The Americas: continents of North and South America
A deep partial lunar eclipse has occurred, with about 96% of the Moon in Earth's shadow for observers across much of the Americas. The event followed a recent total solar eclipse and is part of a pair of celestial events that are visible under clear skies. The maximum viewing is around midnight EDT, with visibility shifting by location. NASA notes the Artemis II mission remains a backdrop to ongoing space activity.
Lego has reported a 21% rise in revenue for the first half of 2026, reaching 41.9 billion Danish kroner, with profits up and a broad product line expanding among adults and kids. The company is investing in sustainability, renewable energy, and packaging changes while expanding in the U.S. with new facilities.
A 40-year-old Jefferson County resident has died of complications described as measles-related, the county coroner has announced, bringing Pennsylvania state officials' total to three deaths linked to this year's outbreak. The CDC's public tracker currently shows no measles deaths and federal officials are reviewing whether the Pennsylvania fatalities meet their criteria.
CERD has published a fresh interpretation of the rights convention, saying states must implement comprehensive reparatory measures for people of African descent, covering all remedies. The guidance, approved last week and published today, frames reparatory justice as a present legal obligation with monetary, non-monetary and structural remedies. The UN watchdog adds that transformative actions include truth commissions and revised memorials.
Autumn has delivered a run of visible celestial events: a partial lunar eclipse in late August that reddened much of the Moon, close pairings of the young crescent Moon with Venus and Jupiter in September, and a string of upcoming spectacles — the Pleiades, the Orionid and Leonid meteor showers, a planetary parade on 14 November and a Beaver supermoon on 24 November.
Disney has launched another round of staff reductions, with hundreds of layoffs concentrated in human resources and technology amid CEO Josh D’Amaro’s push to consolidate divisions and reduce costs. The move follows earlier rounds and underscores a broader strategy to streamline operations and invest in growth. The company is also reorganizing its TV and entertainment units to align with a streaming-driven strategy.
Nike has unveiled its Pace plan to cut costs and streamline operations, signaling further layoffs start in 2027 as it reorganizes into three geographies. The move follows disappointing Q1 results, with revenue down and profit slipping, while Nike seeks to bolster its Sportswear, Jordan Brand and Greater China segments. Details on extent of job cuts remain unclear.
The Lancet Countdown shows health harms from climate change have grown since the Paris Agreement. Heat-related deaths rose globally, with 2023 linked to 710,000 deaths and drought affecting half the world’s land in 2025. Clean energy investment rose, but fossil fuels still dominate energy supply. Experts call for placing health at the centre of climate decisions ahead of Cop31.