World

Who is the woman claiming to be missing British toddler Madeleine McCann?

A Polish woman has gone viral on social media after claiming that she is missing British toddler Madeleine McCann.

Julia Wendell, 21, took to Instagram and TikTok last week to share her belief that she is grown-up Maddie, who went missing at the age of four 16 years ago in Portugal's Praia da Luz.

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Julia's social media channels, @iammadeleinemccan, have over 1.1 million followers combined while her videos have been viewed over 27 million times on TikTok alone, where she has shared "evidence" that she is Madeleine – which includes having freckles in the same place and a rare Coloboma in her eye.

Three-year-old Madeleine vanished during a family holiday to Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3 2007. At present, there is no evidence to support Julia's claim.

So, what makes Julia think she is actually Madeleine McCann?

According to her videos, it was a comment made by her grandmother that led Julia to delve into her childhood which she says is rarely spoken of.

Julia says that she has no real memories from her childhood but does have a hazy recollection of being on holiday "in a hot place where there was a beach".

She says that she has never seen a photograph of her mother while she was pregnant with Julia and has never seen her birth certificate despite asking her parents for it.

Julia also claims there are inaccuracies in what her parents have told her.

An example she provides is a conversation she recently had with her kindergarten teacher who said she only joined the school in September 2007 but her parents say she was enrolled in the school earlier than that.

Resemblance

One of the details focused on during the search for Madeleine was a distinctive defect in the iris of her right eye.

Known as coloboma, it occurs when there are missing pieces of tissue in the eye.

It can appear, as it does in Madeleine's case, as a black notch at the edge of the pupil giving it an irregular shape. The condition affects around one in every 10,000 births.

In photos shared by Julia, she does appear to have a shadowy mark in the same spot in her right eye.

Julia Wendell's, 21, took to Instagram and TikTok last week to share her belief that she is grown-up Maddie, who went missing at the age of four 16 years ago in Portugal's Praia da Luz. (Instagram)

She admits that it is not as pronounced as in pictures of Madeleine but claims she could have undergone a procedure as a child in an attempt to rid her of the distinguishing feature to avoid suspicion.

The social media accounts are filled with side-by-side comparisons with real pictures of Madeleine as well as artist impressions of what Madeleine may have grown up to look like over the years since her disappearance.

Julia draws attention to their similar face shapes, gaps in their baby teeth, and freckles on their face and legs.

Julia Wendell's, 21, took to Instagram and TikTok last week to share her belief that she is grown-up Maddie, who went missing at the age of four 16 years ago in Portugal's Praia da Luz. (Instagram)

There are also a number of photos and videos in which Julia identifies physical traits that she says resemble Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann.

Past trauma

Julia has stated that she was “a victim of a German paedophile” as a child.

She said her abuser looks similar to a picture shared on the Find Madeleine website.

Julia says she has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression as a result of the abuse.

What does not add up?

Julia is 21 years old but Madeleine would be 19 today — due to turn 20 in three months' time.

In a bid to explain this discrepancy, Julia says that she could have been lied to about her age in yet another bid to avoid suspicion.

How have people reacted?

Julia Wendell's case has sparked outrage online among many who do not believe she is grown-up Maddie.

As the backlash continues to grow, Wendell has now sought help from a Persian medium, Dr Fia Johansson, who has reportedly helped the US police on missing person cases.

The self-professed psychic issued a statement claiming to be investigating Julia’s case and has urged people giving the young woman hate online to stop and “respect her privacy.”

Julia Wendell's, 21, took to Instagram and TikTok last week to share her belief that she is grown-up Maddie, who went missing at the age of four 16 years ago in Portugal's Praia da Luz. (Instagram)

In an Instagram video, which has gained thousands of likes, Dr Johansson said: “Julia's mental health, at this moment, it's not okay because of a lot of haters out there, because of a lot of comments and a lot of nastiness that went through directly to her skin.”

“At this moment, she needs help. I do understand that 50 per cent of you guys hate her now to the hundredth degree, just because you guys think and believe that she's 'not the real person, that she's not Madeleine, she's this and that'.”

“I'm telling you guys, my team and me, we are investigating already about her family, her background, where she came from, which family she belonged to, what school actually she went to, and all other details.”

“We understand that this case, Madeleine's case, would be very sensitive for every, each of you.”

What next?

Julia has been calling for British authorities to conduct a DNA test on herself and Madeleine's parents to see if they match.

She said the Met Police have not engaged with her although she has been trying to contact them.

Julia's family is not willing to do a DNA test to confirm that they are her blood relatives. She told her followers that they will not entertain her ideas that she is Madeleine.

The McCann family has since requested a DNA test after she claims she was previously ignored by police.

A source close to the McCanns told the Daily Star: “The family are taking no chances, they are willing to look at all leads.”

“It is important they look at all of the factors, the girl does look similar.”

Where does the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance stand now?

Convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner is currently the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine.

The 45-year-old has denied any involvement but investigators believe he abducted and murdered Madeleine in 2007.

While he denies any involvement, Brueckner was identified as a murder suspect in the case by Portuguese officials in June 2020.

European court rules against parents of missing British toddler Madeleine McCann

UK toddler McCann case suspect may face more jail time after EU court ruling

World

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

World

At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM