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Politics

L. Murugan resigns as minister and plans to focus on BJP in Tamil Nadu

L. Murugan has resigned as a Union minister and said he will give his full time to strengthening the BJP in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2029 general election.

“With humility and grateful heart, I therefore request you to relieve me of my responsibility as MoS and permit me to relinquish my membership of the Rajya Sabha, so that I may dedicate full time to strengthening the party in Tamil Nadu”
L. MuruganUnion Minister of State

Former Turkish deputy minister jailed pending trial in fund investigation

Mustafa Aksu, a former deputy agriculture minister, was jailed pending trial in an investment fund investigation. Turkey’s regulator ordered 131 funds liquidated after a market crisis.

Federal agents search Ilhan Omar’s Washington home

Agents searched the home of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Omar called the search political intimidation; no charges against her were announced.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia begin first official visit to Ceuta

Felipe VI and Letizia began their first official visit to Ceuta, months after a mass arrival of migrants from Morocco. They are staying overnight in the city.

Spain's government criticizes political dispute over overseas voters' suspension

Spain's Supreme Court kept a suspension affecting more than 163,000 overseas voters in place. The government is considering whether to challenge the decision in the Constitutional Court.

Spanish expatriate councils defend voting rights for descendants of exiles

Nearly 30 councils representing Spaniards abroad say a court order could prevent some newly naturalized descendants of exiles from voting in Spain’s 29 November elections.

Greta Thunberg joins French students protesting school conditions

Greta Thunberg joined students in Saint-Denis as protests over teacher shortages, crowded classes and poor school buildings spread across France. Officials said about 200 schools were closed.

Greta Thunberg joined French students protesting in Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris, on Tuesday.

The students are demanding action on teacher shortages, overcrowded classes and deteriorating school buildings.

The movement began in late September and has led to marches and blockades at schools across the country.

Unions and some left-wing groups support the protests, while officials said about 200 schools were closed on Tuesday.

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Italian Chamber approves majority budget resolutions

Italy’s Chamber of Deputies approved majority resolutions on a budget deviation and the public finance plan, including calls to support household purchasing power and investment.

The government approved the public finance planning document.

The Chamber approved the majority resolution on the budget deviation and a separate resolution on the public finance planning document.

The Senate approved majority resolutions on the document and the budget deviation.

Hungary removes anti-LGBT+ provisions from 2021 law

Hungary’s parliament voted to remove provisions restricting references to homosexuality and gender identity for minors from a 2021 child-protection law. It is the first significant reversal of such restrictions since Peter Magyar took power in May.

Vote
139 in favor, 51 against
Law amended
2021 Child Protection Law
Former leader
Viktor Orbán
Prime minister
Péter Magyar

TSE review found no alleged fake news in Janones's WhatsApp channel

A technical team at Brazil’s top electoral court found no copies of the alleged fake news in André Janones’s WhatsApp channel. A temporary order to suspend it was later reversed.

Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign André Janones and the channel’s supporters

Alleged content

The campaign alleged that the channel circulated claims about Flávio Bolsonaro that the TSE had previously ruled to be disinformation.

The TSE technical review found no matching or substantially equivalent claims in the posts it examined.

Channel suspension

The campaign sought action over the alleged content.

Janones’s channel was restored after the suspension was reversed, with Cueva citing freedom of expression.

Spain moves to add 500 judges and 200 prosecutors in 2027

The government is starting an urgent process to create 500 judge posts and 200 prosecutor posts for 2027, adding to a similar expansion approved in July.

World

Drones hit two ships off Bulgaria; one sinks and 11 crew are missing

Two cargo ships were hit by drones in the Black Sea off Bulgaria. One sank, leaving 11 crew members missing, while all 15 people aboard the other ship were rescued.

“This is absolutely unacceptable: yet another attack in close proximity to Bulgaria’s territorial waters”
Rumen RadevBulgarian prime minister

Nuremberg airport suspends flights after aviation emergency alert

Nuremberg airport in Germany suspended flights after an unclear aviation emergency was reported. Police said an aircraft landed safely, and the cause is under investigation.

