Broadcast timeline
BBC News — BBC News
Wednesday 12 August 2026 · 01:00 BST · 30m · 6 stories · 15 annotated moments · 25 of 30 min on news stories (84%)
Broadcast overview
An AI-generated overview based on this broadcast's transcript.
The death toll from Monday's 7.4 magnitude earthquake in western Colombia rose to at least 240, with nearly 200 missing, as rescue teams searched rubble in hard-hit cities including Cali and Pereira. Colombia's new president declared a national emergency, and the US, Mexico, Ecuador, and France offered aid.
Former US Marine Robert Gilman was released from Russian prison after more than four years on humanitarian grounds, with no prisoner exchange, and was flown to a military hospital in Texas; a nonprofit representative said Gilman had faced harsh treatment including pressure to join the Russian military. US media reported that President Trump secretly swapped planes while leaving a NATO summit in Turkey due to an Iranian assassination threat, with journalists and staff left on the original plane as he departed via a catering truck.
A major solar eclipse was forecast for August 12, with a total eclipse visible in parts of Siberia, Iceland, and Spain and a partial eclipse of 90-95% in the UK. Primary elections took place across six US states, with key Democratic races in Minnesota and Wisconsin and a special primary in South Carolina to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham. British driver Andy Green set a new land speed record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle at over 406 mph in Utah.
- 0:52
- 0:52
Claim Powerful earthquake in western Colombia kills at least 160
Broadcasters reported different numbers of missing people, ranging from nearly 200 to more than 3,000.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 0:52-1:02
- 1:40
Claim Powerful earthquake in western Colombia kills at least 160
The president declared a national emergency.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 1:40-1:43
- 3:23
- 8:02 Story begins Trump switches planes over assassination threat
- 8:09
Claim Trump switches planes over assassination threat
Trump left the NATO summit covertly, with reports of a military flight and a catering vehicle, while the White House said he was on Air Force One.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 8:09-8:18
- 8:18
Claim Trump switches planes over assassination threat
Trump left the NATO summit covertly, with reports of a military flight and a catering vehicle, while the White House said he was on Air Force One.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 8:18-8:26
- 8:18
Claim Trump switches planes over assassination threat
Around 100 staff and reporters were on the decoy flight and were not told of the potential threat.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 8:18-8:26
- 10:09
Claim Trump switches planes over assassination threat
An AP photographer noticed unusual catering trucks near Air Force One.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 10:09-10:22
- 12:29
- 12:29
Claim Total solar eclipse to be visible across Europe and Arctic
The eclipse will be the biggest event of its kind for nearly 30 years.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 12:29-12:34
- 14:13
Claim Total solar eclipse to be visible across Europe and Arctic
A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK, with up to 96% of the sun covered, peaking around 7:10-7:15pm, and causing a temperature drop of about 5°C.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 14:13-14:16
- 14:13
Claim Total solar eclipse to be visible across Europe and Arctic
A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK, with up to 96% of the sun covered, peaking around 7:10-7:15pm, and causing a temperature drop of about 5°C.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 14:13-14:16
- 14:17
Claim Total solar eclipse to be visible across Europe and Arctic
The UK will not see a comparable eclipse until 2081.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 14:17-14:23
- 14:17
Claim Total solar eclipse to be visible across Europe and Arctic
In 2081, the southwest will see 99% of the sun covered during an eclipse.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 14:17-14:23
- 14:17
Claim Total solar eclipse to be visible across Europe and Arctic
In 2081, the southwest will see 99% of the sun covered during an eclipse.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 14:17-14:23
- 14:17
Claim Total solar eclipse to be visible across Europe and Arctic
In 2081, the southwest will see 99% of the sun covered during an eclipse.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 14:17-14:23
- 14:40
- 19:07
- 19:25
Claim Andy Green sets hydrogen-powered land speed record at 406 mph
Andy Green set a new land speed record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle at over 406 mph.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 19:25-19:34
- 19:25
Claim Andy Green sets hydrogen-powered land speed record at 406 mph
Andy Green set a new land speed record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle at over 406 mph.
BBC NEWS, BBC News, 12 August 2026, 19:25-19:34
- 26:03 ~4 min without annotations
Source: BBC NEWS, "BBC News", Wednesday 12 August 2026. Transcript excerpts and stills are shown only to support the analysis annotated alongside them. Search-result excerpts are distinct from the editorial annotations — see our copyright basis. The full broadcast is not reproduced.