The Metropolitan Police investigation into Madeleine McCann’s disappearance has been allocated £86,000 for 2026/27, down from £108,000 the previous year

There has been a significant development in the search for Madeleine McCann – almost 19 years since she vanished – and not one likely to be welcomed by those directly involved.

Home Office ministers have given the green light to continued funding for Operation Grange, which began in 2011 following Madeleine’s disappearance from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007.

The specialist Metropolitan Police team running the investigation has been granted £86,000 for 2026/27, a reduction from the previous year’s £108,000. The probe has cost approximately £13.3m since its inception. Madeleine was holidaying with her family in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, Portugal, in 2007 when she disappeared aged just three. The 19th anniversary of her disappearance falls on 3 May.

READ MORE: Dad waved off daughter as she went parasailing on ‘best ever’ holiday – then rope snappedREAD MORE: Family of Joshua Kershaw found dead in Thailand hotel want to find mystery woman

Operation Grange now consists of three police officers and one staff member working part-time. DC Mark Draycott, part of the team, told the trial of convicted rapist Christian Brueckner that he had received a call from a man called Helge Busching who had identified Brueckner as a suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, reports the Mirror.

Brueckner was freed after completing a prison sentence in his native Germany last September for raping an American woman, then 72, in Portugal in 2005. He continues to be a prime suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance, though he has never faced charges relating to it.

Meanwhile, in January Kate and Gerry McCann posted a poignant statement expressing their hope that the New Year would deliver “the breakthrough we long for”. Writing on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, the couple stated: “As 2025 draws to a close, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us, in whatever way, over the past year and for continuing to hope for positive news of Madeleine.”

The McCanns expressed gratitude to the public and police for their ongoing support during the investigation, concluding their message with: “With our best wishes for a peaceful and positive new year and may 2026 bring us the breakthrough we long for. Kate, Gerry and family.”

Olivia Dean emerged as the night’s biggest winner at the 30th anniversary Mobo Awards, held at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Thursday. The singer-songwriter swept three major accolades, marking a significant triumph just weeks after her success at the Brit Awards.

Dean was honoured with Song of the Year for her single “Man I Need”, Album of the Year for The Art of Loving, and Best Female Act. Her hat-trick follows a four-gong haul at last month’s Brit Awards, which also took place at the Manchester venue.

The acclaimed artist also performed at the ceremony, which was hosted by comedian Eddie Kadi and hip hop star Eve.

Speaking on the red carpet, Eve underscored the importance of the event, stating: “It feels amazing because the energy is crazy. I am definitely nervous but I’m excited. I think without having organisations like this or celebrations like this, I don’t think we would get to see the amount of black music, to celebrate the amount of black artists, it’s beyond important.”

The prestigious Mobo lifetime achievement award was presented to British-American rapper and record producer Slick Rick.

He expressed his gratitude, telling the Press Association: “It’s a great honour. Appreciated me from where I come from, so thank you very much, Manchester. I appreciate the love.”

Slick Rick later took the stage alongside singer Estelle for a collaborative performance, showcasing his influential hip-hop journey.

Estelle, speaking ahead of the show, described it as “amazing” to be in Manchester for the first time in the ceremony’s history. She mused: “I’m like, what took it so long to get to Manchester? But everything at the right time…” She added: “We’re here, we’re celebrating us and that’s beautiful.”

American musician Pharrell Williams received the Global Songwriter Award.

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Manchester-based singer-songwriter Daley, who collaborated with Williams on the 2014 track “Look Up”, told the Press Association that Williams was thoroughly deserving of the recognition. “It was very clear to me why he’s such a successful and such a good songwriter because he really taps into what the feeling of the song is, so he’s very deserving,” Daley commented.

Nineteen-year-old DC3 secured two awards, for Best Newcomer and Best Gospel, celebrating his wins with his family. He described the “meaningful” awards as a shock, adding: “There are so many legends in one room.”