Two Turkish citizens detained in Germany over fire at Polish Starlink station

German police detained two Turkish citizens suspected of setting fire to a Starlink station in central Poland. Polish officials say they will face sabotage charges in Poland.

Court orders new hearing in case over passport error that stopped family’s Thailand trip

A passport error listing a child’s sex incorrectly stopped a Krasnodar family from travelling to Thailand. A court overturned earlier rulings and sent the compensation case back for a new hearing.

Hezbollah to offer up to $14,000 to Lebanese families with destroyed homes

Hezbollah says it will pay eligible Lebanese families whose primary homes were destroyed or made uninhabitable in the war with Israel, with payments spread over a year.

Polish foreign minister says a European army could form by 2030

Radosław Sikorski said a joint European force could be formed by 2030, possibly limited to the Baltic states and the eastern flank.

MI5 chief warns Iran and Russia are stepping up threats to Britain

MI5 chief Ken McCallum said Iran is seeking to target harder sites, including military locations, while Russia is increasing hybrid operations against Ukraine’s allies. He also warned that AI could help terrorists develop biological weapons.

MI5 chief Ken McCallum warned of growing state threats to Britain in a speech in London on Tuesday.

He said Iran had shifted towards targeting harder sites, including military locations, although he could not discuss an investigation into a suspected plot involving RAF Fairford.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Tehran was highly likely to be behind that suspected plot, but Iran has denied involvement.

McCallum said Iran-linked operations had led to more than 50 arrests over the past year.

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Eight people injured in stabbing at Incheon supermarket

A man stabbed eight people at a supermarket in Incheon, South Korea. Police detained the suspect and are investigating the attack.

A man attacked people with knives while moving on an escalator in the supermarket building.

Shoppers subdued the suspect, and police arrested him.

France boards Russia-linked tanker in Indian Ocean

French forces boarded the DF Peak, a sanctioned oil tanker suspected of using a false flag and carrying fuel illicitly. The vessel is being escorted to Réunion for further checks.

Vessel
DF Peak
Location
More than 450 nautical miles south of Réunion
Flag
Benin
EU sanctions status
Listed among the EU-sanctioned ships

UK says Iran was highly likely behind RAF Fairford security incident

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard almost certainly directed a suspected plot near RAF Fairford. Britain has sanctioned two people and says further sanctions may follow.

UK government Iranian government

Responsibility

Burnham said the incident was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the IRGC.

Iran rejected any suggestion it was involved and called the accusation unfounded and malicious speculation.

Evidence

British authorities cited their assessment and said investigators found accelerants but no viable explosives in vans.

Iran called on Britain to present evidence supporting its allegations.

Zelensky says Russian strikes violated Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire

Zelensky says Russian attacks hit Ukrainian energy facilities after Trump announced a mutual pause in such strikes. Russia has not confirmed agreeing to the ceasefire.

Business

McDonald’s Switzerland brings back The Prime for its 50th anniversary

The burger, created by TV chef René Schudel, won a fan vote and is returning to McDonald’s restaurants across Switzerland for a limited time, while stocks last.

Henry Schirmer to become Cofra CFO in January 2027

Cofra has named Henry Schirmer as its next CFO, starting 1 January 2027, subject to regulatory approval. He will succeed Florian Brenninkmeyer.

More vacant homes point to slight easing in Zurich rental market

Zurich’s vacancy rate rose from 0.48% to 0.52% in 2026, as lower net migration and more construction eased pressure. The market remains tight.

“In the canton of Zurich, after rising pressure, the first signs of easing are emerging. There is no all-clear, but the market is moving away from maximum scarcity.”
Ursina KubliHead of real estate research at ZKB

UBS customers receive overnight activation-code texts after technical problem

A UBS customer received two texts asking her to use an activation code after midnight. The bank reportedly told her the messages were linked to a technical problem.

UBS veteran Claudio Scarfone to retire at the end of October

Claudio Scarfone, a UBS executive who worked with independent wealth managers for more than 25 years, will retire at the end of October 2026.

Flexbase’s Aargau data centre and battery face financing and permit questions

Flexbase is building a data centre in Laufenburg, Switzerland, alongside a huge battery. The project faces questions over its financing, technology and missing permits for the battery and grid connection.

S&P cuts Zurich’s outlook to negative, keeps top credit ratings

S&P lowered Zurich’s outlook from stable to negative but kept its AAA long-term and A-1+ short-term ratings. It cited rising debt, spending and investment plans.

S&P Global Ratings has changed its outlook for the city of Zurich from stable to negative.

It has not lowered the city’s credit ratings, which remain AAA for long-term debt and A-1+ for short-term debt.

The agency says rising spending and a large investment programme could make it harder for Zurich to control deficits and debt.

It projects that debt could reach about 90% of the city’s current revenue by 2028, up from 63% in 2023.

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Givaudan's third-quarter organic growth accelerates to 8.6%

The Swiss fragrance and flavour maker reported faster growth in the third quarter, with its flavour business recovering and fragrance sales continuing to lead.

Givaudan recorded organic growth of 3.6%; Taste & Wellbeing grew by 0.5%.

Organic growth reached 8.6%, with Taste & Wellbeing up 3.5% and Fragrance & Beauty up 13.5%.

Sales totalled 5.89 billion Swiss francs, with organic growth of 5.2%.

Bank Syz appoints new private banking head and chief operating officer

Marc Brodard will lead private banking at Bank Syz, while Martin Freiermuth becomes COO, overseeing operations, technology and security.

Private banking head
Marc Brodard
Chief operating officer
Martin Freiermuth
Brodard’s reporting line
Philippe Turrian, head of wealth management
Freiermuth’s reporting line
CEO Nicolas Syz

NZZ editor succession reportedly pits Mark Dittli against Benedict Neff

A Swiss media outlet says Mark Dittli is a contender to lead the NZZ, while alleging that outgoing editor Eric Gujer favors Benedict Neff. The claims have not been confirmed here.

Mark Dittli Benedict Neff

Suitability

Inside Paradeplatz presents Dittli as a candidate with business experience from founding The Market.

The article says Gujer wants Neff, an NZZ editor, installed as his successor.

Political profile

The article says Zimmermann portrayed Dittli as left-wing because he briefly led Republik in 2018.

The article describes Neff as aligned with Gujer, but gives no account of Neff’s own political views.

Schweiter names Stefan Boenders as its new CFO

Stefan Boenders will become CFO of Schweiter Technologies on November 1, 2026, succeeding Urs Scheidegger, who is leaving at the end of December.

Science & Tech

Apple announces HomePod mini 2 with Siri AI and new sound features

Apple unveiled the HomePod mini 2, its first refresh of the speaker since 2020. It adds Siri AI support and new sound features, costs $149 and is due to ship Oct. 30.

“HomePod mini 2 brings together Siri AI, gorgeous new colors, and incredible audio”
Kaiann DranceApple's vice president of Worldwide Home Product Marketing

Apple reportedly plans HomeView smart home hub for November

Apple is expected to unveil its Siri-focused HomeView display on October 13 and begin shipping it around mid-November. A new Apple TV and HomePod mini are also expected.

GitLab fixes maximum-severity flaw that could let attackers run server code

The flaw could let attackers run code on affected GitLab servers without logging in. GitLab urges users of self-managed systems to install patched versions.

Ledger links CryptoBilis wallet implants to confirmed crypto thefts

Ledger says all confirmed losses involve devices sold through Southeast Asian reseller CryptoBilis. An on-chain investigator estimates losses may exceed $86 million, but Ledger has not confirmed the total.

NASA’s Perseverance rover sets record with 45.2km driven on Mars

Perseverance has driven 45.2km on Mars, surpassing the previous record held by NASA’s Opportunity rover. NASA says the rover’s autonomous navigation system handles more than 90% of its driving.

Scientists call for stronger safeguards against AI hacking

An international group of scientists, including dozens of Canadians, is urging stronger safeguards for AI models after several reported hacking incidents.

