The private investigators from Metodo 3 hired by the McCanns' say they know who kidnapped Madeleine and they will have her back by Christmas. They say Madeleine was kidnapped by a pedophile ring and is being held in north Africa or the Iberian Peninsula and what is most important that she is still alive.It is not the first the detective agency makes such optimistic claims. The private investigators have been working on this case since September. Francisco

When police question John Darwin on where he was been these five years he said he did not remember. Well, here's a reminder - a photo taken a year ago in Panama. Smiling John with his wife His wife cashing in his life insurance policy, death-in-service benefits from the Prison Service of about £70,000 and a widow's pension. Mrs. Darwin moved to Panama six weeks before her husband showed up at the police station. She also sold two properties for £455,000. Full story

Canoeist John Darwin was last seen in a red canoe in March 2002. Police found only his smashed canoe and a row. Last night he walked into West End central police station in London. His family was very glad to hear these news and it's the best Christmas present they could ask for. It's still not clear where John was living or what he was doing these 5 years. Here's the full story

A friend of the McCanns one of the so-called Tapas Nine wants to help Portuguese police feels obliged to keep silent. A lawyer representing one of the Tapas Nine, told El Mundo: "My client feels obliged to keep silent about what he can do to help the investigation, and not because of the Portuguese secrecy laws. "It's not that he is scared of the McCanns, but the economic and political lobby surrounding the couple is truly frightening to anybody. What my client wants is to reveal the whole truth, but he does not mean to accuse or blame anyone, as that is the job of the police. "The

Evidence of a decomposing body was found in McCann's hired car. Portuguese police found "bodily fluid" that could have come only from a corpse in the boot of the Renault Scenic rented by Kate and Gerry McCann 25 days after Madeleine went missing. The evidence was found on the underside of a carpet, indicating that it was hidden there. Police are waiting for further test results which may show whether the DNA belongs to Madeleine. Friends of the McCanns believe police have orchestrated this because of McCanns' criticism of the way the search for Madeleine was conducted in the early

Mayor Robert Levy called in sick September 26 and was not seen since. The Atlantic City officials want his office declared vacant. That would clear the way for the council to name a replacement.City Councilman Bruce Ward has called Levy's disappearance "a national embarrassment." A spokesman said that Levy is in a hospital Levy's lawyer said Monday "Within just a couple days, I will have a further statement on the mayor's circumstances"Last fall, the Press of Atlantic City reported that the Vietnam veteran's claims that he was a member of the Green Berets were untrue. He

Georg Schneider, 42, was last seen at Yulara in January. He is missing for 6 months. Mr Schneider's family contacted Interpol, who advised NT police of the missing tourist. Police have distributed flyers with Mr Schneider's photo and description to all central Australian backpackers' accommodation, motels and caravan parks to try to locate him. Mr Schneider is described as being Caucasian, 184cm tall with brown eyes and long, straight, dark hair. He has a fair complexion, athletic build and wears glasses. He also has a birth mark on his neck. Anyone with information is urged to contact