Other notable winners included Ezra Collective, who were named Best Jazz Act. Drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso said: “I’m grateful on behalf of me and all my brothers. This is a wonderful thing. So, very, very proud and just grateful. Beyond the trophy itself, it’s a very special thing that a name like Ezra Collective can get mentioned and lots of people recognise it and that’s testament to so many people supporting us, from grassroots and championing us.”

Actor Stephen Graham also received an award for Best Performance in a TV Show or Film for his role in Adolescence.

On the red carpet, stars reiterated the enduring significance of the awards, three decades after their inception. Myles Smith, nominated for Song of the Year for “Nice To Meet You”, stated: “I think it’s always been important and will continue to be important. I think shining a light on music from the black community and the amazing way that we shape core culture and push boundaries is something that’s incredible to do and hopefully long continues.”

Leigh-Anne Pinnock, formerly of girl group Little Mix, added: “I just feel like this is our one show to really highlight black music, so I think it’s super important and 30 years – that’s crazy.”

Full list of winners:

Best Male Act

Central Cee

Elmiene

Jim Legxacy – WINNER

Nemzzz

Odeal

Skepta

Winner: Jim Legxacy

Best Female Act

Flo

Kwn

Little Simz

Olivia Dean – WINNER

PinkPantheress

Sasha Keable

Album of the Year

Central Cee – Can’t Rush Greatness

Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching

Flo – Access All Areas

Kojey Radical – Don’t Look Down

Little Simz – Lotus

Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving – WINNER

Song of the Year

AJ Tracey Feat. Jorja Smith – “Crush”

Donaeo Feat. Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir – “Nights Like This”

Fred Again, Skepta & Plaqueboymax – “Victory Lap”

Jim Legxacy & Dave – “3x”

Kwn – “Do What I Say”

Myles Smith – “Nice To Meet You”

Olivia Dean – “Man I Need” – WINNER

PinkPantheress – “Illegal”

Raye – “Where Is My Husband!”

Tim Duzit – “Kat Slater”

Best Newcomer

DC3 – WINNER

EsDeeKid

Finessekid

Jim Legxacy

Kwn

Namesbliss

Nia Smith

Sekou

Skye Newman

YT

Video of the Year

Pozer – “Shanghigh Noon”

FKA Twigs – “Eusexua”

Jim Legxacy – “Father”

Little Simz – “Flood”

Raye – “Where Is My Husband!” – WINNER

Skepta & Fred Again.. – “Back 2 Back”