Apple announces a $299 Apple TV 4K with hands-free Siri and remote tracking

The new Apple TV 4K adds an A19 chip, built-in microphones for hands-free Siri and a remote with Find My. It goes on sale Nov. 13 for $299.

Apple announced a new Apple TV 4K at a smart home-focused event on Oct.

13.

The streaming box looks much like its predecessor, last updated in 2022, but has an A19 chip and Wi-Fi 7 support.

Built-in microphones let users talk to Siri hands-free, without speaking into the remote or a HomePod.

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Apple unveils smart home devices made with LG and Schneider Electric

Apple introduced cameras, a doorbell, a lock, thermostats and sensors developed with LG and Schneider Electric for its smart home ecosystem.

Apple unveiled the Apple Home Collection in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric.

Availability of the lineup is scheduled to begin.

Some accessories are expected to launch.

Cyberattack disrupts IT systems at three TFG London fashion brands

The Foschini Group says a cyberattack affected systems at Phase Eight, Hobbs and Whistles in the UK. Stores remain open, but some online services and orders may be delayed.

Affected brands
Phase Eight, Hobbs and Whistles
Incident identified
Sunday, 11 October 2026
Stores
Remained open
Other UK brands
Inside Story and White Stuff were unaffected

Honeybee stingers keep pumping venom after detaching from the insect

Researchers at Macquarie University filmed detached honeybee stingers pumping venom into a gel that mimics skin. Their findings reveal how the stinger’s tiny valves and lancets keep the venom flowing.

Sony Announces Japan-Only Midnight Black PlayStation 5

Sony will release a matte-black PS5 Digital Edition in Japan on Nov. 19 for ¥55,000. Buyers will need a separate disc drive to play physical games.

Sports

Bills beat Rams 37-34 in overtime for Josh Allen’s first OT win

Buffalo beat Los Angeles 37-34 in overtime after Josh Allen led a late drive and Tyler Bass kicked the winning field goal. It was Allen’s first career overtime victory.

“Guys kept chipping away, defense kept going out there making plays, special teams was big tonight”
Josh AllenBills quarterback

Dolphins and Browns lead NFL teams relying on rookies

After five weeks, Miami had 14 first-year contributors, while Cleveland rookies had played 1,401 snaps. The Ravens, Giants and Chargers also ranked among the top five teams in rookie playing time.

Titans stick with Cam Ward as they face a 2027 quarterback decision

Tennessee coach Robert Saleh says Cam Ward will not be benched after the Titans fell to 0-5. His early numbers raise questions about whether the team may draft another quarterback in 2027.

Marvin Harrison Jr. trade to Houston becomes official after physical

Harrison passed his physical and is now a Houston Texan. The Texans sent Arizona a 2027 second-round pick and a seventh-round pick for the receiver and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Rams lose to Bills and look to reset before facing Cardinals

The Rams lost 37-34 to the Bills, leaving them 2-3 despite gaining 454 yards. Puka Nacua said the team must regroup and define its identity before hosting Arizona.

Penix says he hopes to play next week after rib injury

Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. left the Falcons’ overtime loss to Baltimore with a rib injury. He said he hopes to return next week, but further tests are planned.

49ers lead Week 6 NFL power rankings as several 0-5 teams struggle

The 49ers remain No. 1 in one Week 6 ranking, while the Vikings rise and the 0-5 Chargers, Titans and Dolphins sit near the bottom.

Two Week 6 rankings assess the NFL after five weeks of the 2026 season.

One list keeps the San Francisco 49ers at No.

1, with the Kansas City Chiefs second and the Jacksonville Jaguars third.

The other ranking also puts the 49ers at the top and highlights the strength of the NFC West.

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Jaguars left tackle Anton Harrison to have knee surgery

Anton Harrison will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee after an injury against Philadelphia. His absence could last three to five weeks or the rest of the regular season.

Harrison injured his knee during Jacksonville’s 19-17 win over Philadelphia in London.

