Saudi Electronic University, RCU Sign Agreement to Open University Branch

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) logo
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) logo
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Saudi Electronic University, RCU Sign Agreement to Open University Branch

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) logo
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) logo

The Saudi Electronic University and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) signed a cooperation agreement to open a university branch in AlUla Governorate.
This initiative is part of the Human Capability Development Program, aiming to achieve educational excellence, enhance economic and social development, and align with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The agreement includes the RCU offering scholarships to students from AlUla, which will be announced after university admissions.
The initiative reflects the RCU's commitment to developing capabilities in AlUla, establishing an integrated educational system for all, and providing support to enable students to achieve their academic aspirations and acquire the necessary skills for excellence in the job market and future entrepreneurship.
The first phase of bachelor's degree specializations will include Business Administration (Accounting), Business Administration (Finance), Business Administration (Management), and Information Technology (IT).
The agreement also ensures that the university will offer these academic programs to prepare and equip students from AlUla with necessary professional skills, aligning with the region's economic strategy and addressing the skills gap in preparing graduates for the competitive job market.
Additionally, it aims to contribute to supporting the local and national economy.



New Zealand Charity Apologizes for Handing Out Meth-laced Candy

This handout taken on August 13, 2024 and released on August 14 by the New Zealand Police shows pineapple sweets laced with potentially lethal amounts of methamphetamine, in Auckland. (Photo by Handout / NEW ZEALAND POLICE / AFP)
This handout taken on August 13, 2024 and released on August 14 by the New Zealand Police shows pineapple sweets laced with potentially lethal amounts of methamphetamine, in Auckland. (Photo by Handout / NEW ZEALAND POLICE / AFP)
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New Zealand Charity Apologizes for Handing Out Meth-laced Candy

This handout taken on August 13, 2024 and released on August 14 by the New Zealand Police shows pineapple sweets laced with potentially lethal amounts of methamphetamine, in Auckland. (Photo by Handout / NEW ZEALAND POLICE / AFP)
This handout taken on August 13, 2024 and released on August 14 by the New Zealand Police shows pineapple sweets laced with potentially lethal amounts of methamphetamine, in Auckland. (Photo by Handout / NEW ZEALAND POLICE / AFP)

A New Zealand charity apologized on Wednesday for distributing dozens of pineapple-flavored candies that were found to be laced with potentially lethal amounts of methamphetamine.

The Auckland City Mission, that donates parcels of essentials to New Zealanders who cannot afford food, said it first became aware of the issue on Tuesday afternoon when some recipients complained about the foul-tasting candies.

Three people - a child, a teenager and a charity worker - sought medical treatment after tasting the boiled sweets, though none are currently in hospital, Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin from Auckland police told reporters.

There was no suggestion of wrongdoing by the charity, he added.

"To say we are devastated is an understatement," Reuters quoted the Mission as saying in a statement.

The candy, which was donated by an unknown member of the public, was tested by the New Zealand Drug Foundation charity, which found they contained a potentially lethal 3 grams (0.1 oz) of methamphetamine.

"A common dose to swallow is between 10-25mg, so this contaminated lolly contained up to 300 doses," said foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm.

Police believed the candies were the byproduct of an international drug trafficking operation and have called for them to be handed over to the authorities. They are also investigating how the candies entered the country, Baldwin said.