Broadcast timeline
BBC One — BBC News at One including...
Wednesday 12 August 2026 · 13:15 BST · 45m · 7 stories · 15 annotated moments · 41 of 45 min on news stories (91%)
Broadcast overview
An AI-generated overview based on this broadcast's transcript.
The UK is set to experience its fullest solar eclipse in 27 years, with up to 96% of the sun covered in some areas, and the path of totality crossing parts of Spain. The broadcast also reported that serial sex offender Simon Levy was given a whole life order for murdering two women and raping a third, after a series of failings by police and courts. The chief inspector of probation warned that the government's early release scheme could lead to serious reoffending, and the prime minister chaired a COBRA meeting on extreme heat, with water supply issues affecting thousands of homes in East London and Essex.
Regional stories from the West included a disabled man from Bristol who spent eight and a half years in a care centre he described as a prison, leading to a council apology and compensation. A teenager was arrested after a stabbing on the Bristol to Bath railway path, asylum seekers were moved out of a Somerset hotel, and a worker at Hinkley C was seriously injured. A new walking trail in Cheltenham was highlighted, and a family from Somerset won £1 million in the lottery. The broadcast also noted a Mars bar shrinkflation story comparing a 1991 bar to today's smaller version.
- 1:52
- 2:24
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 ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 2:24-2:31
- 9:29 Story begins Simon Levy convicted of double murder and rape
- 14:35
- 14:46
Claim Government revises early release scheme after probation warning
Fifty police chiefs signed a letter urging the prime minister to prevent the early release of two of PC Andrew Harper's killers.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 14:46-14:55
- 15:40
Claim Government revises early release scheme after probation warning
The chief inspector of probation warned that early release could lead to serious sexual or violent offences or murder.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 15:40-15:43
- 19:14
- 20:27
Charged quote PM chairs emergency Cobra meeting over extreme heat and wildfires
And so we had no buckets, no cups of water. Water came yesterday again, an hour, and I'm in the queue again for another hour this morning and it's absolutely terrible. We don't really know exactly how long it's going to be. And, you know, it's just annoying. Now, Thames Water has said it has apologised
BBC ONE West, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 20:27-20:29
- 21:32
Claim PM chairs emergency Cobra meeting over extreme heat and wildfires
The Fire Brigades Union said the UK faces a national emergency in fighting fires.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 21:32-21:40
- 21:40
Claim PM chairs emergency Cobra meeting over extreme heat and wildfires
The Prime Minister was considering a ban on disposable barbecues.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 21:40-21:46
- 21:58
- 22:33
Claim MOD report exposes failings in Defence Serious Crime Command
The Defence Serious Crime Command was launched in 2022 following the death of Jaysley Beck.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 22:33-22:40
- 22:57
Claim MOD report exposes failings in Defence Serious Crime Command
An internal review reported that reporting serious crime remains complex and difficult for victims.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 22:57-23:03
- 23:56
Claim MOD report exposes failings in Defence Serious Crime Command
The Ministry of Defence accepted the findings of the review.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 23:56-23:58
- 28:13 Story begins Disabled man David Cording felt locked up in care
- 28:29
Claim Disabled man David Cording felt locked up in care
David Cording's stay at Concord Lodge lasted eight and a half years.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 28:29-28:36
- 30:20
Claim Disabled man David Cording felt locked up in care
Bristol City Council apologised and paid David Cording £5,000 compensation after four and a half years.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 30:20-30:29
- 31:03
Claim Disabled man David Cording felt locked up in care
The total cost of David Cording's stay at Concord Lodge was estimated at over £2 million.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 31:03-31:10
- 38:19 Story begins Mars Bar shrinks compared to 1991 version
- 38:33
Claim Mars Bar shrinks compared to 1991 version
Mars said the smaller bar is to keep it affordable due to rising ingredient costs.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 38:33-38:39
- 39:45
Claim Mars Bar shrinks compared to 1991 version
A 1991 Mars Bar weighed 62.5 grams, while the modern version weighs 40 grams.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 39:45-39:51
- 39:51
Claim Mars Bar shrinks compared to 1991 version
The modern Mars Bar is a centimetre shorter and has a smaller girth.
BBC ONE WestHD, BBC News at One including..., 12 August 2026, 39:51-39:57
Source: BBC ONE West, "BBC News at One including...", 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.