Best R&B / Soul act

Elmiene

Flo – WINNER

Kwn

Odeal

Olivia Dean

Sasha Keable

Best Alternative Music Act

Alt Blk Era

Blood Orange

Hak Baker

Michael Kiwanuka

Nova Twins – WINNER

Rachel Chinouriri

Best Grime Act

Chip – WINNER

Jayahadadream

Kasst 8

Ruff Sqwad

Scorcher

Wiley

Best Hip-Hop Act

Aitch

Asco

Catch

Central Cee – WINNER

D-Block Europe

Kojey Radical

Little Simz

Loyle Carner

Wretch 32

Youngs Teflon

Best Drill Act

36

Booter Bee

Chy Cartier

Esdeekid

K-Trap

Leostaytrill

Nemzzz

Pozer

Twin S – WINNER

Wohdee

Best International Act

Ayra Starr – WINNER

Cardi B

Clipse

Gunna

Kehlani

Leon Thomas

Mariah The Scientist

Moliy

Tyla

Vybz Kartel

Best Media Personality

Bemi Orojuogun

DJ Ag

In My Opinion

Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe

Nadia Jae

Niko Omilana – WINNER

Pk Humble

Remi Burgz

Uche Natori

Winners Talking

Best Performance in a TV Show / Film

Aaron Pierre – Mufasa: The Lion King

Ashley Thomas – Hostage

Ashley Walters – Adolescence

Cynthia Erivo – Wicked

Damson Idris – F1

Dayo Koleosho – EastEnders

Lennie James – Mr Loverman

Marianne Jean-Baptiste – Hard Truths

Stephen Graham – Adolescence – WINNER

Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners

Best African Music Act

Adekunle Gold

Ayra Starr

Davido

Joshua Baraka

Moliy

Rema

Shallipopi

Tiwa Savage

Tyla

Wizkid – WINNER

Best Caribbean Music Act

Ayetian

Lila Iké

Masicka

Shenseea

Vybz Kartel – WINNER

Yung Bredda

Best Jazz Act

Cktrl

Ego Ella May

Ezra Collective – WINNER

Kokoroko

Nubya Garcia

Yazmin Lacey

Best Electronic Act

FKA Twigs

Jazzy

Kilimanjaro

PinkPantheress

Salute

Sherelle – WINNER

Best Gospel Act

Annatoria

DC3 – WINNER

Faith Child

Imrhan

Sondae

Still Shadey

Best Producer

Inflo

Jae5

Miles Clinton James

P2J – WINNER

Sammy Soso

Zach Nahome

MOBO Lifetime Achievement

Slick Rick

MOBO Global Songwriter

Pharrell Williams

Steph Churchill, 36, originally from the borough but now living in Hampshire, is the latest winner of the Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw, scooping a life-changing £1 million prize, completely tax-free.

Stephanie and Rob Churchill – Omaze Monthly Millionaire winners

Omaze initially struggled to contact Steph after her win, as she had not provided a phone number and did not see multiple emails, as she had been offline while travelling back from a funeral.

When she did open her inbox, she eventually decided to reply to the Omaze emails when curiosity got the better of her.

Within moments of replying, her life had “changed forever”.

After discovering she’d become a millionaire, Steph kicked off celebrations by swigging fizz straight from the bottle, in the glamorous setting of a cricket club carpark!

Steph said: “I’d been travelling back from a funeral, so I was totally offline, and I missed all the emails.

“When I finally checked my inbox and saw emails from Omaze sat there, I just ignored them at first as I never imagined I’d actually won something.

“Then curiosity got the better of me and I opened one of the emails and replied.

“The Omaze team said I’d won something and they were coming to my house to reveal what it is, problem was I’ve recently moved and hadn’t updated my address, so they had to dash from my old house to tell me the good news.

“Fortunately I’d only moved half an hour away.

“Then the next thing I know, I’m being told I’m a millionaire – I just screamed and gave my husband a big kiss and massive hug.

“If I hadn’t grabbed hold of him, I honestly think I’d have collapsed with shock!

Stephanie and Rob Churchill – Omaze Monthly Millionaire winners

“They’d given us a bottle of fizz but no glasses, but that wasn’t going to stop me celebrating, so I just drank it straight from the bottle, I felt like a teenager on a park bench but couldn’t care less!

“Rob was driving so he stuck to fizzy water.

“We were trying to get our heads around what had just happened, so I was ringing mates as I thought telling people would make it more real.

“I was shouting down the phone, ‘I’ve just won a million pounds’ and they just thought I was playing an early April Fools on them.”

But despite her life-changing windfall, Steph was quickly brought back down to earth.

Steph and Rob share their home with her brother Mike and two rescue dogs – Stephen, a little white terrier mix Steph came across on the streets during a hen do in Greece and brought back home with her, and Twinkle Toes, an enormous Romanian Mioritic Shepherd rescued from a public pound – as well as their Maine Coon cat, Ruby.

Steph said: “Then it was straight back to reality.

“The dogs do not care that you are a millionaire, they still need feeding and a walk, so we ended up trudging round a muddy field, so not very jet-set!”

Steph with resuce dog

The couple are both sales managers in the motoring industry who first met six years ago on a work trip to Portugal.

While Steph spent the morning after the win calling friends and slowly coming to terms with their new financial reality, Rob simply got up and went to work as normal.

