Saudi team wins bronze at international cryptography Olympiad event in Russia
Saudi team wins bronze at international cryptography Olympiad event in Russia/node/2010926/saudi-arabia
Saudi team wins bronze at international cryptography Olympiad event in Russia
The Olympiad is the only event of its kind in the field of cryptography and sees researchers solving complex mathematical problems for application in the real world. (Screenshot/YouTube)
Saudi team wins bronze at international cryptography Olympiad event in Russia
The three-man Saudi team are affiliated with Center of Excellence for Information Security at King Saud University
Updated 24 January 2022
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia finished third in an international cryptographic Olympiad held in Russia last year after the results were confirmed earlier this week, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The Kingdom was the only Arab country participating in the NSUCRYPTO International Cryptographic Olympiad event, which saw 85 teams take part, representing several countries.
The three-man Saudi team, affiliated with the Center of Excellence for Information Security at King Saud University, was Ahmed Al-Harbi, Muhammad Al-Rabiah, and Muhammad Al-Ammar.
The three participants thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his support in the Kingdom’s development of technical excellence, which helps raise the efficiency of national capabilities in the digital sector.
They also expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Saudi Federation for Cyber Security, Programming and Drones, as well as the Tuwaiq Academy for specialized courses in the field of encryption; which played a key role in their team reflected in achieving a bronze medal.
The Olympiad is the only event of its kind in the field of cryptography and sees researchers solving complex mathematical problems for application in the real world.
Since its first edition in 2014, more than 2,500 participants from more than 50 countries around the world have participated in the Olympiad.
Saudi meteorology center warns of heavy rain across Kingdom, public told to avoid flood-prone areas
Stay away from valleys and waterways at least until Thursday, Civil Defense cautions
National Center for Meteorology center warns of possible thunderstorms and dust storms
Updated 14 December 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has warned of thunderstorms across the Kingdom that could lead to flash floods, and officials cautioned the public against venturing in low-lying places prone to flooding.
In its weather forecast for Sunday, the meteorology center said “moderate to heavy thunderstorms are expected, leading to flash floods, accompanied by hail showers and active winds that will stir up dust and sand” in several provinces of the Kingdom.
These include Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, Madinah, Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, Jazan and parts of the Eastern Province. Light to moderate storms are expected in parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf and Tabuk, the NCM said.
In a separate advisory, the General Directorate of Civil Defense urged the public to avoid places prone to flash floods and valleys at least until December 18.
A lake forms in the desert following days of rain in Rafha city in the Northern Borders Province, near the Saudi border with Iraq. (SPA)
Since the past few days, various parts of Saudi Arabia had been blessed with light to moderate rain as full winter weather set in.
In separate reports, the Saudi Press Agency published images of beautiful landscapes that have emerged after being revitalized by rain.
Deserts rejuvenated
Among these are Al-Nafud (The Great Nafud Desert) in the Kingdom’s north, where moderate to heavy rainfall have “transformed the landscape, turning the golden sand dunes into stunning formations,” and also created streams and lakes.
Plants are beginning to sprout in Al-Nafud Desert after getting rain. (SPA)
“The cool weather has since made the Nafud a prime destination for desert and camping enthusiasts from inside and outside (Rafha) governorate,” SPA said.
Rain have also rejuvenated the Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, the Kingdom’s second-largest nature reserve, spanning parts of the Northern Borders, Hail, Qassim, Al-Jouf and Eastern Province.
In the Northern Borders province, the Wadi Arar has come alive, refilling the province’s 11 operational dams.
With streams flowing into Wadi Arar, dams in the Northern Borders province are being replenished. (SPA)
“The deserts of Arar City ... have become an enchanting destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts following recent rainfall. The resulting rainfalls have created a stunning scenery, with flowing streams winding through sand dunes and ravines,” SPA said.
Cool, verdant mountains
In Asir and adjacent provinces in the southwest, fog shrouding mountain peaks and the city of Abha have resulted in beautiful winter sceneries, attracting nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.
Abha city in Asir shrouded with fog as full winter weather sets in. (SPA)
Futher south in Najran province, days of rain have increased vegetation cover and revitalized the valley’s natural streams.
One of the foremost attractions is the Wadi Mughaydid on the slopes of the Sarawat range’s Maghra Mountains in northwest Najran, renowned for its pristine natural beauty.
Stretching 25 kilometers from Bir Askar Park to Shaab Baran, the valley’s unique geography combines verdant plains with towering mountains, making it an ideal destination for hiking and nature enthusiasts, according to SPA.
View of Wadi Mughaydid in Najran coming to life following days of rain. (SPA)
