Monday afternoon news briefing: Thomas Cook holidays turn into nightmares

Danny Boyle
End of an era: People comfort each other outside the Peterborough headquarters of collapsed tour operator Thomas Cook - PA
End of an era: People comfort each other outside the Peterborough headquarters of collapsed tour operator Thomas Cook - PA

If you want to receive twice-daily briefings like this by email, sign up to the Front Page newsletter here and try our Audio Briefings on WhatsApp.

Collapsed Thomas Cook told customers everything was 'normal'

It was the moment dream holidays became nightmares. After Thomas Cook collapsed early today, Britain's largest ever peacetime repatriation of 150,000 stranded UK tourists has begun. But it has emerged that the failed travel operator told customers the company was "operating as normal" just hours before it announced its fall into liquidation. As Sam Barker reports, the firm was telling passengers all flights and holidays were running to plan. Three hours later at 3am, it announced it had stopped trading and left Twitter. Many holidaymakers discovered their trips had been thrown into chaos via social media. Jamie Johnson has their stories after a day of tears and turmoil. And Oliver Gill from our business team has the inside story on what happened at Thomas Cook in the five desperate days that ended in chaos.

If you are among the Thomas Cook customers stranded abroad, here is everything you need to know about getting home. What happens to upcoming flight and holiday bookings? We have all the information customers need. And travel writer Chris Leadbeater tells the interesting history of the firm - from offering tours for teetotallers to boozy package holidays to Spain.

Labour in crisis: Corbyn faces defeat in conference Brexit vote

Jeremy Corbyn looks set to be overruled on Brexit by party supporters this evening - after a major union broke ranks to order its members to back Remain. It means the Labour leader's hopes of staying neutral in any potential second referendum are fading fast. Amy Jones will have the results of the vote in our liveblog from Brighton. Earlier, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell pledged that Labour will introduce a four-day working week if it gets into power. That might sound good, but does it add up? Danielle Sheridan looks at the figures.

Royal tour: Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit 'murder capital'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have visited a township dubbed South Africa's "murder capital" as they start their first royal tour as a family of three. Prince Harry and Meghan were photographed with baby Archie walking down the steps of a commercial plane. As Chief Reporter Robert Mendick reports from Cape Town, the Duchess gave an inspiring speech to local girls - and was filmed dancing with them. Meanwhile, the Queen's closest confidante has been given "extraordinary permission" to publish a tell-all book about their work and friendship. Royal correspondent Hannah Furness has the details.

News digest

Video: The Emmys - great night for British talent

Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Jodie Comer enjoyed a stunning night as Britain's leading ladies swept to surprise victories at the Emmys in Los Angeles. Click here to watch a video of them collecting their prizes. And read Michael Hogan's view on a "spectacular triumph for scrappy British underdogs".

Comment

World news: The one story you must read today...

Stand-off over | Iran has said the British-flagged Stena Impero oil tanker is "free" to leave its waters more than two months after the vessel was seized by Revolutionary Guard forces. Middle East Correspondent Raf Sanchez explains what has changed during the two-month stalemate.

Editor's choice

  1. How I made £1million | 'I gambled student loan to become a bedroom stock trader'

  2. Love on the lines | 'I met my future husband on a train on my daily commute'

  3. Autumn to-do list | 50 top family days out - from nature to culture, food to fitness

Business and money briefing

Bank boss | Aside from Thomas Cook, the potential new Governor of the Bank of England is the big story in the business world. Tom Rees reports on the new contender who has emerged in the race to succeed Mark Carney.

Sport briefing

Rugby World Cup | Wales launched their World Cup campaign in bonus-point fashion by seeing off Georgia 43-14 in Japan. Read on for Rob Bagchi's report of all the action and Mick Cleary's verdict on the contest so far.

And finally...

When people talk about sleep, there are often two "normals" implied. These are: how many hours a healthy adult "should" sleep for - and when. But do we really need eight hours a night? Miranda Levy investigates for our Insomnia Diaries.