Steph said: “This win is obviously transformational, but it won’t change who we are as people.

“Rob still got up at 7am and headed to work the day after we found out!

“We’ll both keep working as we love our jobs, but all the pressure is off and we can just focus on enjoying life and helping our friends and family.

“I worked really hard when I was younger and didn’t really go out, so I could buy a home for myself.

“I was probably quite boring to be honest, but now it feels like it has all paid off.

“We can clear our mortgage, travel the world and do all the things we’ve always talked about.

“It feels like I can relive my 20s, but this time with an unbelievable budget.”

The couple have already booked a ski trip to France, with bigger adventures to Japan and Australia now firmly on the cards.

They also plan to rescue more dogs and are now able to explore starting a family, but top of the shopping list is a hot tub for the garden.

Steph added: “We have always talked about doing the garden up, and now we can do that comfortably and will definitely be adding a hot tub as we can afford the extravagance now!

“This win is not just going to change our lives, it is going to change the lives of the people around us too.

“We will be able to support our friends and family in a way we never could before, and that is one of the best feelings of all.”

Steph entered the draw via an Omaze subscription, having signed up earlier this year, five years since she last entered.

The Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw runs every month, guaranteeing one UK winner £1 million, tax-free, each time.

Omaze helps raise money for good causes across the UK through its prize draws, with more than £100 million raised to support UK charity partners since launching in 2020.

Stephanie Churchill – Omaze Monthly Millionaire winner

Matt Pohlson, CEO and Founder of Omaze, said: “We’re absolutely delighted for Steph and Rob. Ski trips, dream holidays, rescuing more dogs and helping the people they love – it’s fantastic to see so many brilliant plans already taking shape, and everyone at Omaze is thrilled for their future.

“Omaze gives people the chance to win life-changing prizes, while also raising significant funds for incredible causes.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Omaze community, we’ve now raised over £100 million for good causes across the UK.”

To date, Omaze has awarded over £200 million in total prize value to its customers in the UK, creating more than 50 millionaires through a combination of spectacular Grand Prize house wins and tax-free cash prizes including the Monthly Millionaire Draw.

Single purchase entries cost just £10 per Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw, with Omaze Subscribers receiving automatic entries each month.

Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Cotswolds, are available now at omaze.co.uk.

The Grand Prize Draw closes on Sunday 26th April 2026 for online entries and Tuesday 28th April 2026 for postal entries.

Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Lake District, are also available now at omaze.co.uk.

In addition to the Grand Prize, anyone entering online by Midnight on Sunday 12th April 2026 (Tuesday 14th April 2026 for postal entries) will also be in with the chance to win an incredible Early Bird Prize: a Range Rover Autobiography worth over £130,000 plus £100,000 in cash.

Entrants can also subscribe for best value bundles and automatic entry into every monthly House, Early Bird and Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw.

For full terms and conditions, see omaze.co.uk.

No purchase necessary to enter. Over 18s and UK residents only.

SS Osmund & Andrew’s Primary School in Bolton has been advised to limit large gatherings and mixing

It became the norm during the pandemic, but now a Bolton school has reintroduced class bubbles to stop the spread of infections. The bubbles are among a number of measures being taken at SS Osmund & Andrew’s Primary School in Breightmet following a ‘small number of Group A Strep infections within the school’.

Following guidance from the community infection control team, the school has been advised to limit large gatherings and internal mixing to further reduce the risk of transmission before the Easter break.

All large-scale events, including school assemblies, Mass, and the school’s Easter production have either been postponed or cancelled, along with Parents’ Evening and Reception Stay & Play sessions.

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After-school clubs have been suspended until further notice and during breaks and lunchtimes, children are staying within their own class groups.

In a newsletter to parents, the school said: “We will ensure they still have access to outdoor space and fresh air, but they will not be able to mix with children from other year groups or classes at this time.

“We understand that these changes are disappointing, particularly as we look forward to our Easter celebrations. However, our priority remains the health and well-being of our pupils, staff, and the wider school community.

