Top U.S. & World Headlines — August 11, 2026

Democracy Now!

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Video Summary

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake devastated Colombia's Chaco region, leaving over 160 dead and hundreds of buildings destroyed. Meanwhile, the United States experienced its hottest July on record, contributing to widespread drought and water restrictions across the globe, from Puerto Rico to France and England. Amidst these climate crises, President Trump issued an executive order reducing childhood vaccinations, a move criticized by medical professionals as unfounded and dangerous. The order reinstates a previous attempt by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to alter the immunization schedule, despite ongoing legal challenges and a lack of scientific evidence supporting the changes. The administration also faced scrutiny for revoking visas and attempting to deport military families, while a U.S. appeals court allowed lawsuits against social media giants like Meta and Google to proceed over their addictive products for young users.

Short Highlights

Colombia Earthquake: Over 160 dead, hundreds of buildings damaged or collapsed in Chaco region.
Record US Heat: July marked the hottest month documented in the U.S. since 1895.
Global Drought: Widespread water restrictions in Puerto Rico, France, and England due to severe drought.
Vaccination Changes: President Trump's executive order reduces childhood vaccinations from 18 to 11.
Social Media Lawsuits: U.S. appeals court allows lawsuits against Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat for addictive products.
Western Sahara Recognition: Colombia recognizes Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara under Trump-backed president.
Syrian Conviction: Ousted leader Bashar al-Assad sentenced to death in absentia.

Key Details

Colombia Earthquake Devastates Chaco Region [0:07]

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia's Chaco region and surrounding areas.
More than 160 people are confirmed dead, with the toll expected to rise.
Hundreds of buildings were damaged or collapsed, including the main hospital in Cali.

"Unfortunately, there were impacts like here at La Luna Bridge. And despite everything, people are still moving through there."

Record Heat and Global Drought [0:41]

July was the hottest month ever recorded in the United States since 1895.
Intense heatwaves caused wildfires and led to historic low water levels in Lake Mead.
Puerto Rico, France, and England are implementing water use restrictions due to severe drought.

"In France, nearly 70 percent of the country is under water use restrictions as successive heat waves intensify the crisis, with two-thirds of groundwater reserves falling below normal levels."

Trump Administration Alters Vaccination Schedule [1:22]

President Trump issued an executive order reducing childhood vaccinations from 18 to 11.
The order also proposes separating the MMR vaccine into individual shots.
This move reinstates a previous overhaul by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which was blocked by a federal court.

"I'm a doctor. This executive order is wrong. The president does not have the expertise to make these changes."

International Relations and Conflicts [2:31]

President Trump demanded compensation from Iran for alleged deaths during regional wars and protests.
Syria's ousted leader Bashar al-Assad was sentenced to death in absentia for killings and torture.
Colombia recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, freezing relations with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

"Well, we're going to ask for money for the damage they've done over a 50-year period."

Legal Battles Over Social Media and Taxes [4:12]

A U.S. appeals court allowed thousands of lawsuits to proceed against Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat for designing addictive products for young users.
In New York, a judge ordered an emergency pause on Mayor Zoran Mamdani's new pied-a-terre tax on high-value homes.
Massachusetts expanded late-term abortion access, loosening restrictions in cases of severe fetal abnormalities or when the pregnant person's life is at risk.

"a trial is how the public finds out what Meta knew about its products' impact on children when it knew it and what it chose to do with that knowledge."