing pad
Indian President Droupadi Murmu encountered an unexpected incident during her visit to Kerala on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The helicopter transporting her to Sabarimala sank into a depression on a newly constructed helipad at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Pramadam. The incident occurred when the helicopter landed, causing its wheels to get stuck in the concrete. Visuals broadcasted on TV channels showed police and fire department personnel physically pushing the helicopter out of the sunken spot. A senior police officer revealed that the stadium was chosen as the landing site at the last minute, leading to the hurried construction of the helipad late on Tuesday. Despite the scare, President Murmu continued her journey by road, reaching Pamba by 11 am IST. She proceeded to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, followed by rituals at the Pampa river and nearby temples, including the Lord Ganapathy shrine. The incident has sparked discussions about infrastructure safety and preparedness for high-profile visits.
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‘We’re in a new world’: Lawyers warn Palestine Action defendants could be denied fair trial
Legal experts have raised significant concerns over the UK government’s plans to prosecute individuals under terrorism charges for supporting the proscribed group Palestine Action, warning that the current trial framework could undermine defendants’ right to a fair trial. Since the Labour government banned Palestine Action in July, over 2,100 people have been arrested at demonstrations opposing the proscription, with 170 now facing charges under the Terrorism Act for holding placards expressing support for the group. Judges have outlined a trial plan that would see defendants tried in groups of five during two-and-a-half-hour hearings, with two sessions per day starting in March 2024. If all arrested individuals are charged, this could result in at least 400 trials. Solicitor Laura O’Brien highlighted the impracticality of this approach, noting that most defendants lack legal representation due to inaccessible legal aid, making it nearly impossible to adequately present their cases within the allotted time. District Judge Michael Snow defended the schedule, asserting that the time is sufficient, but defendants and their legal representatives argue that the rushed process risks prejudicing outcomes. A successful legal challenge by Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori could overturn many prosecutions, as the Court of Appeal recently granted her additional grounds to challenge the ban. Critics, including former government lawyer Tim Crosland, argue that the charges under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act require a nuanced examination of context, which the current trial framework does not allow. The unprecedented volume of cases has also strained the judicial system, with Middle East Eye reporting a fourfold increase in Section 13 charges since July compared to the entire post-9/11 period. The scheduling of trials has further created disparities, with defendants in May potentially benefiting from binding legal precedents set by earlier cases, while those in March will not. Solicitor Katie McFadden warned that the court may adopt a deterrent approach, potentially imposing custodial sentences of up to six months on defendants, most of whom are pensioners. The streamlined trial process, intended to save court time, may instead lead to delays and adjournments, further complicating the judicial process.
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Jailed journalists win Sakharov Prize for speaking against injustice, European Parliament says
In a powerful testament to the resilience of press freedom, two journalists imprisoned for their unwavering commitment to truth and justice have been awarded the European Parliament’s prestigious Sakharov Prize. Andrzej Poczobut of Belarus and Mzia Amaghlobeli of Georgia were recognized for their courage in the face of oppressive regimes, despite facing severe personal and professional consequences.
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Top opposition politician arrested days before Tanzania election
In a concerning development ahead of Tanzania’s general election on October 29, John Heche, the deputy chairperson of the main opposition party Chadema, has been detained twice within a week. The latest arrest occurred on Wednesday as Heche attempted to attend the treason trial of Chadema’s leader, Tundu Lissu, at the High Court in Dar es Salaam. Chadema has accused the government of orchestrating a plan to detain senior party leaders until after the elections, a claim the government has yet to address.
Heche’s arrest marks the second time he has been taken into custody in recent days. On Saturday, he was briefly held while attempting to cross into Kenya to attend the burial of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Tanzanian immigration authorities alleged Heche was attempting to cross the border illegally, a charge Chadema vehemently denies.
This crackdown on opposition figures comes amid growing concerns over the disappearance of former Tanzanian ambassador and government critic Humphrey Polepole, who was reportedly abducted from his Dar es Salaam home on October 6. His family discovered a broken door and significant bloodstains at the scene, raising fears for his safety.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, is seeking a second term in the upcoming election. Initially praised for fostering greater political freedom, her administration has faced increasing criticism for its repressive measures, including the disqualification of opposition candidates. Chadema has been barred from participating in the polls, and its leader, Tundu Lissu, has been detained since April. Similarly, Luhaga Mpina, the candidate of the second-largest opposition party ACT-Wazalendo, has also been disqualified, leaving only minor party candidates to challenge President Samia.
The situation has sparked widespread outcry, with many questioning the government’s commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law. As tensions escalate, the international community is closely monitoring developments in Tanzania, where the suppression of dissent threatens to undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
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Brazil publishes Bolsonaro’s conviction for coup attempt, starting the appeals clock
In a landmark decision, Brazil’s Supreme Court has officially published its ruling convicting former President Jair Bolsonaro of orchestrating a coup attempt, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s political landscape. The verdict, initially delivered in September, found Bolsonaro guilty of attempting to overthrow democracy, sentencing him to 27 years and three months in prison. Since August, the far-right leader has been under house arrest, awaiting the formalization of the judgment, which now opens a window for potential appeals. Bolsonaro’s legal team has announced plans to challenge the conviction before the full bench of 11 Supreme Court justices, though legal experts remain skeptical about the likelihood of success. The case stems from allegations that Bolsonaro, after losing the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, conspired to violently dismantle democratic institutions, including plotting to assassinate Lula. Additional charges included participation in an armed criminal organization and attempts to abolish the rule of law. The trial has drawn international attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump criticizing the proceedings as a “witch hunt” and imposing a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, further straining bilateral relations. While ties between the U.S. and Brazil have since improved, the case remains a contentious issue. Bolsonaro’s co-conspirators, all former officials, have also been sentenced for their roles in the failed coup. Despite the severity of the charges, legal analysts suggest Bolsonaro may avoid imprisonment due to ongoing health issues stemming from a 2018 assassination attempt. The case is expected to conclude by year-end, with sentences enforced even if Bolsonaro remains under house arrest.
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Paetongtarn resigns as Pheu Thai Party leader ahead of election
In a significant political development, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand’s youngest former prime minister, has resigned as the leader of the Pheu Thai Party. The announcement, made on Wednesday morning, comes as the party prepares for a pivotal candidate election scheduled in four months. Paetongtarn emphasized that her resignation marks the beginning of a comprehensive overhaul of the party, aimed at transforming its structure, processes, and mindset to better position itself for the upcoming election and subsequent national revitalization efforts.
Paetongtarn, who served as Thailand’s 31st prime minister and is the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been a prominent figure in Thai politics. Her resignation follows her ousting by the Thailand Constitutional Court in August, which found her guilty of constitutional violations related to a contentious border dispute with Cambodia. This ruling has raised concerns about potential legal risks if she were to endorse parliamentary candidates, prompting her decision to step down to avoid complicating the party’s electoral prospects.
In the interim, the Pheu Thai Party’s Executive Committee will act as caretaker executives until a new leader is elected by November. Wisut Chainaroon, the party-list MP and Chairman of Pheu Thai MPs, clarified that Paetongtarn’s resignation is primarily aimed at facilitating candidate selection and political duties, with the Shinawatra family continuing to support the party behind the scenes.
The political landscape in Thailand remains dynamic, with the Bhumjaithai Party’s leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, recently elected as the new prime minister. His government is expected to dissolve the House of Representatives by January and hold elections in March or April, restoring the public’s right to vote. As Thailand navigates this critical transitional phase, the Pheu Thai Party’s strategic overhaul under new leadership will be closely watched.