“We continue to encourage the infection control measures mentioned in our previous letter, such as regular handwashing and the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach to coughs and sneezes. Thank you for your continued patience, cooperation, and understanding during this time. We will keep you updated should the situation change.”

The school closes for the Easter holidays on April 2, when it’s hoped the measures will be dropped.

Headteacher Jim Graves told the Manchester Evening News: “The decision to reschedule or amend certain upcoming events has been made following specific guidance from the Community Infection Prevention and Control Team. To help limit the spread of Strep A, the team has advised avoiding large group gatherings until after the Easter period.

“As a school, our absolute priority is the health and wellbeing of our children, staff, and the wider community. We are taking these proactive, precautionary steps to ensure everyone remains as healthy as possible during the holiday break.

“We would like to thank our parents and carers for their continued cooperation and for the overwhelming support they have shown for the school in adhering to this professional health guidance.”

Strep A symptoms

Strep A is a common type of bacteria, with infections most commonly found in children. Most strep A infections are not serious and will get better on their own.

Strep A symptoms include:

• flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, swollen glands or an aching body
• sore throat (strep throat or tonsilitis)
• a rash that feels rough, like sandpaper (scarlet fever)
• scabs and sores (impetigo)
• painful, hot and swollen areas of skin (cellulitis)
• severe muscle aches

According to the NHS, if a child does not seem to be seriously ill, you can usually look after them at home. They should feel better in a few days.

If they’re uncomfortable, you can give them children’s paracetamol or children’s ibuprofen. Check the leaflet to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child and to see how much to give them. A pharmacist can give you advice about how to ease your child’s symptoms and whether you need to see a doctor.

A Bolton Council spokesperson said: “Infections do arise from time to time in educational settings, and schools are supported to respond using standard infection prevention and control measures.”

A busy Cambridge road was closed for nearly 12 hours on Thursday (March 26)

Police have provided an update on a crash that left a man in a critical condition, and a woman seriously injured. Emergency services were called to a crash involving a car and an e-bike at around 12.10am on Thursday (March 26) along Newmarket Road in Cambridge.

The rider of the e-bike, a 31-year-old man from Cambridge, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The other passenger, a 34-year-old woman from Cambridge, was taken to the same hospital with serious injuries.

At the time, the driver of the car failed to stop at the scene. However, at around 2am, officers arrested a 19-year-old man from Luton and two 21-year-old men from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Police have provided an update on the three men arrested. A police spokesperson said: “A 21-year-old man, from High Wycombe, has been bailed until June 25. The other two were released under investigation.”

Newmarket Road was closed for nearly 12 hours while investigations took place, and it reopened just after 10.30am.

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A Russian man has been jailed for four years for assaulting a woman in an attack which was witnessed on a video call by Donald Trump’s youngest son Barron.

Matvei Rumiantsev drunkenly beat up the victim when he became jealous of her blossoming friendship with Mr Trump, 19, after she met him through social media.

During the assault, the 23-year-old answered a FaceTime call on her phone from Mr Trump and turned the camera to show her crying on the floor.

In a 999 call to City of London Police on January 18 last year, the US president’s son pleaded for help for the woman, telling the operator: “It’s really an emergency.

“I’m calling from the US, uh I just got a call from a girl, you know, she’s getting beat up.”

The woman herself managed to call 999 after enduring violence lasting an hour, telling the operator: “Please help me, I’m gonna get killed.”

This is a breaking news story, more to follow…

From the Harlem Shake to Miley Cyrus’ twerking at the VMAs and the arrival of Prince George, 2013 now feels like a much simpler time.

The world felt a little less dark, and frightening concepts such as ‘the manosphere’ hadn’t yet entered the mainstream consciousness.

Another thing that was substantially better 13 years ago was the cost of living. Since 2013, prices in the UK have increased by approximately 48.76%, primarily due to soaring inflation following the global COVID-19 pandemic.