Reports said Harrison was set to have arthroscopic knee surgery, with his recovery timeline still uncertain.

Harrison is expected to have surgery when the Jaguars return from London.

The Jaguars are scheduled to play Houston at Wembley Stadium, with Walker Little expected to start at left tackle.

49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw ejected after headbutting Seahawks player

Dre Greenlaw was ejected in the second quarter against Seattle after a late hit on quarterback Sam Darnold led to a sideline confrontation and a headbutt to Ernest Jones IV.

Suspension
One game without pay
Teams
San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks
Players involved
Dre Greenlaw and Ernest Jones IV
Game result
San Francisco won 32-29

Rams' limited investment in special teams faces renewed scrutiny

After another overtime loss, coach Sean McVay again criticized the Rams' special teams. The team has ranked near the bottom in several measures of investment in that unit.

Two players ejected after opening-kickoff fight in London

Jacksonville’s Bryan Thomas Jr. and Philadelphia’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. were ejected after fighting during the opening kickoff. A 90-yard Jaguars return for a touchdown was called back because of penalties.

Entertainment

Selma Blair charged with assault after flight incident in New York

Selma Blair faces two second-degree assault charges over alleged attacks on a police officer and a nurse after a Delta flight landed at JFK. She was released on bail and has a court hearing scheduled for January.

“This was not an intentional assault.”
Shawn BarnesBlair’s lawyer

God of War Laufey Collector Box Costs $149.99 and Excludes the Game

Sony’s U.S. collector box for God of War Laufey costs $149.99 and includes merchandise, but no game disc or download code. It is due out with the game on Feb. 16, 2027.

IDFA to open with film following Myanmar resistance recruits

The 39th International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam will open with “White Tiger Column,” following young recruits as they train with Myanmar’s resistance movement. The festival runs Nov. 12 to 22.

The Social Reckoning opens to $5.5 million, far below its predecessor

Aaron Sorkin’s follow-up to The Social Network took in $5.5 million in its domestic opening weekend, against a reported production budget of about $30 million to $42 million.

Bryan Cranston mourns Breaking Bad co-star RJ Mitte, who died at 34

Cranston paid tribute to Mitte, who played his son on Breaking Bad, remembering his acting and disability advocacy. Accounts differ on whether his death was officially confirmed as suicide.

RimWorld moves to its own engine, with faster performance and saves intact

Update 1.7 moves RimWorld from Unity to Ludeon Studios’ Waylith Engine. The studio says it runs two to four times faster, and existing saves and most mods still work.

Thélyson Orélien denies using AI to write novel, admits plagiarism

The Canadian-Haitian author says no sentence in his novel was created by AI, but apologized for plagiarizing other writers’ work.

Thélyson Orélien denies that AI wrote any sentence of his novel, “C’était ça ou mourir.”

The Canadian-Haitian writer says he used tools for research but wrote the book himself.

He apologized and accepted responsibility for plagiarizing texts by established authors after moving to Canada.

He says he began writing the novel in Quebec in 2017 and finished a first draft in 2019.

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TNA ends Max Caster’s run after Riyadh attack reference at Bound for Glory

TNA said Max Caster will no longer wrestle for the company after his entrance rap at Bound for Glory referred to attacks in Riyadh. TNA apologized and removed the segment from replays and social media.

Wrestling Observer dated the attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to this day.

Caster performed an entrance rap referencing the Riyadh attacks before his match against Moose at Bound for Glory.

TNA announced Caster would no longer wrestle for the promotion and said it had removed the segment from replays and social media.

Raye manually reviews ticket sign-ups after 1.8 million apply for 5,000 seats

Raye says AI bots and scalpers overwhelmed sign-ups for her Royal Albert Hall show in London. Her team is manually selecting fans for presale access, with remaining tickets due to go on general sale.

Sign-ups
1.8 million
Venue capacity
5,000 seats
Venue
Royal Albert Hall, London
Show date
23 October 2026

Collin Gosselin alleges abuse by mother Kate ahead of memoir release

Collin Gosselin says his mother, Kate, physically and emotionally mistreated him as a child. His memoir, “In the Shadow of Eight,” is due out Oct. 13.

Collin Gosselin Kate Gosselin

Alleged treatment

Collin says his mother dragged him by the ear and mistreated him and his siblings.

Kate previously said reports of abuse were unfounded.

His placement in an institution

Collin says he was removed from the home and placed in an institution, with little contact with his family.

Kate said he was sent for treatment for educational and social challenges and that the decision was the best thing she could do for him.

Julianne Moore’s son Caleb Freundlich marries Kibriyaá Morgan

Caleb Freundlich and Kibriyaá Morgan have married after dating for nine years. His mother, actor Julianne Moore, shared the news on Instagram.

Health

Early research links GLP-1 drugs to signs of slower biological aging

Early research suggests GLP-1 drugs may affect biological aging, but experts say the evidence is not strong enough to use them solely in hopes of living longer.

“My concern is that people could overread some of this stuff.”
Dr. James Kirklanddirector of the Center for Advanced Gerotherapeutics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

UCLA specialists outline how doctors can choose between two MASH drugs

A UCLA-led review offers an algorithm to help doctors choose between resmetirom and semaglutide, the first two FDA-approved drugs for adults with MASH and moderate to advanced fibrosis.

Bimatoprost eye lens shows early promise for cataracts and glaucoma

A lens containing the glaucoma drug bimatoprost showed early promise in a randomized comparison with standard glaucoma therapy for people with cataracts and glaucoma.

Italian Registry Study Finds Avacopan Appeared Effective for AAV

An Italian registry study found that avacopan appeared strongly effective for ANCA-associated vasculitis, though the finding may not settle concerns about the treatment.

Inclisiran lowered LDL cholesterol more than bempedoic acid in a trial

In a study of 402 adults at high cardiovascular risk, inclisiran reduced LDL cholesterol more than bempedoic acid after 150 days. Similar overall rates of side effects were reported in both groups.

European groups issue guidance on two MASH treatments

Three European medical groups recommend considering resmetirom or semaglutide for some adults with non-cirrhotic MASH and significant liver fibrosis, alongside lifestyle changes and careful monitoring.

Syndax ends Niktimvo development for lung disease after Phase 2 failure

Syndax is ending development of Niktimvo for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis after the treatment failed a mid-stage trial.

Syndax is ending development of Niktimvo as a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF.

IPF is a rare lung disease.

The treatment failed a Phase 2 trial, a mid-stage study of a medicine.

The result means Syndax will not continue developing Niktimvo for this disease.

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Experts raise safety concerns about Neurocrine’s Prader-Willi drug

Vykat XR has been linked to seven deaths and nearly 100 hospitalizations since its approval, though case reports do not prove the drug caused them. Some experts are urging its withdrawal.

Vykat XR was approved to treat Prader-Willi syndrome.

An open letter about potential safety issues tied to the drug was released.

STAT reported growing alarm among patient advocates and some experts.

US FDA supports planned trial of StemSmart therapy for Crohn’s disease

The FDA supported most elements of NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals’ proposed phase two trial of its StemSmart cell therapy. The company aims to start the study in Australia and the US by the end of 2026.

FDA response
Positive responses to six of seven Pre-IND questions
Earlier study
18 patients; 78 per cent overall clinical response rate
Remission
44 per cent of patients in the earlier study
Planned trial
Phase two, in Australia and the US

Bristol Myers lung drug succeeds at lower dose, but higher dose misses target

Bristol Myers Squibb said admilparant slowed lung function decline in a Phase 3 trial of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, but only the lower dose met the main goal.

Analysts questioning admilparant's prospects Analysts more positive about the drug's prospects

Dose response

The high-dose result was confounding and the lack of dose response raised questions about the drug's profile.

The lower-dose success could open a major commercial opportunity despite lingering questions.

Mirum reports late-stage trial success for Livmarli in rare liver diseases

Mirum Pharmaceuticals said Livmarli significantly reduced cholestatic pruritus in a late-stage trial involving ultra-rare liver diseases.