In terms of how that affects the everyday Brit, what cost £10.00  in 2013 would now be the equivalent of £14.21 in February 2026.

But one brewery in London is doing its best to try and make sure this weekend doesn’t break the bank.

Five Points Brewing Co in Hackney, East London, is offering 2013 prices on pints all the way through till Sunday – meaning visitors can enjoy a beer of their liking for just £4.25.

For the first time in over a decade, Londoner’s will be able to leave the house with only a fiver in their wallet.

Anyone who’s visited or lived in the capital will know all too well how expensive drinking out in pubs and bars has become.

The average price for a pint in London is now £6.75, with some spots in central hubs like Soho and Liverpool Street charging upwards of £7.50.

Explaining why Five Points were so keen to embrace lower prices for the weekend, Ed Mason, co-founder and managing director at the brewery, tells Metro that given what a ‘challenging time’ it’s been for independent pubs, he’s incredibly proud to still be going strong 13 years after the brewery’s launch.

Wanting to say ‘a massive thank you’ to all the loyal customers and neighbours they have here in Hackney, the co-founder added that it felt only right to bring back 2013 prices for one special weekend.

However, Ed did add that due to the ‘relentless rise in beer duty and other costs’, this kind of offer is not something Five Points can do on a regular basis.

Beer duty in the UK is a tax charged on the production or importation of beer with an alcoholic strength exceeding 1.2% ABV (alcohol by volume).

Following the release of the 2025 Autumn budget, the government announced that it would be updating all alcohol duty rates in line with the 3.66% increase in the Retail Price Index (RPI). As a result, UK beer duty is now almost three times the EU average.

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With 3,500 or so pubs in London being forced to increase their pint prices, inevitable closures have taken place. In 2025 alone one pub per day shut its doors for good in England and Wales.

And predictions for this year look even bleaker. UKHospitality’s analysis suggests that 540 pubs will close this year if the government doesn’t introduce a hospitality-wide solution.

The London boroughs with the cheapest pint

1. Newham – £4.20
2. Havering – £5.04
3. Brent – £5.15
4. Waltham Forest – £5.20
5. Ealing – £5.26
6. Croydon – £5.27
7. Lewisham – £5.30
8. Redbridge – £5.38

The pub where you can buy a pint for under £2

It’s not all doom and gloom.

The Ardwick pub in Blackpool has gained a large following online for charging prices that were last normal in 1997 for some of its pints.

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Favourites such as Fosters, Strongbow cider or John Smiths cost only £1.80 per pint.

Landlady Lynn Haworth told The Sun: ‘When I took over here in 2010 a pint cost £1.49, and I’m pleased my customers are only paying 31p more 14 years later.

‘I manage to keep prices so cheap because of the volume I sell. I didn’t design the pub to be the cheapest in Britain, it just turned out that way.

‘Sometimes if a group comes in and they are buying rounds, you can hear them saying to their mates “hurry up and drink them, we’ve been undercharged”, but they haven’t’.

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Struber took over at Ashton Gate in June after Liam Manning, who had taken the club into the play-offs, left to take charge at Norwich City.

The Austrian, 49, spent a year managing Barnsley from 2019 to 2020 before spells at New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Salzburg and Cologne and had agreed a deal until the summer of 2028.

He had recently been critical of the volume of talent within the club’s academy and had voiced frustration over the January sales of Vyner and Mehmeti.

“I would like to thank Gerhard and Bernd for their hard work over the past nine months and we wish them all the best,” City chief executive Charlie Boss said.

“Roy’s appointment is about more than the results of the next seven games.

“Over the remainder of the season, he will help us set the standards and values at the club that we will need to be successful going forwards.

“Roy is a vastly experienced coach who has achieved and won at the highest level. He will support me, our players and our football staff as we build towards achieving our potential.

“We are in the process of appointing a sporting director who will have a direct input into the recruitment of a new permanent head coach.”